Spotlight: Tom "Chops" Hannum

Q&A with the man on bass

1. What’s your name, your instrument, and how long have you been with Sneezy?

   Thomas Chops Hannum. Lead Bass. I have also recorded some Keys on our earlier albums. I have been playing with the crew since 2009.
   

2. How did you first end up in this band?

   When we were seniors in high school, Jack and Brett had a group called Sneezy Trio. When we graduated, their bassist Guzman moved out of state and I was asked to join in his place. This grew and evolved into what we now know as Sneezy.
   

3. Describe the Sneezy sound to someone who’s never heard us — but you can’t use the word “funky.”
   Sneezy is a Jazz Band
   

4. What song in the set do you look forward to playing the most, and why?
   ”Crazy Amazing Good Things.” Love the message and I love playing the bass line.
   

5. What was your toughest gig with Sneezy?
   The memorial show for Pat.
   

6. What was your favorite gig with Sneezy?
   I can't pick a favorite. I have fun at every show.
   

7. Who is the artist who most inspired you to pursue music?

   I believe I was inspired by music itself before I was inspired by an artist. My parents had me start piano at age 5 and have always been supportive when I ask odd questions like "can I take Bass lessons?"
   
   Here are artists that I am inspired by:
   The Meters/George Porter Jr., Flea, Les Claypool, P-Funk/George Clinton, Jaco Pastorius, James Jamerson, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, Sly Stone, Larry Graham, D'Angelo, Prince. Mononeon, Steely Dan, Phish, Umphrey's McGee, Grateful Dead, The Band, Jamiroquai, Steve Gadd, Rick Rubin, Bruce Lee, and my band mates.
   

8. What’s a skill, hobby, or obsession you have that has absolutely nothing to do with music?
   Making Hot Sauce. I've gotten into growing pepper plants, fermenting them, and creating sauces. It has been very rewarding!
   

9. Who in the band would you call if you had a flat tire? Who would you call if you had an extra ticket to a show?
   Flat tire i would call Jack. Extra ticket I would call our manager Brian.
   

10. The van is gone but Boogie Nation showed up. What does that mean to you?
    It means a lot. We have been grinding for years. Sometimes it isn't clear how far you have come. Seeing Boogie Nation is a great reminder that we are growing a great community.

When Tom shreds his bass on “Crazy Amazing Good Things,” he’s motivated by the message of the song. Nothing makes that message clearer than our gofundme campaign. It’s truly amazing that we’ve raised 18.5k in April. You’ve got nine days left to show us how crazy it can get.