Chele’s Blog

You may know Zach Selwyn from ESPN’s ‘Dream Job’ or G4’s ‘Attack of the Show’. If you don’t know him, or if you do, here are some things that you may not know.

What inspired you to become a musician?

Other musicians, 1960’s and 70’s influences, acoustic guitars by campfire, cannabis and the fact that a lot of musicians had hot girlfriends…

Your music is unique. How did you come up with that type of style?

I was freestyle-rapping for beers in college and playing guitar for the love of country-rock music in-between… One day i decided to combine rap and country and do some original songs - my band Zachariah was born around 2000 - and we recorded some tunes on home Protools equipment but it wasnt until 2002 that we moved to a big studio and recorded GHOST SIGNS - -

If you could play/sing any other type of music what would it be?

I wish I could play real bad-ass bluegrass and pedal steel guitar

How long have you been playing guitar?

Since about 1993 - when I was 18

How long have you been singing?

My first public appearance was in 5th grade at the talent show - I was a rapping surfer kid in a band named BERMUDA BUMS - I got that taste of performance in my mouth and never wanted to look back…

Which do you like best? Singing or playing the guitar?

Im a better singer than a guitar player, but I cant do either one real well without the other…

What motivates you to continue what you’re doing?

I just have a passion for performance and music and making people FEEL something - be it laughter, sadness or utter freedom, I’m addicted to the pulse of what comes from an audience - I guess its hard to explain, but anyone else who does what I do for a living will understand!

What’s your favorite song that you play?

It seems to change every day! Right now it’s a new one called “Pass the Hours” but just last week it was “Telluride” (From 2007’s ALCOHOLIDAY)

What’s your favorite song, period?

Eeeek. Another impossible question. I think, over the years, the number one song that has been on my top lists has to be “Fountain of Sorrow” by Jackson Browne. (1974 - Late for the Sky) “I Burn for You” (live - Bring on the Night) by Sting is another song that has been with me since I was about 10.

Who are some of your favorite bands/artists?

Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, Eagles, Gram Parsons, Willie Nelson, Waylon, Kristofferson, Cash, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Ryan Adams, Beastie Boys, Ramblin Jack, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Jayhawks, Wilco, RUN DMC, Bonnie Raitt, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Little Feat, Byrds, and Neil motha fucking YOUNG.

If you could bring one thing/person with you on a desert island, what would it be?

My wife and son.

Is a new album in the works?

YES! We have a new cd were preparing to release featuring 11 tracks that were recorded for films and performed on ATTACK of the SHOW - so we are gonna get these tracks out before the next CD - It’ll feature I Wanna be a Lawnmower,” “Stargate, Atlantis” and a buncy little childrens ditty called “Chubby Cheeks.”

Dead and Breakfast is one of my favorite movies. How did you feel playing a role in the movie? Have you played any other roles in any other movies?

Ha - yes, actually and thanks! I have been acting professionally since 1997 - you can check my credits at IMDB.com - Im most excited about a film I did called LOWER LEARNING coming out in 2008…

Your skits on G4 are hilarious. How do you come up with the skits? Do you write them yourself? What’s your favorite skit?

YES! I write them myself, and my brother Jesse has directed most of them - I have a back catalogue from years of sketch comedy in L.A. that I dip into for the show - Unless I need to write something specific like “Porno Fireplace” with Ron Jeremy. My favorite has to be Porno Fireplace, but I will always love Crosby Stills Nash and Usher and Awire Cologne!

What was your favorite part about being on ESPN’s Dream Job?

The experience was incredible and it opened a lot of doors for me! I loved talking about sports all day, although in the back of my head, it was probably the great people I met during and after the show. Other contestants, fans and persons with similar interests as mine!

Don’t know who RENFUE is? Well they’re a band out of a small city called Santa Clarita Valley. They have a great style. Check them out here

The bands name, RENFUE, where did it come from?

Renfue was just something that popped in my head one day. It actually started out with a slightly different spelling- “Renfew,” (which is the proper pronunciation) but after some collaboration with the band we went with Renfue. I guess it turns out its a surname though.

How long has the band been together?

The skeleton of the band began taking shape in September 2006, although it wouldn’t be until a year from then that things got serious Renfue did begin in 06′. Early development of the band was a lot of pre-production instrumental tracks recorded in Robs bedroom, burned on a disc and then given to Yvonne who at the time lived in Sacramento.

How would you guys describe your music?

I think our music is something a lot of people can connect with. There is a good balance, its mature in its immaturity i guess you could say.

Name some of your biggest influences.

Its hard to say each member has such different influences that they derive inspiration from.

If you could join any record label which would it be and why?

Thats hard to say. Its mainly what is the best offer that suites us the most. In our personal lives and touring, recording, merch and what not. Be it be indie or major.

What’s your favorite song to perform?

I think we would agree that “I’ve said too much” is a fun one, its a bit heavy so its always a pleasure.

Do you have any EP’s, singles or albums out? If so where can people buy them from?

We have a 4 track self titled EP out, easiest way to get it is on iTunes.

It seems that you’re a pretty popular band and you guys are based out of a small city. Do you have a lot of loyal fans?

Well i wouldn’t say popular! Haha I wish we were at that level. But yes we are from a smaller city called Santa Clarita in Southern California. Its an awesome town with a great music scene thats still on the under ground. And we do have very loyal fans that are always there to back us up and support us. Not to mention we have tons of loyal fans all over the world that support us. Our fan page is run by a girl in Australia.

I know you guys have recently had a fan site put up by a fan. Are you flattered? Are there a lot of people on the fan site?

Yes we are absolutely grateful for that and her names Lisha and shes been so awesome to us! We also have other sites run by fans on websites like Live Journal, Facebook, Myspace etc.. Its so new and awesome to us we will appreciate it for ever!

What band(s) would you most like to tour with?

There is so many we can list its hard to say, but a few we would love to tour with would probably be Thrice, Lydia, Brand new, Vedera, etc…any of those would be amazing.

If you could meet any artist(s) who would it/they be?

Well that also is another question mixed between all of our members. Thrice is a huge influence to all of us so that would definitely be one.

How many songs have you guys written? On average, how many songs do you perform at a show?

We have written about 15 some odd songs. Some are still just ideas, some are on the back burner at the moment. We are looking forward to getting some time to complete them. On average we play about 6 songs live. It all depends on our time slot, set up time and other random stuff that happens before we start.

What band do you like playing with most?

Well we always love playing with our good friends Set To Stun. They have been close friends of ours for a while now, Great guys. And we love and respect all kinds of music, So we love playing with ever band we get a chance too