An Interview with Zed is Dead Front Man Edin Z.

Despite having played a gig the night before and it being eleven 'o clock at night at his residence in Sweden, Edin Z. was a nervous ball of energy waiting for the on-line interview to begin. "Be gentle," he says, "This being my band's first interview, I'm a virgin at this." Edin says he's nervous, but appears relaxed behind his expertly crafted answers to my questions.

Through the computer screen, it was hard to interpret his state of mind, and as much so is it hard to interpret exactly what genre you could label his band, Zed is Dead. "I understand that people what to know [who we are in terms of genre]. I used to say, 'it's rock stuff." Now, I figure that if you love the music, you must listen to it without preconceived notions," Edin says. In a way, the Bosnia native has a distaste for the impact the fast track has on society, as no one takes the time to stop and appreciate the mind-power behind art. "Today's society is all about rushing. We are rushing with everything, and I think that you need to stop and listen to the music if you say that you are a music lover! Take the time to know the band and [expletive] trying to label it," he says.

Part of the Zed is Dead experience is the tranquility and nirvana in the moment the listener realizes that he is not alone in the world -- the response of the reflection and contemplation of Zed is Dead music. Edin says he accomplishes this with the feeling and honesty of his lyrics combined with the way they are presented by the rest of the band. "Honesty! That's what we are on stage. No bull! Just playing music, sweating, making mistakes -- and no one knows what will happen next. When it comes to feelings -- I write the music from the darkest part of my heart; I write what's [inside me that] anyone can relate to. No self-censuring. Just letting it out," says Edin.

"Just letting it out" and putting his thoughts out on a flag pole for the world to see, through their music, Edin and the rest of Zed is Dead create a perfect marriage of emotion. The lyrics are full-bodied with emotion, and the music connects with the same tone, and mood, startling the senses. The members of Zed is Dead fit their thoughts inside a singular body of music the way the notches of a key slide snuggly into a lock, but Edin insists that it just happened that they all work well together. "All the songs that are played online are written by me, but I don't know that much about music and how to achieve a great sound. I just play [what I write] for the guys, and the magic just happens," he explains, "I come with the bricks, and we build the [expletive] mental institution together!"

Zed is Dead began with front man Edin Z. and guitarist Mickey Z. spending fourteen to fifteen grueling hours self-recording their demo together on their old practice grounds at Rockstone Studio. It was diligent work that reaped tremendous rewards, however it left the pair rather fatigued. Through the popularity of the songs on the Internet, it wasn't long before Rickard Z., Martin Z., and David Z. (guitarist, bassist, and drummer, respectively) expressed their interest in joining the band. Though he stands at not willing to sell out the "freedom and integrity" of his art to anyone, Edin admits that he would rather not take full responsibility of every needed facet to help his band mates reach their collective goal of worldwide success. "I would love to have a record deal and simply concentrate on writing and playing gigs -- that would be nice for a change!" says Edin, "Our manager is trying to get us signed, but we aren't going to whore ourselves for a label [to want to sign Zed is Dead."]

The elements that make up Zed is Dead music is a variety of all sorts that loosely float inside the same continuous body of sound, never breaking motion until the emotion that each song attempts to convey is fully understood and remastered through the notes and words. These elements don't " loosely float" like the contents of alphabet soup, but more like a waving, techno-color fabric -- unbridled as a unit, yet forming a solid woven entity that holds tightly together and forms something striking. The "plugged in" version of Shadows of My Pain has the harmonic vocals and quiet, smooth melody usually found in hair metal ballads, but surprises us with an open chord ending some musical phrases, commonly found in Pink Floyd songs. Edin's vocals become deeper, rougher, and grainer at times in Zed is Dead's brighter toned tune, Break These Chainz, the basis of which has some light, barely there undertones of thrash metal. The acoustic version of Shadows of My Pain contains elements of acid rock. Spin all of those technical pieces together inside a whirlwind of infectious sound, and that's probably the best way to describe Zed is Dead! "I am influenced by all of those (aforementioned) artists. I am 110% metal head, but Zed is Dead is not a metal band -- it definitely contains some elements of metal, " Edin says, "Everything I listen to, and everything I see -- hear -- are influencing me. That's why I don't think [Zed is Dead] can be labeled!"

The lucky Swedish locals that attend Zed is Dead's performances don't seem to mind the freedom the band has from the restraints of being given a specific genre, especially a vestal audience who has yet to experience the musical orgasm that releases when the five rockers work the stage. "We explode! It feels like 200% rock energy -- like the energy that's released when those super safe Swedish cars are crash-tested -- that energy. That explosion, that's Zed is Dead on stage!" says Edin.

The explosion of "Zed" will kick off the summer with a local gig tour. The actual dates of these shows are pending, but Edin promises their details will be posted on the band's official MySpace page. Zed is Dead is also a contestant in an online popularity contest between other local, unsigned groups in their area. The winner will receive a spot in the line-up of an upcoming music festival, but despite the prize, Edin believes that judging any sort of art has some unethical virtue: "I believe that there's no way to fairly judge a music competition -- you just can't compete when it comes to music. It's not like we are talking about soccer or [expletive] table tennis!"

Aside from international press and radio stations, Zed is Dead "spreads the Zed" using Internet sites such as MySpace, MySpace Web Radio, and a Swedish domain that will later become the band's official website (the Zed is Dead MySpace page can be found in the "Additional resources section" ). For now, Edin is pleased with the results of Zed is Dead's popularity on-line, but has high hopes for a U.S. tour. "It is a dream [of mine] to come to the states and play. . .given the show and a way to finance the trip, and we are coming! Promise!" Well, Edin -- America is holding you to that promise, that's for sure.