Zac's Not Dead
Sitting on the tour bus around midnight, at the end of that long day, Ricky (bass player & occasional back-up screamer for my band The Nixons) told me, “We just kept on playing after you fell off stage and disappeared. But I kept wondering…what if he’s dead down there. How long do we keep playing? Then you jumped back onstage”.
Earlier that day, at sound check at the lovely Patchogue Theater on Long Island, Michael (our sound man, tour manager and general fixer of all things) pulled me aside and said, “Zac look at this orchestra pit at the edge of the stage. That thing you do where you jump out into the audience…don’t do that tonight. That’s 8 feet down onto concrete.” This was the third to last stop on an amazing summer tour with Everclear & Fastball. And as fate would have it, during the end of our last song “1X1”, I stuck my boot out over that pit, slipped & fell backwards 8 feet down landing on my hand & hip. The ER doc told me later it was essentially the equivalent of a car crash.
Still kinda sore a few months later.
One broken finger, a few bruises and a surgery later…I’m able to reflect that all in all, I’m pretty lucky. Could’ve been worse.
All the cliches apply.
I had been joining Everclear during their set for their killer cover of “The Boys Are Back in Town”. I called Michael from the ER, told him to make sure Art (singer & badass for the band) knew that I wouldn’t be able to join them onstage tonight. He simply replied that everyone knew. However, Art told me the next day he had looked for me side stage before the Thin Lizzy cover & asked his monitor guy where I was. “Still at the ER I assume”.
That’s how Art found out. The next night when he brought me up, he told the story of the orchestra pit only this time it was 9 feet. The next night, 12. By the time we played a festival a few weeks later, Art claimed I’d fallen 14 feet down.
What’s that saying? Don’t let a lie get in the way of a good story…
My surgeon, Dr. Weikert (we had kids in school together, so I knew him to be a great dude & perhaps the best orthopedic hand doc in the country) told me post op, it was the worse break he’d seen. Knowing he’d worked on professional athletes here in Nashville, I asked how that could be possible. He simply replied, they were pads, gloves, protective gear.
Ahh, yeah.
He also thought it would be funny to have Nixons music piped in during the surgery. As I drifted off, “1X1” began to play. Last thing I remember, I told them all “This is the song we were playing when I fell”. They got a kick out of that.
I am, in fact, thankful it wasn’t worse. I’m also happy to report, I somehow scampered up & out of that 16 feet deep orchestra pit to finish the set. It was also lucky the last two gigs were NYC & Boston where my two sons each live. They jumped up for those gigs to cover guitar duties for the injured me.
Finally, I am thrilled to answer Ricky’s question.
Nope, not dead yet.
Song Through the Years
My wife and I moved to Dallas sometime in 1998. Bought a little house in midtown and got to work painting and redoing the cool bungalow style place listening to music on a boombox. The Verve album Urban Hymns had just come out and was on regular rotation during many coats of something called “contemplation” in one room and “rye” in another. Songs “Sonnet” and the ever ubiquitous “Bittersweet Symphony” were killer, but for bonafide next level status see exhibit: “The Drugs Don’t Work”. I had first heard the song in the days following the death of Lady Diana. I found out recently it was officially sent to radio September 1, 1997 one day after her death. My band The Nixons played Mississippi nights in St. Louis the night of August 31 and my soon to be wife was visiting. My sound man, Howard, came over post show to tell me the tragic news. Now the sad anthem wafted through the paint stained air with the most beautiful melancholy maybe of any song I’ve ever heard.
Maybe because it was attached to that tragic royal memory, or the hours on repeat redoing the first house I owned. I kept on coming back. Fast forward to 2010. Now in Tulsa with two small children and, somehow and luckily, the same wife. A dear friend and acclaimed photographer Kelly Kerr had just heard the news that I was relocating my family to Nashville to more seriously pursue a career in songwriting. He made me an offer to come to my studio and professionally film me singing a few songs. I knew instantly one had to be “The Drugs Don’t Work” and he suggested getting super talented local singer songwriter Ben Kilgore to sing along. We did it and I moved. Kelly got busy, I got distracted and we never actually did anything with the video.
