photo : Nick Hargans
How would you each describe Zuko’s sound?
Ben – Zuko is a fusion of our favourite parts from metalcore and hardcore. With so many different sources of inspiration its difficult to pigeonhole our sound.
Logan – Hardcore with a bit of flare from other genres (metalcore/punk).
Why heavy music? What is it about this style and sound that attracts you to it?
Ben – I’ve been into heavy / alternative music since I was about 13/14. I’m not entirely sure what drew me to it but once I heard it I was instantly obsessed and just went further and further down the rabbit hole, and now here I am, like 15 years later and still obsessed.
Logan – Initially I was taken by heavy music when my music teacher showed me some Metallica riffs. They looked extremely hard and I wanted to challenge myself to play them. My love and obsession for heavy music just grew from there.
How did you first discover and get into heavy music?
Ben – I think the first time I heard heavy music would have been something like the soundtracks to some of my first PlayStation games (THPS, MX vs ATV, Smackdown vs Raw etc)
photo : Gabi Rankine
Logan – Metallica through my music teacher, Parkway Drive through V Loud on TV.
Who were/ are your music heroes?
Ben – Jared Smith from Archspire literally blows my mind, he pushes the boundary of what can be done on a bass.
Logan – Probably Andy Marsh from Thy Art Is Murder, or Kirk Hammett from Metallica
Who inspired you to want to play an instrument?
Ben – I remember seeing footage of Wes Borland from Limp Bizkit at Woodstock 99, and Rage Against The Machine online, and the sheer energy and atmosphere they were creating was second to none. I knew that I wanted to pick up an instrument and give it a shot.
Logan – My earliest memory of wanting to play guitar was watching Murray Cook (red Wiggle) on TV.
Was there a defining moment that made you decide to play an instrument?
Logan – I think when I really noticed my practice pay off for the first time.
Ben – I think once I learned power chords I was like “ok yeah, lets go” hahaha.
Who started the band?
Ben – Logan (lead guitar), Jordan (drums), and myself all met via a Facebook group for Brisbane musicians looking to start a project. Once that initial project died out we decided that we had good chemistry and wanted to keep going with what we had, so we kept writing material until we were lucky enough to find Jesse (vox) via the very same Facebook group and instantly gelled. Both Dave (ex rhythm guitar), and Nato (current rhythm guitar), were also found in the same Facebook group, so shoutout to that page, wouldn’t be here without it, haha!
How did you learn to play guitar? Formal lessons, self-taught, online?
Logan – All of the above
Ben – I learnt how to read tabs online and just started from there.
What guitarists inspire you these days?
Logan – Ichika Nito, Isaac Hale, and Tyler Rielly.
Were your parents supportive of your choice to play an instrument, and play in a band?
Logan – Definitely 100%
Ben – Not at first, but once they saw that I was passionate about it they came around.
How often do you get to practice with Zuko?
Logan – At least once a fortnight.
How often do you practice guitar?
Logan – Everyday for at least 45 minutes. I usually jam a set of songs that really make the hands stretch and test the picking hand. Keeps me as sharp as possible.
photo : Dalton Collis
Ben – I aim for about half an hour everyday.
How are Zuko’s songs conceived?
Logan – For me, working by myself works best. While I enjoy writing with my peers, too many inputs at once can be counterproductive.
Ben – Our vocalist, Jesse, and guitarist, Nato, are machines! They’re constantly uploading new ideas they’ve cooked up themselves to the Google Drive and then we go from there and build around the riff.
What artists, old or new, are you listening to currently?
Logan – Thy Art Is Murder, Knocked Loose, and Gideon
Ben – Current’s new album, The Death We Seek, has been on repeat for the last week or so, as well as Counterparts, The Acacia Strain, and Title Fight.
What is your ‘day job’?
Logan – Forklift Driver
Ben – Forklift Driver / Dangerous Goods Officer
photo : Dalton Collis
Who’s your bucket list artist to tour with?
Logan – Knocked Loose
Ben – Knocked Loose, & The Acacia Strain, for sure.
Any pre-show rituals?
Logan – Just a lot of stretching
Ben – Usually run through scales and a cheeky pre-show beer or two.
photo : Dalton Collis
What’s the last show you saw that you weren’t playing at?
Logan – Knotfest Brisbane
Ben – Knotfest Brisbane
Favourite show you’ve been to?
Logan – Knocked Loose at the Woolly Mammoth
Ben – Honestly seeing the full scale of a Slipknot show was pretty unreal. There is so much depth to what they put into their live show.
What do you do in your free time? Any other hobbies outside of music?
Logan – I love smoking meats.
Ben – I’m a bit of a Warhammer 40k nerd and I definitely play too many videogames, haha!
What new bands should people check out that deserve some recognition?
Logan – Citadel, & Deadnerve.
Ben – Citadel are gonna blow up in the next 6 months you watch. I’m calling it now.
Otherwise I’ve been really impressed with World Of Joy, and Shokan.
Specifically, what gear do you play? Guitars, amps, pedals, pickups, strings/gauges, picks?
Logan – Ibanez RGIXL7, Boss Katana 100W, Whammy/JPS Screamer, 74-10 strings, 1mm Tortex picks
Ben – Currently, I’ve got a Squier Affinity P bass, which I was running through a Fender Rumble 210, but I’ve recently made the switch and gone digital. Ernie Ball Slinkys 45-130 strings, and 2mm Ernie Ball Everlast picks which everyone hates, so i never have to share, haha!
What’s your dream gear?
Logan – Would have to be a Quad Cortex
Ben – A Kemper or Quad Cortex would be pretty surreal.
Cats – lovable family members or Satan’s spawn?
Logan – Satan’s spawn for sure, but I love my two dogs.
Ben – I have two cats, and yes, they are Satan’s spawn, but they are pretty cute so they get a pass.
What does the rest of 2023 have in store for Zuko?
Logan – Massive shows, and some brand new tunes.
Ben – We’re actually waiting to announce some massive shows, the biggest ones of our career, so that’s super exciting. We also just finished recording 2 new singles at Sledgehammer Studios and are working on a new music video, so hoping to end the year with a massive bang!
photo : Dalton Collis
Zuko : @zuko_bne
Ben Matthews : @gallowsforgrace
Logan Gill : @I4114g