MARZI MONTAZERI
HIGH PRIEST OF DISTORTION
Interview by Ruby Scholling
Those that have read some of my interviews know by now that I choose my subjects because they stand out from the crowd. They are someone that when I see them make me stop and say "wow". Well when I first saw Marzi at The Housecore Horror Festival he definitely had that "wow factor". Lots of energy , a blending of many styles and an obvious joy in what he was doing.
enFOCUS: So I understand that you came here as an immigrant from Iran. How was it growing up for you? And how did music come into the picture (what did music mean to you)?
Marzi: I did at a very young age prior to the revolution my dad moved us to Houston Texas. Growing up was beautiful. All I remember is compassion beyond words and extreme showing of love,affection and care for one another. Traits that through my tough life I have still maintained. Music was always there. My mother was a huge Beatles fan and my dad liked country and folk music. My first love though was classical music and the theme from Romeo and Juliet was possibly my first melody that I would hum. I would make beats using my throat and teeth and hum bassline and melodies all day just walking to, during and back from school or anywhere else really. I would create my own soundtrack using my throat anywhere I was. If I were on the playground then the rhythms and melodies were more exciting and high energy.
HIGH PRIEST OF DISTORTION
Interview by Ruby Scholling
Those that have read some of my interviews know by now that I choose my subjects because they stand out from the crowd. They are someone that when I see them make me stop and say "wow". Well when I first saw Marzi at The Housecore Horror Festival he definitely had that "wow factor". Lots of energy , a blending of many styles and an obvious joy in what he was doing.
enFOCUS: So I understand that you came here as an immigrant from Iran. How was it growing up for you? And how did music come into the picture (what did music mean to you)?
Marzi: I did at a very young age prior to the revolution my dad moved us to Houston Texas. Growing up was beautiful. All I remember is compassion beyond words and extreme showing of love,affection and care for one another. Traits that through my tough life I have still maintained. Music was always there. My mother was a huge Beatles fan and my dad liked country and folk music. My first love though was classical music and the theme from Romeo and Juliet was possibly my first melody that I would hum. I would make beats using my throat and teeth and hum bassline and melodies all day just walking to, during and back from school or anywhere else really. I would create my own soundtrack using my throat anywhere I was. If I were on the playground then the rhythms and melodies were more exciting and high energy.
enFOCUS: What was some of your favorite music to listen to growing up?
Marzi: I listened to everything growing up from classical to jazz and everything in between. I loved the blues though on another level. It truly hit home with me and I was already an amped up hyperactive rock child to begin with so the two combined were what I was all about. I listened to The Beatles, Zeppelin, Sabbath, Floyd, Purple,Top and Van Halen.
enFOCUS: Your guitar playing is so unique. Would you attribute that to being self taught? What evolutions did you go through that led to where you are now? Where do you see yourself going from here (do you always strive to evolve)?
Marzi: I believe it is in a big way. I grew up very isolated with zero friends and family around me for many years in Houston so I think that had a lot to do with the purity aspect of it but I was constantly being inspired by what I heard on the radio at the time and it was magical so the evolution of it was again just a natural progression anyone would have gone through if they were to be in love and I was and still am in love with it so yes I constantly strive to evolve and through it further more purify through the process.
Marzi: I listened to everything growing up from classical to jazz and everything in between. I loved the blues though on another level. It truly hit home with me and I was already an amped up hyperactive rock child to begin with so the two combined were what I was all about. I listened to The Beatles, Zeppelin, Sabbath, Floyd, Purple,Top and Van Halen.
enFOCUS: Your guitar playing is so unique. Would you attribute that to being self taught? What evolutions did you go through that led to where you are now? Where do you see yourself going from here (do you always strive to evolve)?
Marzi: I believe it is in a big way. I grew up very isolated with zero friends and family around me for many years in Houston so I think that had a lot to do with the purity aspect of it but I was constantly being inspired by what I heard on the radio at the time and it was magical so the evolution of it was again just a natural progression anyone would have gone through if they were to be in love and I was and still am in love with it so yes I constantly strive to evolve and through it further more purify through the process.
Phil Anselmo & The Illegals
enFOCUS: What is your philosophy on music?
