Toronto rockers Zeus have had a lot of labels thrown at them — "retro", "indie", even "Southern rock" — but the label that suits them best is simply "friends."

Ever since Carlin Nicholson and Mike O'Brien met in grade 10 and as the rest of the guys (Rob Drake, Neil Quin and Jason Collett) were brought into the band, all the members of Zeus are good friends who share a common love for playing music. In town for a show at the 7th Street Entry on Tuesday, Sept. 23, Zeus stopped in to The Current's studio to play some songs and to chat with Mary Lucia.

Declaring a range of influences as diverse as Nirvana, New Kids on the Block, NOFX, Queen and Michael Jackson, Zeus have always recorded their own music, but on their most recent record, Classic Zeus, the band went "whole hog" and mixed and produced the album themselves.

Listen to the complete interview to learn more about Zeus, including more about their evolution as a band, their studio on the east end of Toronto and a bit of the friendly intra-band debate on whether to spend their extra time in Minneapolis at Brit's Pub for lawn bowling or at a Twins game.

Songs Performed

"You Could Have a Lover"
"First One In"
"Miss My Friends"
All songs from the album Classic Zeus, available on Arts & Crafts Records.

Hosted by Mary Lucia
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Michael DeMark
Web feature by Luke Taylor

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