By Penelope Vlachopoulou

Let's start with a typical but essential question. Could you give us a short bio of Reading Zero?

The band originally formed in 1991 under the moniker Visionary.  I was not in the original line up but was a close friend, and joined the band in 1994 when the band went under some personnel changes.  We then decided to change the name to  Reading Zero in support of the new musical direction we were heading in.  This eventually led to us pursuing  and securing a record deal on a German label.  Before we entered the studio to record what was later to be called 'the actual' we saw that the label was undergoing severe financial difficulties and would have trouble supporting another band. We then asked to be let out of contract.  We went on to self-finance the album on our own. We chose Jim Lightman(Devine Regale, Nuno Bettencourt) to engineer and co-produce.  I think the results speak for themselves.  We have received incredible reviews and feedback from major and indie critics and magazines.
 
Now, I know that you are on the way to your next album.Can you tell 
me more about it?

The next Reading Zero release will be an EP consisting of 7 songs, entitled 'Satellite Sessions'.Its kind of a longer EP.I think the new material is stronger than 'the actual' overall.Its darker, heavier way more intense.The songs on this album are kind of in concept form that will eventually lead to a grander picture. We have some big things up our sleeves and I am sure our fans and the metal world alike will be surprised. All I can say is if liked 'the actual' you will LOVE this, "Satellite Sessions"

Is it possible to point out the differences between the "Actual" and the new album? Are you planning to follow a new direction?

I wouldn't call it a new direction, but as musicians we are always evolving and pushing ourselves to higher levels of playing, songwriting and creativity. We have worked hard in creating our own style that isn't easily compared to other bands. I think the newer material reflects the internal growth of the band.

How are you going to promote this new release? Are you going to find a record company or are you going to promote it yourselves?

We are always looking for some kind of label to widely distribute our material.But in this genre its difficult to find labels that will devote the same time, energy, and money that we would put into it.We are basically our own label. We write, record and distribute our own music.Design our own graphics. We have learned a lot doing it ourselves for so long and have made some great friends and contacts as a result.We have received offers that were intriguing but didn't quite reflect the overall integrity of the band.But I think this album will generate a lot of positive feedback. Plus, we kind of like being poor musicians with little notoriety and no money to show for our passions. Some bands are in it for the women, money and prestige. We are in it for ourselves! And if believe that crock of cow manure...just kidding!

Why haven't you signed up to a record company? Isn't it a drawback to your popularity as a new band?

As I mentioned in the last question we are always looking for a good label or deal.In our case we have learned quite a bit from doing it on our own for so long that it may be more profitable at this stage to continue doing it on our own. We do have some prospects for license deals in certain countries. It's kind of a double edge sword for most new bands. You want to get your music out to as many people as you can but at the same time the label makes it impossible to live and pay your bills.Most bands that I know who are signed also must have a day job.That's a tough thing. To spend every free second working hard on your music only for the label to make most if not all of the money. But yes, I think most musicians dreams first come in the form of
wanting to be a 'rockstar'.That eventually turns into wanting to be able to support yourself through music. The more realistic goal. We would love to find a label that will give us the
freedom to pursue most of our musical goals and still be able to survive. I am confident we will find one sooner than later.

The "Actual" is a great album in terms of compositions but also in terms of production and sound quality and that is rather strange if we take into consideration that it is a self financed release. Was it difficult for you to achieve that?

We are lucky to have in this band, members who know their way around a mixing board. 'The Actual' was recorded in a major studio with a major engineer. That certainly helped.We walked in to that studio knowing what we wanted. We spent MANY 20 hour days within our 2 weeks recording/mixing to get the sound we did get. But even without that, we are able to achieve a great sounding production. Take this new album we are working. Except for the drums it was all recorded on computers in our bedrooms and I think once we are done with it people will be not only impressed but blown away with the results.

Are the lyrics section important for R.Z or are they just words and vocal lines?

