Interview with Rolo from No Zodiac

Interviewed By: George Archibald

Metal band No Zodiac has been churning songs out 2009. Since forming, the band has gone through several lineup changes and even moving its base of operations to Arizona. The band just released its newest album Alters of Impurity and hit the road supporting Oceano, Slaughter to Prevail, and Aversions Crown. I got to talk to vocalist Rolo, to learn more about No Zodiac, and how the band has evolved since its beginnings.

GA: Let’s start off with a little background on the band, I seen the band was originally Chicago based and now have moved to Arizona.
RO: Yes, our members are from all over; one from Chicago, one from Los Angeles, and one is from Wisconsin. Everyone lives in Arizona now, so we can be together. We started off playing only hardcore shows up to a year ago when we toured with Fit for an Autopsy. Then we branched more into the metal scene. Our new album Alters of Impurity just dropped 2 weeks ago, with Siege Music from the UK. We went the direction of doing more death metal, so that we could do the metal tours as well. We are looking to broaden our range to get out to more people. To add, we are going to be in Europe after this tour for a month with Malevolence.

GA: Being you just dropped an album, most bands mention the importance of album sales. How much does albums sale, and the numbers game effect your band?
RO: Honestly, I don’t know. Out of every album we have dropped, I don’t think we have ever known as far as album sales are going. We let the label handle that part. It’s cool because they pay us, and send us checks for our music. I don’t think we will ever really know how many albums we actually moved.

GA: The band has been around for several years since 2009, how have you kept it together all this time?
RO: Our drummer Erik, is the only original member of No Zodiac. He is the reason this has kept going. I am their 3^rd vocalist, and I have been in the band for 2 years now. We try to look at the band more as a business now. It’s still fun, and we do this for fun, but when you decide to travel the world together you must have the right mentality for it. We like to be able to play the music we want to and travel, and hang out with our friends, so it has worked out for us. We just want to party all over the world, that is what we are trying to do.

GA: What is one of those touring essentials for you, a must every time you go out on the road?
RO: You have to have baby wipes, because everybody fucking smells. So, you use baby wipes, and wipe your ass and your balls, so you can smell good so all your friends don’t tell you, you smell like shit.

GA: Since you are out supporting a new album, any favorite stops for the band when touring?
RO: Ohio is crazy! Ohio has always done really good for us. East coast… we played an off show in Albany, NY and the kids there are insane! We played and people just beat the shit out of each other. The smallest kid will be out there pitting so hard, it will blow your fucking mind. New York, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, that whole area is insane for us. Shout out to Unit 731!

GA: Talking about the hardcore scene, how do you like the Boston area?
RO: Oh, it’s fucking insane. People think they know violent, and people think they see violent on tours like this, they have never seen violent till you go there. I’m a big guy, and I go, “I’m just going to chill back here and watch.” The east coast is insane.

GA: What is some of the equipment the band uses?
RO: My guitar player is using a Randall amp for this tour. We use Peavey cabinets. My bass player is using Ampeg. Our drummer is sponsored by Spaun Drums, so he has been using their brand kit. I use Shure microphones, I bring my own mic because fuck getting everyone’s spit in my mouth.

GA: You touched upon going to Europe after this tour, is there anything else in the works?
RO: We are writing a new album right now. I know we just dropped one, but that was just a taste of what we are trying to do. This next album we are taking our time, and work on it. Then we are going to go to Will Putney from Fit for an Autopsy and he is going to record this new record. We are hoping to have it out by spring of next year.

I want to thank Rolo for his time, I wish you well on tour, and looking forward to hearing that new album when it drops next year. You can keep up with the band through their Facebook Page for all updates. Make sure you check out a copy of Alters of Impurity in music stores near you and streaming online.

About Author

George Archibald

See author's posts