Photo by Justin Borucki
BLACK TIDE
Interview with Zakk Sandler (bassist)
By Kimberly Brown
Hailing from Miami, with no music scene to be a part of, THE BLACK TIDE has surely put this Florida city on the map. With front man, Gabriel Garcia not even 20 yet and already touring with some major metal bands on the scene, THE BLACK TIDE shows us that age isn’t anything but a number. The rise to the top came about fairly quickly but when you’re as talented and driven as these youngsters, it’s not surprising,
How does the music scene in Miami differ from other US cities you’ve played? What is something unique about your hometown scene?
There is nothing unique in our hometown when it comes to the music scene, if you can even call it a music scene. There really isn’t a rock scene where we’re from so it’s hard to even fathom what it would be like compared to a place like Seattle or Chicago.
How does the band’s latest album, Post Mortem, differ from BLACK TIDE’S first release, Light From Above?
The biggest difference has to be the fact that we are all much better songwriters and much older than we were when we first wrote songs for Light From Above. We grew up a lot on tour and learned so much about life and ourselves that we came from a much different place musically and lyrically this time around. We also didn’t limit ourselves to one specific type of music to sound that influenced us.
What is BLACK TIDE’S most memorable tour story?
We have so many stories that we can’t even talk about because some are just so fucking vulgar that my mother would probably disown me in a heartbeat. I think my favorite kid friendly story would have to be the time that we crowd surfed our tiny merch guy from the front of the bus to the back while we were having a dance party after one of the shows.
Speaking of touring, if you could pick any bands, living or dead, to consist of a dream tour, who would BLACK TIDE choose and why?
I think we have already been on that dream tour honestly. Mayhem 2008 with SLIPKNOT, DISTURBED, MASTODON, and DRAGON FORCE was pretty much one of the most perfect tours we have ever been on. Every detail from the bands to the people who ran catering we’re absolutely amazing.
How has the band handled all the success that came to the band over the past few years? Was it overwhelming at first or something you were ready for?
I think we have just been so grateful for everything that we have accomplished so far that we haven’t had time to be overwhelmed. I think we are ready for anything and everything that gets thrown our way at any point in time.
What song is sung the most at your shows? Which one gets the crowd going the most?
I think now “That Fire” is the big crowd favorite. It’s the song they’re hearing on the radio everyday and it’s what is drawing them to us. That’s usually the song where the mosh pit get’s a little crazier and they go a little wilder.
What was the last album, book, and movie that really blew you away?
Last album that really blew me away is probably GOTYE’S new album, Making Mirrors, it’s completely insane and brilliant.
What would fans be surprised to see on your IPOD and also in your DVD collection?
Probably the Moulin Rouge soundtrack or The Lion King soundtrack, both of them are pretty fucking epic if you ask me.
What has been BLACK TIDE’S biggest challenge so far this year?
This year hasn’t really proposed any challenges to us so far. We’ve been really fortunate with everything that has been going on in our world and we are excited that our record is finally out after all of the hard work we put into it. We don’t really see challenges, just opportunity.
What is one time that you really got star struck while being in BLACK TIDE?
I think the first time I was ever star struck on tour has to be back in the fall of 2008. We were in Reading for the Reading festival and TENACIOUS D was on the bill, seeing Jack Black walking around was kind of a big deal. He’s this huge movie star who you never expect to see in real life, and there he was a few feet away from me in catering. It was pretty cool.
What do you value most about the members in BLACK TIDE that you make music with?
I think the thing I value most is that we are all such different people when it comes to music. We are so all over the place when it comes to what we listen to and how we write music. We gain a ton of inspiration from all over; it’s really exciting in a way.
Who cares?