ZERO HOUR – Interview with Guitarist Jasun Tipton

ZERO HOUR plays a unique form of prog metal. The quartet holds fast to conventional, mainstream prog rock acts of today such as DREAM THREATER and FATES WARNING, especially in their use of keyboards and clean vocals, but they come across with a much harder disposition. Each member of the group possesses exceptional musical skill: Jasun Tiptun and his twin brother Troy trade off fast, complex rhythms. Drummer Mike Guy follows each complicated rhythm closely and adds a sonorous background. Chris Salanas’ multi-dimensional voice brings order to the chaotic rhythms, and vocalizes the mood set down by each instrument.

The Northern California group maintains a sense of flow and adhesiveness that is quite rare. If one needs proof twins are of the same mind, look no further than ZERO HOUR. The twins started the group in 1993, recorded their demo in 1994, and kept the group together for the next fourteen years. This length of time has afforded the brothers a chance to bestow this closeness on to the rest of the band. Jasun, Troy and Mike have remained with the band through its fifteen-year career. The only change came when Chris Salanas recently joined the band.

ZERO HOUR is currently promoting their sixth full-length recording. Guitarist, Jasun Tiptun spoke in text form with Metal Centre about this latest, progressive offering.

Tell me about the writing and recording process for “Dark Deceiver.”

“Dark Deceiver” did take a little different process than our past CDs. Troy and I did a lot of bouncing back and fourth writing parts in and out of the studio. We would basically have the whole song structured before bringing Mikey into the mix. Everything was well thought out during the recording to make sure the material had longevity. If we wrote a part and it didn't have the same excitement two weeks later, we would replace the part with something that would have a long lasting effect to our ears. I think the biggest thing is Troy and I took control over “Dark Deceiver. “ That wasn't by choice but we knew we had to keep moving forward with the material and not let it come to a stand still. We had that happen before in the past with “A Fragile Mind” and didn't want to fall into to that same state of mind for “Dark Deceiver.” For instance, my brother and I wrote all the lyrics and melodies to “The Power to Believe,” “Dark Deceiver,” “Resurrection” and over ninety percent of “Inner Spirit.” These were the last four songs written for the CD. We had the music written for “Lies,” “The passion of Words” and all of the music and lyrics written for “The Temple Within” before “Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond” was out to the public. Chris fell behind due to having personal issues he needed to deal with in his private life. Troy and I knew in order to get this CD done and out to the listeners that the both of us had to step up and finish the lyrics and melodies.

How does this album compare to you prior releases?

You always want to make a positive statement when doing a new release. “Dark Deceiver” is a positive statement for the band because of the many ways the album excels. It has many great technical passages that my brother and I get to really let loose on. It’s our heaviest material to date, which is one of the attributes we wanted to bring to this disc. The vocal melodies are structured very well and just flow over the material. You can have a three part vocal harmony in the background with a main melody soaring over the sequences. We made some very strong CDs in the past, and we’re happy to say “Dark Deceiver” is at a very high level.

“Dark Deceiver” is a technical album, yet it is not without structure.

Troy and I were very particular with the structure of the disc. As Dino would say, “If it isn’t fun, it isn’t done”. Technical parts can turn into no-nonsense really quick. All areas of the album are very well thought out and very structured for everyone involved. “The Power to Believe,” “Inner Spirit” and “Resurrection” are structured as chapters 1, 2 and 3 of a storyline. It’s very important to have everything structured with our normal to unorthodox formats for us to feel it’s complete.

Speaking of the technical aspect of your band, where did you all learn to play with such speed and fluidity?

