home - bios - sounds - news - gig - gallery - links
Just what exactly is a Zen Merchant?
It all started in a grubby little south Austin rehearsal space in November 1999. Corey Trahan (Carbon 14), Guitars and Vocals, had been writing with Brad Byram (Train Of Thought, Ugly Tribe), Bass and Vocals, ever since they moved to Austin. Trying out drummers at an alarming rate, Stephen Bres, Drums, who happened to be from the same podunk town as Brad and Corey, walked in and put an end to it. Less than three weeks later they began gigging constantly and haven't stopped. Their first CD was released four months later and the momentum hasnt stopped yet. Now at the ripe age of 5 months old, the Zen Merchants have already set the standard for the new Austin scene. Gone is the Austin scene of the past with its thirty minute mastubatory solos and long jam hippie blues songs, and replaced by tight, self contained songs that make their statement in less than four and a half minutes. The Zen Merchants are in the forefront of that scene and its getting bigger every day.
Its a melding of Rock and Pop with heavy overtones, and enough energy to hold it all together. Ranging from sing along anthems to introspective dirges the Zen Merchants are a force to be reckoned with.
