Hey man, can I grab your name, what you do for Promises and does Morgan (Dead Kings) hide little creatures in his beard?
My name is Zaca and I do vocals. At its' peak, Morgan's beard had enough room for my entire former band to crash in. A warmer sleep I'll never know.
My name is Zaca and I do vocals. At its' peak, Morgan's beard had enough room for my entire former band to crash in. A warmer sleep I'll never know.
Promises is a pretty new band. How did you guys all get together?
When Vices decided to call it a day, I hit both Case and Nic up to do another band with me, something along the lines of what I had been trying to steer Vices towards but ultimately failed, something with a Dead Hearts/Sinking Ships/Killing The Dream vibe. We sat on the idea for a few months as we couldn't find a solid lead guitarist or bassist. Our mate MC caught wind of what we were doing and told us he was down to play bass, so that was four of five. Joe was a friend of a friend, and he had heard that we were looking for a lead guitarist and came and had a chat to me at a show. I told him to learn a Killing The Dream track and to come have a play. The dude turned out to be a legend and we wrote four tracks in as many weeks.
When Vices decided to call it a day, I hit both Case and Nic up to do another band with me, something along the lines of what I had been trying to steer Vices towards but ultimately failed, something with a Dead Hearts/Sinking Ships/Killing The Dream vibe. We sat on the idea for a few months as we couldn't find a solid lead guitarist or bassist. Our mate MC caught wind of what we were doing and told us he was down to play bass, so that was four of five. Joe was a friend of a friend, and he had heard that we were looking for a lead guitarist and came and had a chat to me at a show. I told him to learn a Killing The Dream track and to come have a play. The dude turned out to be a legend and we wrote four tracks in as many weeks.
Who makes up the band? Is there anyone from previous bands people may have heard of?
Nic - drums, Case - guitar, Joe - Guitar, MC - bass, Zaca - vocals. Nic, Case, and I played in Vices For Virtues, and Joe played for a band called Wrecking Ball. Nic also plays for Driven Fear, who have just released solid EP on Pee. Such a good disc.
Nic - drums, Case - guitar, Joe - Guitar, MC - bass, Zaca - vocals. Nic, Case, and I played in Vices For Virtues, and Joe played for a band called Wrecking Ball. Nic also plays for Driven Fear, who have just released solid EP on Pee. Such a good disc.
Most bands play a heap of little shows. Do a shitty demo. Get on some bigger shows. Do a good demo and eventually release an EP not many people notice. You guys have punched out an EP in roughly 6 months since forming and your first show was supporting America's Shai Hulud. How are you doing so well for yourselves so quickly?
You just described the life of our former band perfectly, and that's usually how it's done, but since we had done it before in another band, we thought we would learn from our previous mistakes and approach it differently this time. We discussed the idea of a demo versus an EP and ended up being convinced that an EP was a more solid idea. You can't tour on a demo, no-one cares about a demo, and we thought the songs we were writing were EP quality and therefore shouldn't be wasted on a CD-R that most people would throw out because they got it for free. Four of the five tracks on the EP were actually written in six weeks, and the fifth was finished a day before we recorded, with the lyrics being written and structured when I was tracking.
The Shai Hulud support was a gift. A mate of ours had the opportunity to throw us on the bill and he took it, and we couldn't have been more stoked to have that as our first show.
You just described the life of our former band perfectly, and that's usually how it's done, but since we had done it before in another band, we thought we would learn from our previous mistakes and approach it differently this time. We discussed the idea of a demo versus an EP and ended up being convinced that an EP was a more solid idea. You can't tour on a demo, no-one cares about a demo, and we thought the songs we were writing were EP quality and therefore shouldn't be wasted on a CD-R that most people would throw out because they got it for free. Four of the five tracks on the EP were actually written in six weeks, and the fifth was finished a day before we recorded, with the lyrics being written and structured when I was tracking.
The Shai Hulud support was a gift. A mate of ours had the opportunity to throw us on the bill and he took it, and we couldn't have been more stoked to have that as our first show.
Why is that you have chosen to actually go about running the band this way?
We decided to start in the middle because of our experiences in other bands; we knew the mistakes we made and the superfluous activities we undertook and left them out. As I said in my previous answer, we decided an EP was a better idea. And now that we have Pee releasing 'Hopeless Sons', we feel that we made the right decision in doing so.
We decided to start in the middle because of our experiences in other bands; we knew the mistakes we made and the superfluous activities we undertook and left them out. As I said in my previous answer, we decided an EP was a better idea. And now that we have Pee releasing 'Hopeless Sons', we feel that we made the right decision in doing so.
Were you guys stoked to get on Pee Records for this release?
So stoked. Pete has been the perfect label dude.
So stoked. Pete has been the perfect label dude.
I guess a hot topic on the internet recently has been Dead Nation Records. They ripped off Battle Truk. Your old band Vices For Virtues got a pretty raw deal from them. How do you feel about people who jump on the hardcore bandwagon and then try to cash in on something that has essentially a DIY industry since the early 80's?
I'm unsure if Gavin's (Dead Nation) aim was ever to cash in. If it was, it was definitely a long term goal as I saw him lose more money than he made. He's just a liar and basically a little bit useless. I have had experiences with people trying to make a quick dollar by being a 'promoter', but most of them end up in above their heads anyway, which is expected but sad, because without them, shows and venues can be harder to come by, and if you decide to do it yourself, you generally have to come up with a bit of money to secure a venue and sound. It's a little bit annoying to know someone's just trying to make a buck, but I'd rather that than having no shows to play.