Marzi: It is a language that is honest and pure which can express a lot where there are no words for with true emotion and through its practice one can learn to purify.
enFOCUS: Tell us about the different bands you’re involved with right now. (Similarities, differences, working with Anselmo, etc)
Marzi: Heavy As Texas is pure Southern Metal and it’s been that way since it’s origins dating back to mid 90’s. I’m free to play what I desire no matter how tense or soft. My Heavy Mellow Project is tranquil and calm. They both are worlds apart but the source is the same and I give them and all projects that I’m involved in all the care they need.
Marzi: It is a language that is honest and pure which can express a lot where there are no words for with true emotion and through its practice one can learn to purify.
enFOCUS: Tell us about the different bands you’re involved with right now. (Similarities, differences, working with Anselmo, etc)
Marzi: Heavy As Texas is pure Southern Metal and it’s been that way since it’s origins dating back to mid 90’s. I’m free to play what I desire no matter how tense or soft. My Heavy Mellow Project is tranquil and calm. They both are worlds apart but the source is the same and I give them and all projects that I’m involved in all the care they need.
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enFOCUS: Your acting in “Metal Grasshopper” has to be one of the finest moments in film;) Can you tell us about some of the other projects you’re working on? (for example: Hairmetal Shotgun Zombie Massacre)
Marzi: For the HSZM movie I was asked to initially make a soundtrack which I did using the guitar to make scary ambient sounds, then I was asked to write some songs for the fictional band in the movie. It was gonna be a joke band but then it got real when I stepped foot in the studio to write new songs. I asked Tim “Ripper” Owens to contribute and he did in a way only he can and I mean that. Tim’s work is amazing and I believe that he is the holder of the flame since Dio’s passing. I’ve also added a monster legend vocalist to Heavy As Texas which has been a three piece band fronted by me where I did lead vocals well no more. Now I can concentrate on more complex rhythms that I wasn’t able to play with their counter rhythm and melodies on vocals plus I got the best now.
enFOCUS: What is your most memorable moment in music?
Marzi: My first time that I played in 8th grade in front of the whole school. I floated home I was so high off of the show. I’ll never forget. Opening up for Eric Johnson when I was a teen and Hellfest with the Illegals last summer were too memorable.
enFOCUS: What is your favorite part of what you do?
Marzi: Playing the guitar live after the works been done in the practice place and recording studio.
enFOCUS: What is your least favorite?
Marzi: Airlines
enFOCUS: Music is in such a different place than it was 20 years ago with much less clearly defined lines of success. How do you define success when it comes to your music?
Marzi: It is a personal journey for me where I don’t define the level of success by dollar bills . It is much greater to me than that. The testimony lies within the hearts of the fans and our interaction. That is the truth. When you work hard to put forth what you believe in and you meet your fans who get and appreciate you there is no better reward.
Marzi: For the HSZM movie I was asked to initially make a soundtrack which I did using the guitar to make scary ambient sounds, then I was asked to write some songs for the fictional band in the movie. It was gonna be a joke band but then it got real when I stepped foot in the studio to write new songs. I asked Tim “Ripper” Owens to contribute and he did in a way only he can and I mean that. Tim’s work is amazing and I believe that he is the holder of the flame since Dio’s passing. I’ve also added a monster legend vocalist to Heavy As Texas which has been a three piece band fronted by me where I did lead vocals well no more. Now I can concentrate on more complex rhythms that I wasn’t able to play with their counter rhythm and melodies on vocals plus I got the best now.
enFOCUS: What is your most memorable moment in music?
Marzi: My first time that I played in 8th grade in front of the whole school. I floated home I was so high off of the show. I’ll never forget. Opening up for Eric Johnson when I was a teen and Hellfest with the Illegals last summer were too memorable.
enFOCUS: What is your favorite part of what you do?
Marzi: Playing the guitar live after the works been done in the practice place and recording studio.
enFOCUS: What is your least favorite?
Marzi: Airlines
enFOCUS: Music is in such a different place than it was 20 years ago with much less clearly defined lines of success. How do you define success when it comes to your music?
Marzi: It is a personal journey for me where I don’t define the level of success by dollar bills . It is much greater to me than that. The testimony lies within the hearts of the fans and our interaction. That is the truth. When you work hard to put forth what you believe in and you meet your fans who get and appreciate you there is no better reward.
Herisze Photography
enFOCUS: So tell us about the new love in your life; “The Priestess”. And how did this love affair come about? Other sponsors?
