Zoroaster Interview: SXSW 2010

Zoroaster, known as "Atlanta's Loudest Band," has been in the studio, according to member Will Foire, creating a new sound we have not heard from them before. Will shared with Spinner that fans at SXSW will be hearing some of their newly recorded music for the first time, as well as music from their album 'Voice of Saturn' -- the group's most accomplished work to-date.

Describe your sound in your own words:

Wow, now that is really weird because we are in the middle of doing a new record right now. We are a heavy metal band but what we are recording now is not really metal -- I guess a heavy rock band describes us best. We have some slow sounds, then pick up the pace a little, and doing a little more rock.

How did your band form?

Back in '89 we were just a group of friends that played our music together and we started playing as Terminal Doom Explosion. Then we all went different ways over the years, with different bands, and people. In 2003 it was me and my brother, and my friend Cory playing drums. Cory started doing his own side projects more, so I grabbed Brent and started Zoroaster. That was mid 2003 -- me my brother Rod and Brent on bass. Rod started doing his own thing and we got Dan on drums in 2006. It has just been the three of us since then.

How did you come up with your band name?

Our bass player Brent was reading a lot of Masonic things and kept coming across the name and at the point we had a show coming up and hadn't named the group yet. Zoroaster was a cool-sounding name, and the history [is] pretty interesting [that] we could pull from lyrically if needed. We had to name the group something and that was the one that was being tossed around.

What are your musical influences?

Brent and I do the song writing and we share God Flesh as an influence. There are a lot of other things that go into it and that we pull from, but especially God Flesh. That always stands out more than anything else, to us anyway.

What is your musical guilty pleasure?

Hum, I don't know if I have any. I'm sure I listen to other people and if I like it, I like it. I don't really feel guilty about it. Kinks are my favorite, and I like Elton John too. So I guess Elton John. I hear some rockers talking about how they like Hannah Montana [Miley Cyrus] and stuff like that. I don't know if they have done too much glow or are just trying to be funny. Luckily [I] don't share that obsession with them.

What is your favorite venue you've ever played and why?

That is a tough question. I don't usually remember them! [Laughing] Empty Bottle in Chicago is always good for us. We have a lot of friends in Chicago. Empty Bottle is a cool venue, with cool people playing cool tunes. Ya, I think Empty Bottle.

What is your biggest vice?

Playing music. If it wasn't for being in a band I'd be making good money, I'd have a girlfriend and a nice car. I do what I love, playing music and I'm broke. Stupid maybe, but I love playing music.

Beatles or Stones?

Stones. I like them both but I listen to the Stones way more. You just can't get to much of the early Stones, where I have to be in the mood for Beatles sometimes.

How many times has the band played SXSW?

Twice before -- we were at the Long Ranch one year. Can't remember the other, and I don't know if we've ever been in an actual showcase thing.

Any expectations at this year's SXSW?

Not really, it will just be fun to get out of the studio and leave that day. We will be playing some of these new songs we have just recorded for the first time at SXSW.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Hmmm, actually just the raffle tickets to go get free beers at the bars. You know, fill your pocket up with every color raffle ticket they make and eventually you'll find a bar that will take them. [Laughing]

What is the craziest thing you have seen or experienced while on tour?

I can't really repeat most of them, but there has been some crazy s---! I guess when the drum player pissed on the bass player's laptop. That was a fun night. He was a little pissed and we almost got thrown out of that hotel. That is about the most G rated one I can talk about.

Is there any question you've never been asked you wish you had? What don't we know about Zoroaster that we should?

The one question that no one asks? No one ever ask if we like each other. I can't stand these guys. They are a bunch of jack-asses. [Laughing]


Sydnie Taylor is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.