The Zac Schulze Gang Talks New Single, Favourite Instruments And More

The Zac Schulze Gang are an electrifying blues-rock trio from the UK who have recently released their single ‘Woman’ as well as supporting Samantha Fish on her October 2024 UK Tour. Drummer Ben Schulze chatted to us about the new single, favourite instruments and more:

Who is in The Zac Schulze Gang, what do they play and how did you meet?

 The band is Zac Schulze on guitar and vocals, Anthony Greenwell on bass and vocals and Ben Schulze on drums. I (Ben) and Zac are brothers, and we met Ant, our bass player, at secondary school.

When did you begin songwriting?

I began songwriting when I was around 14 or 15 in my first punk band.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Listening to ELO’s Twilight on cassette in my mum’s car. 

Your new single ‘Woman’ is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the song?

We just wanted to write a solid fast-paced rock song that showcases our influences as a band. 

Where did you record the single and who produced it?

We recorded it in Whitstable with Ian Sadler at Really BIG Audio.

 In addition, you will release new album in early 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

We are still writing it, we want to make sure it’s only us three that are involved with the making of it and we will be recording most (if not all) of it live with no click track.

Where will you record the upcoming album, and who will produce it?

We will be back with Ian Sadler at Really BIG Audio.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the recording sessions?

Yeah definitely some funny moments, can’t remember off the top of my head but usually involves watching some very out-of-the-box YouTube videos to keep us inspired/awake. 

‘Woman’ is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it? What did you try to achieve with the video?

We just wanted a pro-looking performance vid in a big space like what British alt-rock bands use to do in 2012-2014. We wanted to capture the energy of the band and the guys at Wild Stag Studios did a great job achieving that. 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage? 

To still be breathing? As long as people remember the show, we’ve put on that’s what matters to us. If they like it, that’s a bonus. 

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones, tambourines, kazoos, etc?

Yeah, Zac uses a Squier Strat or sometimes a Gibson, Ant’s using a fender jazz bass at the moment I think, I always use Zildjian cymbals and switch between Gretsch and Tama kits. We don’t use many effects or pedals; we don’t really need them. 

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words? Try not to use four letter words.

Gillingham, Kent. Five words: Lovely, Peaceful, Bountiful, Clean, Inspirational

Which of the tracks on the forthcoming album hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

a) Probably a new song called Betterland b) most of the tracks c) this slow one I guess, sorry none of them have proper titles yet! 

How do you look after your voices?

Smoking, drinking and fry-ups! Lemon and ginger tea seems to help

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why? 

I haven’t read it (I don’t think I’ve read any books really) but it would be the Bible, and the score would be us badly covering Motorhead songs. 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Nine Below Zero, Rory Gallagher, Dr Feelgood, Lower Than Atlantis, Wunderhorse, Turnstile, Weezer.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe in 2024/2025?

Yes, a Europe tour in November and many in 2025, dates will be on zacschulzegang.rocks

Was it a difficult album to write? 

Not really!

What makes The Zac Schulze Gang happy and what makes you unhappy? 

Happy that we are able to tour the world and see lots of new places/meet nice people as our job! Unhappy when we lose money on the gambling machines on the ferry to Calais.