Zen Motel came together in Essex during 2003, Lee (bass
and vocals) and Neal (drums), were both in Johnny Zhivago, which were
reasonably popular on the UK gig circuit. They toured and played shows with
Backyard Babies, The Wildhearts, Nashville Pussy, Icarus Line etc etc. After
Johnny Zhivago split, Neil and Lee formed Zen Motel to bring some twisted rock
'n' roll to the world. The band describe their sound as rock 'n' roll but with
a darker side than most, think The Pixies meet Motley Crue on a wet and rainy
night in England, with a sour twist.
Listing early influences’ as The Cult and The Stooges, Zen Motel have developed a reputation for being one of the most exciting rock bands playing in the South East corner of England. In a world where style rates higher over content Zen Motel are a perfect antidote to the invasion of well-connected rich kids in their uniforms playing gap year trust fund rock. Released independently on their own record label, the self-financed, self-recorded album ‘Transform And Escape’ has hints of psychedelia, while in places it seems to be similar to dark wave. Covering all the bases the album subsequently caught the attention of Cargo records who offered to distribute the album throughout the U.K. Zen Motel were then briefly signed to major management company in the U.S.A with the same legal team as behind The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Marilyn Manson, however the band walked away from these deals due to encroaching artistic compromise, retaining their dignity but condemning themselves to a life of poverty!
Listing early influences’ as The Cult and The Stooges, Zen Motel have developed a reputation for being one of the most exciting rock bands playing in the South East corner of England. In a world where style rates higher over content Zen Motel are a perfect antidote to the invasion of well-connected rich kids in their uniforms playing gap year trust fund rock. Released independently on their own record label, the self-financed, self-recorded album ‘Transform And Escape’ has hints of psychedelia, while in places it seems to be similar to dark wave. Covering all the bases the album subsequently caught the attention of Cargo records who offered to distribute the album throughout the U.K. Zen Motel were then briefly signed to major management company in the U.S.A with the same legal team as behind The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Marilyn Manson, however the band walked away from these deals due to encroaching artistic compromise, retaining their dignity but condemning themselves to a life of poverty!
So, what we have learned today is that Zen Motel is not a
haircut! Also, you can also check out their second album Stations Of The Dead over on The Dimension Of Imagination.