Sunday, June 27, 1999 | 4:22 a.m.
Richard Fenkel
Las Vegas Weekly
First published June 16, 1998.
Bands come and go, but some names last forever.
One unforgettably named band that is native to Las Vegas is Zen Exit. The group includes Kelly Zander Gaughan, who is the lead vocalist; Todd Janko, who plays lead guitar; Dave Avillion on drums; Carl Herman on bass; and Wyatt Rakich, who plays a dual role as keyboardist and guitarist. Most of the band has been playing together for three years.
Live in the Moment
The band members have been together for a while, but the name is a relatively new creation.
"We all were throwing out ideas," explains Gaughan, "and we all kind of buy in to the Zen Philosophy. We just like to accept all different kinds of musical influences and attitudes too. It blends all sorts of different styles and attitudes, and our music goes from a bluesy-type thing to a punk thing within one song. We think, therefore, that the Zen Philosophy is kind of representative of us musically."
Janko has a different interpretation of Zen. "Live in the moment," he says. Whatever influences the band's sound, it remains difficult to categorize. "I can't describe it, and we can't label it," Janko says.
"If I had to (describe our sound), it would be 'pop alternative,' but since we blend so many different sounds, it's hard to say," adds Gaughan.
One element of Zen Exit that makes its sound difficult to classify is the band's use of many different instruments. Sax, guitars, keyboards, trumpets and drums are just a few of the different instruments played on Island of Tahoe, the band's debut CD, containing 12 original songs. Each song contains a different theme.
For instance, Gaughan explains how she came up with the idea for "Switzerland."
"I was in Hawaii, and I thought of that one. It was just an idea about not taking sides and not getting into arguments and trying to see everyone's point of view."
Gaughan gets several of her ideas from traveling.
"Getting out of the states really opens your mind."
Whether in or out of Las Vegas, the band continues to work on new material. When writing new music, Gaughan collaborates with guitarist Janko.
"She and I will work on the arrangements," explains Janko. "We just sit down together. I'll come up with some music riffs, and sometimes we crank out songs within five or ten minutes. We're pretty spontaneous songwriters, and that's always been the magic behind the band."
Many Hands Clapping
The band prefers to allocate more of its time to writing than to playing live excessively. However, the band enjoys the support of its fans.
"We appeal to all audiences," says Janko. "It's hard to explain, but in the last year, I know I've got eleven-year-old fans taking our CD to school and showing it to their friends."
One likely reason that Zen Exit has fans of all ages is that the group gives fans a great, fun show.
"It's really fun, happy and energetic. Everyone jumps around; it's kind of kooky, I guess. It's not very choreographed. We all have our own little thing we want to do, and it's really pretty much flow and go," says Gaughan.
And speaking of going, Zen Exit is pleased that Las Vegas is offering more and more in the way of a local scene.
"I think it's getting to be really great, and it's booming," says Gaughan. "Within the past three years, it has grown so much and gotten so much better for all kinds of bands. There are so many different types of groups out there."
Janko adds, "As far as the scene goes, it is so diverse, and that is what makes it work. The great thing about the music scene is that people support one another."
Whatever Happens Will Be Good
Besides the growing local concert scene, Las Vegans can listen to songs by Zen Exit on KOMP's Homegrown Hour. Radio is a great tool to promote bands, but Zen Exit also wants to increase its exposure and play some venues outside of Las Vegas.
"We would like to get on the road a little bit," says Gaughan, "and do some regional touring. We might get some help with distribution from the efforts we are going to put into it this summer. We may do some national showcases."
The band is looking forward to upcoming shows--here and elsewhere--but, Gaughan explains, is taking it one day at a time.
"Whatever falls into our laps we are going to be happy with. We put in an effort, so we feel pretty confident and happy that whatever happens will be good."
Spoken like a true Zen master.
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