on fire with placements so, why not? It couldn’t
hurt. I didn’t really have high expectations
because we were a new and very green band
with simple songs. There was a lot of amazing
talent going through his studio and I was a little
intimidated, but I knew it wouldn’t hurt.
Signing that contract was one of the best things
I’ve ever done.
FRM: What is the best advice you’d give
to someone starting their first band?
CZ: 1) Do your own thing; find YOURSELF. 2)
Always go with your gut. If you truly believe in
yourself and your music you are probably doing
something right. 3) Grow thick skin!
FRM: When writing a song, do the lyrics
or music come first?
CZ: Almost always it’s a riff that starts the
process—and I almost always write at home on
my acoustic in like a singer-songwriter style.
When I get something that resembles a song,
I take it to my rig in my rehearsal studio and
try to ‘Zer0’ it out. Sometimes it comes from
that magical place from just jamming with the
band. Since I’m just a rhythm guitarist that
kinda fell into the singer slot, the lyrics and singing are the hardest part for me. I can barely chew gum
and walk and I’m not really a great singer. I just try to find myself and make the most out of what I
have.
FRM: Which of your songs do you connect with the most?
CZ: Which of my babies do I love the most? LOL! I just do not know. ‘Diabla’ was the first American
Zer0s song and it’s about a very special person to me. ‘Something’ was the first studio track I sang
lead on and I really love the lyrics. ‘Capital’ is the first one that actually pertains to what I set out to
do in the first place—LOL! I love them all and I really believe the best is yet to come. But if you’re
going to put my feet to the fire--or as our benevolent government might say, ‘enhanced interrogation’,
then I’m going to have to say ‘Something’ is very close to my heart.
FRM: If given the chance to share the stage with one group, who would that be?
CZ: I wouldn't mind playing ‘War Pigs’ with the Sabbath boys...I wish they were all still with us. Saw
them once at OZZFEST--all-time fav show.
FRM: Are you “all in”, or do you all have day jobs?