Chris Gerniottis and the Zakary Thaks Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 4th 2010 5:33PM by Marc Byers
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The Zakary Thaks, three teens from Corpus Christ, Texas, are one of the great lost garage-rock bands of the 1960s. Inspired by the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds, they released a half-dozen regionally distributed singles from 1966 to 1967. Frontman Chris Gerniottis makes a return trip to SXSW, this time as a solo act. Spinner recently spoke with Chris about his days with the Thaks and much more.

How did your band form, and how has it changed since formation?

The band started playing as the Zakary Thaks in early 1966. Pete Stinson, Rex Gregory and I had been playing together in a group called the Riptides since late 1964. We auditioned for a school dance and after hearing John Lopez play, we had him join us. A few months later, we played a local teen dance show and spotted Stan Moore drumming. After Stan came aboard, we were soon signed to J-Beck Records, which in turn landed us on the Mercury label for our first single and ABC Dunhill for our second single. After disbanding in January of 1968, the Thaks went through several more configurations before calling it quits in 1972. The Thaks reunited one more time in 2005, without the late Stan Moore, and played about six festivals before deciding to close the final chapter. After Rex passed away in 2008, the Thaks were no more. However, I have continued performing Thaks songs with the Ugly Beats and the Freddie Steady 5.

How did you come up with your band name?

I saw the name mentioned in a Letters to the Editor section of a teen magazine. Our band had wanted to change our name, so I altered the spelling to give it a more British look, and everybody liked it!

What are your musical influences?

For the Zakary Thaks, we were heavily influenced by the Rolling Stones and Yardbirds early on and the 13th Floor Elevators later. As for myself, I expanded my musical horizons tenfold after I left the Thaks. I now have so many musical heroes that it's impossible to name them all -- but if I had to name three singers I particularly admire, it would be Keith Relf [of the Yardbirds], Cory Wells [of Three Dog Night] and Terry Kath [of Chicago].

Describe your sound in your own words.

When I was singing for the Thaks, my voice had a somewhat snotty punk-rock snarl to it. Forty years later, I still have most of the snarl but little of the snot -- and a stronger vocal presence.

Who picks the music you listen to on the road while on tour?

When my wife and I travel on the road to gigs, we usually hook up the iPod and listen to an extremely wide variety of music. Sometimes she'll choose the selections, sometimes I do. The variety runs the gamut: Earth, Wind and Fire; Chicago; Brasil 66; AC/DC; Arctic Monkeys.

What's your musical guilty pleasure? What's hiding on the iPod?

Chaka Khan, Teddy Pendergrass and Louis Prima.

What's the craziest thing you've experienced on tour?

The Thaks were hired to play a fraternity gig in Lafayette, Louisiana. As we were landing at the airport, there was a big crowd waiting on the runway. As we were coming off the plane, a big banner with "Welcome Zakary Thaks" was unfurled and we were loaded into a Lincoln Continental limo and paraded through town to our hotel.

Beatles or Stones? Explain.

Stones. The Thaks had a lot more in common with the Rolling Stones. Their dress, their attitude, and their music style made a lasting impact upon us.

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