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Another Zeke Productions

Another Zeke Productions is a independent, DIY productions company helping local and out-of-town bands book shows and get promotion. They volunteer their time to help out bands because not to make money (the majority of their shows are free), but because they believe in creating a stronger music community in San Diego. We recently got a chance to speak with Ziggy, George, Carlos and Aaron about how they got started, their vision, ethics, and more.

Kill City plays at an AZP show. (Photo by Aaron)

What’s the purpose behind Another Zeke Productions? Can you give us a brief overview of the company and what you do? The purpose of Another Zeke Productions is to book and promote bands. AZP hooks up local and out-of-town bands with venues in San Diego, but we also try to help bands promote themselves and utilize the

resources that are available, but may not be known to them. A lot of bands, especially new ones, may not be aware of resources like Myspace, PureVolume, and San Diego Punk, or how to make merchandise, where to get stickers made, or how to build a website. We provide what information and resources we can, but at the heart of it all, we just wanna see bands play. If we can’t book a show for you, we want you to know about all the venues available so you can contact them directly. We want to empower the band.

As we move forward, each of us (Ziggy, George, Carlos, and Aaron) have our own projects and passions that help to fuel Another Zeke Productions. Ziggy is about to go on tour with Motionless (www.MotionlessRock.com) as their Tour Manager. George works on his music project called Death, Life and photography. Carlos is working on his artwork and poetry, as well as mulling over the idea of starting up a poetry ‘zine. Aaron is always working hard on flyers, photos, and his websites (www.WorthEveryScar.com, www.AnotherZekeProductions.com, www.MachinesAgenda.com); and most recently, on a fledging record label. Collectively, we’re starting work on a compilation CD of bands that we’ve booked, half local and half out-of-town.

How and when did the company get started?

Officially, it all began around mid 2004. The origin of AZP revolves around Ziggy, really. He started booking shows for his own bands (Worth Every Scar, No Value) and helping out friends like Split Infinity and crashkillsfour. Steadily, Ziggy built up a strong reputation and a lot of good friends, in and out of town. His charismatic personality and grand vision next pulled in Aaron, who only started as webmaster. Next George, who Ziggy had previously played with in No Value and The Cruxials, jumped onboard. Finally, Carlos joined up. While on a trip to Vegas with Sicky, the pair got really thrashed, “fear and loathing in Las Vegas” style. Little is remembered by the two about this journey and mutual catharsis. However, when they sobered up, Carlos was in AZP.

What’s the best way for bands to get involved with you?

The best way to get involved is by email: AnotherZekeProductions@yahoo.com or AnotherZekeProductions2@yahoo.com. But the website is also a great resource: www.AnotherZekeProductions.com.

How have you guys been received (by venues, fans, and bands)? Are you able to find venues willing to book unheard of out-of-towners?

Actually, a lot of the bartenders and crowd already knew us as barflies. We already had some good friends who happened to work in local bars and play in bands. It seems that as long as everyone is there for the same purpose, to do music, nothing can go wrong. We try not to get caught up in egos, money, vanity, or with those that perpetuate such things. Especially the money. No, seriously, we don’t make any.

As for venues and bands, I’d say we’ve been pretty warmly received. We regularly book shows at Scolari's Office, Chasers, The Zombie Lounge, The Honey Bee Hive, and El Gato Loco. But we also book shows at Brick By Brick, Dream Street, Blind Melons, The Alibi, The Kensington Club, Just Java Cafe, Joe & Andy's, Black Box Studios, various clubs in the Los Angeles area, and even out of state. We book a lot of bands from San Diego and Los Angeles, but a good deal more from all over: Up and down the West Coast and East into Texas, Illinois, Tennessee, up the East Coast, and even as far round the world as Japan, London, México, and Canada. Furthermore, we’ve booked bands signed to such labels as Nitro, TKO, Equal Vision, AF, Triple X, Suburban Home, and No Idea Records. And even bands that play on the Warped Tour. Not that their associations should speak for us, but we appreciate the trust placed in us by an established band. Truth be known, booking those underated-unkown bands, that’s the biggest high. We feel as though we are part of the beginning of something very special.

