ZZIV: ALL THINGS ZIM ZUM - There Is Life After Manson

There is Life After Manson
Original URL: http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/ZimZum/jenny.html
By: Jenny T.

Jenny: Ok, first of all, how has life these days been treating you?
Zim Zum: It has been really amazing and interesting
J: How so?
ZZ: So many things have changed and I really feel for the better. I am doing what I want. Everything in my life now is very honest and real. I am in control of my destiny for the first time in my life
J: Ok, lets go back a couple of years to when you were in Manson. When you first joined the band, I'm sure you knew what you were getting into, however, did you expect The Dead to the World tour to be as controversial as it was?
ZZ: I had no idea what I was getting into and neither did they. It happened to all of us at once. One day twiggy and I are walking to rehersals and the next day the album is #3....go figure. That tour was what we had planned. It did take on a life of its own and really became something important. It was a political movement. It was about not accepting what is given to you.
J: I saw you guys on that tour and it was an amazing show. My first concert actually, and what an interesting experience it was.
ZZ: I'm sure it was interesting from the other side of the barricade. I really gave everything I had during that tour and was still excited to push it farther
J: Everyone saw the onstage antics and even some of the backstage antics on the home video. What other kinds of stuff went on backstage?
ZZ: It was far more extreme behind the scenes. The things on the video are not the things we wanted people to see as "us". We were in control and that was very dangerous at times. We never really abused the power that was given to us. We used it to expose the faults that everyone has and to try and make people responsible for their actions...like we were. It was like a circus of controlled chaos...whatever...whenever.
J: You, along with the rest of the guys, faced a lot of religious/political persecution on that tour. Was there any point in time on that tour where you just kind of sat back and went "Whoa..this is a bit too much for me."?
ZZ: There were times when I thought it was too much to handle. It was very frustrating at times, because I would see myself on TV being misunderstood by people that never met me and really were out to cause harm..physical and mental. The death threats....I never really felt like I was in danger but it got a little too close at times. We were all willing to die for the right reasons...and some of the wrong ones too.
J: Ok, now up to Mechanical Animals...it's really an amazing album. How did you go about the writing and recording process?
ZZ: Everyone prepared individually. Pogo and I did a lot of playing and recording at our house. We worked a couple of things out during soundchecks on tour. Two of the songs on MA were recorded as early as when we played the MTV awards. We just sort of winged it, trusting that everyone would step up when the time came. I was new to recording a full album with them, but I knew all along that if I was patient the time would come when Manson looked to me for new ideas and he did. He was really open to the idea of letting me just come up with ideas and to develop them in the studio. He gave me alot of freedom to put my style into theirs and he understood that I didn't really play like they did. I come from a much more musical place than they were used to. Not meaning that as an insult. They were all amazing in the studio in their own ways.
J: How was the transition from playing heavy, emotionally numb music to playing the type of music we hear on MA?
ZZ: Well I think that does have alot to do with the way I play. I'm not the "metal head" when it comes to playing guitar. I can [play that type of music], but it's just not what I feel. When anyone that has known me for at least 10 years hears that album they know it's just the way I've always played. I wanted to do an album like Queen, something really big and ambitious to show everyone that they were wrong in assuming we sucked.
J: You guys definitely didn't suck. Poo on them, what do they know?
ZZ: Well, we were very critical of how we played ..there was really no exscuse for mistakes. Dont get me wrong every night we played things differently some better than others, but thats why anyone plays live..it is what it is. Anyone who saw MM knew it could be beautiful or it could be ugly. It was very "in the moment".
J: Personally, I think the ugly part was having to see Manson's ass..
ZZ: Yea but he felt the need to show it sooooo........
J: Manson's quite the exhibitionist.
ZZ: Yea. I think everyone has that in them, just not the format to do it in...and get away with it. It was all about pushing peoples buttons.
J: You're currently in the studio working on your album. Is there any kind of theme or concept running through it?
ZZ: Yea. It's based on a story of a man who has discovered he only has 28 days to live. He's found himself in a society of clones and dis-interested conformists. He contemplates suicide and murder and wanting to make a change. It is somewhat futuristic but very timely.
J: Sounds interesting
ZZ: An underground movement called "The Ultracans" is developed throughout the album.
J: That leads me to my next question. What exactly is an Ultracan?
ZZ: It's a play on the Ultra-american ...good, bad, ugly, and unique...willing to sell themselves for a trend, and at other times so introverted they can't stand to change.
J: Now, you have said that you would like to take your band on the road and play some shows...any chances of coming to St. Louis? (sorry, I *had* to ask that)
ZZ: Yes
J: Woohoo! When you do tour, what can the fans expect to see?
ZZ: Touring is something I want to do as long as the quality of venue is right. I dont want anyone to have to pay a fortune to see me play. I want to re-invent the "live" experience. When this band does play live I feel it will be so much more amazing than anyone could imagine. I feel that music needs a wake up call and I AM a dose of reality.
J: Wow, all of what's been happening must be doing a lot of good for you...that's quite a confident attitude you have, which is a good thing of course.
ZZ: I am very focused. I know that I can do this the way I've always wanted, and if no-one else is going to step up well..........music is stale and corporate.
J: I agree..we need some more exciting artists!
ZZ: I will not give up my creative control just to have a record deal. I will and can release it on my own. The technology is available to be able to get my music to as many people that want it with out the soul-sucking business side of the industry getting in the way....can you say MP3?
J: There are quite a few people on the internet that are going around saying that they are you, or that they know you or are related to you. If you could say anything about or to these people, what would it be?
ZZ: I can't really understand what motivates those people. If they really knew me they wouldn't have to tell anyone to validate themselves. I can be very open and approachable, but sometimes the way people feed off of me makes me very disturbed. I wont intentionally hurt anyone...so why do people spend so much of their lives trying to get to me? I have no time for negativity. When I left MM everyone had an opinion and I'm not so sure that they were entitled to know everything. I felt at first I should explain..but it was something that I was dealing with at that moment. It just felt like the right thing to do for ME. There is life after Manson...for everyone.
J: There are a lot, and I mean a LOT of Zim Zum sites on the net. What do you think of it when people dedicate their time to making these sites?
ZZ: It's really quite humbling...and motivating. They saw something in me that I'm not sure I have ever really noticed. I like the fact that they are being creative and always putting a different spin on it. I really will find a way to let all of them know I appreciate all that they do. It's never been fame that motivates me it's just the desire to make my dreams reality without using anyone to do it. I want everyone to experience the things I have.
J: Just for the record...were you fired or did you leave on your own?
ZZ: I felt that my obligations were complete, and it was in my best interests to re-evaluate what I was doing and why...I have never felt so strongly about a decision in my life. I needed to think about what I wanted to do and not keep trying to support something that I didn't believe in. I wish them the best at whatever they do. Life does go on.
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