When “Dark Horse” has been released we had the idea of talking with Zachary about his first song and his solo career, finally we did it! Here’s our interview with the one and only Zachary Baker also knows as Zacky Vengeance.
When did you come up with the idea of taking all the songs that you have written and putting them into a solo album? It’s not so typical for band members, especially by trying your hand at a totally different style such as country!
ZV: My mom told me.. Zach I think you would be a really good country songwriter. So I wrote a funny song for her. I realized I was able to use a similar style of music like some of my favorite inspirations like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams to tell my own story. I never planned to release it until we were playing a show in Nashville and I got the confidence to want to share it.
Why have you decided to release this album now and not, maybe, once the LIBAD era with the whole band had ended?
ZV: It’s really about creating and then sharing with the world. We never really work on a schedule. The timeline for art is whenever it feels right.
Dark Horse is just the first release of a whole album… we wanted to ask you, how’s been recording everything on your own?
ZV: It has been a learning experience. It was rewarding, frustrating, emotional and every feeling you can imagine. I feel like these songs were destined to be heard and I was merely put here to make sure that happened.
Speaking of production, what’s been the most difficult task to do?
ZV: I honestly have no idea what I am doing. It was simply about finding a way to capture each sound by any means necessary. Anything I learned was purely by necessity.
All those songs tell about your whole life, of the highs and lows that you had to face through it… you showed a part of you that was unknown to most of your fans until now, how does this make you feel?
ZV: I thought it would make me feel vulnerable but its truly empowering when you step outside your comfort zone and break down any barriers you have set for yourself. You are allowed to change and grow. Don’t be stuck in the cage you create for yourself.
Would you like to tell us something more about the songs’ lyrics? like, what episodes inspired you to write them down? What are the words based on?
ZV: I am pretty manic and when I get sad it feels like the end of the world. It never stops me from following my heart but it’s never made life easy. It’s at those moments where I would pick up my guitar and the songs would seemingly write themselves.
Among all the songs, is there one of them that you are more emotionally attached to or that was more difficult to complete due to its meaning?
ZV: Almost every song on the album had me to the point of tears at some point while writing or recording them. I focused on each one and what it meant to me. It is me at my most vulnerable.
Have you deepen studying singing in order to record the album, or have you decided to just go for it with your own singing skills? (By the way, we wanted to say you all together that you have a beautiful voice and we’re all obsessed with Dark Horse!)
ZV: Thank you. I never had any intention of trying to impress anyone with my singing abilities. I just wanted to use the voice I was given to tell my story without regret.
If you had produced this record 10 years ago, would it have been similar to the final nowadays product and base on the same genre or not?
ZV: Absolutely not. It took years to realize the most punk rock album I could make was not just what people want or expect from me. Im glad I waited until I freed myself of whatever restraints I thought existed for me.
Who would you absolutely want to listen to your songs? A loved one, a famous person, someone who shaped you as an artist…
ZV: Anyone who would cry a tear at my funeral.
If you could do a featuring, who would you choose to be in your album?
ZV: Mike Ness or Glen Danzig.
Is this album more about your past or present style?
ZV: It’s something that has always been there and if you look close enough you can see it is just part of who I have always been.
After all the years with A7X, how does it feel to publish your first project with just your name on it?
ZV: It is surreal. Behind all of the successes we have had I am just a man trying my best.
From your last interview with rock feed, it’s clear you’d like to tour: are Europe and Italy part of your future plans?
ZV: Yes. I hope to make as much noise for as long as I can for anyone who wants to sing along.
How do you feel about the idea of a solo tour?
ZV: I love playing no matter what size the crowd is. I have been so blessed in Avenged but we started out playing the smallest stages in the world and I have always loved it and always will.
Zachary Baker and Zacky V: how much is your solo career influenced by your experience with the band?
ZV: They go hand in hand yet are completely different. It’s hard to explain. I am just one person with so many experiences to draw from.
It seems you have a lot on your plate right now, big changes, not only concerning music, but also on the emotional and physical side. When did your passion for the gym start?
ZV: I got to a point in my life where I knew I needed to make some changes for those I love the most. I wasn’t happy. Each day I would wake up hoping that the next day would be better but doing nothing to actually change anything and then I met someone who made me want to stop waiting and hoping for that “someday” and to start living. Finding your peace begins with you and it requires sacrifice. I am so blessed to have found a person who helped me do that.
Up until now, what do you think about the reaction of your fans to “Dark Horse”?
ZV: I had no expectations but I am so honored that people have given it a chance.
Talking to rock feed, you said you “forced” yourself to “find a purpose everyday” and that you went through a hard time while putting together these songs. Surely they resonate with many people. Is there something you’d like to say to those who find themselves in a dark place just like you?
ZV: You have to be honest with yourself. It might be the hardest thing to do in life but once you do, then the universe will open doors you never knew existed.
Can you tell us something in advance about your record? Have you found a name for it yet? Or is it a self titled, just like an autobiography?
ZV: The albums official title will be Dark Horse but it won’t be completely obvious.
(Bonus question.You can skip this one if you don’t feel like answering it)
In your opinion, what would Jimmy think about this project of yours? Are there some parts of his way of making music that had an influence on this specific project?
ZV: I think he would think my drumming is embarrassingly awful but would absolutely be thrilled that I gave no fucks. He never saw music as genres and I think that I share that influence with him.
Thank you Zachary for allowed us to interview you and for opened up with us all with these beautiful meaningful answers about your story!