ION INDIE MAGAZINE July 2015, Volume 14 | Page 147

Kiki: Having a title like “The Van Zant Legacy” are tall words to live up to. When you hear “Van Zant”, that name represents a
certain sound and image. How does Shanytown differentiate from that?
RM: Shanytown is from the South and Jacksonville, so in that respect, our roots are no different than LYNYRD SKYNYRD, 38
SPECIAL and THE JOHNNY VAN ZANT BAND. However, we have our own distinct sound and do not want to be a clone of the
other Van Zant bands, in sound or image. Johnny and Donnie greatly value their fans and treat them with respect, as did
Ronnie. We also value and respect our fans. The Van Zants are known as good and kind people, and we hope that we are too.
DJ: We have great respect for the Van Zant name, but we think our music has a little more edge to it--a little harder drive
Kiki: Every band has a leader…who is yours?
RM: I am the leader.
DJ: That would be Robbie Morris. He's the one that keeps us in line.
Kiki: Let’s talk about the songwriting process…from where does your inspiration originate? Lyrics first or music?
RM: Our songs originate from life experiences, both private and universal. Music usually comes first with the guitar players
getting together after one comes up with a riff, and they build the sound from there. Then comes lyrics, the arrangement, and
production. However, sometimes lyrics will come first.
DJ: The lyrics and inspiration come from everyday life.
Kiki: Describe your music…
RM: "It's only Rock n' Roll but I like it!" It's a little bit of everything. We've tried not to and do not want to niche ourselves.
You'll hear Rock ‘n' Roll, Southern Rock, Hard Rock, and Country influences. And people seem to appreciate that because we
offer something for everyone. We do not feel compelled to stay in one genre, which can be stifling. We want to be free to deliver
what we are feeling.
DJ: Just good Rock ‘n’ Roll with a southern flair.
Kiki: In this ridiculously saturated market that offers many “cookie cutter” bands, what it is that you bring to the stage that
makes you fresh?
RM: We are definitely not “cookie cutter”. Sure, we want our sound to be commercial, but we want it to be our own sound and
distinguishable from other bands. We want people to say, "Oh, that's Shanytown." and not have to search for the name of
the band they are hearing. First and foremost, we have to be happy with what we bring--or else what's the point? We must
love what we do, and that’s impossible--if we strive to be what everyone else is. A lasting career won't happen if you are cookie
cutter because you aren't authentic.
DJ: We like to think it's the way our music comes across; kind of raw and in your face.
Kiki: When was that defining moment that you KNEW that you wanted to entertain?
RM: There was never a defining moment, per se. Having been raised in the Van Zant family, it came naturally. And, I suppose
there was an unspoken expectation from the family. Uncle Ronnie gave Johnny a set of drums when I was ten. He broke his
arm on my bicycle and I took over the drums because I was lousy on guitar. Ronnie gave my brother "Lil Ronnie" his first guitar
at eight years old. It was ED KING’S Stratocaster. Then, when I was fourteen, Johnny and I started the AUSTIN NICHOLS BAND-which segued into the JOHNNY VAN ZANT BAND.