Interview: Zao’s Scott Mellinger
Western Pennsylvania’s Zao is about to play what may be their only show of the year (July 2 at the Altar Bar in Pittsburgh). Additionally, they’re poised to release their 10th studio album, and I got the chance to talk to guitarist Scott Mellinger about the upcoming show, album and Scott’s anger issues toward me.
The Altar Bar show is the first and possibly only show for Zao in 2011. What’s the reason for the sparse appearances? What can we look forward to?
Sadly, with our situations it’s tough getting together and doing shows. We hopefully will be doing some more though in the future here, one show a year sucks for us, too! Also I think people can look forward to five guys that are hungrier to play than most bands out there touring. Life changes and priorities change, but music is all of our lives, and we appreciate every single second we get to do it. We look at these one-off shows as the only chance we get to prove we are worth coming to see!
I haven’t read of any opening bands. Is it a surprise?
Oh yeah! There are three: Arcane Haven, Hero Destroyed and Brown Angel. All extremely awesome heavy bands that are coming up in Pittsburgh. Brown Angel actually consists of dudes that we are very close friends with and that Jeff has played with since high school!
Speaking of the Pittsburgh scene, it’s been traditionally oriented more toward punk rock and its variations, like grindcore or post-rock; nothing as straightforward metalcore like you guys. How do you think that’s hindered or helped you, if at all?
Well we never thought of ourselves as metalcore, actually. All of us listen to a variety of stuff and we incorporate everything. If anything, we are just a metal band. Dan and I actually have a new band called Lonely Ghost Parade that kind of falls into that post-rock stuff I guess. Anyway, we just focus on making our music real. As long as it comes from a genuine place, tags don’t really matter.
On the forthcoming album — Zao’s 10th, an impressive feat for any band — what can you say on the status? I really enjoyed the approach you guys took on AWAKE?
We have been writing furiously for the last two years. Awake? was done for one simple reason, so people knew that band still existed. The newer stuff we’ve been working on is very violent-sounding and very dark musically. We wanted to get the vibe that Liberate gave people, just the dark overtones. But the new material has even surpassed that; it is very unsettling, haha. There are at least 12 songs demoed now, but we are taking our time to make sure this record blows it out of the park. We will probably take the same approach as Awake? though, but more of it will be done on our own. Recording, mixing and everything!
Are you guys still with Ferret, or will this be self-released — or on another label?
We aren’t on any label, and it’s kind of nice. I mean having someone behind you is a plus, but we make the rules now. Awake? was released on Ferret, but it was a one-off because we love those dudes and our contract was up. We have no plans on a label. We might just try to land a distro deal and do everything we can in house. We are all aware and have no visions of grandeur. We want to turn Zao into what it started out as: five people rocking because we love it, not because of possible furthering of career aspirations.
In 2009 you played a show at Mr. Small’s, I believe; the same night Shai Hulud played in the area. I like both bands, but I went to see Shai Hulud that night, for business reasons mostly. Do you forgive me? And how did that show go?
YOU BASTARD!!! No man, it’s cool. Shai Hulud is amazing and has been doing it as long or longer than us! We’ve played with those dudes and have known most of them for a while. I would have went to that show, too, if I could. This time you have no excuse to miss ours, though!
Top photo by Jeremy Saffer.
Middle photo by David Crotch.
24 Responses to “Interview: Zao’s Scott Mellinger”
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On 06/24/11 4:27 PM, Bump said:
Long as Scott doesnt sing I’m happy!
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On 06/24/11 4:28 PM, Ben Pike said:
wasn’t the photo by David Schrott – not David Crotch?
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On 06/24/11 5:43 PM, sammy said:
Just checked out the Lonely Ghost Parade website. I’ve always thought Stephen Peck was an extremely cool dude. But Scott man, you have to quit singing. Let someone else do that part.
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On 06/24/11 6:26 PM, Kyle said:
i think scott sings great. it wouldnt be zao without him so sing on mane.
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On 06/24/11 6:55 PM, Jay DiNitto said:
Ben: yes, but Crotch is sort of his nickname.
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On 06/24/11 9:49 PM, Polydactyly said:
I love Zao. but why are they always “trying” to get the same vibe as Liberate. Keep evolving and dont look back. Much Love.
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On 06/25/11 1:38 AM, Travis Aker said:
If there going to pull off another liberate style album they need to get Jessie Smith back on the drums. That would be killer.
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On 06/25/11 7:58 AM, Dave said:
Are you guys Serious! jesse man you people are terrible! Also everytime people remark about Scott’s vocals I want to smash their face. Just because it’e not auto tuned like everyone else you jump on it. I am a singer the dude is in key and on note get a life. Scott sing all you want buddy!
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On 06/26/11 6:31 PM, scooter said:
Scott’s vocals get better and better with every album. I don’t see how you can say that about his vocals on Awake? especially. And as far as “always trying to sound like Liberate,” when has this band said that about other albums? They have rarely done two albums that sound anything alike. I don’t care what anybody says. I’ll take Zao over any other band in the whole metal genre.
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On 06/27/11 9:46 AM, kyle u said:
my zao tattoo is stoked
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On 06/28/11 9:08 AM, Jay DiNitto said:
kyle, what do you have?
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On 06/28/11 9:28 AM, kyle u said:
Jay, I have the “z” logo on my left hand.
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On 06/28/11 10:27 AM, Jay DiNitto said:
kyle, boss.
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On 06/28/11 7:54 PM, Daniel said:
Scotts voice does exactly what is needed. Zao riles all
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On 06/29/11 10:03 AM, sammy said:
Although I don’t really care for it in Zao songs, I was actually referring to their new band (did you guys HEAR Jade Meridian????).
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On 06/30/11 10:46 AM, dave said:
Well Sammy it said DEMO on those Lonely ghost Parade songs and i think it sounds cool and different. Your comments show your complete lack of knowledge. If you don’t like it don’t listen loser, let me hear your band.
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On 06/30/11 11:07 AM, sammy said:
Have you listened to artists that sing? There are great singers, good singers, not so great singers, and terrible singers. I believe Scott falls in the not so great category. I have been a Zao fan for a long time, so obviously I love the guy, but I saw Jade Meridian on tour and had their little EP and thought it was not so great. Everytime he sings on a Zao song, I think, eh, he’s in tune and all, but it’s just not that great. My comment was not, “stop playing music”, it was just “let someone else sing”.
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On 06/30/11 2:04 PM, Dr. Jones said:
Metalcore is terrible. Are these ass clowns still all Jesus-y? Because that gimmick is way played out. Nothing is worse than Christian Metalcore. Nothing.
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On 06/30/11 2:29 PM, Jay DiNitto said:
Some of them are Jesus-y. Some aren’t.
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On 06/30/11 3:09 PM, Dr. Jones said:
Not really referring to the personal beliefs of the individual members, moreso the overwhelming Jeez-tasticness of the music. Like, do they still write songs with crappy lyrics about sucking off a dead Jew, or whatever.
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On 07/1/11 11:11 AM, Jay DiNitto said:
There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of zombie Jew fellatio going on, no.
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On 07/1/11 11:11 AM, Jay DiNitto said:
I actually should have said “zom-’Brew”. I’m sorry.
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On 07/11/11 2:01 PM, Taylor said:
What the heck happened to Jesse Smith. Really dropped off the face of the earth.
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On 07/12/11 8:09 AM, Jay DiNitto said:
Youth Minister With Boxing Gloves
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