Zen Guerilla
Zen Guerilla look set to hit the UK in November this year and boy will it be a riotous event. Describing themselves as "really heavy Motown with a twist" is just the start and the live reports from America suggest the most exciting punk rock affair in years. Not that Zen Guerilla are a new band - they've been in the business for 10 years, were signed to Jello Biafra label and are now signed to Sub Pop. Read on and find inner peace:
Q: In essence "Shadows On The Sun" is the first introduction
of Zen Guerilla in the UK. What can we expect?
A: Its really heavy Motown but with our own sort of twist
on it. Baby blues, soul, gospel mixed up in a blender with our own sort
of interpretation of it. Were in no means any kind of retro band and we
definitely update it 2001. I think what's really moved on from the early
days is that we've managed to capture the live sound onto vinyl and if
your comparing this record with our previous ones there just a whole host
of new flavours in there.
Q: As you said before there's just so many flavours.
On "Evening Sun" I can even hear a bit of the Doors thrown in for good
measure?
A: Oh yeah - really!!!! The other guys it reminded them
of Elvis and Roxy Music before that. That's the beauty of music, its up
to the listeners interpretation. I actually wrote that song for my mother
who always bugs me that she listens to our records and can't hear the vocals.
I wrote that song for her so she could play it while she's working in the
garden.
Q: I believe you used to live in the UK years ago.
As someone who has experienced both cultures what would you say are the
main differences?
A: The British are really proud and rightfully so - their
heritage and contribution to the world. The Americans are a bunch of young
kids. Nu money and Nu ideas and very cocky like a young teenager - that's
how I see it!!!
Q: It must be pretty chaotic both in the studio and
especially on the live shows. I heard you never have a set list.
A: We've been playing together for 10 years. Its not
like all the time we go up on stage without set lists and when we go out
on tour we have 3 sets we pick from. Its like Set A, Set B, and Set C and
those are pretty much imbedded on us from rehearsing. Its a case of regurgitating
a statement that you've memorized.
Q: You used to be signed to Alternative Tentacles records
(Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedy's label). Do you find it dis-heartening
with all the trouble that happened with them?
A: Its a shame all around but its not really any of my
business. Biafra is a friend of mine and I've met East Bay Ray but that
stuff happens in music when money gets involved. The music remains the
same, the integrity behind the music remains the same and as you get older
needs change and there's children. Its sort of like an ugly can of worms
you feed upon or move on and wish the best for all involved.
Everything's about ego's and fallout's. I'm sure everybody
in every walk of life has them. The people in the bakery store have problems
with ego's. Unfortunately its just part of being human. Rock & Roll
is unique in that you get to perform in front of people and have to get
off on that.
Q: Do you still have heroes after all this then?
A: That happens to the best of them. It happened to the
Smiths and many other band I respect have gone through similar things.
No-one is superhuman and no-one is perfect. You try to keep your heroes....most
of my heroes are dead and never achieved that level of recognition that
the Dead Kennedys. I really idolize Otis Reading and some of the ground
breaking black artists who were spot-lighted but never were house-hold
names.
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"Shadows On The Sun" is out now on Sub Pop
www.subpop.com
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