WHEN the guys from Sydney outfit ZINC decided to send out some demo recordings to talent scouts, they were unprepared for the response.
The trio was swamped with offers from Australia and overseas, but it was a deal with a US management team that caught the band's eye.
``It happened pretty quick for us. We sent out three songs and funnily enough, Mark Holden wanted to sign us,'' Zinc's ADAM RAY said.
``That was only about three weeks after we sent the demo out.
``A guy from LA, who is now our manager, basically told us not to sign anything because he wanted to make an offer.'' Zinc signed to TRAUMA RECORDS, former home of NO DOUBT and BUSH, and headed to Los Angeles to record.
During this time the band caught up with musician RONN MOSS, better known to television viewers as the star of The Bold and the Beautiful , who Zinc supported on his last tour here.
``We actually became really good mates with him and when we moved to LA, he really looked after us,'' Ray said. ``He took us to his house and we had a couple of barbecues with him, which is pretty surreal because my Mum watches The Bold and the Beautiful and then we were hanging out at his house in the Hollywood Hills!'' Ray and fellow members MARK and JOHN O'SHEA spent about 18 months in the US writing material for the album and working with some of the biggest songwriters in the business.
Collaborators included CHARLIE MIDNIGHT, known for his work with soul legend JAMES BROWN, and former HUNTERS AND COLLECTORS frontman MARK SEYMOUR. ``Collaborating was a big factor in going over to the States and hooking up with premium writers,'' Ray said.
``It was an awesome experience. I don't understand why people don't want to collaborate with people because I think it brings out a whole new side of things you would never have really thought of.'' Zinc's debut album Making Sense of Madness will be released early next year and will feature the singles The Morning After and Help Me Help Myself. ``The singles really show where we're coming from. We like to think of ourselves as a pop-rock group with plenty of harmony.'' Zinc will perform at BAR 121 tonight with SMALL MERCIES. Entry is free.
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