From the beginning, ZOX has managed to build cohesion out of contrast. Look
no further than the band’s twin frontmen: one is a tattoo-covered
conservatory violinist with a history of trashing dressing rooms at Carnegie
Hall, and the other a buttoned-down Type-A who turned down an offer from
Stanford Law School to keep up the band. ZOX’s eclecticism has endeared them
to their cultish following, but they have remained largely on the fringe of
mainstream media. Instead, the band has thrived in the chaotic wilderness of
the internet underground, developing the rare skill of writing meaningful,
memorable pop songs that are genuinely interesting to listen to. Over the
last four years, ZOX has sold thirty-five thousand albums, performed at the
legendary Reading & Leeds festivals in the UK, and logged nearly 1,000 shows
with everyone from the Warped Tour to Rusted Root. They’ve developed an
unusual sound, which features an electric violin run into a guitar amp,
earnest, vivid lyrics threaded through unadorned melodies, and a rhythm
section that seems to swing effortlessly between making you dance and making
you think. And with the release of "Line in the Sand", their third album and
first on LA’s SideOneDummyRecords (Gogol Bordello, Mighty Mighty Bosstones,
Flogging Molly), ZOX demonstrates that contrast is, in the end, what makes
things stand out.
Produced by John Goodmanson (Death Cab for Cutie, Sleater-Kinney, Harvey
Danger) the 11 songs on "Line in the Sand" are equal parts 80s college
radio, modern indie rock, and timeless folk. The band’s legendary live show
has long been a dynamic mix of playful mayhem and emotional contemplation;
this album is the first to capture both extremes. The triumphant title
track, the despondent-but-uplifting “Goodnight”, and the gorgeous “Seventh
Avenue Prophet” have a catchiness, a lyrical poise and an instrumental
intricacy that make them resonate, listen after listen.
So I was in Denver for the DNC last week and I'm riding my bike past the CNN tent and I hear a familiar song and it's CANON! I was so excited, I went up to the people and said "Who picks out the music?" and they said "Why, do you want us to turn it off?" It was funny. ha.
hey guys. dude. inspired by you play bass. well, when i learned my first song...*pork and beans* i was like.."i want be good as the bass player from zox" oh and new cd is amazing. listening to it all the time. much love. bye.
Limelight Magazine is doing a feature story on Zox in our fall issue. If there are fans that might want to be interviewed on what they like about the band, send us a message through MySpace and we'll get back to you.
I found you guys while looking for a fitting tribute to a remarkable young man who died in a car accident this week. Thank you for Goodnight. You guys are amazing.
You guys are sick. Such a great sound. The different arrangement of instruments is so unique...and the video for Line in the Sand is absolutely hilarious hahaha. It's too bad you guys are taking a break from live performances for a while...but if you get a chance when you have some downtime...check out our band's tunes. We've got an indie, rock, blues type of sound with a lot of other genres mixed in. Can't wait to buy your new album...heading out tomorrow to grab it. Keep it real fellas.
