Zeus Interview: SXSW 2010

It's not often the backing band gets the -- or any -- glory. Originally forming as their own band to play a pick-up gig, Zeus found themselves accepting an invitation to back up Broken Social Scene member Jason Collett as his solo band in 2005. They fit like a glove, flaunting their versatility by swapping instruments, but Zeus knew they were meant for more than a life of being in the background. After a few tours and albums, Zeus followed in the footsteps of the Band, stepping out from behind their Dylanesque leader and signing to Arts & Crafts with the recommendation of Collett himself. Like their Greek god namesake, they quickly found their inner thunder and released an EP in 2009, aptly named 'Sounds Like Zeus.' This year sees the band riding high with a brand new full-length called 'Say Us,' a riff-roaring collection of throwback rock of equal parts "classic" and "pop." Now, the sky's the limit.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Pop 'n' roll.

How did your band form?

Moulded in ancient clay, we formed a rock shield that repels all bad vibes. Zeus was born out of necessity to play a show that Mike [O'Brien] was asked to do and later for our first tour with Jason [Collett] bringing us to the current line-up. I asked Neil [Quin] to come and live with me and join the band. He said yes.


What are your musical influences?

Lots of friends around us are the biggest influences. But also the Kinks, Zombies and Michael Jackson.

How did you come up with your band name?

Mike woke up one morning with a giant "Z" ripped in his bed sheets and thought, "Zorro?" But no, there were also lightning shaped burn marks about his face, chest, neck and head so he knew it had to be the mark of Zeus. So when Peter Elkas asked him what the band would be called for our first show at the Rivoli, Zeus was the only thing that came to Mike's mind.

What's your biggest vice?

Smokes and Big Buck Hunter

What's in your festival survival kit?

Sunglasses and earplugs.

Who was your first celeb crush?

Meatloaf.

Beatles or Stones?

Sloan.

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

Back stage at a Metric show, for a big 3,000-person event, we all got freaky on this stand-up pop refrigerator. We took turns inside rocking it side to side while other members held the door slid shut and aided the already tipsy box. Just seemed like a fun thing to do at the time.