Albums of Purgatory interview Zenbender

Firstly, whats the band up to right now?

everyone is working on seperate projects right now but we have some songs
we never recorded that we'd like to go back into the studio to complete. I
play in another band with Alex - the drummer from zen bender called "As It
Is" - he and I also have another project in the works.

How would you describe the Zenbender sound?

rifftastic, melodic, groovarific boot stompin hard rock

How did you get involved with the band?

we were all in a band in High School - we wnt off to college and then
regrouped 5 years later to record our first demo

Can you remember your first gig (how did it go)?

Our first gig was great, I don't remember much, but it was cool enough to
keep us booked to play 36 more shows that year

Are you involved in any other projects and if so how do they compare to
Zenbender?

the afore memtioned "As It Is" (http://asitis.net) is similar to zen
bender but with more of a classic rock/ blues influence -- Great heavy
guitars played by Trace Allen.

What are your favourite Zenbender tracks?

I always love to play "Like This" & "Cold" from the first album, and "The
Most", & "Unlearning" on the second album.

What are your favourite all time songs?

"war Pigs" by Sabbath, "Slaves & Bulldozers" by Soundgarden, on the
mellower ambient side I love Radiohead most particularly "subterranian
homesick alien".

What the first record you ever bought?

That's too embarassing... ok but I was only 9. "Breakfast In America" by
supertramp

Which album was it that got you into metal and can you explain why?

I'm mind-blanking on the name because it's been a while... but it was the
Soundgarden album with "Rusty Cage", and "slaves & Bulldozers" on it. and
Metalica and Van halen were always influences.

Whats the last album you purchased and what did you think of it?

I bought "Wonder What's Next" by "Chevelle" -- great hard rock...

What would be your dream band line-up?

I love the guys I've played with in zen bender & as it is... they are
superb musicians. but if it's rock-stars you're talking about - I'd say
John Bohnam on drums, John frashante on guitar in addition to the guitar
and bass player from Rage against the machine.

If you could do a cover for a tribute album to any band, which song of
which band would you pick and why?

War Pigs by black sabbath because it was so ahead of it's time and a
classic.

What do you think of the position of metal and music in general today?

So much is sounding the same these days... I did really dig the Chevelle
record though. I think there is a glut of "soundalike bands" in every
genre these day. Any band that tries to innovate deserves our attention.
While they are not my favorite band "I think system of a down" is
innovating in the Metal Genre.

Which other bands stand out for you at the moment?

I like "Incubus" when they notch up and grind it out. I'm sure there arte
others but they are not coming to mind right now.

Do you have any funny stories about the band you can share with us?

well I'll say this, road trips with the band have forever tarnished and
perverted all the Dr. Seuss kiddie rymes, from children's book here in the
states. And I have heard the lyrics of just about every top american 40
song converted and perverted into songs about blow jobs thank to Alex
Hamilton - the drummer in both As It Is and Zen Bender. I often laughed
so hard it hurt, and many a beer came out through my nose.

and finally, what do you see in the future for Zenbender?

In the near future, not a whole lot. Perhaps some new songs recorded and
put up on the web for those fans who've hung in there with us and have
helped spread the word and have since kept us from being forgotten.
Perhaps a local show here and there. That would be nice.