Recently I had a chance to have an exclusive interview with Zim that highlights his life up to this point. It also gives some insight into the future in Zim's project's. I hope you enjoy this interview, I am glad to share it with you.
1. Would you tell me some background information on you? (you can send me to a website that has the correct background info on you). Like general things.. Where were you born? Raised? Cities lived in?
ZZ: There are some websites that have all the basic stuff, Jenny's is a good one for that. I was born in Chicago on June 25th, 1969. Raised in Summit, IL (about 1 block outside Chicago on the South side). I've lived in Chicago and Hollywood, CA but I've spent a lot of time in Lakeland, Fla. where my family lives.
2. When did you start music?
ZZ: Actually playing at age 13, I was a fan of music since I can remember. My Mom always had music playing on the turntable, Beatles, Bowie, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Jefferson Starship, Jim Croce etc.
What instruments do you play?
ZZ: I mainly play guitar, but I play bass and piano/keyboards a lot too.
When did you know that you wanted take music further than a hobby?
ZZ: I think it was always there but I got to a point of being able to learn and create at a faster level than my musician friends. But when I was able to form a band and play (while in high school during the day, shows at night) it dawned on me that this was for me.
And what course did you take at that point?
ZZ: I started doing ridiculous hours of rehearsal with the band I was in, 13 hours straight at a time and then I discovered the art of recording and the first recordings I did were similar to what I do now in that I recorded about 30 songs in a week (now I try to take it a little slower) but I have stockpiled about 80 songs at this point, all which are new.
3. What bands have you played with?
ZZ: LSD, Marilyn Manson and some brief recordings with Cher and Korn as well as a VH1 behind the music special.
Give a general overview of your experience with the bands.
ZZ: Well each was very different and interesting, I love applying what I do to others music as well as recording my own music and having them apply themselves to it. I was a kid when I was in LSD and they were the first band I saw live before I was even in high school, they were seniors when I was a freshmen so it was amazing remembering when I said to myself "thats what I want to do" and then about 3 years later I was in the band. MM was really out of nowhere, but after playing with LSD I wasn't intimidated by playing with a band that usually played for a lot of people. I really didn't know much about MM, I saw them play a club in Chicago once, but all I saw was the back of someone's head. When I actually got a call from them I didn't own any of their CD's.. so that was interesting learning 2 albums in about a week. Cher was relaxed and very professional. Korn was relaxed and interesting in that it was for a remix and I was just making up new parts to go over existing ones for a friends band. (that just happened to be Korn)
4. Would you please share the basic idea of how you morphed into Zim Zum... how it has affected you as an artist and how you have changed in your artistic endeavors.
ZZ: I physically became Zim Zum in MM but mentally I was born Zim Zum. The name is just one small piece of a bigger picture. I am the one who re-created myself. Its something that if your more than 100% into what your doing you have to just dive all the way in. Its just a name given to a way of life for me. Its like having a 2 hour movie and needing a short title that gives you an idea of what its all about. For me that seems impossible but it's something that sticks in your head. my artistic endeavors have grown and expanded to things I never dreamed of. I have surrounded myself with everything creative. I now have access to things I didn't when I first started (like being able to record whenever I feel creative) I feel like I'm more of an artist mentally that is a musician physically. I approach songs like pieces of a painting done a little at a time, and I just seem to "know" when they are finished. Even though I am amazingly happy with where I am now I never really feel content with what I'm doing, I always have the desire to take it to the next level, trying to stay ahead of my own mental and physical capacity.
5. What are you wanting to convey with your new projects?
ZZ: Well I think its more about reaching more people faster. Using technology the way it was intended and pushing it a bit as well. I want to show that there is a lot more to me than anyone knows. If I have a thought about something I can instantly get feedback from A LOT of people. I can record a song one day and everyone can hear it the next, no down time, the instant future. I'm going to carve my name in the Internet.
Was it hard to find someone on the same wavelength as you artistically (meaning X)?
ZZ: yes, he was new to the whole experience so it is good that we got together when we did because I can work with him and he is open to all of my ideas. It was and isn't ever an easy process finding people to apply themselves to your ideas.
6. Would you name some of the songs coming out on the album for me; and if you have the album title at this point.
ZZ: Well there are 2 EP's at this point and the 3rd is in the final process. All are as yet untitled although one is tentatively titled "Post Traumatic Shock" they will all eventually tie together and become one album. Some of the 35 song titles are: Killing Hvmanity, All we are, The Unforgiving Lifestyle, Avtomatican (incomplete and obsolete), Tvrn on me and Meltdown.
7. Who has inspired you throughout your life? Who has influenced your music?
ZZ: Life in general inspires me, but nothing inspires me to make more of my life than my grandmother Grace.
8. What gear do you use? Guitars, Amps, etc.
ZZ: Marshall 1960 B cabinets with 2 of the 4 cabinets using 25 watt greenback celestions and the other bottom 2 using 75 watt celestions. I use all racked gear for the most part. Sans amp pre amps with a mos valve power amp and a midi foot controller but I do switch things up a lot, I also used a Marshall jmp 1 and a vintage Marshall 2x12 combo and some various foot pedals. A lot of different guitars and synth guitar equipment. Gibson Les Pauls and sg's, Fender Strats, Fernandes (everything) Washburn p4's you name it.
9. What are your plans for the future? What do you see in the next few years for you?
ZZ: Everything will change. I really see the world coming around to my way of thinking. I will have at least one album out this year with a tour and I will do some producing, start a record label, finish my home studio, have my clothing designs available, my magazine on the net, have a line of T-shirts out as well and possibly even do some acting...
10. Tour plans? I would love to see a performance live.. As would many. Are you planning on any soon? I know you said you were wanting to perform live. If so come to CA and tell me when!!
ZZ: Yes, we (Pleistocene) are all more than ready to take this show on the road.
