Zed Yago
Good Music Will Never Die

01.07.2011

A while ago we did an interview with German singer Jutta Weinhold, in which we discussed, among other issues, one of her previous bands Zed Yago. Suddenly a new chapter was added to that story, as our interview with Jutta got into the attention of original band member Jimmy Durand, who continues recording and performing as Zed Yago and is currently about to release a new album. It would have been unfair not to give him the floor, too, so that he could outline his own view on the events. We did have concerns that Jimmy, who was somewhat irritated by some statements that Mrs. Weinhold made for us, would spend most of his time lashing out at his former singer. But they proved futile – instead, Jimmy told us about the band’s history, cooperation with acclaimed keyboard player Tony Carey, an unusual football game and many other things about Zed Yago’s past and present.

Hello Jimmy! Let’s speak about the latest news from the band. Your statement on MySpace reads that you’re about to release a new album called “Pirates From Hell”. Please tell me how you worked on it?

Hello to all Russian rock fans! We have a limited edition CD called "Pirates From Hell" with 13 new songs and a cover of "Burn" by Deep Purple. Markus Grosskopf from Helloween played bass on two songs and it‘s our first record with Tony Carey on keyboards.

Tony Carey is an acclaimed keyboard player, mostly known for his stint with Rainbow in the 1970s. How did you get to know him? What are you expectations from working with him? Does he contribute to the songwriting process?

Tony lives in southern Germany. I needed a Hammond on the cover version of Deep Purple’s “Burn”, and I sent him an email asking to play one song. He heard the quality of this song and he asked me to send him more new stuff. I sent him 13 new songs and Tony was so excited that he asked me to play all the new stuff for the new record and also for all live shows.

Did Tony contribute anything to the songs apart from his keyboard parts?
 
Yes, you can hear this on the new songs what I have sent you. We had more than 18 new songs written together. Tony and I are a perfect team to write good songs. Tony did keyboard intros and a very good Hammond  and he wrote the lyrics for the song “Forever”.

Let’s speak about the reunion of Zed Yago. What was the reason for that? Was it hard to decide to reunite with you as the only one original member?

Which reunion? Singer Jutta Weinhold left the band in 1990 to start her own career with Velvet Viper. We had a break after the split with Jutta. We looked for a new singer for many years. 1997 was the first date with the new line-up - Tatch on bass, Bubi on the drums, Yvonne on vocals and me on the guitar. We had three original members not one.

After the band returned to the stage, you released “The Invisible Guide” album (2004). Basically it sounds like typical Zed Yago but you also incorporated some modern elements in this album. Was it your intention to make your music more up-to-date?

To write the music for Zed Yago was my part also in the beginning of Zed Yago. It`s normal that you hear the typical Zed Yago sound in our new songs.

How did you find the new singer Yvonne? Where did she sing before Zed Yago? What can you say about her contribution to the band?

She is the best thing that could happen to Zed Yago. She is the best female singer in hard rock for Tony Carey, he has never heard a girl with so much power. And he knows who is good - he played with Ronnie James Dio of Rainbow, one of the best singers ever.

What can you say about the lyrical concept of “The Invisible Guide”? Is it anyhow connected to the first two albums, or is it a completely new story?

“The Invisible Guide” was not a concept album. We had some songs to memory the past and some for our future. "Custer" is a song about the Indians.

After “The Invisible Guide” you released a live album called “Live - The 20th Anniversary of Zed Yago”. Where was it recorded?

This live album was recorded in 2004 on our Invisible Guide Tour in Germany.

Do I understand it correctly that both “The Invisible Guide” and “Live” are released by the band on your own? Why don’t you sign to a proper record label? Wasn’t there any interest from their side?

That‘s right, Twilight Zone Records is our own label, we don’t need a major record company so far. All record companies have a big problem to sell the music and don’t pay for our work. The bands carry the risk - when you don’t sells million records you lose your contract. All musicians are fucked up now. The best example is Anvil - here you can see what the business is at the moment. It does not matter if you're good, you just need money and the right contacts to sell your music. Today quality is not everything. We think we play timeless music for more than three generations.

How much do you play live nowadays?

We played in Luxembourg at a big festival, in Greece, Spain and Germany and we are looking forward to play in Russia very soon.

There are songs “Forever” and “End Of The World” on your MySpace page but I couldn’t find them on any studio album. What can you say about these songs? When and where were they recorded?

These are two songs from our new stuff.

In your opinion, why has Hamburg always had such a strong metal scene? Is there anything special in its air?

Sorry I don’t know, I think it was the same situation as in Liverpool in the 60s for rock music - there are some good bands in one city and then all the others copy this new style. Hamburg is the harbor of Helloween, Masterplan, Running Wild and Zed Yago.

Jimmy, let’s speak about the early days of your career! Tell me how did you decide to form your own band? Was Zed Yago your first band?

