Tanks of Zen

Tanks of Zen is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, led by singer-guitarist Nick Pollock, who has previously fronted the bands My Sister's Machine and Soulbender.^[1][2] Pollock has also played guitar in an early incarnation of Alice in Chains alongside singer Layne Staley; they called themselves Alice N' Chains.^[1][3]

History

Formation and American Hangover (1994-2001)

Tanks of Zen has purportedly been in the works ever since the break-up of My Sister's Machine back in 1994.^[1] In 2000, the band recorded a set of eleven songs under the working title American Hangover.^[1][4] A music video shot in black-and-white was released for the song “Through the Red Lie”. It features all four members of the band at that time – Nick Pollock (vocals), Tim Jones (guitar), Steve Rehnstrom (bass guitar), and Todd Marvin (drums) – performing in studio intercut with scenes of a man and a woman, portrayed respectively by Pollock and his friend Bobbi Maas Woods, fighting in a bedroom. Despite this, however, American Hangover has so far never been properly released most likely due to a lack of financial support.

Hiatus and Soulbender (2001-2007)

In 2001, Pollock formed the band Soulbender, which also featured long-time Queensrÿche guitarist Michael Wilton.^[1] When Pollock’s friend and former bandmate Layne Staley died in 2002, Pollock performed with Soulbender at the very first annual tribute held on what would have been Staley’s 35th birthday on August 22 that year.^[5] Two years later, the band released their eponymous debut album Soulbender, Pollock’s first properly released studio record in nearly 11 years. Pollock continued to perform with Soulbender until he stepped down in 2007 to take care of some personal issues according to Michael Wilton.^[6]

Reunion and Love’s Gentle Maw (2008-present)

In 2008, Tanks of Zen reemerged with Pollock fronting a new lineup that included guitarist Matt Johnson, bassist Dan Scott, and drummer Mark Locke.^[1] They also announced their plans to record a new set of songs under the working title Love’s Gentle Maw,^[1] which has been described by the band as a concept album dealing in relationships. The band continued to play several gigs throughout the Seattle area as a quartet before Johnson left the band some time in early 2010. Later that summer, the remaining members announced that they had finished recording the album and launched a pledge drive to get it mixed.^[2] In addition to offering backers the album itself, Pollock also put up other items from his previous bands, depending on the amount they were willing to pledge. The band surpassed their goal of raising $5,000 by September 13 with this drive and announced that the mixing process would proceed.

As of 2011, Love’s Gentle Maw was announced to be in the final production stages in order for it to be released. On June 9, the band announced on their Facebook page that veteran engineers Eric Janko and Eddy Schreyer, who previously worked with Pollock on Soulbender,^[7] were set to master the album; Schreyer has also mastered albums by Alice in Chains.^[8] The band held a CD release park at the Feedback Lounge in West Seattle on September 30. Shortly after that, Love's Gentle Maw was made available on CDBaby.^[9]

Band members

• Nick Pollock – vocals, guitar
• Dan Scott – bass
• Mark Locke – drums

Former members

• Matt Johnson – guitar
• Tim Jones – guitar
• Steve Rehnstrom – bass
• Todd Marvin – drums

Guest musicians

• Owen Wright - guitar solos on "Alibi" and "Gravity"

Discography

• American Hangover (2000)
• Love's Gentle Maw (2011)

References