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Glam’s New Clan
Interview with Zinny J. Zan
Vocalist of The Zan Clan
By Thomas Orwat, Jr. June 9, 2005
Zinny J. Zan, the former lead vocalist of the late 80’s Swedish glam-metal band Shotgun Messiah, has re-surfaced with a new in-your-face, hard rocking sleazy band – the Zan Clan. The formation of this group commenced a few years back when Zinny teamed up with producer/guitarist/ songwriter Chris Laney, who is also in (ex-WASP guitarist) Randy Piper’s band Animal. Soon after, they recruited some of the best musicians in Sweden -Pontus Norgren-lead guitar EGGY EGBERG-bass, JOHAN KOLEBERG-drums, to round out the band’s line-up. They named it the Zan Clan and the results can be heard on their recently released CD, “Who the Fuck is the Zan Clan.” This CD is just filled with killer, balls to the wall, raunchy, guitar driven, arena rock anthems all worthy of being played at top volume.
Recently, the Zan Clan opened a series of shows for veteran rockers Whitesnake in Europe and kicked ass every night leaving the audience begging for more. They even managed to impress Mr. Coverdale himself. Yes, my friends, the Zan Clan are the real deal.
What follows is an exclusive GlamMetal.com interview with the leader of the clan Zinny J. Zan. In this interview, Zan addresses topics such as his departure from Shotgun Messiah, his solo release, and the rock’n fuckin’ roll monster known as the Zan Clan.
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First of all, congratulations on a great CD. How long did it take to write and record it?
It took us about six months from the writing to the finished product.
How did you hook up with your writing partner and producer Chris Laney?
We met a rock n roll cruise that one of Sweden’s biggest radio stations arranged. We were both invited to play and we met and hung out for the whole cruise.
The other three musicians in the band are also very talented. Did they audition for the band or were they drafted?
They were drafted; me and Chris wanted them so bad that they just couldn’t say no to us.
Did you feel a lot of pressure in writing this CD? Did you feel like your career was on the line?
No, I never feel any pressure on me nowadays. I got nothing to prove. I just do what I feel like music wise and as good as I can. In this business sometimes you’re red hot and sometimes you’re not. That’s the game and I don’t give a fuck about it. I just do my shit the best I can with the best people I know. I think my whole attitude towards this business sums it all up in the title of this album "WE ARE ZAN CLAN WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU".
I love the first track on the CD, ”Go Go Go.” Who’s idea was it for the synth break in the middle of it?
To be honest, I don’t really know. When Chris and I are working in the studio, tons of ideas, no’s and yes´s are flying in the air. It’s just a Holy Grail of crazy rock`n`roll ideas, so its hard to say. I do know that both of us agreed on that. We didn’t want any solo on at least 1 song. Let’s give Chris the credit for it.
Recently, the Zan Clan opened some shows for Whitesnake over in Europe, what was the experience like, how big were the crowds and how did the audience react to the band?
Well first of all, my hat off for Mr. Coverdale and the Whitesnake members. We were really enjoying ourselves on the tour with them. Nothing but good times. We had an average of say 5000 people every night and the audience gave us a great response. We rocked them off their feet and they looked happy. David Coverdale told me that he had never had a better opening act ever!!! That is awesome to hear from a guy that has been doing it all for so many years. He is a perfect gentleman and they rocked hard too let me tell ya.
Do you have any plans to tour North America with the Zan Clan? If not, what are your tour plans?
For the time being we are setting up a tour. But as for now, I do not know exactly where it will take us. America would be a blast to tour again, but right now we don’t have any plans since we need to get the album out there first. But we are always up for it since this is a live band that really want to play all over the world.
Didn’t you just recently release a solo CD? Was it released in America? And why didn’t you continue as a solo artist?
Yes, I released a solo album in the states 2002. It was a great experience to do and I got to get a lot of songs off my chest. You know that after so many years in different bands you always have songs that you had written that would never fit in that bands formula. That’s when a solo album comes in. You let the songs out of your system and then you can carry on. I have never seen myself as a solo guy, because I am all for the gang thing. That’s just me.
What is the music scene like over in your home country- Sweden?
There are a lot of new bands that are starting to make a name for themselves. But, club and gig wise the climate isn’t too good.
There seems to be many glam/sleaze/metal bands coming out of Sweden. Any new and exciting bands and that you can tell us about?