It was my first professional band, that’s right. Before that I played in Loud’n‘Proud, we had the same style like Zed Yago.

What are your best memories about the first album “From Over Yonder” (1988)and the working process on it?

I remember the time and the first place on the Metal Hammer magazine ahead of AC/DC! Then came the great success. Everybody talked about us as a band from Germany that created a new style - "Dramatic Metal" We are one of the first bands from Germany which was appreciated in England.

How did the songwriting process in the band go in the 1980s? How much did Jutta contribute, and what was the contribution of the rest of the band members?

Jutta was only the singer, she couldn’t create a song, she just wrote the lyrics. The music was my part. Jutta took six songs from Zed Yago on her first Velvet Viper album – “King Arthur”, “Merlin”, “Ring of Stone”, ”HM Rebels”, etc. When you are listening to the lyrics and the music you hear what I made. And if Jutta were as good as you are all thinking, she would not be there where she is now - in a cheap cover band now. She is a fallen angel expelled from paradise. Is this what she wants?

The “Pilgrimage” album (1989) was released on major label RCA. Can you say a couple of words about your relationships with BMG and RCA? Did they support the band at that time?

Yes we were their best German band at that time. After the separation they could do anything to our material. But I'm not interested in the past any longer, the time has passed.

The CD booklets of “From Over Yonder” and “Pilgrimage” read that these albums were produced by Colonel Basten and Ralf Basten respectively. Is it the same person? Were you satisfied with the sound of those albums?

It‘s the same person, the husband of Jutta. I think for this time the sound was good but not perfect. Ralf is one of the reasons why Jutta left Zed Yago. He was the man who’s talking everyday about the split between Jutta and the rest of the band. He was an asshole, he made bad games. He laughed in your face and behind the back he spoke differently.

After the release of “Pilgrimage” you toured with Deep Purple and W.A.S.P. Can you share with me some stories from the road? Did the guys from these bands treat you kindly?

Deep Purple are the reason why I play music, they are heroes from the 70s. Deep Purple’s "In Rock" is my first album and it was a great honor to support this great band. We played football with the whole band and the crew in Hamburg in the afternoon before we started to play our support gig in Bremen. For me it was a good time. It was the best Deep Purple line-up ever - Blackmore, Gillan, Glover, Lord and Pace. By the way, Deep Purple won that game 14 to 2 - they had a very good crew.

The band filmed a video for “Black Bone Song”. What are your best memories about that experience?

This video was selected as one of the best videos in 1989 on MTV. The people loved it. We produced this video in the Limelight Studios, London, England.

In 1990 Jutta Weinhold parted ways with the band. Can you say what exactly happened as she said that she lost all rights to use “Zed Yago” name?

Jutta left Zed Yago in 1990 to start her own career. The band Zed Yago had the name. The one who leaves the band is not Zed Yago.

Why didn’t you continue as Zed Yago after Jutta’s departure? As far as I understand, Zed Yago was a pretty big name in Europe at that point...

We couldn’t find a good singer in the beginning of the 90s. I tried to find someone but I couldn’t get along with someone really great. My search ended when I met Yvonne, she has a powerful voice and charisma.

What did you do while Zed Yago was inactive? Did you play in any band?

No, I never played in other bands since Zed Yago. I met Yvonne and I didn’t know that she can sing, but after five years of being together she told me that she can sing. She saw all the fan mail about Zed Yago, and she said, “Go ahead for all your fans”. She has a classical vocal training.

Isn't it hard to play with your wife in the band?

No, it’s not hard. I love hear power, her performance. It´s pleasant to be able to make music with Yvonne. Music is our love and it will be the last. Yvonne was the owner of a legendary sex theater in Hamburg before she started to sing with Zed Yago. Hamburg is the city of love and sex.

Do you still stay in touch with former members Tatch and Bubi? Have you ever thought about the possibility to reunite with them for one show at least?

Tell me why? The band is better than before.

And what about your fellow guitarist Gunnar? What is he doing at the moment?
 
I don’t know. I know Gunnar likes jazz and not hard rock anymore.

What do you think about the metal music of today? Are there any young bands that you like, or do you prefer classics from the past?

I think that the best songs in this world were written in the past. I miss how bands were different from each other in the 70s and 80s - each of those bands had their own style and was recognizable. Today I can only hear songs where elements of old songs are taken to create their own.

Apart from the upcoming album, what other plans do you have for Zed Yago? Are there any artistic goals that you set for yourself and the band for the near future?

We play our music until we die and we'll see what's coming.

To round off this interview, can you say a few words to your Russian fans?

Never look back, the time is gone, the future is the answer. We hope to play in Russia sometimes. And we know good music will never die.

Zed Yago on the Internet: http://www.zed-yago.com/

Konstantin “Hirax” Chilikin
May 11, 2011
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