Eric Zay
Interviewer, writer: s@l?Questions Answered by: Eric Zay
All around musician, Eric Zay has been in the Japanese music industry since 1989! Participating with several famous musicians like Sugizo and Aikawa Nanase, Eric now has several projects underway including his band Bloom UnderGround. J-Music Ignited had the opportunity to talk to Eric about his vast experience in the industry and his personal music projects!First off I would like to thank you for doing this interview with me, and to start can you introduce yourself for those people who might not know you and your band?
I first started in the Japanese music industry back in 1989 writing jingles and for up coming artists... After graduating Berkley, I ended up playing with Char and and his buddies, Spaed (along with the bass player from Loudness and the guitar player from a band called 44Magnum) as a drummer. As time went, on so did the bands... Played drums for quite a few acts like Rodger McGwinn (The Byrds), Aikawa Nanase, Shogun, and the Sugizo from Lunasea amongst others that don’t really get the light of day in the real world. Regarding Bloom UnderGround... The reason why I wanted to start this particular band is that we all agree about the industry... We’ve all done and are still doing what puts the bread on our tables, I wanted to do a band where everyone does what they feel in real time P.A. And visuals included with no snycs... as we are jamming, thus the live album. Yeah, it would be really cool if whoever is interested in etrippy/jammy/’ bands, contact us at mailto:info@pure-records.com. Some of you real bone heads might get a little trip out of it...
On the other hand, I also do my day job as I personally call it but, I’ve always been a multi player whether good or bad, I was asked to start writing and producing as in playing everything... So I do as best as I can. Haven’t gotten any claims yet !?
At what age did you realize that you want to become a musician?
I was three when I first got my acoustic (kid size) but started playing drums when I was around 8 or 9... Now that I think of it, I’ve been doing this for quite a bit of time... How time flies...
Who were your major influences growing up?
I’ve always listened to the Beatles and still do, Neil Young, Rickie Lee Jones, Metallica, Anthrax, Toto, Journey, Weather Report, Donald Fagen, and on goes the list. And probably because my daddy’s a muso himself and is very, very known in this part of the neighborhood, we always hung out, played a lot together, fought a lot but always had a blast by the end of the day. He writes the most beautiful songs, some of which you can check out Casey Rankin on myspace.com, but he’s a FXXcking genius.
You have worked with some of the biggest names in Japanese rock, from Sugizo, Yamashita Masayoshi from Loudness, and Ken Lloyd. Is there any artist that you enjoy working with more? And who would you like to work with next as far as artists go?
I would personally like to start working with more foreign artists overseas to tell you the truth... Okuda Tamio, Chara, UA, and the groups along that line would be nice as well as continue to work as a guitar player and as a drummer.
You have been working in the music industry for over 15 years. In that time how has your music changed since when you began?
No protools! Other than that it’s not getting any better regarding budgets and all... And that I do not know what kind of bands are out there...
Also during that time is there any song in your career that you might say is a song that has defined your 15 years in the industry?
Not really yet, but eventually I may be much more wisdom to relay what kind of a life it’s been, as we say, we all learn something new each day...
Eric you’re a multi-instrumentalist but you play guitar more than any other instrument. Is there any particular reason why you chose to make the guitar say your main instrument of choice?
I really did not choose but started to get more gigs as a guitar player ever since I started producing and playing with Monoral... I did start out in this mess on drums... But I always played acoustic and sang..
Recently you have been working with Fake? for the past two years. What were your feelings joining as support after Inoran had left?
Replacing Inoran didn’t really faze me much at all though I did feel that Fake? was going to lose much of the Lunasea fans but I surely did not make it any kind of issue. I can only do the best I can and that’s all can do do.
Anyway, I met Ken through a friend of mine and got shit faced together, we went out again and was asked to play on a few trax of theirs which I gladly accepted. Apparently they already had a guitar player set but did not cut the cheese quite right if you know what I mean... Ken and his road manager came over the next day, handed me 25 songs of a band I only knew through Sugizo... And never really paid much attention to, now that I went through all that and then some with the help of Pablo and the rest of the gang, 5 rehearsals and the show is on... Been playing with’em since.
As far as your solo career goes you choose to sing in English rather than in Japanese. Is there any reason why you choose to sing in English or is just because you feel more comfortable singing in English rather than in Japanese?
I only sing in English because I do not write Japanese lyrics... C’est la vie
Do you prefer working as a solo artist or as part of a band?
I do enjoy the time alone to work on songs and ditties on my own but I’ve always been a band man.
What are some advantages and disadvantages when it comes to being a solo artists? Same question again but as far as being in band is concerned?
The advantage is that the work is very un-time consuming because you know what you want/ disadvantages are the originality of each player.
How would you describe your albums Share The Light, Inertia, and Not Afraid? And do you feel like you surpassed yourself musically with each album?
I don’t know about the surpassed bit but I have changed a bit if I may be honest. My personal favorite is the live album to be honest...
When you write your music what inspires you to write the way you do?
Anytime, anywhere, and every chance I get. Inspiration just comes and goes just as a concentration gets blown in the wind...
How did you come up with the name Bloom UnderGround?
It came in a dream... Maybe I was thinking about bugs ( take the capital letters from the name )
The music of Bloom UnderGround is rock but mixed in with it are all these other sounds which seem "trippy". Any reason for this sound?
We have the bass player step on some paddy sounds as well as we have our own P.A. With a machine that works magic...
Bloom UnderGround has yet to release a major CD. Are you planning on releasing one sometime soon in the near future?
There are talks but nothing set yet... It would be sweeet if we can sign with a foreign label, do you have any ideas?
What direction do you see Bloom UnderGround heading in?
Pink Floyd on much more on the rock side with electronica/ambient to trance vibes is how we see it.
Fake? has one more live coming up in June. Are you excited to play what might be Fake’s last live since the band is taking a break?
Of course! Playing live is always a blast !
Would you yourself as a solo artist or with Bloom UnderGround consider playing outside of Japan?
Please tell me if you know, how the hell do we get out of here !!!?
What words of advice do you have for others like myself who aspire to become musicians or are on route to becoming musicians?
This is a saying I still remember to this day: Mr. Can’t never did a thing but Mr. Try did it all.
Just keep believing in yourself and keep playing or writing or whatever you feel you can be friends with for a long time. And remember family and friends come first. Cuz they are the ones sticking with you through your thick and your thins.
Finally any last words that you would like to say to your fans and those who are reading this interview?
Come see us play, I guarantee you a trip and a half! If you can’t please, do contact us at pure records at info@pure-records.com for the live album. You won’t regret it if you are into smoking veggies and zoning!
Peace and out !
Eric Zay (Bloom UnderGround)
Additional Information
BloomUnderGround Official SiteCheck out BloomUnderGround’s Official Site for more information on their history, lyrics, discography, and more!
Eric Zay’s Official Site
Check out Eric Zay’s Official Site for more information on his history, discography, and more!
Eric Zay @ J-Music Ignited
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