Now here I sit in the midst of a lockdown because of a pandemic doing what we’re all doing. Sharing funny posts about being stir crazy, and trying to keep doing what we do. One thing I do is make music. So, I’ve done the obligatory sing a song and post; do a 4 screen video with my band and also dug up some old stuff. I reach out to Kelly. He emailed some pics from photo shoots he’d done. Then reminded me of the video sessions he’d done and that he “hit the mother load” …sent that 10 year old video of me and Ben singing this classic Verve song.
I watch it now and just transport. Back to Tulsa. In some ways more stressful times. In some ways simpler. Now those two small children are in college (at home) and headed to college (I hope).
I watch it now and remember. Damn, a great song is just…great. Real, raw lyrics and an indelible melody. And Ben’s harmonies help.
Listen.
Think back.
Listen.
Love each other.
Be safe.
z
Chaos Theory
My kid isn’t a kid anymore. He’s a physics major in college.
Damn.
He was born the day the Nixons break up began. Now we’re back making loud noises and he’s kicking ass in his world. He mentioned this thing called Chaos Theory.
I won’t attempt to fully delve into it cause that would be hilarious. And stupid. But essentially, it’s a mathematical theory that states that events can go through the same process with completely different results if only one tiny thing changes.
It’s funny cause I always thought of a Nixons show as an experiment in chaos. And over the years I watch bands, solo artists and performers and start to notice patterns. Certain go to moves, certain cues they play off with band mates.
And full disclosure: I’m down with that. For those artists it works. They know what their crowd wants to see, to hear. I just always thought for our band, our fans needed a little chaos.
We needed a little chaos.
It’s also probably why we broke up, didn’t speak for 17 years and why we are now back together playing, writing, releasing music in a way I’m not sure we ever have. When a club owner asked me at one of the first reunion shows, “you gonna do fire”? I said, “I didn’t figure it would be okay”. He said, “if ya feel it, go for it…we got extinguishers on each side of the stage”. I did feel it, and we did burn some stuff.
Chaos.
We also moved and still move across the stage in a way that inevitably involves a collision. Me and Ricky. Jess and Ricky. Me and the drum riser. Or a fall: me off a lighting truss ending in jail in Houston. Ricky into his bass cabinet resulting in blood. Me off the side of a Deep Ellum stage ending in broken finger (thanks Dr. Tom for the late night reset). We have never ended “Happy Song” the exact same way. Or “1X1”(okay, that’s also cause I seem to forget a line or two every time we do it. Even after a million years).
Chaos.
We do the same thing. A rock show. Same guitars, drums, dudes. Generally, same songs…
Events can go through the same process with completely different results if only one tiny thing changes
Those last minute decisions to wear a towel as opposed to pants (Trees circa 90s), to duct tape my guitar to my body when my strap broke then light said guitar on fire and realize instantly that was a bad idea (east coast?), to smash a guitar that bounced back up to crack my head right around the widows peak area (Edgefest) (more blood), to jump into the drums and forget the next few seconds (black out) (Whiskey A-Go-Go).
That’s what we did and will do. To a different degree at the ages we all are. Though…I still love a little on stage fire and a dive out into those crowds.
Keep coming. Keep catching me.
Keep bailing me out of jail.
Keep the chaos.
z
Nixons rhymes with Kittens..kinda
I’m playing a co-headlining acoustic show soon with Tyson Meade. He was the frontman for the Chainsaw Kittens. I will now step outside my body, re-read that and truly not really be able to believe it. For those of you who don’t know the Kittens; here’s the perspective from me. Let’s back up and go to the brain (and heart and guts) of my 20 year old self. I was a student at OU in Norman, OK. Just getting my rock band, The Nixons, off the ground. What you do in that case is look around at other bands and artists. Here are the first two I had front and center in the local scene: Flaming Lips and Chainsaw Kittens. Both those bands moved us in a massive way. Now, if you know The Nixons music, you’re thinking...what the hell? There’s not much of those bands influence in The Nixons. But, yeah there is. Especially the live shows. They both rocked. They went all out. All in. Lights. Sweat. Show. And personality. They were just cool. And we just wanted to be some version of that.
