EMQ’s With Dali’s Llama
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with USA Desert Rockers, Dali’s Llama. Huge thanks to their Guitarist/ Lead Vocalist, Zach Huskey, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
My name is Zach Huskey. I am the guitarist, lead vocalist, and songwriter of Dali’s Llama. My wife, Erica, and I started Dali’s Llama in 1993 in the Palm Springs / Palm Desert area in the Southern California desert. We’ve had different drummers and second guitar players over the years, but our current line-up with Joe Dillon (second guitarist) and Craig Brown (drums) has been together with us for 13 years. Our music has been on movie soundtracks and featured in the music documentary “Lo Sound Desert”. We will be releasing our 17th album later this year.
How did you come up with your band name?
Erica, our bass player was an art major in college. We both were into Zen and meditation, so we came up with a name that had a double meaning / reference – Salvador Dali and the Dali Lama.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
We’re from the Cali desert and play what we call Desert Rock.
What is your latest release?
Our latest album is “Legends of the Desert Volume 3”, a full-length split album with our friends Fatso Jetson. The split was released on Desert Records, a label out in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Early California punk, Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Nuggets Garage Rock compilations, The Who and Black Sabbath.
What first got you into music?
Being a latch-key kid and listening to the radio in the 70’s and hearing certain songs like Free “Alright Now”, Deep Purple “Burn”, early Aerosmith and Bad Company.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I’d have to say Nick Cave on a movie score.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Any of the European Desert Fests (named after our music genre).
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
A bone covered shrine with purple feathers.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Don’t follow trends. Create what you want!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Phil Lynott or Rory Gallagher.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Writing a song and showing it to the band and everyone digs it! I hate the waiting to go on stage, I hate waiting to record, I hate waiting for the album to come out. I hate waiting.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
That small artists would be able to make the money they deserve.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Machine Gun Etiquette by The Damned.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Vinyl is the best and CD’s are second.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Probably the time a bunch of local desert bands played at Pappy and Harriets in Pioneertown and we sold out the place. It was a great show! Also, the time we opened up for Robin Trower.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I would be traveling and painting.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Charles Ives, Richard Dawkins, Charles Bukowski, Daniel O’Connell, and John Coltrane.
What’s next for the band?
We are currently mixing our next full-length album to be released later in 2023.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://dalisllama.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/dalisllama/
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
What the hell are Jaffa cakes?
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Please support all Southern California desert rock. Thank you for listening!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.