Antidepressants can come in all shapes and colors, but for music fans in Denver, Thursday’s dosage will come with some rootin’ horns, some slappin’ bass and a whole lot of gettin’ the funk down with your new favorite band: Zolopht.
As many might already be aware, Cervantes’ graces the Mile High city with a weekly treat commonly known as Grass for That Ass, which always features local talent from across our colorful state. This week we are joined by the rowdy boys of Zolopht, a Reggae-Funk-Rock fusion from just over the Rocky Mountains in Grand Junction.
303 Magazine caught up with a two of the eight pharmaceutical experts, Zac Grant and Camryn Vilar, to find out just how many handfuls of the stuff we will need to get our old Thursday night selves back again.
303 Magazine: How did you get your start in music?
Zac: I started playing piano in first grade, picked up a guitar at 18.
Cam: I learned the guitar at 17, have since learned the bass and am learning the banjo.
How did Zolopht come to be?
Zac: We met through a lot of mutual friends at Mesa State College, (now Colorado Mesa University.) A lot of people thought we would get along, and when we did we started jamming. Bon fires, parties, open mic nights, anywhere.
Cam: We started meeting a lot of other musicians around town and just sort of formed a band.
How has Zolopht evolved musically? Lyrics and sound?
Cam: I think we started off much more reggae oriented, but I think now more of each of our own style comes out. I am more rock, Jared is our jazzy drummer, and Geoff, our bassist, is heavily influenced by Les Claypool.
Zac: I think our lyrics have changed a lot, mostly becoming more eclectic. Our lyrics can sometimes be personal, random, even political, but I think mostly we just sing about having a good time, in an attempt to get our listeners to have a good time.
What are your biggest musical influences/inspirations?
Cam: Rock. Lynard Skynard, Van Halen, and Sublime, at least style wise.
Zac: Definitely Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beatles, Pink Floyd. I think we all have difference styles and interests that all come out at one time or another. In the end, if it makes us smile then we know we’re doing something right.
What has been your favorite experience as a band?
Zac: Traveling. We love playing for new people. A couple specific shows that come to mind would be a show in Ouray, or a time we played with Dirty Heads. Honestly just the mix of playing for people who may have never heard us and then also playing for a crowd that can sing our lyrics back to us.
What are your goals as a band?
Zac: We have a new album coming out this year, and we want to accomplish as much touring as possible. I think ultimately we would want Zolopht to become our full time job. We understand the importance of staying relative, giving the fans material and live shows.
Cam: Right, we were initially planning on coming out with an EP of five or so songs, but we had such an easy time writing that we decided to make it a full album.
What are your go to jams as a band?
Cam: Collectively we are all big fans of Umphrey’s McGee, Snarky Puppy, and The Main Squeeze.
What do you think your fans expect from your shows?
Cam: That they will have a good time, or else.
Zac: Our fans are our good group of friends that are like-minded people; they show up consistently and bring high energy. They want to enjoy themselves and expect us to help that happen.
What are you looking forward to about playing Grass for that Ass this week?
Zac: We are excited to play Cervantes and see as much as we can of the great music scene in Denver. We also have a lot of friends in Denver and are looking forward to seeing them and kicking off our tour!
What would you say to anyone who hasn’t heard your music, but should?
Zac: You won’t be disappointed! Trying new things is hard but we will not let you down.
Cam: Zolopht is ANTI-depressing!
Zac plays the rhythm guitar while Cam plays lead guitar, but they both lend their vocal stylings. Zolopht consists of six other gents, Ian McGowan on violin, Geoff Mueck on the bass, Greg Indivero playing percussion, Jared Schmidt on drums and vocals, Cody Krieger on the saxophone and Danny Ohlson on the trumpet.
The doors of Cervantes’ will open at 7 PM for the show. For those 21 and up admission is free before 8, and 5$ until 9. After 9 PM and for and all night for 21 and unders, the fee is 10$.