Fast forward to an event I founded, The Oklahoma Songwriters Festival. Last year was year 3. It’s a 3 day event where we bring in songwriters from Nashville to perform, write and talk music in OKC. On the way to an event one night I get a text:
“...Tyson Meade here. I am proud of what you’re doing with your song fest. I would love to introduce you at the Saturday event and say a few words”.
He did intro me that year and tell flattering stories and say nice things. Fast forward again (last time) to this past Fest. He got on stage and we performed “She’s Gone Mad” together. Rewind (last time for that too) to me playing
acoustic gigs in Norman in college. I played songs and many nights not many people paid much attention. But that song. It was by that cool band that literally lives down the street. Made those nights better. Getting to duet it with Tyson over 20 years later was truly awesome.
Now, the moment that might just best it (woven into a shameless plug). Tyson and I will share the stage again in Tulsa July 26. Vanguard (plug #2: go buy tickets). We will trade songs. I will sing one, then the Kitten, then the Nixon, etc.
Selfishly, I would’ve done this just for fun. No money. Don’t tell the Vanguard that.
“She’s gone mad again, she does it silently. And all of the feathers from her pillow fall on the floor. And does this mean, she doesn’t love me anymore?”
Location, location, location
From my real estate friends, I know how important that “L” word is. And I could argue it’s pretty damned important in songwriting too. Here are 3 ways I can make that contention.
First, let’s call it curb appeal: the title. When do you get your first chance to grab folks? Title. Make sure it does its job! Here are a few examples: Cop Car, Sympathy for the Devil, Cake by the Ocean, Bitch, She Don’t Use Jelly. Like a nice flowerbed framing a well manicured Japanese Maple offsetting an old refurbished barn door turned front door. I wanna know more!
Second: floor plan. You’ve walked through that open house and gotten to that one bedroom that has a door leading into a random room that has yet another door that leads to the back yard. Confused? Yeah, and how ‘bout that song where verse 2 seems to lead nowhere and references nothing else in the song whatsoever? Write each line so that it leads back to the concept; the title; Feng Shui y’all.
Last, and I’m gonna argue this is one of the most important. AND I am gonna assume you already know where the hook goes (I mean, you know exactly where to put the claw foot tub, right?). I say one of the truly underrated and most important locations in songwriting is that line or two before the hook. Take “In Color” by Jamey Johnson. Hell yes the lyric and hook “you should’ve seen it in color” is one of the coolest lines ever. But arguably “if it looks like we were a couple of kids just trying to save each other…” sets that line up in a downright immaculate way.
So, definitely put that apartment building next to the future site of the soccer stadium. And, by all means, plant trees to break up the site line to the power plant. But man, make sure you put your song and all it’s parts in the all the right places.
When Music Heals
I’ve been lucky enough to have written a few hit songs as a writer and former artist. And to have had around 200 songs cut and released on major and indie record labels over the years.
But the best part of what I do, is provide a little goodness in someone’s life when it’s maybe just not so good. I cannot tell you how many people have sent letters, messages and personal “thank you’s”; because of a song I was part of writing or recording.
It started with my band the Nixon’s highest charting song, “Sister”. Regardless of the fact that my sister’s move to the west coast provided the inspiration for the song; it became a touchstone for siblings that I never really saw coming as a twenty something, long haired rock singer from Oklahoma. But I now know of that song being played at countless memorial services or just “getting us through a tough time”. It continued with my solo release “Early Morning Phone Call” which prompted much more of the same. I did write this one when I actually lost my grandfather, who was a huge musical and life influence on me. Turns out people could relate. Then came “Temporary Home”; it has been used in charity campaigns for everything from veterans to housing initiatives. When you write a song like that, as I did with the superb Carrie Underwood, you don’t think about that or see it coming.
