An Interview with Lloyd Zeffler

Lloyd Zeffler is a throwback to a simpler time. Not just one person, not just a group. Lloyd Zeffler is a testament to the power of rock and roll music.

If you have never felt the surge of electricity that flows through your body as the perfect power chord rings out of a guitar, then you are missing out on one of life's incredible pleasures.

The people of Lloyd Zeffler worship at the alter of rock and roll. They are quick to mention many other kinds of music that is just as meaningful, if not more so in cases.

The following questions were posed to Lloyd Zeffler and a few members were willing to take their headphones off long enough to divulge some answers.

Thanks for taking the time to speak with me. I know that you are very busy.

Just trying to make a living. Unfortunately listening to music doesn't pay the bills.

My first question is why "Lloyd Zeffler"?

Why? What?

What is meaningful about the name Lloyd Zeffler?

That name has stuck around for a very long time. It came from an experience in looking for a Led Zeppelin t-shirt to buy. You can get one of those anywhere these days. All the kids have one. Wal-Mart probably has them on sale right now.

About 15 years ago, before it was a fashion statement, you couldn't find a Led Zeppelin t-shirt. While on this hunt, a well-meaning family member stepped into a Hallmark store (yes, the store with greeting cards and stuffed puppies with bulbous eyes) and inquired about the location of a Lloyd Zeffler t-shirt.

The name just stuck around. I guess it has become a guise to step out of real life and into someone else's. At first it was just the name of our band. The band that can't play a single song, yet still refers to itself as a band.

If anything it is a tribute, in a way, to a band and a type of music we absolutely love, but also stood for the disconnect we felt with people and the strong connection to music. Typical teenage angst.

Why is music so important and the focus of your attention?

We all have different reasons. How many people have told musicians, "Your music saved my life?" How many people point to a song that helped them get through a tough time, reminds them of a first love, or just sounds really good coming from the speakers of their car?

Music takes us somewhere else. That one song could be the only thing that understands you.

Music accompanies life and heightens the emotions. In church, at a concert, on the bus or alone in your bedroom; music is with you and constantly communication. At least when it's good.

Why does Lloyd Zeffler just "celebrate" rock music? Why don't you make some of it?

We would if we could. And we hope to eventually. In the meantime we just have to share and enjoy. We have much admiration for anyone who commits their life to an instrument and is willing to take their music out into the world. Even if we don't necessarily like it, we pay respect to anyone out their doing it.

Who are the artists you particularly like?

Way too many to list here. We love the timeless rock bands that just never seem to go away. AC/DC, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones. Bands like that built the framework on the house. David Bowie is incredible. Al Green. The Ronettes. '80s thrash metal. There is so much good stuff through the decades. '70s glam rock. The Ramones. Southern Rock. Motown. The first wave of grunge bands.

There are a lot of newer bands too. I know people complain about music these days. Something good is out there, and it's waiting for you. Just got to look for it. Some bands though are just timeless, and some artists are nothing short of brilliant.

Anything we wouldn't find on a Lloyd Zeffler play list?

Probably most new and the overtly commercial country music. That just feels soulless. Norwegian death metal curdles the milk in our fridge. We stay away from the explicit content. Not really into that.

Aren't you missing out on a lot of music by skipping the explicit stuff?

Probably. There is enough of that going around. We just don't need to hear it. We like to keep it positive.

What is your take on music censorship?

Any artist has the right to say whatever they want. They should never be censored. People just need to be responsible for what they put out in the world and what they bring home from it. We can always change the dial if I don't like what is on it. It's that simple.

What do you think of the argument about music and video games affecting the youth?

It is ridiculous. Take responsibility for your own actions. Parents should take responsibility for their own children. This argument is pointless and should be reserved for high paid lawyers. Hopefully we are smart enough to not take a 3-minute rock song too seriously.

You've been selling stuff under the Lloyd Zeffler name. Why go so far to create images for a t-shirt?

We love the images we have created. It touches on being young and hearing music for the first time. You can't hear a song for the first time ever again but you can always remember that rush. Every once in a while you can get that rush again with a new band or a new song. It's an incredible feeling. Hopefully anything we do as Lloyd Zeffler can only contribute to that.

Where can we go to get a t-shirt or something?

The store is called Lloyd Zeffler Rocks and you can find it at www.cafepress.com/lloydzeffler. Even if you don't want to buy something you can come by our MySpace. Share some music or just drop in. That's at www.myspace.com/lloydzeffler.

Anything else you want to share?

Keep searching for great music. Keep supporting great musicians. Go to concerts. Listen to albums. Live a great life. Love it. I guess that's enough. What else is there?