Interviews

Interviews: The Color Red

The Color Red may have blossomed into the perfect era musically, as the past few years has seen some monumental success for alternative rock groups such as Creed and Nickelback, as well as for fresh faces from the California underground in Papa Roach and Alien Ant Farm. As a band, The Color Red possess both the easy to like rock and roll sound and hail from the same stomping grounds as those other largely popular California acts. In fact, they have more in common with Alien Ant Farm then many know, as vocalist Jon Zamora and bassist Marc Zamora are the older brothers of AAF's bassist Ty.

As the release date for The Color Red's RCA debut, Clear, draws near, Smother had the chance to speak with Jon concerning the album, working with producer Johnny K. and the reluctant comparisons bound to be thrown their way as they struggle to rise to the top.

Smother: Having been together since 1994, how does it feel to finally be releasing your major label debut later this summer?

Jon Zamora: It's amazing! We have waited along time for this to happen.

Smother: You come from a scene that's had an unbelievable amount of talented musicians emerge in the past several years. Was this type of atmosphere hard for a band to make a name for themselves, and do you feel the local scene is as strong as it was four years ago?

Jon: We have always played music for us. The music that drives us to do what we do comes from everywhere, not just at home. Now that we have a record deal, you can see how it was just the right time. It seems to me that the bands around here are getting more creative.

Smother: What motivates you to make music? Have you always wanted to be a musician?

Jon: Life!!! When I was a kid my dad would play music all the time. The walls in the house would be vibrating, he played it so loud. He would play ELO, Earth Wind and Fire, Bee Gee's, Supertramp, Boston, etc. When kids were dressing up like army men and playing war, we would act like we were a band and use tennis rackets as guitars. We fucking rocked!!

Smother: Are you worried at all that The Color Red may be tagged with the stigma of being the "brother band" of Alien Ant Farm, considering your younger brother is the group's bassist?

Jon: It's already happening. Most of the reviews on us will say something about it. But, they also say that in no way is The Color Red anything like AAF. We are two different bands that made it on the music we play. We love those boys. That's our family. We have grown up together and played in different bands together for years.

Smother: Could you give some insight on some of the new songs? What type of subject matter do they deal with? Any personal favorites?

Jon: "Clear" to me is a CD that's very personal. I deal with a lot of reality about myself on those songs. It kinda paints a picture of things going on now and things to come. "Do You" hits my heart.

Smother: It's a bit surprising you had Johnny K.produce the album, since he is known for his work with the heavier side of the music spectrum. This being the case, did he want to help find a more aggressive edge from the band, while maintaining the overall melodic rock feel?

Jon: Because Johnny K produced those bands, people seem to think that he's a metal head. Johnny is everything good. When we hired him we thought that his amazing production on those other albums would be a nice flavor for The Color Red. He wanted to work with us because he liked the music. There were a lot of times during the recording of Clear that Johnny brought in the mellow parts to the songs. Did I mention that he's a kick ass foosball player?

Smother: How did you decide on naming the new album "Clear"? Is there any specific meaning behind the title?

Jon: I think Marc came up with the name. I thought it was great. To me, clear means understanding myself. I'm at a point in my life where I know what I'm responsible for.

Smother: Which would you rather have, rapid success spearheaded by one song that is remembered forever, or a slower build to success over the course of many albums, and a cult fanbase, and why?

Jon: I want this to be my last job. If I could go on tour with my four friends, play to thousands of people, write songs, bring in new memories, pay off my bills and buy a few things, I'll take it how I can get it. But, many years sounds pretty fucking good!

Smother: Being from California and having close ties to some of the area's biggest names may leave fans clumping you into the standard crossover genre. What would you say to fans that are hasty to compare you with other local bands, and how would you describe your music?

Jon: The Color Red is a rock band. We have songs that have a driving melodic feel to it. We sound like all kinds of different bands because we love so many different bands. We do what has been already done in a different way. Go buy it and tell me if I'm wrong.

Smother: What are your plans for the rest of 2002, now that the album is complete and ready to hit shelves? What would, in your mind be the perfect tour for The Color Red?

Jon: We plan to be touring quite a bit in the near future and we've been working threw some treatments for a video. I think the perfect tour would be The Color Red and Pink Floyd.

Smother: Before we wrap this interview up, are there any last comments/props you wish to make?

Jon: I'll see you soon!!!

For more information on The Color Red go to their official website.