Zao - Interview by Bruce Fitzhugh
Living Sacrifice's Bruce Fitzhugh interviews Zao
I talked to Jesse from Zao for the first time last year after Living Sacrifice had completed Reborn for Solid State/Tooth & Nail. I called because I was booking some shows for us, and we wanted to hook up with a cool hardcore band. We ended up doing only three or four shows together on the East Coast, because they were in the middle of a three-month tour that would take them from coast to coast, and besides, their debut on Tooth & Nail wasn't even released yet. To this day they tour more than any other Solid State band. Meeting these guys and seeing their passion and zeal was a blessing; not to mention that they are an amazing band to see live.
I got the opportunity to produce the new Zao record in Little Rock where we did ours, after Jesse and I had talked about various studios, and where he thought would be the best place for them to record. I think this new record, Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest, will definitely surprise a lot of people, and not because of anything I did, but because this band refused to quit and they are better for it. This is an interview we did via e-mail while they were on the road...
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Fill me in on what has been happening since the Splinter record and how you found yourself with a new band.
Jesse -- "After The Splinter (Shards the birth of Separation)came out in April of '97, Shawn, our old vocalist, was the first to leave. He moved on to be a youth pastor. Roy got married, Ron went to college, Kevin went to the mall..
"I think the reason for everyone moving on was that it was just time. Their lack of interest, lack of commitment. It was all bleeding together. Zao is commitment. That's all we were on tour. Shawn and Roy let it be known they were finished. After that, everything just worked out. Basically me and Brett (Pensive) just started over. Later, Dan and Russ followed."
How much touring did you guys do for that record, and did it contribute to the rest of the guys leaving?
Jesse -- "The record came out in April 97. By that time, we had already been on tour the whole year. Being in a band at a smaller level is not easy. In the beginning, we had made the decision to go as full time as possible, but they were no longer willing to commit to this. I think not being able to have a full time job, being away from home and moving place to place wasn't their thing. All in all, it has worked out for the best. They are happy and Zao as a band has greatly matured musically since their departure."
I noticed in the studio that the songs on this new record are more mature and cohesive than the past record, what do you attribute that to?
Jesse -- "On the last record I had written over half of the material. It has been awesome to be in a band with others who are concerned with writing the best material we are capable of. Also, the new members' musical influences are much broader. Personally, I have been listening to a lot of Neurosis, Bark Market, Portishead and Deftones."
What did you guys have in mind when you began writing Blood and Fire? Was it a conscious move toward metal or away from hardcore, or am I completely off with my choice of descriptions?
Jesse -- Actually, you are right on with your description. We are a band of four Spirit-filled Christians. We believe that Jesus is Lord, but we have no desire to cater to any scene, Christian or not."
Did the recording of the new songs translate well from what you originally envisioned?
Jesse -- "Definitely. You (Bruce) helped a lot with the overall tones, and Barry Poynter did an excellent job recording the record."
What did you have in mind vocally, and did that come across in your opinion?
Dan -- "Vocally, I wanted it to be different. A higher range than the old vocalist, but maintain a powerful sound. Also, (I wanted) to cross between high and low ranges. I am still learning a lot about my voice. The studio puts all of your talents under a microscope. When I first heard my voice in the studio I was kind of bummed out, but I'm constantly working to improve. I guess I'm happy with my vocals on the record."
Your vocals are very intense. Who are some vocalists that you draw from for inspiration within this particular style?
Dan -- "The vocalists from a few local bands more than anything. Jack, from a band called Passover, Iggy, from Abnegation, and Chad, from Puritan. Mainstream bands whose vocals I like are Acme, At the Gates, and of course, Carcass."
How did you like recording in Arkansas, and how big of a jerk am I in the studio?
Jesse and Dan -- "This recording experience was much better than the last. We had twelve days this time, compared to five on The Splinter... You and Barry helped to capture the sound we were shooting for. We were slightly disappointed with the sound of the last record. In another light, we all had a good time with everyone involved with the recording. The only reason we think you're a jerk is because of the crack infested hotel you made us live in for two weeks. (laughter)"
What do you want to accomplish with this record, in terms of exposure to the hardcore scene or the metal scene?
Jesse and Dan -- "We want to blow up and take over the world... We want Metallica and Slayer to open up for us!"
What do you want to accomplish spiritually or in a ministry sense with the new record?
Jesse and Dan -- "We are trying to stay away from any Christian formulas for ministry. Let's let God be God and do what He wants. We are not saying that we don't want God to move. We totally do. Just in the most unfleshly manner as possible. Just because we are Christians in this band, that does not entitle kids to expect a spiritual circus at every show."
Tell me a little about the lyrical content of this record and your style compared to Shawn's, the previous vocalist.
Dan -- "Well, they are all very personal things I have experienced in life, but not quite as straight forward as Shawn's... a little more on the poetic side."
I really liked the impact and emotion of "A Fall Farewell." Could you tell me a bit about it, if it isn't too personal?
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