I played saxophone, trumpet and baritone for the middle school band in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. In high school, I took piano classes during my freshman, junior and senior year and private lessons doing a lot of reading. Troy started bass lessons in 8th grade because a couple of our friends were starting a band and they needed a bass player. He took private lessons for awhile, and took piano classes in high school. Just after high school was when I finally picked up a guitar and played six to eight hours a day for the next three years. Even though I started late, the training I had from playing baritone, sax and piano helped a ton. There was a ton of music being played by my mom and dad and with the many different styles being played at the house you hear many different moods of rhythm. ELIVIS, THE BEATLES, PAT METHENY, JAMES BROWN, EARTH WIND AND FIRE, GEORGE BENSON, PINK FLOYD, YES and so much more was exposed to my brother and me. There are so many styles we enjoyed hearing that just made us want to develop our own style. I should add, it’s very important to have music in schools and why some schools no longer have music programs is a real shame. I was in school bands and music classes in elementary, middle and high school. You gain so much by learning any instrument. Learning to read music, beats, rhythms, and tempos is the standard and starting point in developing your ear and brain power. I look back now and I’m so thankful for that.

All four members seem telepathically connected. How else would one explain your falcon-like, swift changes? Does part of this synchronicity stem from Jasun and Troy being twins?

Troy and I do have a light switch on when we want to achieve with our material. We don’t really think about as much now because Troy, Mikey and I have been playing music together for over fourteen years. Troy and I always had a vision of writing dark, heavy, technical material supported by many clean passages that add to the dynamic tools in our playing.

At times, the bass and guitar seem to be dueling. Did you compete with each other musically when you were growing up? If so, have you incorporated this competition into your musical compositions?

My brother and I would always encourage each other musically. When it came to sports we would be competitive but musically we always saw us as a team. My brother is an amazing bass player and easily one of the best in the genre. None of us in the band are at his level. That’s why it bums me out to see him go through so much pain with his tendonitis.

The cover art on “Dark Deceiver” is, like the track suggests, quite dark. Is this a dark album overall or does the shadowy cover only represent the title track?

The shadowy cover only represents the song “Dark Deceiver.” “The Power to Believe,” “Inner Spirit” and “Resurrection” are structured as chapter 1, 2 and 3 of a storyline. Each of the other songs on the CD has its own identity as a short story.

Dino Alden produced and engineered the album. How do you feel about his work on the album?

Dino Alden is just the best and really worked incredibly hard on “Dark Deceiver.” Dino is all about adding more colors to the material. Dino is a perfectionist and has the best ears in the business. He does everything sonically while Troy and I just sit and watch in awe. Every release he engineers, mixes, and produces is strong as hell. He is the fifth member of Zero Hour. We are very, very lucky to have Dino as our producer, engineer and he’s a great friend to Troy and I.

In 2006, Chris Salinas took over vocal duties. What does he bring to the band that wasn’t there previous to his entrance?

There’s a different energy level with Chris on vocals. Chris has a fantastic voice, a ton of range and can really bring it live.

ZERO HOUR has played many large festivals including ProgPower USA 7, Power-Prog West, PPC Festival, and Groove or Die. What fest was most special?

Honestly, all of the festivals have been really special. You meet so many great people, and playing on stage for people who love what you create is amazing and rewarding. To travel and see all these amazing places has been an awesome experience. One experience that does standout is our live performance at Progpower Europe. It was our first time in Europe and three weeks after 9/11. We were really feeding off the energy of the crowd at that event. After the third song, they all chanted “USA, USA” and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

What was it like touring Iceland?

Playing Iceland was amazing! Both nights we played to a packed house and screaming listeners. It was great. Our booking agent in Iceland, Thorsteinn, gave us amazing treatment. Iceland is such a beautiful country; we can’t wait to go back. I have to give a shout out to our buddies in Helshare….ATLI YOU AND THE CREW RULE!!

ZERO HOUR will be playing my neck of the woods, San Antonio, Texas, at the South Texas Metal Festival in July. How do you feel about this upcoming show?

We’re excited to be on the festival and it should be awesome. Texas has a great scene and we always enjoy seeing our friends out that way. Another great perk is the food is amazing out there.

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