We take the lyrics very seriously. Chris Roy, the singer, usually writes all the lyrics and melody lines.Russ, the drummer, writes some songs and the rest of us will give ideas here and there. Chris and Russ both have a unique gift for writing. It may take a few listens to understand but once you do you can appreciate where they are coming from. It's usually not literal and they both write from an unpredictable angle. Reading Zero lyrics are intelligent and emotional; they create an vivid image. But not of us riding our horses of steel and slaying dragons with our mighty swords of steel. Those video's got out and are being sold with the Tommy lee/Pamela Anderson video. Not a pretty picture. (smiles)

Most prog bands use keys or other kinds of instruments and samples in their albums. In contrast to that R.Z have used few of these in the "Actual". Was that something you did on purpose or did it came out spontaneously?

Chris played keys on 'the actual' as a subtle effect rather than a main instrument. There is a main keyboard riff in the beginning of the Actual and there are keys in every song we do but its used to create an atmosphere. Samples, in my opinion, should be used only when a song calls for it. Its very easy to over use that effect. I can see us using them if the song warrants it.

Concentrating again on "The Actual",what were the press and people's reactions to it?

It was overwhelmingly positive. We have yet to receive a negative review. The most common response is that we don't sound like any other band or its had to compare RZ to any one or more bands.I take this as a compliment. It is really hard to do anything original these days and that seems to be the one common link  among our fans. Its really nice to hear all these things about our music. This is what its all about. Being able to enjoy and create music.

Are you going to use any keys in your forthcoming album? 

As I mentioned above, we use keys in all of our  compositions. I think there are some parts where they may stick out more than in the past but we mainly use them as atmosphere.

Have you been doing any live performances so far?

Up until 1997 we played all over New England with over 200 performances under our belt. Three of us then relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to try and conquer a new area. We worked with a temporary replacement drummer and played several shows there building a small following. We haven't played out in some time as we have been working on new material. I think a showcase for this album and even newer material will be the PowerMAd event held in August. Its a great place to hang out and see a bunch of great bands and be able to meet them. So keep your eyes out for that.

Why did you change your name VISIONARY to Reading Zero and why did you choose this name?

At the time we were going through some personnel changes and the music had gone in a different direction. Plus there were about 50 other Visionary's out there. We had trademarked the name but we decided that we would keep getting confused with the bands. So, we were tossing around possible names, most of them being the stupidest things you ever heard! Then Chris, the guitarist, suggested Reading Zero. It just sounded right. There are many different interpretations, even within the band. I love hearing them all.

Are there any bands, nevermind the music genre, that you think have influenced you as a band and as musicians? 

We have taking influence from many different genre's. Some of the common links between all of us would have to be: Fates Warning, Metallica, Rush, Boston, Queensryche. But we all have different taste in music. Some other bands that have influenced members of this band would be: Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Joe Satriani, Steve Morse, Steve Vai, Testament, Eric Johnson.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word "Progressive"?

Pushing boundaries, constantly evolving, doing more than what is expected. I think there are elements of 'Progressive' in all genre's, sometimes in the most unlikely of places.

Have you ever thought of doing any cover songs? 

We have tossed around the notion. We have played some covers live. And would probably stick to that format. But you never know what might come out as a b-side or something!

Where would you place Reading Zero in today's music scene?

Given the genre and the labelsthat have been placed on us, I would say that I can hear us pleasing older metal heads, newer fans of metal and some others that are in between. We are more accessible than a lot of other metal bands and can fit into many different categories. I hope to get this music out so people have the chance to decide for themselves what RZ is to them instead of hearing or seeing the label that others have put on us.

What are your plans for the future?

We have a lot of unique ideas that we want to explore for future releases. We have been tossing around a storyline for a series of concept CD's and have some of the music worked out for it as well. For now we are going to stick to our guns and do what we do best. Write intelligent, inspired and original music.

Is there something you would like to add?

I would just like to thank you for this opportunity to talk about my band. It is the thing I live for besides my family. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for Reading Zero: Satellite Sessions in early 2000. But if you want to get a sneak peek at one of the songs, go to MP3.com/readingzero or our website www.readingzero.com. Or to get our debut album, send $12(US) to: 
Reading Zero
PO Box 1025
Delray Beach, 
FL 33447
You can also pick it up at any major online dealer.

Thank you Joel,it's been pleasant talking to you. :)