Online
interview Russ Cogdell, guitarist for Zao
September 29, 2004
Zao, one of the fathers of underground Christian metal and they have now hit into the secular market with their first release from Ferret Records. The concept album, The Funeral of God, has started controversy with some and inspired others. We had a chance to chat with Russ via email about their latest project and their recent trip to Europe.
Dennis: Hey man, thanks a ton for
taking the time to do this interview with us during your busy schedule. How did
you guys comes up with the name Zao and what does it mean?
Russ: The name Zao was thought of first by Zao's
first singer Eric Reeder. It
means alive or to have life in Greek.
Dennis: Congrats on the sign up with Ferret!! Now
that you guys have made it to a secular label how or will this change your focus
in the future?
Russ: The people at Ferret are awesome, and seeing
they also are in a really good touring band, they know how the music industry
works first hand. So it's nice to have people backing your band with
understanding what it is like to be in a band and the problems that might occur.
Ferret has allowed us to do more things that we couldn't do before. As far as
what we wanted to do with the concept album for example. It is nice to have a
little more freedom than we did in the past.
Dennis: "The Funeral of God", in my
humble opinion, is the greatest Zao album ever! The intensity and mixing
is brutal, chaotic and poetic all at the same time! For those that
may be reading this interview or review of the album could you give us the
background on the concept of the album? And what is your favorite Zao
album?
Russ: The Funeral Of God started as a dream that
our singer had one night. What if God had let himself die and what would our
lives be like knowing there was a God and being able to have complete control of
our free will. Although this really would never happen, the concept was brought
out to make the listener think twice about his or her beliefs. This happens to
be, I could say, the whole band's favorite album because we had a lot of time to
write and record in which other times we were rushed. It was fun to take a lot
of time
and focus our creativity.
Dennis: One thing I noticed when reading the lyrics
for "The Funeral of God" was the incredible amount of conviction
that I have for sin in my life. Knowing the background of Zao, you
guys have hope and also must deal with conviction. What is your
response to those listening to the album with views such as yourself on
handling challenges of today?
Russ: A lot of the issues dealt in our lyrics in
this album and previous albums are based on situations that have occurred in our
singer Daniel Weyandt's life. Sometimes our friends can be here one minute and
be gone the next. God never promises us a certain time to live on the Earth. Our
individual convictions are varied as everyone's convictions should be an
individual experience. Listening to music that speaks to your convictions can
help you deal with them. If are music helps us do that for you, then our job is
done.
Dennis: There are so many extreme styles in this
latest album, what has been some of your musical influences?
Russ: Everyone in the band listens to a wide
variety of music. And when we start to write songs for a new record, a lot of
what we are listening to at the time is what comes out as we write. We listen to
anything from Nick Cave, Danzig, Johnny Cash, Bjork, Nightwish, They Might Be
Giants, The Cranberries, and even Rammstein.
Dennis: There seems to always be lingering rumors
of Zao breaking up or the band ending. Some people say it is for marketing
reasons and others say you guys just have your own views on how things
should be done. Any thoughts on recent rumors or break ups?
Russ: We have had a lot of instability in the past
because of a few former members had lived very far from where we all live now
and because of personal reasons as well. The current line-up that we have now is
Scott Mellinger, Dan Weyandt, Stephen Peck, Shawn Koschik and myself. We have
all know each other since high school, and some since middle school. We have
also been in former bands and side projects for years which means we've come to
know each other pretty well. All of us that are in the band now do the band for
the same reason. We all LOVE to play and right music. Zao will keep on writing
songs as long as there are fans to write songs for.
Dennis: So, I hear you guys have just returned from
Europe. How do the European crowds react to your music as compared to
those here in the US?
Russ: We have actually just returned from Europe a
few days ago. It was an amazing time. We didn't know what to expect, but all of
the shows were amazing, and it is really cool to see how your music affects
people on the other side of the planet. We have only been to Europe once before
which was last year. It's great to see people come out and sing your lyrics and
know the songs. It means a lot to all of us when people appreciate our band.
Dennis: So many bands of your style have lyrics
filed with hate, anger and extreme offensive language. What are your
thoughts on that type of music influencing teens?
Russ: Everyone surely enough has a free will in
whatever they choose to listen to. We all like all types of music. But when it
comes down to kids getting hurt or even critically injured at shows, that's
where we draw all lines. A lot of kids who are straight edge pertain to a
certain walk of life. Many times it can come down to those kids who see other
kids who might not have the same lifestyle to take it upon themselves to hurt
and injure other kids who are completely opposite of them.
Dennis: As a Christian band that has definitely
grabbed just as many mainstream fans, what is your advice to other Christians
that get themselves in a box and miss out on ministry chances like that due to
someone telling them they should look a certain way, sound a certain way
or whatever?
Russ: It is always better to take an independent
stand on whatever you believe in. Never let anyone put you down. Life is full of
many important experiences that you might have never experienced if you didn't
stand up and be different. Many approaches lead to different outcomes. There is
always more than one right answer.
Dennis: Well, I do disagree with you on that.
On some things there are not more than one answer. I mean 2 + 2 IS ALWAYS
4 and the subject of Christianity is a major area that also does not offer more
than one answer. The Bible tells us that Jesus IS the way, the truth and
the life and NO ONE comes to the father except through Him.
Well, thanks again for doing the interview and good luck with your fall shows!