Lots going on but work moves forward...

Man, I know it's been a couple months since the last news update.  I have been really busy working on projects for Deas Vail and Relient K, as well as a solo album.   Where does that leave the Zilch album?  I am still working on it but have had to work in between the other stuff, so it's taking more time than I had hoped. The good news is that drums, bass and much of the guitar are pretty much done on it.  Also, by working on my solo stuff, I have gotten myself into lyric mode and that will help with the Zilch stuff, even though a Zilch lyric is a much different thing than my solo stuff or things I work on for other folks.  Not harder but just different. Also, our original keyboardist, Jason Halbert is in town for a few months working with Kelly Clarkson, so I hope to see if I can get him to play on the new Zilch stuff in his down time.   That would be pretty awesome.  Anyway, I want to thank the fans that are so supportive of Zilch and I look forward to adding new content soon.   Many blessings, as always.   MLT

Happy July 4th, everyone...

We had a really great day today.  Just kicking it back.  I live in an area where all the lots the houses are on are really big and so a bunch of my neighbors all had fireworks going off.  It was great to sit in my yard and see it all going off around us.  Just a great time.  Still working here and there on Zilch in between doing an EP and starting a full length for Deas Vail.  The Relient K EP is now in stores, so I suggest picking it up if you are a fan.  26 cuts for ten bucks on iTunes.  Hopefully by this time next year the Zilch album will have been in stores and iTunes as well.  We are also talking a bit about doing a show for video, so we can sort of have an online concert for the fans where we play new stuff and some of the old.  I'll keep you posted.  Thanks for the emails from those of you who write to us.  We do appreciate it and the kind words.  Right now, the plan is to have the new project out as one of several new releases early next year on Brave New World records.  If all goes to plan, you should see that happen.  I have stayed busy in the studio on the in between and Dan is still on the road with Sanctus Real.  We wish we could make Zilch more the priority, but timing is everything.  Anyway, that's the update for now.  Many blessings to you all.   MLT

Memorial Day...

Hey folks,

It's been a while... again.  We have drums and bass and a bunch of guitars cut on the Zilch album, but I had a 2 month detour, as I needed to produce EP's for The Wedding and Relient K.  Both have turned out exceptional and should be in stores soon.  Dan has been on the road with Sanctus, so he has been a bit out of the loop.  I am starting to work with Deas Vail on their sophomore release, so I'll be on and off with that during the summer.  I have promised myself to keep sensible hours working with DV, so that I have some time to work on our stuff.  We'll see how it goes.  The goal is to finish 6 tunes for an EP and have that out this year.  Should be doable.  Not too much else in life right now.  It's a day for cookouts and friends, so that will be the order of the day.  Be sure and thank a veteran you know for the freedoms you have.  That is what this day is about.  Peace out...  MLT

A Busy Day In Studio With Dan...

Dan and I worked most of the day today putting bass on 11 of the 16 cuts we have started on Zilch 2 (working title) and it's going fantastic.  We'll have the rest done on Monday and at that point it's pretty much up to me to finish the rest of the album with guitars, keys and vocals.  We also plan on putting some live horns and strings on as well.  Since we have an abundance of songs for an album, we talked today about maybe putting out an EP first to get some new songs out in the market faster.  We'll keep you posted.  Thanks for giving Zilch a chance.   MLT

Work continues on Zilch II

Work continues on the new album as I am feverishly penning lyrics for the 16 tunes we have in progress for what will be Zilch II (that's the working title, not the final name).  I hope to get Dan in this week or next to cut bass on the songs.  I imagine we can have it done in a day or two, since he pretty much knows the stuff.  The album really is not thematic at this point but is more a collection of pop songs to jam on.  Our lives are really not miserable or deep at this point, so we'll probably end up with a bunch of happy tunes punctuated by the occasional rant on the mindless lemmings that make up the pop stars of our day, just for laughs...  Not too much else.  In reality, we hope you, the fan, will enjoy this record once it's done, but we're not creating the next Sgt. Peppers.  Hopefully it will be the next Odessey And Oracle (yes, I know that is misspelled, but that's how they did it so I'll roll with it).  Much love to you all.   MLT

We're tracking drums!

Here it is, January of 2008, and we're in the studio tracking drums to new songs. It's been a little while since the debut album, Platinum, was released (10 years to be precise). But we figure we've got songs and we like them...why not finish them?
So right now, while I'm typing on my computer, Mark Townsend is sitting at a computer loaded with pro tools and is recording a special guest drummer from a very special band...Mark Graalman of Sanctus Real. It's going great and Mark is rocking it (Mark Graalman that is, not Townsend...he's not that awesome). So in the spirit of rocks, I am trying to fix up the website a bit and throw up a myspace page ( www.myspace.com/zilchtheband ). Nothing fancy, just something solid.
So anyway, if you'll give us a chance, we'll give it a shot. Catch you in a bit

dan