ZEKE
Ride With ZEKE
By: Carl Schultz and James Grell
“Ride With Zeke” has quickly become the mantra for music fans who have accepted the invitation brought by on Heckler Magazine when they said, “Welcome the new monsters of rock.” And believe me, West Coast punk/thrashers ZEKE are monsters. Ever since their very first gig at the Rock City in Seattle in 1993, people have had no choice but to pay attention. Their records will assault you, and their live show will batter you.
On the eve of the release of the band's new album, ''Til the Livin' End' and days before the launch of the Spring, 2004 Relapse Contamination Tour, RESOUND caught up with ZEKE's Donny Paycheck and dug up some details on the band's seemingly relentless ride of Rock & Roll abandon.
RESOUND: ZEKE has just completed the new album, ''Til the Livin' End.' How do you feel now that the album is done and how do you compare the new record to past albums?
Donny Paycheck: I'm surprised it turned out so well! We had been writing this record for about six months, but had never heard the songs together. When we finished I was in awe. I think this record has to be our best, not only for the sound quality, but also for its diversity and the performance of the band. I feel like we have progressed as a band.
Do you feel that ZEKE's sound has become more “metal” over the years?
I don't know. I think we have always been a little Metal and a little Punk. In the early 90's, it was just cool to be Punk and not Metal...now we don't care! We are what we are for no other reason; we just play Rock and Roll.
ZEKE recorded with Jack Endino on ''Til the Livin' End,' even though some think that 'Death Alley' is your best sounding record (opinions vary). Why the decision to go with Endino this time around?
I recorded a side project with Jack for my label (Dead Teenager Records), and loved the sounds. He lives down the street from me and we are friends, so it was natural to have him do the record. Billy (Stevenson / 'Death Alley' producer, etc.) lives in Fort Collins. I really think for this album's content, Jack was the best choice.
Talk a bit about the free DVD that comes with initial quantities of ''Til the Livin' End?'
This DVD is a mixture of all the ZEKE records performed live. It will bring new fans up to speed and give old fans a taste of the old days. We did this behind the 'Zeke You' DVD to give good sound quality to a DVD release. And giving it away free is fuckin' cool.
If you could be any car ever, which one would it be?
A '69 Charger with a 440!
Since this is ZEKE's first record after the band 'breaking up' for a short while, is there any sort of rejuvenation felt, or is jamming / recording / etc. akin to "riding a bike?"
Both. Yes, (there's a) rejuvenation and (its also) just like riding a bike. The band as a three piece can do so much more as far as different types of songs. At the same time, we still play a lot of the classic material, so it was just like taking a break and getting back on the bike.
What is ZEKE's relationship with Dead Teenager Records?
I am half owner of the label, and ZEKE's 'Live and Uncensored' was the first release to start it. Now we have a few releases and a few bands.
How has being based in the Northwest both helped and hindered the band to date?
Grunge kind of was good and bad for ZEKE. It seemed like some press people came to talk to us and expected some grunge band, since we're from Seattle. When they saw us, they said we sucked. Although we got the press, it wasn't good.
I think Texas and California are the first two states that contributed to ZEKE's success. We had built draws in these cities way before Seattle ever accepted us and before we where signed to Epitaph. Then all of a sudden, people were like "Zeke is from Seattle!" They still don't give us props in the papers here. They are more concerned with what ever Emo band that can't make it out of Seattle, than the touring, record selling, hard working bands, like the SUPERSUCKERS or ZEKE. We get better press in any other city. The crowds here are still good, just not the press.
What are the band's plans for the remainder of 2004 and where would you like to see ZEKE as a band by the end of the year. Cheers!
We toured with HIGH ON FIRE and then we will tour with SUPERJOINT RITUAL from March 26 to May 3rd. We will tour Europe from June 16 to July 18 and hopefully we'll tour somewhere in the Fall. So, we'll tour, tour and tour some more!
ZEKE's brand new album, ''Til the Livin' End' is out now! Check the 'tour' section of www.RELAPSE.com for updated ZEKE news and tour information.
www.ZEKEYOU.com
|
|
|