Push to Fire Interview: Zebrahead During October 2008 Zebrahead are back in the UK for a headline tour. Suzy caught up with bassist Ben to find out what they've been up to since May's Slam Dunk Festival.
The last time we saw you it was at the Slam Dunk Festival in Leeds back in May. So what's been going on since then? Hmm...Our drummer finally recovered from his motorcycle accident. We are still calling him a dumbass for that. But thanks again to Chris from the band Death by Stereo for filling in at Leeds slam dunk so we could play! We just filmed a couple videos and are getting ready to head back to the UK/Europe and Japan. We love the 'Phoenix' album. How long did it take to write/ produce? It took probably about 9 months total....I would say 6 to 7 months of writing and 2 months of recording. We are really slow when it comes to writing and tend to write like 50 extra songs that suck and get thrown out. What was the real reason for leaving the songs out? The real truth is they SUCKED!
Tell us a bit more about Broadcast the the World the EFFing DVD.. what can we expect from it? It is like the buffet table of videos...there are live songs from all over the world..all 6 music videos from the Broadcast album...and a bunch of home videos that I made on my computer using footage I filmed everywhere....so some shady editing and stuff on the home videos...but hey...its a free bonus... So you're back touring the UK again in October. What would you say is the best thing about touring over here? What makes you glad to be back? I really enjoy sight-seeing in the UK and Europe....and also enjoy being really really drunk and getting greasy food in kebab shops at 2am. Nothing better than the feeling when you wake up in the morning and realize how crappy you feel..but then I do it again the next night. What's on a typical Zebrahead rider? Beer. Beer. Beer. Beer. Beer and Peanut Butter. At slam dunk one of you (Greg Bergdorf) was seen playing the guitar with a lemon... what's all that about? He likes to do silly things like that. I can't really tell you what was going on...but hey it sounds pretty damn cool when he does stuff like that. He is a pretty amazing guitar player and much more inventive than me...I will try and one up him by using my fingers...ah crap, that is what I am supposed to do.
What bands do you like to listen to (not necessarily those that inspire you, just ones you like)? I have been listening to Rise Against lately....maybe a little Suicide Machines or I really like that One Day As a Lion...always fall back to Fergie..who can't get down with London Bridge? What's the craziest thing a fan has done for you? hmmm..I really think we are all crazy. Some people just hide it better than others. I really enjoy it when people are excited or come up with wacky things. We are lucky we have anyone who even cares about our band...so more power to people who get involved. On that note...Tattoos are forever. We read that Fandangle recorded their new album in Greg's recording studio. Did you have much involvement with the album? I came by while they were recording and bugged them. They hadn't showered much so smelled really bad, but seemed to be having the time of their lives....and it always seems that way with those guys...positive energy. Which up and coming bands should we listen to? Any recommendations? I really like Attack! Attack!...great band from Wales.
Apart from the instruments you play in the band, do any of you play any others? Our drummer is a decent guitar player...by decent I mean crappy.....our guitar player can play the drums like Animal from Sesame Street and even rocks the piano....and our singer guitar player can actually play the piano OK....I just sit back and laugh at their efforts....that is a nice way of saying I can't play anything but bass and barely can play that. You've covered a few songs over the years. If you were forced to become a tribute band, who would you like to be? Spice Girls. Truly believed in the girl power movement. Just thinking about it makes me have goose bumps...I might have to take a dump though..so it could be because of that. What's your favourite videogame? Super Mario Bros....or Sonic the Hedgehog.....those will never get beat....OK..maybe Dance Dance Revolution....AMAZING And finally,with the exception of the zebra.. what is your favourite wild animal? I would go with the cat. Fat, lazy and likes to sit around and lick itself.......paradise!
Photos by Suzy Witts (taken at Slam Dunk Festival 2008). Thanks to Adam for sorting out the interview to us and Ben for being interviewed. Check out zebrahead.tv and myspace.com/zebrahead for more info and tour dates. We recommend you catch the band live at one of their October shows... we'll be there and hope you will be too! Check out the MySpace for details of the UK/Europe/Japan tour.