Are there any plans for more all ages shows? (The Planes Mistake for Stars / Bear Vs. Shark show at Black Box Studios was intense, can we expect any more shows there?) We have been receiving a good deal of requests from younger fans and musicians alike for more all ages shows. With regard to such bands, after an under-age-21 band plays at a

Minus One plays at an AZP show (Photo by Aaron)

bar, they have to leave, which just feels disrespectful toward them. We would like to do as many all ages shows as possible, however without bar drinks to make money for the venue and bands, we have to charge at the door. So, it’s not free at that point, which further confounds things. We were very blessed at the Black Box show. We had some outstanding bands and a grip of strong fans. As far as future shows being at booked at Black Box Studios, it is really up to them. I know they have other plans for the space where the show was held, but they still want some low key shows once they are done building. Check them out if you want some awesome practice space for your band. Even with the complications, we are working on more all ages shows. If you have a venue, drop us a line.

But why not here directly from Black Box? Here’s what Mario from Black Box Studios had to say on the possibility of having more shows: “Yes we are planning on having more all ages shows at Black Box. We are in the final stages of building and by September you can expect shows consistently. However, as much as we want to do this it's going to require the help of the San Diego scene. We want to bring a sense of community to San Diego music by having shows and by running our rehearsal rooms and recording studio in a way that we as musicians would want to be a part of. We want to bring back the days of going to shows just because there are some rad bands playing, not because it's the cool thing to do or you just want to get wasted. On the other hand we also need the help of the fans that come to the shows. We built this place from the ground up (literally) and we can't have people disrespecting our pride and joy. That means paying attentions to all of the rules that we post for shows and just have common courtesy. We are really exited to continue having shows here and we hope it helps to push the San Diego music scene forward in a positive way.”

What can the average fan do to help out the scene?

Go to the shows, stay for the last band, pay for a ticket even when you’re on the “guest list”, tell the bands you like them. If your band plays earlier than the rest, stay and support your comrades. We stay pretty busy, so if we can’t help or don’t help fast enough, visit the Links section of our website for some great resources and information. We highly encourage participation by anyone and everyone! Take pictures at a show, make a flyer, write a show review, conduct a band interview, book a band, just do it. Then email us with the stuff and we’ll be sure to give you credit.

Also, we should avoid considering it a “scene”, and make it a community. Work together, instead of against each other. Scenes come and go. This music community is here to stay.

Do you have any advice for bands trying to book their own shows? What about for kids interested in getting into the booking process?

If you’re in a band and want to book shows, find a partner in crime; book shows with another band that you like. Utilize booking resources like AZP, A&R Entertainment, aorta productions, and Book You Own F**kin' Life; visit the message board or venues section of San Diego Punk. Or just call up a venue and see if they have room for your band or assistance during a show. It’s slow at first, but once you break in, you’re solid.

Any local bands that you think deserve to get a shout out? Touring bands?

Absolutely! …Split Infinity, Hialeah, Worth Every Scar, Motionless, Die September, the Underhills, The Attacks, crashkillsfour, Minus One, The Wastrels, Emery Byrd, and Machine’s Agenda (R.I.P.). Also, Kara from Scolari’s, Chris from The Zombie Lounge, Joel from rage.one, la señora de El Gato Loco, everybody with San Diego Punk, and too many more to mention. Without these guys, this just wouldn’t be any fun.

Do you guys play in any bands?

Ziggy plays drums in Worth Every Scar, bass in the Underhills, and used to play bass/sing in No Value and Call For Arms.
George plays guitar and sings in Death,Life and used to do the same in No Value.
Carlos sings and plays little guitar. He used to play drums, congas, and broken beer bottles (after he drank them, of course) for a couple of experimental bands.
Aaron sings mostly, but used to play in an early incarnation of Machine's Agenda in various positions: vocals, bass, and drums.
Collectively, there is always some kind of side project going on. Hopefully, one of these side projects will eventually sport all four of us.

Anything else?

We just want people to know that we do this for the love of music only; not for money, popularity, etc…We’ve had a lot of experiences with bands that just care about how there hair looks or what kind of jeans they are wearing, rather than playing music for the fun of it. They have the wrong motivation, stars in there eyes, MTV cribs dreams. Now I’m rambling… We’d just like to say thanks to all the people that have showed up to the shows, and all the bands that have played (except the ones that acted like rock stars…you know who you are, your time will come). For everyone else, your time is now! Book shows, play music, share your craft! Another Zeke Productions is here to support you. Much love. Thanks Joel.

AZP interview conducted via e-mail, July, 2005 by Joel Scheingross.
http://www.anotherzekeproductions.com