Yes, there are many new bands coming out of Sweden at the moment, Crucified Barbara, Crash Diet, Supergroupies, Babylon Bombs, Gasoline Queen, Backyard Babies(they have been around for a while). So the scene with bands are good, but there is too few clubs to play over here.
I see. What was your childhood like?
I had a happy childhood, My parents divorced when I was 12, but over all I was a happy fuck.
When did you realize that you wanted to become a rock star?
At the age of 7, I discovered Sweet, Slade ,T.Rex, Bowie and Aerosmith and I was hooked .
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In 1989, you got your first taste of international acclaim with the glam-metal band Shotgun Messiah. How did you hook up with them?
I had just left my band Easy Action (where actually I had my first taste of international acclaim) and Tim and Harry called me up and that was it. I went down 2 the studio with them, poured me a glass of Whiskey and the rest is on your CD.
Shotgun Messiah signed with Relativity Records, but before you signed with them was their any bidding war for the band between other labels?
Yes there were 2 or 3 more companies that wanted to sign us but since Relativity was the only ones that could guarantee us that we would be re located to the U.S., the choice was easy.
At the time, were you happy with the way that Relativity promoted the band? I can’t remember, did you guys tour the states for the first record?
Yes, I was happy with the effort Relativity put in to Shotgun Messiah and yes we toured and toured and toured. Cliff Cultreri at Relativity was really working his ass off for us.
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When you were in Shotgun Messiah, did you experience any Motley Crue type groupie experiences? If so, please give us some details.
You will be able to read all of that in my book that will come out sometime before Christmas this year. The working title for the book is "The lies and faults of Zinny J Zan" I will reveal everything in that book, from groupies ,drugs, all shit behind the scenes within the band and the record industry.
Can’t wait to read it. The debut Shotgun Messiah CD sold over 500,000 copies, but you were dismissed from the band shortly before they started recording their follow-up CD. Why do you think the band felt it was necessary to make such a line-up change and fire you at such a critical time?
Sorry, Can’t answer that one. This question should be addressed to Tim and Harry since it was their decision.
What was it like in the in the band for you prior to your departure? Did it come as a surprise to you or did you see it coming?
We were never the best of friends in the band to start with we always had our differences, but there was a chemistry in the band that I thought could take us far. So I didn’t see it coming that soon in our career. But don’t get me wrong we had our great times as well in Shotgun it was just that there was never a grey area with Shotgun, everything was do or die, Heaven or Hell.
Was there one particular member of the band who wanted you out? What did the label feel about the band firing you?
Once again this question should be addressed to the guys, but according to Stixx it was mutual between Harry and Tim .
In retrospect, what do you think of the Shotgun Messiah record that you recorded?
I still love that album. It was something special, "we wanted to do a kick ass party album" and all I can say is MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.
I know that Stixx, the drummer of Shotgun Messiah, recently made an appearance with the Zan Clan during one of your shows. How about Tim Skold or Harry K. Cody, have you had any contact with either of them recently.
I haven’t seen or heard from them since my departure from the Shotgun Camp. We all know what Tim is doing and he is doing it well. (He’s the bass player in Marilyn Manson)
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How far do you think Shotgun Messiah would of gone if you had remained in the band?
Wow. It’s hard to say. So many people have said that it all went downhill after my departure, well that might be true. But I think that it had more to do with the Grunge wave that came in than it had to do with me plus Shotgun tended to change style after every album and that is not a good thing.
After you were dismissed from Shotgun Messiah in 1991, you had a rather low profile. What did you do to make a living between that time and now?
I became a professional bum, Played some shows here a little there, Dj jobs and so on. Then I started working in the Airline business .
If you could go back and change any one aspect of your career, what would it be?
I’ m not the kind of guy looking back and feeling sorry for bad decisions made in the past cause that can’t really be changed. I much rather look at the future and the alternatives for me and the boys there.
Any parting words for your fans?
I want to take the opportunity to thank GlamMetal.com and you, Thomas for a killer review and for a great site. AND to the SUPPORTERS, THANKS for your patience. Now finally, I got this gang together and we are doing absolutely everything to come to a neighborhood near you to disturb your peace.
Buy the album cause this is by far the best album I have ever done and we’ll see you on the road.
www.zanclan.com
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