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How
did you decide on the name Zenn?
Before
the band was formed, Russ was dead-set on the name Zen. Luckily
enough the other musicians who ended up being bandmates were keen
on it too.
ZEN
(RELAXED) adjective UK
Informal relaxed and not worrying about things that you can
not change: "There's nothing you can do to change the
situation so you just have to be a bit more zen about it."
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| Cambridge
Advanced Learner's Dictionary |
The
name Zen was chosen due to its depth but we all agreed it lacked
something and it 'looked thin' - so we added an extra N.
We altered the spelling but it means the same to us.
What's
the history of the band?
Russ used to play in a band based in Torbay. When
that band split he formed Zenn with the bassist of that band (later
replaced by Jamie in December 2004) and recruited a 'jamming' pal,
Colin, as lead guitarist.
We didn't have a drummer but we rehearsed as best we could until
we came across Chris who answered an add in the press.
We started gigging in May 2004 and the line-up as it is now has
played together since Saturday 11th December, exactly!
And
what is the present line up?
Russ
Bray, 19, on vocals and guitar.
Colin Flanagan, 18, lead guitar.
Nineteen-year-old Jamie Davies on bass guitar and 21-year-old Chris
Stone on drums.
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| Stairway
to success...? |
Colin
and Chris live in Paignton and Russ and Jamie live in Torquay. It's
great to live in Torbay if you know it as it is on the postcards
but when you really know it well, that picture postcard image is
a million miles away from the truth.
Though, for the sake of contradiction, maybe we take it for granted
at the same time?
For an original band that really want to become something, it's
almost inevitable that you're going to have to uproot to a city
sooner or later. Unless you're a tribute band that's happy on the
pub circuit, but that's not for us. Can we have a lift to London
please?
How
would you sum up your sound in three words?
Honest, melodic, eclectic.
What's the name of
the track you've chosen to demo?
We've
chosen a song called 'I Remember It Well' from our more acoustic
based efforts.
It was written by Russ in December 2004 and this particular version
was recorded live at Oldmill Studios in Exeter.
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| Zenn
on stage |
It's
unmixed, unmastered and 100% live!
The song is about young love. Sharing a na茂ve love between
two na茂ve people, then growing up and questioning whether it
was actually so na茂ve after all.
It's about memories and how different people remember the same experiences
in very different ways.
Complete
the sentence, "When we become famous..."
We would have something else to talk about!
It would be odd to talk about a dream if you were already living
it. I guess if we were famous we'd have the freedom we have
now but the power to put ourselves in all the places we strive to
be. As well as advertising other original artists that deserve a
break.
You say you have an
eclectic sound because of your influences - who would you love to
perform with?
Who wouldn't we? Nirvana, Muse, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Frank Zappa,
The Who, Alice in Chains, Damien Rice, Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, The
Beatles, shall we go on....?
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| Jamie
and band in reflective mood |
You're
not into performing covers - but what do you think of the current
music scene?
Guitar bands are still out there along with the recognition, though
the likes of X-Factor and other short-careered, manufactured artists
seem to overshadow real bands that really have staying power (Busted
need not apply!).
If U2 had been exposed alongside a vintage edition of X-Factor,
maybe we would have no idea of who they are today.
The likes of Muse, Damien Rice and Kasbian are our high-hopers at
the moment.
Finally
then, if you could invite three people (real or fictional, dead
or alive) to a dinner party, who would you choose?
John Lennon, Kurt Cobhain and Bob Dylan.
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