Artist Q&A: Alpha Zero Three
Tonight, Alpha Zero Three makes its hotly-anticipated live debut at The Originals Music Series. The band, whom you’ve heard on Quinn Spinn programming over the past several weeks, is joined by Dissension Rising, Site Unknown and Autoerotica for a great night of heart-pounding rock.
Monty Leach, Bob Giovannetti, and Jeff Smith from Alpha Zero Three answered a few questions for Lehigh Valley Underground prior to the big night.
What were you all doing before Alpha Zero Three?
Monty: I was doing some writing, mostly on a hiatus, for the past two years. Prior to that, I had been in the original band Driver, a cover band named Wicked Garden, and several other original bands. The rest of the group has been kicking around the Lehigh Valley music scene for years. Jeff was the vocalist for Magnum, Russ played drums for Toga Party, Bob played keys for Skinny Mulligan and Truth & Soul, and Stefon played bass for Simon Apple and Cranked.
How did you guys come together?
Monty: I recorded the Driver CD at Bob’s studio, and Bob and I became friends and wrote and recorded a couple songs together over the years. Jeff and I had played together in Wicked Garden, and when I found out he and Bob had played together years ago, I finally put the three of us in the same room, and we’ve been working together ever since.
How did you guys come up with the name, Alpha Zero Three?
Bob: Unfortunately, there’s not a very compelling story here! *laughs* We write and record at my studio in Alpha, NJ. At the time, the band only consisted of Jeff, Monty, and myself. The Zero…well, that just sounded cool.
Speaking of names, Ninja from the Fyre & Ice Show wanted me to ask this next one: How did you get the name for Crystal Pig Studios?
Bob: Back in the early 90’s, I was on a vacation in Florida and went into a shop on the boardwalk that sold crystal figurines… and walked out with a crystal pig. I put it in the control room and, next thing I know, I start getting them as gifts for Christmas and birthdays. Before long, they were everywhere! A friend walked into the studio one day and said, “Crystal Pig Studio.” If anyone would like to see where AZ3 creates our music, check out crystalpigstudio.com
You guys have a handful of songs already released, including your latest, “My Signal.” Tell us what listeners can expect to hear.
Jeff: We are big fans of heavier melodic rock, so that seems to be what comes out. There’s no denying we’re fans of bands that came out of Seattle in the 90’s, and Monty is a huge Dave Grohl fan. There are also more obscure influences from each member, like Nine Inch Nails, Bob Mould, Kings X, and even Ozzy.
People have a chance to hear these tracks on Thursday, when AZ3 makes its live debut at The Originals Music Series. How stoked are you guys?
Bob: A few of us have played in original bands in the past, but for me and Jeff, this is a new experience. Having people connect with music that we’ve written is an incredibly powerful feeling, so we can’t wait to take the stage and share our music in a live setting!
You’re sharing this bill with Site Unknown, Dissension Rising (from all the way in Ireland), and Autoerotica. What’s it like to be debuting as part of this great night of rock?
Monty: It’s super-flattering! I can’t imagine a better time. It’s going to be a really, really huge, quality night of music. We’ve gotten to know these other bands through Neue Regel Radio, and it feels like it’s going to be a really positive, collaborative night, as well. Group hugs all around!
Any surprises in store for those in attendance?
Bob: So far, AZ3 has released five songs that you can check out on our ReverbNation page: www.reverbnation.com/alphazerothree. In addition to those songs, we’ll be performing a few new originals that no one but the band has heard yet! We also plan on throwing a few cool cover songs into the set… but you’re going to have to be at the show to find out what those are.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Monty: It’s really satisfying to be back out there playing original music again. We can’t thank Ninja, Pitbull, RTFX, Lunatic Fist, and all our other friends at Neue Regel Radio, and Chicago Restaurant’s Club Gravity enough for the opportunity to play and hear original music in the Lehigh Valley.