But, I think perhaps I just witnessed the power of music in one of the most profound ways ever this past weekend. My sons and I sang at a service for a family friend we lost. And midway through the third stanza of “Amazing Grace”; I looked down and saw the family on the front row…smiling. They had not done much, if any of that recently. And just seeing and hearing 3 friends/father and sons strumming the simplest of chords, singing a familiar song, maybe helped them heal.
Just a little.
Music is amazing. Music has made careers, paid for houses, made people dance and provided a soundtrack for millions of lives.
My favorite part: when music heals.
GETTIN' THE BAND BACK TOGETHER
We all hugged mildly awkward hugs and started loading in drums, guitars and amps into a friend's sound and lighting company in OKC (he'd given us a big area with a PA to rehearse). We sifted through "what you been up to's" and "I can't believe your kid I haven't seen in over a decade's going to college" and "what was that one guys name that used to run lights at Trees?" We recounted stories about bars, shows, stages, green rooms, vans, trailers, the RV, buses, bus drivers, studios, video sets and yeah, even jail (that last one will have to be a blog unto itself). As I listened and talked and watched each band member shuffling around from guitar case to amp or tightening a snare drum it hit me again: us 4 human beings had not been in the same room together in over 15 years. All that life we'd lived together then suddenly...poof, it just wasn't. My band the Nixons formed in 1990 in Norman, Ok and rumbled along till somewhere in the beginning the new century when we just walked away. And here we were together after all that time.
We got down to business finally as I said something like...
"Well, let's do this"
First song on the set list, "Head"...
4 high hat hits...
Big e chord then I start singin' "Lonely little girl on your island..."
Wow. Felt pretty much like we'd just done it last week.
Weird. Cool.
Jesse's guitar amp was still too loud. Ricky's too. John was too loud but, yeah, John hits hard. But it just didn't matter. We just locked back in and jammed songs we'd not played together since before my oldest son was born (he's going to college this year). The shows were great fun. We even recorded a new song called "Song of the Year." And thanks to modern tech: we all tracked in different cities but made it happen.
So there ya go. Make music together and you can always come back together. Reminisce. Rock. Create.
Funny. Music connects and revives.
Keep listening.
z
PIECES OF A SONG PT. 1 'THE VERSE'
There's no science in songwriting. Well, Rivers Cuomo might disagree. But there is some method to the madness. I'm gonna do a short series of mini-blogs about the art, method, struggle and magic of writing a song. Let's start at the beginning...
Verse 1.
I'd argue that the most important part of a song is the hook. We'll save that for later. The next most important, I'd argue is the line right before the hook. Some might say the title is up there too. Truth is, it's all way important, but we're here to talk verse. See, without the verse, there's no chorus, or hook.
Here's the experiment: we're gonna write a song (you're not getting any publishing). And I will take a look at each section, with each blog. While, this first one's about the verse, we're still gonna need a title. For our purposes, let's go with "Ferris Wheel". And let's just say for the sake of focus, that it's a country song. Not "twangy" country. We don't really do that around here. So, if I walked into a writing room with that title, the next thing that would be discussed is...what's the concept here? What's it about? Is it about the guy who invented the Ferris Wheel? Well, no that's awful. Is it about a runaway Ferris Wheel that destroyed a town? Of course not. It's obviously about a boy and girl who met on one.
So, verse 1. We need to establish...what's up? A carnival or fair has clearly come to a, we'll say small, town. Bobby is a bit of an outsider and Jenny is the prom queen. They're both in line for the, well you know; and they end up sitting on it together (wonder if anything happened interesting to put them in that fateful position? Remember that for verse 2). Then we need to establish what happens. In this case and in around 60% of all modern songs, they fall in love (yes, there was a study). We should, also set the scene best we can. Fill it out with some heart racing and introspection.
So something like this:
Small town, summer love started at the county fair
Jenny's waiting to take a ride Bobby's trying not to stare
Somehow they end up together his heart starts beating fast
Funny where you sometimes find the one, the one that's gonna last
Tune in soon for the next mini-blog: The Chorus, where things get...BIG.