ZAO Interview

The Gauntlet: Zao have had more rumored break-ups then most other bands in the hardcore/metal scene. With this official break-up set for later this Summer, do you think this time it's for good?



Jesse Smith: yes. this is it. we are done. before, it was never an official announcement from the band, just a rumor, but this time, it?s for good.



The Gauntlet: How hard has it been to keep the vision Zao began with over the course of several albums with so many line-up changes?



Jesse: very difficult. The vision changed with each new member, but it was natural too. you just can keep the same vision with different people ? everyone has their own idea of what?s going on. our main focus was the desire to play good music.



The Gauntlet: How would you compare Parade of Chaos with the last Zao album, Self-Titled?



Jesse: Way different ? Parade of Chaos is not nearly as technical musically ? we went back to a roomy, analog sound instead of a processed and clicky sound that we had on the Self-Titled album. It was a completely different writing process too. Scott and I came to the studio with almost all of the album done, and Dan fit his lyrics with our music. we played around with a lot of different sounds because we had more time- before, we did a lot of writing in the studio.



The Gauntlet: Who came up with the idea to do a song concerning the West Memphis Three? Has the band followed the series of events surrounding this puzzling case?



Jesse: that?s more of a Dan question because he writes all of the lyrics, but he?s been following the case and had a lot of clippings about what went on. We had the music to the song, and Dan thought it would be perfect for the lyrics he wrote about the Three. He?s been really into the case.



The Gauntlet: With the split looming closer, are there any specific things you wish Zao had been able to do but didn't?



Jesse: personally, if we could have kept it together better and cut out the drama I think we could have been a lot more successful as a band.
For me, it?s been a really good learning experience. I kind of wish we could have been more successful, but it obviously wasn?t meant for us.



The Gauntlet: Over the past few records the band has moved in a much more experimental direction than earlier releases. How did the band decide on this experimentation (added electronic presence, etc) and do you feel that is necessary for a band to continue pushing boundaries to remain relevant?



Jesse: for the first couple of albums, we were metal heads ? then we all got older, our musical tastes changed and band members changed. we all started to get into different music like classical rock, Brit rock, electronica, etc. As our musical tastes changed, so did the elements that went into our music ? we had way more to work with than before. I think you just have to constantly reinvent your self ? and our different musical interests came out in our later releases. it just depends on what standards of relevant is. you don?t have to reinvent yourself to become relevant. but if you stay in the same scene and keep yourself playing the same stuff ? it just gets boring. quality and honesty = relevance.



The Gauntlet: What is your opinion of the new album? In your mind does it make for a fitting end to an impressive career?



Jesse: I think it?s alright ? there are 2-3 songs I really like. we tried some new things we?ve never done before, but then we combined some of our old elements and techniques. I guess it makes a fitting end ? honestly it?s hard to look at our career and call it impressive, but for me it?s fitting to just let the band go and move on.



The Gauntlet: What are your tour plans for this summer? Do you have anything special planned for possibly your last tour ever?



Jesse: For this tour we?re starting in Bushnell, IL at a huge festival. we were going to end it at Furnace Fest., but since the date moved up we are having the last show on the tour in Richmond, VA on Aug. 10th. we may play one final show, but I?m pretty sure the show on the 10th will the last. the special thing about the tour this time is that we?re playing songs that the crowd wants to hear. we?ve always played the songs that we wanted to play regardless of what our fans wanted, but this time, the tour is for them. the set is a collage of our albums with the majority being from Where Blood And Fire Bring Rest, and few more off of the other albums. It?s been tough re-learning all of the different songs, but we?ve been rehearsing for the past few months and it?s sounding tight.



The Gauntlet: What does the album title, Parade of Chaos, represent?



Jesse: This is more of a Dan question since he thought of the title, but as I know it...it?s basically a general idea that the world is a mess. it?s a mass of chaos that just keeps circulating.



The Gauntlet: Personally, I am a huge fan, and want to say that it'll be a sad day to see Zao put to rest. I thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Before we wrap this up, do you have any last comments?



Jesse: I do. I have a new band called Oceans, and Scott and Russ are starting up a new band...they need an singer if anyone reading this article is interested. other than that, thank you for the interview and thanks to everyone who has always supported us.


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Tags:  Zao  , Jesse, interviews

JFerret    November 30, -0001