Defying the odds stacked against them by the EDM-centric music scene in their native Toulon, France, one band is living the classic rock and roll success story. Rising above all the noise, Ze Gran Zeft is reminding Europe and the U.S. what rock really is – loud guitar, crashing drums, driving bass-lines and a love for the lifestyle that’s second only to the love of the music.
Ze Gran Zeft describes their sound as “the future,” and they are indeed constantly pioneering new innovations in modern rock. They are quick to admit that while they’re always looking forward, they are also heavily inspired by the genre’s history, which is heard in their lyrics and style, which contain a healthy dose of ‘90s nostalgia.
“We are huge fans of ‘90s music, and that paradox is ZGZ’s main direction – the crossover,” said Boots, the guitarist and lead vocalist for Ze Gran Zeft. “We’re just a bunch of kids that love to fool around.”
Nowhere is that reminiscent love affair more apparent than in ‘#Millenialkids,’ the latest single off their first full-length album “JOI,” slated for release in 2016. Boots summed up the single’s influences with a list of some of the most iconic staples of everyday life for kids who grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
“The Sega Genesis, SNES, Baywatch, and Dragon Ball Z. This song is our generation,” Boots said. “It affects everyone that grew up between 1980 and the 2000s. It’s dedicated to this period.”
In 2010, the band began working with Charles “Kallaghan” Massabo, a French producer based in L.A. Kallaghan was instrumental in helping Ze Gran Zeft create their first two EPs, “Watch The Crown” and “Crunked Vizion,” released in 2013 after a tour of Eastern Europe. It was that tour and their time in the studio recording the EPs with Kallaghan that shaped the band’s style and established them as a musical force to be reckoned with.
“We worked on a 10-track album back in 2012, and when Kallaghan went to settle down in L.A. the album was ready,” said Sideman, guitarist, vocalist and bassist for Ze Gran Zeft. “That was our first international production between France and the U.S.”
Earlier in 2015, the band released the single ‘Spaceman,’ produced by Kallaghan and featuring guitarist Jacky C Vincent of the band Falling In Reverse. Boots said working with Vincent was an incredible experience.
“This guy is a rock star. He’s talented, and his hair looks great,” said Boots, describing Vincent’s post-hardcore style of guitar. “He has a purple guitar too. Does Van Halen have a purple guitar? I don’t think so.”
In the past two years the boys of Ze Gran Zeft have been hard at work touring Europe and producing their two EPs and their upcoming full-length. Of course, they’ll be the first to say that “hard at work” is a lot more fun than it sounds.
“We had the opportunity to tour in Eastern Europe back in spring 2013 with the Romanian band Dirty Shirt,” Boots said. “We love these guys and we had the greatest time ever over there.”
The trio share a passion for live performance, a style which brings out the raw essence of their distinct sound. Their music is right at home among their fans in the States, where their signature hip-hop/rock hybrid style is perfectly suited to fans raised on bands as eclectic and diverse as Rage Against The Machine, David Bowie and Tool, which have heavily influenced their distinct sound.
“I feel surrounded by tons of stuffs I can hit the hardest I want, unless the PA sucks, but most of the time that’s the better place to be,” said Damien ‘Da Kid’ Salis, Ze Gran Zeft’s drummer, whose penchant for playing hard and playing loud makes him right at home on stage. “Regarding the two others and the way they jump everywhere, I think they enjoy it a lot too.”
Ze Gran Zeft’s highly anticipated full-length album “JOI” is hitting shelves in 2016, and features the hit singles ‘#Millenialkids’ and ‘Spaceman (feat. Jacky C Vincent).’ The band’s EPs “Watch The Crown” and “Crunked Vizion” are available now on BandCamp, iTunes and SoundCloud for fans eagerly awaiting the full-length release.