You were kind enough to email me a copy of your record 'Hopeless Sons'. So I am going to go ahead and ask about some of the lyrics and themes presented in the EP.
Shoot. I'm an open book.
I'm unsure if Gavin's (Dead Nation) aim was ever to cash in. If it was, it was definitely a long term goal as I saw him lose more money than he made. He's just a liar and basically a little bit useless. I have had experiences with people trying to make a quick dollar by being a 'promoter', but most of them end up in above their heads anyway, which is expected but sad, because without them, shows and venues can be harder to come by, and if you decide to do it yourself, you generally have to come up with a bit of money to secure a venue and sound. It's a little bit annoying to know someone's just trying to make a buck, but I'd rather that than having no shows to play.
You were kind enough to email me a copy of your record 'Hopeless Sons'. So I am going to go ahead and ask about some of the lyrics and themes presented in the EP.
Shoot. I'm an open book.
From what I read, it seems that you discuss a lot of your own short comings. Myself, I discuss none of my failures with anyone. Really just due to the fact that they hurt and can be embarrassing. Yet you have thrown them out in the open for all to see.
Does this make you nervous at all?
I used to be exactly the same. I didn't see any value in speaking of my failures or shining light on what I believed was an inadequacy. I've always been one to appreciate honesty though, and when it came down to it, all I wanted was to be honest when I put pen to paper. I guess when I started to write personal lyrics, I wondered how people would react, but generally, the only feedback I get is positive. I've written some incredibly personal material recently, and my friends and others who read it have been nothing but supportive, so I feel completely comfortable in sharing how I feel about myself and the situations I am in to whoever is kind enough to listen; the fear of being judged has waned. I've always enjoyed listening to personal, emotional lyrics from bands such as Stay Gold and Sinking Ships and I have always respected vocalists who are able to put themselves and their idea of who they are out in the open. It has taken me years, but I'm glad that I am now able to do the same.
I used to be exactly the same. I didn't see any value in speaking of my failures or shining light on what I believed was an inadequacy. I've always been one to appreciate honesty though, and when it came down to it, all I wanted was to be honest when I put pen to paper. I guess when I started to write personal lyrics, I wondered how people would react, but generally, the only feedback I get is positive. I've written some incredibly personal material recently, and my friends and others who read it have been nothing but supportive, so I feel completely comfortable in sharing how I feel about myself and the situations I am in to whoever is kind enough to listen; the fear of being judged has waned. I've always enjoyed listening to personal, emotional lyrics from bands such as Stay Gold and Sinking Ships and I have always respected vocalists who are able to put themselves and their idea of who they are out in the open. It has taken me years, but I'm glad that I am now able to do the same.
You are vegan edge and in the final track 'Forecast' you talk about your convictions and morals and how they mean more to you than most. Do you think too many people take straight edge or veg/veganism for a joke instead of a way of life?
I don't necessarily think that people look at either of these lifestyle choices as a joke so much as they see them as temporary commitments, and this is what I am directly referring to in that line. It seems to be the same with morals also. Too many fall away from what they said they believed in so strongly. Obviously it's none of my business what other people do to themselves and I'm not trying to make it so, but I see both Straightedge and veganism as lifelong commitments, and that view seems to stand in stark contrast to what now seems to be held by the majority of my peer group and society.
I don't necessarily think that people look at either of these lifestyle choices as a joke so much as they see them as temporary commitments, and this is what I am directly referring to in that line. It seems to be the same with morals also. Too many fall away from what they said they believed in so strongly. Obviously it's none of my business what other people do to themselves and I'm not trying to make it so, but I see both Straightedge and veganism as lifelong commitments, and that view seems to stand in stark contrast to what now seems to be held by the majority of my peer group and society.
In 'Regardless' who are you asking for faith from?
''We are your empty, hopeless sons, put your faith in us''
I am asking for faith from the people who we will inherit the world from: societal leaders, parents, those in positions of authority. One day soon it will be our generation's turn to steer our society and decide its future but it seems there is such little faith in our capability to do so.
I am asking for faith from the people who we will inherit the world from: societal leaders, parents, those in positions of authority. One day soon it will be our generation's turn to steer our society and decide its future but it seems there is such little faith in our capability to do so.
To finish up man, just some short questions.
What is best drink to enjoy on a hot day?
Water, straight from the tap.
Where is a good veg restaurant in the Goldy?
Tian Ran and Three Worlds are in Mermaid Beach.
Govinda's is in Burleigh Heads.
Easy House is in Mermaid Waters.
Tian Ran and Three Worlds are in Mermaid Beach.
Govinda's is in Burleigh Heads.
Easy House is in Mermaid Waters.
Do Japan really do scientific research on the whales they catch?
As I have done very little research into the topic, this is opinion only. No.
As I have done very little research into the topic, this is opinion only. No.
Anthing you would like to say before we rap all this up?
Three things:
Talking shit does not get you anywhere, kindness is not weakness,
and selling out is not growing up.
Three things:
Talking shit does not get you anywhere, kindness is not weakness,
and selling out is not growing up.
Thanks for taking the time to do the interview man, I hope you enjoy the disc.
So there you go. The record that Zaca and I were discussing, 'Hopeless Sons', is going to be available this Friday. I will also be posting a review of the record that day as well. You can pre-order it from their label at Pee records. But until then you should get on their myspace and get a taste of what is to come from this really promising band.
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