Radio Exile Interview with ZO2

By Shawn M. Smith - August 30, 2008 | Email the author

Last week, Radio Exile’s Jon Sevastra had an opportunity to sit down at the IFC corporate offices (in the conference room of all places – “indie conference room?”) with New York rockers ZO2 [Official Site, Myspace] to discuss Z Rock [IFC Site] their new TV show on IFC, the state of arena rock, touring with KISS and Poison, TV theme songs and more.

Z Rock airs Sundays at 11:30 PM ET only on IFC.

Come check out more after “the jump”

“Z Rock is a comedy series that follows three friends leading a double life: by night they’re a hard-partying rock band and by day they’re a kids party band. Z Rock is (kinda) based on the true story of the band Z02 (brothers Paulie Z and David Z, and lifelong friend Joey Cassata) and gives a satirical look at the dark underbelly of the rock n’ roll dream.”

“Talk is cheap – especially in rock ‘n roll! All that matters are the music and the performances. Melding the funk and swagger of the 70s with modern arrangements, harmonies and lyrics, ZO2 is single-handedly infusing the rock world with the energy and excitement it has so long been missing.

“In stores now, ZO2’s Ain’t It Beautiful on Riker Hill Records was instantly praised in Metal Edge Magazine and includes songs such as the politically explosive “Isolate”, the satirically charged “If You See Kay” and the emotive “Comin’ Home”. The Brooklyn-based trio is tireless in their support of the release as they bring their personal brand of high-energy rock n’ roll to enthusiastic audiences across the country. Radio is proving just as supportive spinning “Isolate” at stations across the county. Additionally, ZO2 has been featured on syndicated radio shows including “The Tourbus” and Eddie Trunk’s show.

And the band is coming to homes everywhere on Sunday, August 24th, 2008 when ZO2’s “Z Rock” premieres on IFC (Independent Film Channel). Touted as “based on a (kinda) true story”, the 10-episode season features guest stars such as rockers Dave Navarro, John Popper and Sebastian Bach along with notable comedians including Dave Attell, Gilbert Gottfried and Greg Giraldo. Joan Rivers appears in a recurring role and Lynne Koplitz, Jay Oakerson and VH1’s Allison Becker are series regulars.

ZO2’s talent and charisma has been opening doors for them since the beginning. Their debut independent release, Tuesdays & Thursdays won the band surprising attention. Within weeks of its release, ZO2 was on the main stage opening for Kiss and Poison on their entire 40 city national, VH1 sponsored “Rock the Nation” tour and the toughest audiences in the world embraced them with standing ovations every night. The tour and CD also garnered attention from Hit Parader as ZO2 was the only unsigned band to be included in the magazine’s “Year in Metal” issue.

Featuring brothers Paulie Z (vocals, guitar) and David Z (vocals, bass) and Joey Cassata (drums, vocals), the members’ individual past musical achievements are noteworthy: David as the bassist for the enormously successful Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Joey in the highly successful and critically acclaimed Blue Man Group and Paulie as a featured vocalist on many of Howard Stern’s infamous song parodies. Paulie created NYC’s popular ZO2’s Rock Asylum featuring local and national rock artists each month proving that rock n’ roll is alive and prospering and the rock community is still thriving, hungry and begging for more.

And what does ZO2 mean? Clearly, it’s the formula for rock ‘n roll.

Visit ZO2.com to hear “Isolate”, “She Believes” and “If You See Kay” from the Riker Hill Records’ release Ain’t It Beautiful.”