Music Lives Forever [aka celebritycloseups.com] Liquid Zu Interview
April 28, 2002
 
Music Lives Forever caught up with Liquid Zu after their awesome performance on April 28th at the Cobalt Cafe in Canoga Park. After their 1 and a half hour set (whew!) of a combination of rock/alternative music, the guys were swe et to take the time to do an interview with us. These guys are a lot of fun and we had a great evening with them as you will discover for yourself when you read their interview.
Thanks again guys, see you on tour!
 
Music Lives Forever: Can you guys introduce yourselves and tell us what instruments you play?
Andy: My name is Andy Bettis and I play guitar. And musical ensemble, Liquid Zu.
David: This is David Loayza, I play guitar.
Rod: Rod Carlos Arias and I play drums and I annoy Alex.
Billy: Billy Berman and I play bass.
Alex: Alex Solowitz and you know what I do baby. I make it happen. No, I play guitar and I sing. With Andy's help when he's not chicken.
 
What year did you all get together and form your band?
Billy: '96.
Alex: When me and Billy met in highschool and we fell in love and uh, it became more and we decided to join a band. And then Billy got Carlos from college. Then Carlos got Andy, um, and then we all separated 'cause I was doing a show called 2ge+her. And I was in a band with Dave. It was me, Billy and Dave called Solid State. And that band broke up, also cause of 2ge+her, I think. But me and Billy were always close, so we always really played well together. When you're in a band, I think, even if you're the best musicians and there is no chemistry, even with the best musicians, unless you just got something. I think we play very well together.
 
Who thought of the name Liquid Zu?
Alex: Me and Rick. There was a bar called Liquid Zoo. And we didn't want to spell it Z-O-O, so we did Z.U.
 
Can you describe your music for new listeners?
Alex: Does anyone else want to say something?
 
[They pass the recorder around, it leads to Andy]
 
Alex: No, not him.
Andy: Describe our music? I would say, western influence, modern, general four, four time. Sometimes we do it three, four times. There's guitar, bass, drums, rock n' roll...I don't know.
Rod: Rock, alternative, something really friendly as Alex would say.
 
Who writes your music?
Alex: Mostly Billy. He helps alot. You know, we collaborate alot. Andy does alot, Carlos is just the drummer. But we are all getting better because we did just start getting back together. We've only been playing for a short period of time. So when I came, I had a whole bunch of songs. But now that we are together again, uh, you and me. No but basically we can collaborate alot better. Sometimes I come up with alot of the main....you know, I hear it in my head, but I'm too stupid to put it out, and Andy is probably one of the most amazing musicians I know, like solid wise. I hum it and he can play it.
 
What song it your favorite to perform live?
Alex: “ Takes Too Much Time” for me... ‘Alex’. That's the best song, I love it. If anybody has anything to say different, I'll kill 'em.
Billy: Live, um, I like “Takes Too Much Time” I like “4 In The Morning”, that's a fun song to play.
Rod: For me, “Purple House”. And uh, “Takes Too Much Time”.
Andy: I don't have a favorite right now. I'm just always kinda looking for a moment in each song that's special. So whatever song that is per night, it can be different.
Dave: Likewise, I have the same answer as he does.
 
Do you prefer performing or recording in the studio?
Dave: Performing.
Alex: Dave answer the question!
Dave: I just did. I said performing.
Alex: Give him a hard question, like a long one for him to answer.
 
Okay then, who are your musical influences?
Alex: Ooooooo!
Dave: This is going to go on and on. Let's see I got John Lennon, Dylan, Jimmy Hendrix, um...yeah Morrison's good. The 80's, but more underground. Not like top 80's. Like Hall and Oates, Chicago...
Alex: Billy Joel.
Dave: I know he would, Billy Joel. More of the underground. Andy's turn.
Alex: There is nothing wrong with Billy Joel.
Andy: Who are my musical influences? Uh, in terms of guitar. Not in terms of guitar, but all around...um...oh my God. Anything from The Eagles to Stevie Ray Vaugn to Charlie Parker to Otis Redding.
 
[Someone mentions Hanson]
 
Andy: Hanson?? Oh my God.
Alex: I like Hanson! I think the drummer is cute.
Billy: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Flea, Louis Johnson, Cliff Burton, Victor Wooten, Stanley Clark. Some great bass players.
Rod: As far as me, I like Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin. Yeah, that's where I got my drumming from. Britney Spears...who else do I like? I like heavy metal. I like a lot of stuff, anything that has a rhythm. Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Billy: I'm influenced by Menudo.
Rod: Menudo and Back Door Boys (Backstreet Boys). And of course Vibe, I love those guys. You've got to check them out!
Billy: Yeah Vibe. Vibe's the greatest.
Rod: They taught me everything I know in vocals.
Alex: Let me tell you the favorite band. There's no disputing, no matter what these people say. The Goo Goo Dolls. The Goo Goo Dolls are the Black Crows of the new millennium. And before them, Otis Redding. I do like Hootie and the Blowfish.
 
We've read your guestbook on your official website, and a lot of your fans are from Germany and Sweden. Do you plan on touring in Europe anytime soon?
Alex: I think it would be dope. Those girls call me all night long. “Hello? Is Alex home???” I'm like, “It's five in the morning.”. “Sorry.” They don't speak a word of English. But hey man, if they dig our music and they're fine...which I'm sure they are cause I've been to Europe. They are really cool about music. Yeah, I've been places okay!
Andy: Yeah, but they asked if we plan to tour there!
Rod: Basically yes, we are planning to tour there. We are trying to finish the cd right now. And hopefully, get everything going so we can start touring the states. There are alot of people in New York who want to see us. Then from there we can go to Canada and onto Europe where we have people who love us. And to Tijuana, for Alex! Alex likes to go to Tijuana!
Alex: I'm taking donations right now.
 
And finally, what would you like to say to all of your fans out there?
Billy: Oh dude. I didn't know I had fans, so thank you!
Andy: To all our fans, jus t thanks for giving us the time, giving us your ear, we love you. It's way cool. Dave, seduce them.
Dave: Thank you.
Alex: Sexy! C'mon, do what we practiced!
Dave: What did we practice?
Alex: Shhh. To all of our fans, I just want to say thank you so much for coming out to our shows and spreading the word.
 
Rod, can you maybe say something in Spanish to your Spanish speaking fans?
 
[Alex trys to speak Spanish]
 
Rod: Alex, just because you go to Taco Bell, doesn't mean you can speak Spanish. To all of our fans, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you.
Alex: To all of our fans, we wouldn't be here cause we wish it was you. Go ahead.
Rod: We love the fact that they support us and to all of our Spanish people, Muchas Gracias.
Alex: Moo-chos grassy-as?? Is that all? Muy Bien?
Dave: Si qui eres hacer el amor, vamonos para mi casa esta bien.
Alex: Yo baby I don't speak no Spanish, but I do speak the international language of love. I'm a man of mystery.