Interview from NO RESPECT webzine

1) , would you like to introduce your band to the readers of No Respect?

Hello..this is Lee Wray from the U.K’s’ Zen Motel’ bringing you some twisted exotic rock’n’roll….www.zenmotel.co.uk

2) What happened to Johnny Zhivago? Which were the reasons for the split? Because I know Zen Motel was born as a side project to JZ…

I’m not sure really sure what happened…it’s a shame, I loved being in that band, played some great tours and shows with The Backyard Babies, The Wildhearts, Nashville Pussy, Icarus Line etc but it just wasn’t working anymore and then two members decided to leave, we could have replaced them, but it wouldn’t have been the same. But we did leave the world with a great album, which is more then most bands do.

3) I have listened so far to your limited edition Hi EP and I found it really awesome! Which are your main influences? I perceived something in Marilyn Manson-style here and there (i.e. in “Devil Song”)

Thanks! We have a very broad range of musical tastes, which hopefully reflects in our music, everything from the stooges and miles Davis to hip hop, blues and thrash metal. As long as it’s written and performed with honesty and passion, that’s the thing that really matters. Marilyn Manson hasn’t really been an influence, although he has produced some good work in the past, but recently has turned into a parody of himself. He now reminds me of a kids entertainer rich parents hire for their children at birthday party’s

4) Would you like to tell us something about your debut album “Transform And Escape”? Will there be any differences compared to the ep?

The album should be out at the end of January in the u.k.Its really an extension of the sound on the E.P. Its quite varied, hopefully it doesn’t sound like anything else around at the moment, I’m a bit sick of all the generic rock music polluting the airwaves, so its important that this album introduces some new sounds and keeps you guessing as it twists and turns.

5) Can you briefly say something about your lyrics in general (where do you draw your inspiration from, …)?

The usual things really, Love, sex, death and revenge. Whatever is going on around me can be inspiration for lyrics, so watch out I could be writing a song about ANY of you.

6) Have you already planned some gig in support to the new release? Will you come to Italy as well?

We’ll be booking gigs for about march/April onwards in the u.k as we are in the recording studio earlier in the year. We’d love to come to Italy, we are sorting out record deals across Europe at the moment, and hopefully we’ll be able to get the record out in Italy and tour to support the release. So if you want us, book us a gig and we’ll be there.

7) Which band would you like to go on tour with?

Limp bizkit, so I could punch Fred Durst!!!

8) Would you like to tell us something about the electro Goth band Demeter Cargo you also play in?

Demeter cargo is like Zen Motel’s evil little brother or sister, darker and more electro based than Zen motel. We are going to release 1 E.P every 6 months and maybe some live fetish/gothic themed shows later this year.

9) You have chosen really strange names for your bands Zen Motel and Demeter Cargo: would you explain their meanings?

I’m not sure where I got the name ‘ZEN MOTEL’ from, I just thought it sounded good. There is a longer more pretentious answer, but I’ll save that for another time or the N.M.E

‘Demeter Cargo’ is taken from the Bram stoker novel Dracula. ‘The Demeter’ was the ship used to transport the count to England

10) What would you bring with you on a deserted island?

My girlfriend, a guitar, alcohol and food

11) I know which are you fav releases (I found them in your site!!), but which are the ones you’d throw out of the window?

Anything that has been made solely with the intent of making money and has no emotional or artistic worth. I could list thousands, but I think you know which ones I mean

12) A dream you would like to come true…

George bush to be assassinated and to make a truly great record, hopefully both will come true this year. Then I can die happy

13) Are there any rock bands in England at the moment you find particularly interesting?

The scene here needs a good kick up the arse, although there is a lot of good music coming out of the u.k at the moment, very little of it is rock. Best place to check for new u.k bands is www.fivemileshigh.com

14) Since we are No Respect, say something shocking (not too shocking tough…) ;))

Something shocking

Clizia – No Respect Web ‘zine

ZEN MOTEL – TRANSFORM AND ESCAPE

Here is one of the most convincing bands from the underground English scene, nowadays really rich in talents who from time to time are picked by the press, almost at random, and launched like comets with an uncertain date. Zen Motel have everything in order to be the next. From the first homonymous EP, already reviewed by NR, they have now arrived to the full length, "Transform and Escape". Despite being a record self-produced by the histrionic bass player and singer Lee Wray, it has all the chrisms of the major releases, an excellent production and a really accurate package. But above all it is a collection of very good rock‘n’roll songs in dark colours with some Stooges hints, but with a really personal sound choice, so that sleaze, garage, stoner and electronic elements are mixed in every single part in an indissoluble network. A guitar with a soft fuzz (James Kirsch), a full-bodied bass guitar (Lee Wray), the drums which embroiders the songs (Neil Robert) and above all a wise job on the console: these are the strings at the bow of this band.
No Compromise is an example of what I have just written: it starts on a base of bass guitar and drums to turn afterwards into an amalgam of sounds with a touch of industrial music.
The alchemy of the songs comes out of an original songwriting, starting from the first track, Devil Song, resumed from the EP, a wild electric ride with the vocals of Lee Wray which, slightly filtered, increases the diabolic rate of the whole. Another song which had its first origin on the EP is Rocket 69, filled with bursting guitars all around the sung part, then the roles almost reverse with the vocals going to the music.
Among the most relaxing moments, All 4 Nothing is brainwave, the acoustic intro leads up to an acid and carelessly fascinating ballad.
The CD ends with the experimental This Happens Forever by Lee Wray and Paul Sealey, pleasantly twisted by the electronic music, which recalls the Massive Attack samplings.
A really intelligent, fresh and original record: it will play for a long time in my stereo.

pietro@norespect.it

Translated by clizia@norespect.it

ZEN MOTEL – LIMITED EDITION EP

Here I am introducing to you ZEN MOTEL, an English band born from the ashes of Johnny Zhivago, who had already given an account of themselves in a recording form.
The first upholder of this new project is vocalist/bass player Lee Wray, supported by Neil Roberts on the drums – already a mate in Johnny Zhivago – and the last entry James Kirsch, on the guitar/vocals.
Looking forward to have in my hands their next record, out by the end of this year 2003, entitled “Transform And Escape”, I am introducing here the first Zen Motel self-named EP, which was released in a limited edition and is, unfortunately, already out of print (check www.changesone.co.uk). The songs in “Zen Motel” derive both from the street/rock’n’roll and from the new guidelines coming from New York, which have shed new lustre on the Stooges discography.
Compact sound, hot and full-bodied riffs, but above all a high quality in songwriting are common features to the six songs of this precious release, and I could mention them all, starting from Devil Song, in which James’ filtered vocals gives a slippery light to the hot and biting riff, without leaving Track Side Pussy out, definitely experimental, with a guitar played like a police siren and a frenzied drum and bass rhythm.
Variety is a Zen Motel virtue: do also listen to Honey Ryder, a psychedelic song in Urge Overkill or Pulp Fiction-style, if you prefer…
This record swallows us up into an oneiric motel of rock’n’roll and madness, with the classic doors behind whom the unknown hides, between a Marilyn who is waiting for you at the risk of vampirism – and an opium session: it’s up to you to decide whether you want to open these doors. I did…

pietro@norespect.it

Translated by Clizia Boschetto