Interview with Webzine Optimum Impact
www.optimumimpact.co.uk
www.myspace.com/optimumimpact

1. Ok, for the people out there who aren't familiar with Zen Motel, here's your chance to tell them who you are...

4 boys from Essex who can do little else but be in a dirty rock band!

2. I've been doing a little research and you seem to be a band who know what they want, how they want things done & won't settle for anything short of that. (E.g., ending the deal with a major US management company when you were asked to remove some 'offensive' tracks from your album). Does that mean you're in control & very happy with the way things are going?

when they started to try and mess with our music we told them where to go. At one point they even asked me if we could try and sound a bit more like The Libertines!After dealing with the big labels i've come to the concluson you can't trust any band on a major label, becuase you can only get signed if you compromise with their ideals and play the corporate game

happy? well, yes with the band and music...no with the fact that right now i'm not on my own private jet, destined for some huge show we are headlining infront of 20,00 screaming teenage girls!

3. With a genre-crossing varied sound/style to your album, how would you best describe your sound?

live its loud and filthy and hopefully entertaining, on record we tend to be more varied and can bring in elements of pretty much anything..if we made an album of tracks that all sounded the same i'd get very very bored

4. What's the story behind the band's name?

it's to do with finding peace within chaos and the truth within a lie...so, ZEN MOTEL is a refuge from the outside world...as you would find in a hotel/motel within a city/on a motorway etc..lol, that sounded really really pretentious!!!..or we could say because it sounded cool

5. Who/what are your main influences?

Music that is created out of a true honest passion and is not driven by fashion, money, connections or trends

6. What's the most memorable gig you've ever played?

The gigs at the Sugarmill are always ace..and last years show at The Underworld in London when we became one of the only support bands ever to get an true encore at that venue

7. Best band you've ever supported / played with?

we've played with some pretty big bands, Glitterati, Ga Ga's, Art Brut, Backyard Babies, Breed 77, Wildhearts even Lost Prophets once..but i always prefer playing with smaller bands like Headrush, Dear superstar, silverjet etc..you can relax , have a laugh with them, and they are not up their own arses.

8. I've seen you guys play twice, and both times you've gotten members of the audience up on stage to sing the Devil Song with you, is that a Zen Motel tradition now? If so, how did it start?

yeah, we always do that now...people were always trying to get on stage during that song, so we just made it part of the show..i think its good as it get the audience more involved , and most who get up do a pretty good job.

9. Does the band have a motto?

'Too much is never enough'

10. In an ideal world, what's in store for the future of Zen Motel?

To make a truly great album, and i think we'll do it this year with our second record. And for bands to be judged on merit, not on how much money they have, what label they are on ,what Pr company they use, what they look like, what they wear etc etc..please listen with your ears not your eyes and dont belive ANYTHING you read

11. Any final comments/statements to make/things we should know?

I would like to encourage people to stop buying and listening to the opinions of the mainstream music press/media. These are companys who's ONLY aim is to make as much money as they can.They only feature bands with advertising money to spend so it keeps their shareholders happy.Its a con, don't be a sheep, please don't fall for it..be yourself, be original and form your own TRUE tastes and opinions..oh and visit us at www.zenmotel.co.uk or www.myspace.com/zenmotel