One of Zach Hill's most defining characteristics as a drummer is his footwork. Many drummers are surprised when they realize that he only uses one bass drum and a single bass drum pedal when he plays. For example, in the song Imaginary Friends from Hella's Church Gone Wild record, Hill employs his characteristic double-stroke bass drum method throughout much of the song, leading many to believe he is using more than one foot to do so, when he is only using his right foot. Zach Hill's set thus far had had generally very low-tuned tom-toms and floor-toms. When playing rhythms back and forth between his bass drum and these tom-toms, it often sounds as if it is all being created by the bass drum. His snare drum sound is often a contrasting highly tuned "crack" sound.
A unique aspect of Zach's style is his liberal use of unconventional sounding cymbals, often referred to as "trash" cymbals. His most commonly and characteristically used trash cymbal consists of broken cymbals (usually between 3 and 4) stacked on top of each other, mounted just to his right of his high tom. This setup produces a harsh sound similar to that of a China cymbal, but with much less sustain. This is easily heard on almost every single Hella release.
In addition Zach has a custom made cymbal with a very warped shape that can be heard on the Holy Smokes album Masculine Drugs (clearly audible starting at 1:36 on the song Masculine Drugs (Tri-Duplex Edit)) the Hella album Church Gone Wild, The Ladies' first album, They Mean Us, and the Zach Hill & Mick Barr album Shred Earthship.
Zach also utilizes complex time signatures into his drumming. Zach has developed these time signatures through playing, and goes by feeling a beat rather than figuring it out "traditionally".
Another notable aspect of Hill's playing is that he is an extremely hard hitter. His equipment tends to wear down very fast due to the combination of the speed and power of his playing, which has been known to break lug casings and bend the top hoops of his drums from the sheer force of his technique.
In addition to music, Zach is also a visual artist. His art has been featured in the packaging to many of his musical releases. One of the most notable examples is his fully illustrated book Destroying Yourself is Too Accessible which included the Zach Hill and Holy Smokes album Masculine Drugs, released in 2004 on TNI books and Suicide Squeeze Records. The cover art of the Hella album The Devil Isn't Red, the artwork to There's No 666 in Outer Space and The Bitches Ain't Shit But Good People EP, and drawings in The Ladies They Mean Us are all credited to Zach; as well as art direction credits on many releases such as Hella's debut full length, Hold Your Horse Is, and their Total Bugs Bunny on Wild Bass EP, and the eponymously titled Nervous Cop record. He receives photography credit in addition to his many musical contributions on the debut Team Sleep album. He has also designed t-shirts and promotional posters for Hella and Team Sleep.
The Sacramento, California art space Fools Foundation ran an exhibition of Zach's art, titled Poltergeist, from April 1 to April 29 in 2006. Parts of the exhibit are visible in the photos accompanying Zach's article in the August 2006 issue of Modern Drummer and on the Fools Foundation.
Memo To The Man
Zach Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you know
what to do
everybody
looking at the ring
they don't know what to think
the meds fell in a pit, and that was it
future, snap to thirds
maybe friday
tvs on the beach
i hope that it is deep
my head is so slow
the moon is low
got it back
touch it
burn the disc
make a circle
take me off the list
my clothes don't even fit
reflection is gone
i could be wrong
by the pool
panic
we should leave
early morning
falling from the trees
the wall is in my eye
the birds are on time
cancel if you can
you found the memo to the man
it rained so i forgot about it
now my ears are ringing
step, step, step, watch where i step
cancel if you can
you found the memo to the man
who's the first caller?
my ears are ringing
The lyrics of "Memo To The Man" by Zach Hill are quite cryptic and open to interpretation. However, there are a few themes that could be gleaned from the song. The song starts quite abruptly with the lines "that was that, you know what to do". This can be interpreted as a call to action, perhaps referring to a certain situation that has just been resolved. The subsequent lines, "everybody looking at the ring, they don't know what to think" could refer to confusion or uncertainty among a group of people, who might be trying to make sense of something.
The following lines, "the meds fell in a pit, and that was it, on the outs" could mean that someone's medication fell into a pit (either literally or figuratively) and that they are now out of luck or resources. This is followed by the lines, "future, snap to thirds, maybe friday, tvs on the beach, i hope that it is deep, my head is so slow, the moon is low", which could be an attempt to piece together disparate thoughts, ideas and fragments of information. The imagery of "tvs on the beach" and "the moon is low" contrast with the earlier lines about medication, creating a sense of disorientation or disconnect.
The song then moves on to other themes such as burning CDs, leaving pools, birds and a memo being delivered to someone. It is clear from the lyrics that the song is more concerned with creating a certain mood or atmosphere than telling a coherent story or narrative.
Line by Line Meaning
that was that
A decisive action has been taken and there is no going back
you know
You are aware of the situation at hand
what to do
How to proceed with the given course of action is clear
everybody
All individuals involved or present
looking at the ring
There is a shared object of focus amongst the group
they don't know what to think
Confusion and uncertainty surround the situation
the meds fell in a pit, and that was it
An unfortunate event occurred and it had immediate and permanent consequences
on the outs
Currently feeling disconnected or estranged from something or someone
future, snap to thirds
The immediate future has been segmented into thirds, implying a sense of urgency or timeliness
maybe friday
This timeframe could be a possibility for something to happen
tvs on the beach
A surreal and unconventional sight
i hope that it is deep
Wishing for a significant or profound experience
my head is so slow
Feeling mentally lethargic or sluggish
the moon is low
The moon is visible and seems to be hovering low to the ground or horizon
got it back
Successfully recovered or regained something previously lost
touch it
Physical interaction with an object or idea is needed
burn the disc
The act of creating and/or destroying something physical
make a circle
Forming a symbolic or protective circle around oneself or others
take me off the list
Do not include me in future plans or events
my clothes don't even fit
Current physical state does not correlate with past clothing size
reflection is gone
Mental and emotional self-reflection is currently not present or accessible
i could be wrong
Admitting uncertainty or fallibility
by the pool
Physically located in the vicinity of a pool
panic
A sudden, overwhelming feeling of fear or anxiety
we should leave
It is necessary or desirable to depart from the current location or situation
early morning
The time of day when the sun is just beginning to rise
falling from the trees
Leaves or other objects falling from above
the wall is in my eye
A physical obstruction is causing vision impairment
the birds are on time
Natural patterns and cycles are occurring as expected
cancel if you can
If possible, terminate plans or engagements
you found the memo to the man
Discovering a document or message that informs the recipient of something important
it rained so i forgot about it
An event or task was forgotten due to external circumstances such as rain
now my ears are ringing
Experiencing a high-pitched noise in one's ears, often related to loud noises or exposure to music
step, step, step, watch where i step
Deliberately and carefully moving forward, remaining aware and alert to potential hazards or obstacles
who's the first caller?
Questioning the identity of the first individual to contact someone or something
my ears are ringing
Experiencing a high-pitched noise in one's ears, often related to loud noises or exposure to music
Contributed by Zachary L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.