About Me
I AM CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR STUDIO/SESSION WORK. IF YOU NEED BASS TRACKS, HIT ME UP!
Hello World,
"My story? Are you sure? OK ! Well...I was born a poor black child." Thank you Steve Martin for that wonderful intro, but my story is a little different:
My musical journey began just before my 14th birthday when, sitting at my next door neighbor's house in Montreal, Canada, we began to listen to Metallica's Kill 'Em All album. That was when a wonderous sound filled my ears. It was track #5, Anesthesia:Pulling Teeth. In my opinion, the most incredible rock bass composition of our time (RIP Cliff Burton). The sound grabbed me and I said to my friend "That is not a guitar, WHAT IS IT?!". "A bass guitar", was his reply. The following day, I found myself at the nearest guitar store picking out a brand new, black Fender Squier & a small 10 watt Crate amplifier. As I was standing at the checkout counter, I perused the latest edition og Guitar Magazine. Flipping through the tablature section, my eyes grew wide as I saw the sheet music and tabs for the very song that inspired me to pick up the bass in the first place! I though to myself, "this CANT just be a coincidence". From that point on, i KNEW that this was exactly what I needed to be doing.
As the years progressed through high school, my musical tastes began to broaden. No longer listening to JUST Heavy Metal & Thrash music, I discovered bass groove-oriented bands like Fugazi, Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Primus. I was also beginning to experience jazz music through some of the greats like Charlie Mingus & Jaco Pastorius. This inspired me to enter college, majoring in music & music education.
I joined the school's jazz ensemble and took theory and sightsinging classes, but found myslef becoming disenchanted, as my professors lacked the emotion and soul that I seeked from music. "Play with your head and always think 4 measure ahead", is what my bass teacher used to say and I couldn't have disagreed more. I finally made the decision that I would no longer pursue music educationally and simply PLAY WHAT I FEEL.
In 1996, I was asked to join my best friend Gil Bitton's band ENDO , and from there my musical career kicked off. Starting as a local band and building a fan bass that drew well over 1000 kids to each show, ENDO was discovered and subsequently signed to DV8/Columbia Records in 1999. We released EVOLVE in 2000 and toured incessantly through 2001, playing with bands like Megadeth, Sepultura, Static X, Nothingface, Amen, & Hatebreed. In 2002 we began recording our sophomore release called SONGS FOR THE RESTLESS. Upon finishing the record we jumped on the road as a 2nd stage act on the 2003 Ozzfest Tour and performing several off-dates with acts like Korn, Marylin Manson, Disturbed, and Chevelle. After the tour, however, ENDO was dropped, along with MANY other bands upon the merger of two of the biggest labels in the industry. You can check out a couple of our videos below.
After ENDO, I joined the daily grind. Working different sales jobs and the odd studio session, I became lost in the rat race for the American Dream. Always having been fascinated with the culinary world, (I watched a lot of Food TV during my time off the road) I joined my family in the venture of opening a restaurant in Miami Beach. I now own & run a Pizzeria/Trattoria in South Beach called Presto Pizza Trattoria & Grill (332 Lincoln Road, between Washington & Collins). The food is incredible, boasting the best pizza on South Beach, along with many other culinary delights such as our Home-Made Lasagna & Meatballs. And then, something happened...
In September 2008 I landed a gig playing bass for Scott Stapp on a 28-date Armed Forces Entertainment tour of military bases throughout the Middle East & Europe. It was a once-in-a-lifetime, life-changing experience! I posted several blogs about my journey, so please check it out
Recently I have teamed back up with my old singer Gil Bitton and we are currently writing new music and recording demos in our homes, (thank you Garageband, lol). The new material is NOT like ENDO, but the songs are amazing and will speak volumes to MANY. Stay tuned for clips when they are ready. As of yet, there is no band name, but we will be creating a Myspace page when the time is right!
Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Sorry it was so long-winded, but I had alot to say ! Thanks for checking out my page and I hope to see you all real soon !
-Zelick
