A Dirty Dozen with JIMMY VANZENO from SONIC CIRCUS – June 2021

According to a recent press release: “Combining the best of modern melodic prog rock with a hefty dose of funk are Australian 3-piece, Sonic Circus. The Aussie rock trio are back in 2020 with the announcement of their new single, “Aeroplane,” ahead of their debut album, “Everything.” We get Jimmy to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

We have an album out called Everything, released in November 2020. The album has heaps of different sounds and moods, everything from Funk Rock to Heavy Metal. Lots of sounds between songs and interludes, we feel it’s different!

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

For me, it was KISS and AC/DC. I discovered KISS when I was 7, and the makeup, costumes and songs just blew my mind. I wanted to be Peter Criss.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Sebastian Bach as a singer was a big influence, Paul Stanley, and Geoff Tate from Queensrÿche.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

KISS, Van Halen, AC/DC, Queensrÿche, and Alice In Chains.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would call on Paul Stanley because he knows how to write an amazing catchy chorus and hooks.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Nothing has ever made me cringe, it’s one persons opinion. It’s all good. I would describe our music as Rock Prog with a Funk feel.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Haha Vik would cook, Alan would get the drinks and I would grab the acoustic, but they might both walk out of the room 😆

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I met Taylor Dayne the 80’s pop dance diva about 15 years ago and I was definitely star struck!

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part is hearing a song completely finished and having it sound exactly the way you heard it in your head when you first had the idea. Dream Job – Owning a record store or a music instrument store.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ll answer anything and everything. Never get tired of interviews.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

No, I believe everything happens for a reason so I wouldn’t change anything.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Queensrÿche – Operation: Mindcrime. For me it’s the best record ever made and for the time it was made it’s sound is amazing. I would’ve loved to be in the room for every session and see how they came up with such a masterpiece.

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Category: Interviews