The Journey Begins:
Mike and Mat Kerlin started playing music in Central New York when they were 14 and 12 years old. Mike got a Silvertone electric guitar with the amp in the guitar case and mat got a set of Remco drums (glorified oatmeal boxes) Mike was a talented poet at a very young age and the guitar gave him a vehicle to adapt that talent to melody. They either started or were added to many different bands as they grew up, but they always played together. In their early 20s they formed the band Toejam a regionally successful endeavor that allowed them to play and promote their original music along with Southern and Country Rock covers. When Toejam broke up Mike moved to Florida and Mat formed a band called South Side Shuffle a very eclectic combination of musicians with varied tastes. They played everything from the Grateful Dead to Steely Dan to Jeff Beck to Freddy King. South Side Shuffle had a loyal following and a flair for the jam. Two excellent guitarists and a kickin keyboardist made playing spontaneous and a joy to be involved in. South Side Shuffle went the way of most bands and broke up about the same time Mike returned from Florida. He was playing clubs doing a solo gig and wanted Mat to join him down there. It just never worked out.The Journey Changes direction:
When he came back they started a band called Reel to Real. A five piece band that played covers and again promoted Mikes original songs. During this time Mike was presented with the Gospel message of salvation thru Jesus Christ. He responded to it and it changed his lyrical direction. He began to write music about Jesus, His love and mercy and soon return. The band started playing these originals even though they had not accepted the message of the songs. After a few months Mat followed Mike in his conversion and Jim Sampson (the keyboard player) also accepted the message of the Cross. They called their agent and told him what had happened and he didnt want to hear that!!! He didnt know where to book them if they were playing Christian rock. A few weeks later he called them and asked if they could play a tour across New York State with Joe English (former Wings drummer) He was promoting his new Christian album and was looking for a backup band. They of course took the gig and embarked on a journey in Christian music that would span 20 plus years. The band Zoa was formed in the late1980s with members Mike Kerlin guitar, vocals and song writing. Mat Kerlin, drums, vocals, and song writing, Steve Bullard, Bass guitar, vocals and song writing, Dan Hicks rounded out the original band ..s and vocals. In the early years they played mostly coffee houses and churches. In the early 1990s they added lead guitarist Bill Camloh who gave them a different dimension in sound. In 1992 with the help of Ken Samuelson the band recorded their first CD The Storm that opened the door for them to play bigger venues and eventually tour in Holland. It also got them local acclaim. Some nice reviews in the Syracuse New York press and a few nominations for a SAMMY (Syracuse Area Music Award) They won in 1994. Mike and Mat had a great friend in a radio DJ Mike Fiss who had them on his show The Big Mike Show quite a few times and used the bands music on a Christmas CD he put out every year.
The Storm Received national attention when two of the songs made it on the Christian charts in the North East region because of the air play they got from requests. They were also getting air play in Holland on the Gospeltec show. A contemporary Christian radio show that played throughout the country. The song Jesus Can became a hit with the listening audience and sparked a tour in the fall of 1994. Holland was an awesome time for the band and they came back on fire to spread the gospel through song.
Zoa was involved in a wonderful project with fellow musician and music promoter Barry Grauman called Rockfest. Rockfest was an out door Christian Rock music festival held in Steventown NY on the NY-Mass border and was instrumental in promoting the band. The support Barry gave them was fantastic. Zoa became what you would call the house band at the event. Every year Barry would get national recording act to play the festival and Zoa would always be asked to play. It was a wonderful experience to play with the likes of Rick Cua, Will McFarland, The Choir, Hoi Polloi, Innocent Blood, Borderline, Resurrection Band, and Randy Stonehill, to name a few. Rockfest was a great time in the bands history and they had some national labels looking at them because of it. The labels, however were looking for crossover potential and Zoa was not going to change their lyrics in order to sell records. After the tour in Holland the band went through some changes. Steve Bullard, Zoas bass player, left the band and they added Joe Paolozzi to take Steves place. At that time Zoa also added Seth Richardson ..s and used two keyboard players. Kevin Hughes was added for live sound. The bands sound became more sophisticated and they began to write new material. Mike felt a call from the Lord to the pastorate and in 1996 he left the band. Zoa broke up at that time but in 1999 Zoa had a reunion concert at Mikes church. It was like they never stopped playing and maybe they were even tighter than before, were some of the comments heard from the attenders. Since that time each member has continued to play music in some capacity. Mat and Bill play for worship at their Church and Mat also does a solo gig. Mike plays at his Church and Steve, Dan, Joe and Seth each play at the Churches they attend. We finished our 2007 reunion tour in August and are now relaxing with family. Mike is putting together an acoustic style band to minister in local coffee houses (since our full band would be way to loud to play in them, mainly because of Mat) The band is made up of a couple Zoa members and an old friend from Toejam, Steve Yazell who is a great guitarist and great guy. Mat might be playing with them for some gigs in between his coffee house gig. If you’re intrested in any of our recorded projects including Mikes solo project "Twomorrow" (he never could spell very well) and our live CD taken from our reunion tour called "The Very Best Of Zoa Live) Please message us and we’ll set something up.
Zoa DiscographyThe Storm...............1992
Vexed (to his rightous soul)..........1994
The Very Best Of Zoa Live...........2007
Mikes solo project
Twomorrow The Kerlin Syndrome.......2006
Following is a review from the Stars mag April 23Mark Bialczak
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(Christian rock) "Twomorrow," The Kerlin Syndrome, Spiritual Pit Bull Records.Mike Kerlin took some time from his passion as pastor of Truth Bible Fellowship in Nedrow and full-time jobs to get back to the recording studio.The singer-songwriter-guitarist won a 1996 Syracuse Area Music Award with band Zoa for best gospel group.A decade later, Zoa friends Mat Kerlin on drums, Bill Camloh on guitar and Joe Paolozzi on bass help The Kerlin Syndrome stay true to its beliefs on the 10-song "Twomorrow." Terry Vickery on harmonica helps drive home the point.From the blues zeal of the opening cut, "Be Revived," to the blooming love song "The Rose" with its lyrics "Time and time we see through our tiny eyes, he was with us all along" to the purposefully rough and raw instrumental "Paul, Don’t Go," The Kerlin Syndrome nicely dovetails Christian messages with soaring music.
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