ZODIAC N BLACK
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 3rd November 2011.
London based four-piece Zodiac N Black have already got respected music critic Malcolm Dome excited. If they're good enough for him, they are certainly good enough for a feature on Rock Realms.
Vocalist Jad answers questions on behalf of the band.
Hi Guys, thanks for taking a moment to answer these questions. Hope you are well?
Jad: All is good thank you.
How did Zodiac N Black start, and what’s the history behind the various members?
Jad: Zodiac N Black started in 2008 by myself and Jim (guitar) as an outlet for a bunch of songs we had written. In 2010 we got together with Luca (drums) and Hank (bass), quickly realised we had something and decided it was time to record and go as far as we could with it.
Do you share musical Influences or is it the contrast in tastes that make the band work?
Jad: Both, we like to think we are influenced as much by what we don't like as the music we do. How would you describe your sound to someone who hadn’t heard you before? Hard Rock / metal / classic / alternative / rock / indie / stoner / fuzz / pop / psychedelic / blues / garage / groove. And all the others I've forgotten, but not acoustic... yet.
We've tried describing our sound before and tend to get it completely wrong. If Loud is a genre then we are that.
Your album “The Aftermyth” is coming out early next year. Can you tell us about it? How far progressed is it etc...?
Jad: The album is finished and we are just waiting for the official release on 19th January 2012 on STM Records. It's a mix of songs that shows off what we like about music. The songs were pretty well road-tested by the time we came to record them so there wasn't a great deal of work to do from an arrangement point of view, the priority for us capturing the sound of the band live on record which is harder than people think, but we are very proud of the way it has turned out.
Where did the title come from?
Jad: The title is essentially from a mispronunciation and a Beyond The Fringe sketch but like all the albums that we love, everything from the design, to the music, to the lyrics are open to interpretation and misinterpretation.
Do you enjoy the recording process or are you more into the live scene?
Jad: Like most bands, it's fundamentally about the live scene. The recording process is always fun because you get to hear something growing with control, but for a band like us, the shows are the time when you are part of something that is uncontrollable and you just have to go with it, which makes it very exciting.
What is one of your live shows like?
Jad: Full of energy and different every time. For us it is when it all makes sense and falls into place.
What have been the highlights of your musical life so far?
Jad: As cheesy and contrived as it may sound the first rehearsal with Jim, Hank, Luca and myself was pretty special and is hard to top. There was instantly something going on that was really exciting and unpredictable but at the same time we were all incredibly at ease with each other.
Any question you love being asked that I’ve missed? If so, what’s the answer?
Jad: How can I get a copy of your album? The answer, wait until 19th January 2012 and head down to your local record shop, and if they don't have it demand they order it in at once!
What are you up to once you’ve finished answering these questions?
Jad: Into rehearsals.
Anything else you would like to mention?
Jad: Yes! Our final show of the year is at The Dublin Castle on 18th November. We have a free single download called "Bastinado" that is available at www.zodiacnblack.com. And (once again) the album comes out on 19th January 2012.
Thanks again to Jad for his time.
