Zack Keim, is the the featured face on HughShows Live @ Eide’s flier for September. Keim is vocalist and guitarist for the garage punk band Nox Boys, a four piece band also featuring Zach “H” Stadtlander on bass, Bob Powers on melobar and Sam Berman on drums. Keim, a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School, is the youngest of the group. Check out our interview with Zack below! Also check out a photo of the band and Zack after the interview, courtesy of the Nox Boys, taken by Andy Johanson Photography.
Sound Scene Express: What’s the name of your band? What’s the origin of that name?
Zack Keim: NOX BOYS. We got the idea for the name from a gang of high school punks called “The Nox Boys” who lived in Blawnox during the 50s and early 60s.
SSE: What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences?
ZK: I consider our music to be Garage Punk. Major influences – Swamp Rats, Ty Segall, Black Lips and Link Wray.
SSE: How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
ZK: I have known Sam since middle school, and H (Zach) used to manage my
old band. I met Bob through playing open stages together around Pittsburgh.
SSE: Who writes your song lyrics? What is your inspiration?
ZK: It mostly starts with me coming up with a riff or idea, and then I usually present it to the band at practice. Then the drums come, the guitars begin to wail, bass starts to thump, and the lyrics just seem to sprinkle on top. That’s typically how we go about writing tunes.
My inspiration changes all the time. It depends on how I’m feeling.
SSE: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
ZK: About 2 years ago, back in November, was when things started to become serious. Before that we were your typical band doing covers at random bars around the city.
What brought us together was Bob and I playing at local open stages and then we started to play actual shows together. Once I met Bob we added his nephew, Sam, on drums. San and I got my good friend Zach Stadtlander to
play bass for us.
Although, our sound definitely came from the countless garage/punk LPs I borrowed from Bob. I would eventually give them back to him and he would be pissed with all the scratches on them from being played 100 times. I
really started to dig the music of The Stooges, Billy Childish, and Link Wray. I didn’t really get super hooked until I got exposed to The Black Lips and realizing that more of this stuff was coming out today. The new garage revival bands like Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, King Khan, and Black Lips were all doing it. Also, realizing Pittsburgh was home to Get Hip Recordings influenced me. My song writing and riffs started to relate to this new sound. The boys started to dig it and that’s when our sound and band was brought together.
SSE: What are your plans after school?
ZK: To continue making rock n roll music.
SSE: Where have you performed? What are your favorite venues?
Every place in Pittsburgh that would have under 21 bands perform. My favorite venue has to be Mr. Smalls. I really dig that venue and everyone at Opus One are really good people. I don’t have a least favorite, I’m happy to play anywhere.
SSE: What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
ZK: We practiced Thursday, Friday, and Sunday usually since last school year and this whole summer, but Sam went to college this year so our rehearsals are restricted to the weekends. Rehearsal also depends on what our weekend gig schedule is like.
SSE: What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame
and fortune?
ZK: I’m hungry and whenever I’m done being hungry. That’s when I know I’ve succeeded.
SSE: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
ZK: Our self titled LP is being distributed on iTunes, But we prefer you
purchase directly from Get Hip Records. Available on CD / LP / Color Vinyl LP
SSE: How do you feel about being featured on HughShows Live @ Eide’s flier?
ZK: I’m a big fan of Hugh and what he does for the city, man. He’s a great guy and I give him all the credit in the world for helping promote the Pittsburgh music scene. So it’s a pleasure to be on the flier.
SSE: When is your next show?
ZK: WYEP final Fridays opening for Saintseneca Sept 26, 7PM, FREE SHOW
SSE: Is there any thing else you would like to add?
ZK: Yeah, we just got a website. Check it out if ya dig us!
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HughShows Live @ Eide’s is a an ongoing family friendly, monthly concert series that features multiple acts.
City Steps (Indie-Pop) 1pm
Nox Boys (Garage-Punk) 2pm
amplifiers. (Post-Rock) 3pm
Grand Piano (Honky-Tonk Folk) 4pm
presented by The Wilderness Recording Studio
If you are attending, please consider bringing a new school supply item (listed below) for the Homeless Children’s Education Fund’s GEAR FOR GRADES BACKPACK DRIVE.
http://www.homelessfund.org/gearsforgrades.html
-Pencils/Pens
-Pocket Folders
-Spiral Notebooks
-Small Boxes Crayons
-Washable Markers
-Glue Sticks
-Colored Pencils
-Pencil Pouches
-Small Scissors
-Rulers
-Erasers
-Pencil Sharpeners
-Binders
-Flash Drives
-Small Tissue Packs
#HughShowsX
