H A N S J. V O L L E R T
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, of German descent, Hans J. Vollert is a musician with extensive experience in studio environments and live performances. Vollert started to play the bass guitar at the age of 14, influenced by bands like as Iron Maiden, Slayer, Megadeth, Guns and Roses and Metallica. At the age of 16, he started looking for other musicians that shared his musical tastes, which now included New York Hard Core bands like as Biohazard, Madball and Sick of it All, as well as heavier bands like Sepultura, Machine Head, Fear Factory and Pantera.
The result was his first band, BOCA ABAJO, born in 1996.
​The young band went on to share the stage with bands such as South America rock pioneers A.N.I.M.A.L. (Warner- Argentina) and Syracuse straight-edge legends EARTH CRISIS (Roadrunner Records), at the Rock al Parque Festival ('97& '99) in front of a 30,000 people.
V FOR VOLUME's recorded their debut album "Providence" in 2010. Recorded and produced by MATEO CAMARGO (MADINA LAKE), the record debuted at the Hard Rock Café in Bogotá. VFV embarked on an extensive tour of Colombia to promote the release. Its success went well beyond what the band had expected. VFV received nominations in 6 different categories at the 2010 Shock Awards, and the single Cheap Universe hit local and international charts. To date, the video has well over half a million views on YouTube. It was #1 on MTVLA'S 10 most wanted videos, and #16 on MTVLA'S 20 most wanted videos of all 2010. The band also got the opportunity to open for the British band PLACEBO, and was in the line up of rock festivals all over the continent with artists like GREEN DAY, THE HORROS (UK), THE SOUNDS (Sweden), SCREAMING HEADLESS TORSOS (US), ZOE (MX) and CHOC QUIB TOWN (COL) among others.
While still playing for VFV, Hans formed a side project named THE DEVIL’S REJECTS. In 2009 they had the opportunity to work with New York producer JOEL HAMILTON who has recorded and produced artists like Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Matisyahu, Dub Trio, among others.
In 2011 V FOR VOLUME signed a managing contract with EMI/CAPITOL RECORDS former top executive Diana Rodriguez (Criteria Entertainment), and soon after the band signed sponsorship deals with EVANS, D'ADDARIO STRINGS and PLANET WAVES. They continued to tour in support of their debut album, traveling to the West Coast of the U.S. and Mexico, being featured in festivals like SxSW, BMI's Otoño Alternativo, Filter Magazine's Culture Collide and Vive Latino (Mexico).
In 2016 VFV hits the studio after a 4 year recess and spends 2 weeks recording "Gravity", their new album. The record is once again recorded and produced by Mateo Camargo at "Audiovision" in Bogotá - Colombia, thanks to TIGO MUSIC CO.
Gravity is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer among other platforms, hitting the charts and local playlists. About a year later, Gravity is finally available at local record stores including 3 bonus tracks found in the hard copy delux edition. Among these unique tracks, there´s a 2017 song called "Amnesia Lessons" which will part of the official soundtrack for the movie "Como te Llamas?" coming soon to theaters.
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Hans Vollert continues to play bass (and guitar) and is always looking for the next project that will help him expand his musical and personal horizons. In 2014 Hans, Francisco Ospina (on the drums) and Marc Rizzo (lead guitarist for Cavalera Conspiracy and Soulfly) get together for a powerful and entertaining project called MARC RIZZO & THE CORRUPTERS, where they cover metal classics from bands like Metallica, Slayer, Sepultura, Cavalera Conspiracy, Soulfly and many others, while playing some of Marc`s instrumental songs such as Isosceles, Great Odin`s Beard and Legionnaire.
After returning to his native Bogotá, Vollert, was asked by high-school friends to join their hardcore band, RAIZ. He was delighted to share the stage, once again, with some of the same people he did years ago when he was just starting as a musician. Shortly after joining them, RAIZ recorded their second album "ßeta," which was very well received in Colombia and South American charts, being ranked #1 on MTVLA's 10 most wanted Metal videos. With the record performing so well, the band got the opportunity to open for one of their greatest influence, DEFTONES during the South American tour. While still playing with RAIZ, Vollert also played bass and collaborated with other important local bands such as ULTRAGENO and KOYI K UTHO when opening for metal giants, SLIPKNOT in Bogotá.
RAIZ continued to grow musically and eventually outgrew the “hardcore” label. The line-up had a few changes and became V FOR VOLUME, often referred as one of the most influential Colombian rock bands in the 2000´s. Vollert enjoyed, not only continuing to play with childhood friends, but expanding his musical horizons. Although VFV reached a different crowd and moved within the indie rock and pop scene, the band never forgot its hardcore roots, which showed through in their high-energy live performances. VFV showed new audiences what had been missing in rock concerts: passion.
In 1999 Vollert traveled to the U.S. to study recording and audio production at Recording Workshop in Ohio. He then moved to Los Angeles to perform with metal band AGONY. Vollert played the bass in the group’s third album, “Reborn” (Sum Records, 2002). The album was produced by renowned engineer TOM FLETCHER, who has worked with a wide variety of acts, from UGLY KID JOE, OZZY OSBOURNE, and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, to AIR SUPPLY, YES and SCORPIONS.​ During his time in Los Angeles, Vollert had the opportunity to perform at some of the most prestigious and legendary venues in the area such as The Roxy and Whisky a Go Go.