In this energetic and wide-ranging interview, Pipeman chats with Henning from H-Blockz at the legendary Wacken Open Air festival. The conversation dives into the band’s first ever Wacken performance, the evolution of H-Blockz’s sound, parallels between the music and equestrian worlds, and stories from both rock and horse riding arenas. The episode is punctuated with humor, music industry insight, and personal stories, highlighting the importance of passion in any pursuit.Main Topics Covered
- H-Blockz’s debut performance at Wacken Open Air (01:04)
- The impact and influence of Rage Against the Machine (02:53)
- H-Blockz’s genre-blending style and their approach to making music (03:54)
- The role of fun and passion in music and life (04:45, 05:52)
- Henning’s parallel life training show jumping horses (05:55)
- Parallels between the equestrian and music industries (06:20)
- Musical and equestrian connections spanning Germany, the US, and Wellington, FL (07:20)
- Notable celebrities in the equestrian scene (Bruce Springsteen, Bill Gates) (09:44)
- The philosophy and community spirit behind Wacken Open Air (14:25)
- How to find and connect with H-Blockz’s music and merch (15:38)
Key Discussions & Stories
- Wacken Festival Experience:
Henning shares the surreal moment of performing for up to 50,000 people at their first Wacken appearance, describing the transformation from a handful of fans to a massive crowd:“It was like we were headliners. That was 60 minutes of rock and roll feeling. I mean, rock star feeling.” (01:29) - Genre Fusion and Band Identity:
The conversation explores H-Blockz’s influences and how their first album was a surprise hit. Henning discusses their varied musical background and the struggle to find their band’s DNA before embracing what felt natural in the studio. - Music and Passion:
Both speakers emphasize the necessity of loving what you do—whether in music, horse riding, or life—underlining that audiences can always sense authenticity:“When the people feel that you mean it, what you do, then they love you.” (02:11) - Equestrian Connections:
Henning details his life breeding and training show jumping horses, drawing parallels to being a musician. The two share stories about Wellington, FL, its equestrian culture, and the tight-knit nature of both communities, with shared references to high-profile personalities. - Celebrity Horse Riders:
Fun trivia and stories about Bruce Springsteen’s and Bill Gates’s involvement in equestrian sports are included, with Henning sharing about connections through horse chiropractors and trainers. - Wacken’s Unique Community:
The grassroots growth of Wacken, its farming village origins, and the genuine community spirit are discussed as key reasons for its continued success.
Notable Quotes
“It’s all about the love of the game, you know, that’s, that’s it.” — Henning (02:33)
"If you suck, they wouldn’t be there..." — Pipeman (01:54)
"You have to love it for the audience to love it. Like, how are you gonna love it if you don't?" — Pipeman (05:15)
“You can’t fake having money and you can’t fake the love for... the sport.” — Henning (12:55)
“And for us, Now, after more than 30 years of existence, we committed ourselves to if we don't have fun, we don't go out there.” — Henning (06:55)Resources & Links Mentioned
- Connect with H-Blockz:
- Listen to H-Blockz’s music and check out their latest album and merch: H-Blockz Music
- Events & Personalities:
Pipeman in the Pit is a music, festival, and interview segment of The Adventures of Pipeman Radio Show (#pipemanradio) and from The King of All Festivals while on The Pipeman Radio Tour.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/pipeman-in-the-pit--2287932/support.
Click Here to Subscribe for PERKS, BONUS Content & FREE GIVEWAYS!
Follow @pipemanradio on all socials & Pipeman Radio Requests & Info at www.linktr.ee/pipemanradio
Stream The Adventures of Pipeman daily & live Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays at 1PM ET on W4CY Radio & Talk 4 TV.
Download, Rate & Review the Podcast at The Adventures of Pipeman, Pipeman Radio, Talk 4 Media, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & All Podcast Apps.