Marzi: The love affair has been an evident part of my life but having it actually come to life is something very surreal. It started with me and co designer Greg Heritier from Holland. It was a super fun ride and very awesome to work with like minded folks who were basically after the same as I was in life but through another artistic realm. It was important to go the extra miles to make it right and I could not be happier with the way it has turned out. It truly is a dream come true and not just by its sexy look but the way it plays and sounds. It is here to stay. The Washburn Priestess is stocked with The “Hickups” that were created for me by Seymour Duncan with mids,sustain and bite for days. I play Randall Amplifiers exclusively and after all the years of searching for the perfect amp tone and crunch I found it in the new Randalls designed by my friend and amp guru Mike Fortin. Not only do they scream but they are extremely versatile for all styles of music. For picks strings and effects I use Dunlop products. Last but not least I use Pigtronix delay and sampler in my amp loop.
enFOCUS: Listening to some of the guitar solos from you that are out there, you like to incorporate delay to create textures in your compositions. This in contrast to many guitarists where the use of delay seems almost to hide or mask what they play. Are there any particular guitar players that have influenced you in that direction?
Marzi: Well it started with the volume swells I heard Alex Lifeson do on a live Rush recording and then it was Van Halen’s Cathedral I also like the way The Edge utilized it.
enFOCUS: It was brought up earlier that you are self-taught. Who was the first guitar player you heard that lit the spark inside of you to become the player you are now?
Marzi: Edward Van Halen.
enFOCUS: Are there guitarists in other genres of music that stand out to you or influence you these days?
Marzi: Oh man there are so many great guitarist these days and most of them are friends like Chris Illogium, Wes Hauch or Per Nilsson but I do admire Guthrie Govan and think Derek Trucks is amazing too.
enFOCUS: In the 60’s Jimi Hendrix had a profound effect on how guitar players approached the instrument, in the 70’s Eddie Van Halen took it to another level. In the 80’s there was Randy Rhoads among others who were poised to push the bar even further. Twenty years from now, who will we be looking back at from this time as the iconic players that made us want to plug in, turn up, and ROCK!!!!
Marzi: Dimebag still years after his passing.
For more information on Marzi please visit his website at: http://www.marzimontazeri.com/
Marzi: The love affair has been an evident part of my life but having it actually come to life is something very surreal. It started with me and co designer Greg Heritier from Holland. It was a super fun ride and very awesome to work with like minded folks who were basically after the same as I was in life but through another artistic realm. It was important to go the extra miles to make it right and I could not be happier with the way it has turned out. It truly is a dream come true and not just by its sexy look but the way it plays and sounds. It is here to stay. The Washburn Priestess is stocked with The “Hickups” that were created for me by Seymour Duncan with mids,sustain and bite for days. I play Randall Amplifiers exclusively and after all the years of searching for the perfect amp tone and crunch I found it in the new Randalls designed by my friend and amp guru Mike Fortin. Not only do they scream but they are extremely versatile for all styles of music. For picks strings and effects I use Dunlop products. Last but not least I use Pigtronix delay and sampler in my amp loop.
enFOCUS: Listening to some of the guitar solos from you that are out there, you like to incorporate delay to create textures in your compositions. This in contrast to many guitarists where the use of delay seems almost to hide or mask what they play. Are there any particular guitar players that have influenced you in that direction?
Marzi: Well it started with the volume swells I heard Alex Lifeson do on a live Rush recording and then it was Van Halen’s Cathedral I also like the way The Edge utilized it.
enFOCUS: It was brought up earlier that you are self-taught. Who was the first guitar player you heard that lit the spark inside of you to become the player you are now?
Marzi: Edward Van Halen.
enFOCUS: Are there guitarists in other genres of music that stand out to you or influence you these days?
Marzi: Oh man there are so many great guitarist these days and most of them are friends like Chris Illogium, Wes Hauch or Per Nilsson but I do admire Guthrie Govan and think Derek Trucks is amazing too.
enFOCUS: In the 60’s Jimi Hendrix had a profound effect on how guitar players approached the instrument, in the 70’s Eddie Van Halen took it to another level. In the 80’s there was Randy Rhoads among others who were poised to push the bar even further. Twenty years from now, who will we be looking back at from this time as the iconic players that made us want to plug in, turn up, and ROCK!!!!
Marzi: Dimebag still years after his passing.
For more information on Marzi please visit his website at: http://www.marzimontazeri.com/
JUST FOR FUN: Check out Marzi's cameo in Metal Grasshopper below!
enFOCUS would like to thank Eric Meyer/Noiz Faktory for help in making this interview happen!