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"Harder, faster forever after! Harder, faster, forever after!" Fervent vocals delivered by Brian Malko of PLACEBO in their emboldening anthem "Bionic." And these words of total synchronized determination definitely best describe Orange County's ZEBRAHEAD. Not a surprise after all if you think about it as they both made their Japan festival debuts at FUJI ROCK '00 and are still both cracking solid in their own respective rights. Just don't expect a split album between these two, but oh that'd be good fun. Being back in Japan for their annual Summer Sonic Festival sojourn and accompanying island-wide appearances, an ever pumped Ali spent a succinct, yet filling 20 minutes in helping keep us all in 'check:' -- Hey Ali, "Someday we'll be there." A classic track for you there, but where is now anyhow? Ali : Well, I'm sitting in a hotel in Sendai (big smile evident even on a phoner),We're so stoked to continue playing music, doing what we're doing. -- Right on. I first caught you all at Fuji Rock 2000! 6 years on, what song has remained the same, Led Zeppelin? Spice Girls fun still ongoing as you played "Wannabe" at Fuji Rock '00? Ali : Ha-ha! Well, I think whenever we play 'Check' I get nostalgic. It was our first song we wrote. I think like 'Someday' they're special to me. They take me back to the time and what I was going through at that time. -- So what do you feel is the most underestimated or misunderstood ingredient in Zebrahead? Ali : I'll tell you, when we broke out, we immediately fell into that rap/rock genre amidst Rage Against The Machine and Beastie Boys. People always just lumped us into that style, rap/rock. Which isn't a bad genre, but I'd say we are punk rock music. And luckily, people our giving us a second look. -- Well, since I told you I saw you 6 years past and it's been all good since then, what's the forecast? Ali : Well, a lot of touring and just continue making music. Ultimately, I'd love to continue to do what I do. I'm so thankful for how this all turned out. I was studying to go to medical school and I had to make that decision.. -- And how did that happen? 
Ali : You know, it was just that voice inside to stick with music, nothing more than that.
-- Well, you guys are legendarily animated beyond so which caricatures best describe each and why? You? 'The Dude' from The Big Lebowski? Ali : Me? (laughing) Yeah, sure, I'd be like 'The Dude.' But let's start with Ed. Cartman(South Park's legendary rotund character) totally. His personality, you'll totally see it when you meet him. Ben... He'd have to be Sgt. Slaughter (WWE wrestling pro with an obvious military allegiance) cuz' he takes control of the situation. Lays down the law you know? Matty... Shaggy from Scoobie-Doo. He's a happy go lucky guy. Greg (G)... A Transformer. More than meets the eye (chuckling). -- Right on. Well, running along similar, but different lines here, your guys humor is legend and disarms as anyone can attest in seeing you live. So, if you had a Zebrahead musical on Broadway or The West End, who'd play who? Ali : What? Ah man, hmmm... (Laughing again) Okay, Matty would be played by Jim Carrey and John Goodman would definitely be Ed. Ah, Matthew McCounoughey would be Greg and wait, no, Keanu Reeves would play him. Ben? Russell Crowe and me...MC Hammer! (laughing freely) -- Who'd score the music? Ali : Greg! 
-- With 'Broadcast To The World,' was it an "Open arms" a la Journey effort or what? Titles are always fodder for discussions for fans. So what gives?
Ali : Well, I think it represents what we had happen with the line up change with Matty coming onboard and how he breathed new life to the band within a couple of months. I mean, at night I was so stoked to work on lyrics after a full day and we all knew were people waiting and I just can remember how excited we all were. It really expresses how we felt. -- Naturally, you all are forward thinking and all and with your collaborations, what makes you 'Move on?' What's the catalyst? Ali : Man, we just really love playing music. That's pretty much it. -- Blogs aside, "On track, on track," so to speak, what keeps you doing that? Ali : We each do man. If one of us is not on track, the rest of us check him. You know, your friends kick you in the nuts when it's needed (smiling). -- True, true. So from 'Broadcast...' which cut sums up Zebrahead right at this mo and why? Ali : Ah...I'd have to say "Broadcast to the World" man. Not only so focused, its raw excitement is exactly where we are at and what we're doing. That song is highly energetic. We want everyone to hear it. And lyrically it fits. You can easily see how much fun we're having (beaming no doubt). -- Right on Ali. Well man, thanks for your time. Keep doing your thing full on and best to the rest. See you on Saturday. Ali : Yeah definitely. "Dude" drinks too. |
| Interview by michael and photo by Vanessa Preziose and Ropbert John |
 mag files : Zebrahead interview : "Bionic men: Zebrahead broadcasting lean and clean 10 years on" (06/08/15) : interview by michael, photos by Vanessa Preziose and Ropbert JohnCD review : Broadcast To The World (06/08/29) : reviewed by michael |
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The official site Zebrahead www.zebrahead.tv the latest album "Broadcast to the World" (UK import / domestic / domestic - Limited Edition) |
previous works  "MFZB" (US import / UK import / domestic)
"WASTE OF MFZB " (domestic)
"Playmate of the Year"(UK import / US import / domestic) "Waste of Mind " (US import / domestic) ... and more check the albums? |
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