The band Cool Beyond Zero met and came together through the medium of the internet and more specifically, the internet collaborative musical site www.musicianscollaboration.com.
After having worked together on a few individual songs, it was decided by the founder member Marc Traynor (Bass Guitar, Songwriting, Lyrics) that it would be a good idea to work with the same consistent group of musicians. He therefore invited Steve McAndrew (Vocals, Guitar, Songwriting, Lyrics), George Williams (Guitar), Jay Schankman (Keyboards) and Todd Vierra (Drums) to join him in his quest to write and release an album. It was around the same time that Marc was unfortunately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Although clearly devastating news, Marc met it head on and quite literally threw every ounce of his energies and creative force into his primary driving force, music. He was fully supported throughout by his dear wife Dany and his two children Alexis and Savanah. The drive and energy that Marc contributed to the project was immense, as he wrote song after song, leaving the other band members struggling to keep up, George proving the first casualty and left after the completion of four songs. Steve also started contributing material, as the band accelerated its output. Sadly however, Marc’s health deteriorated and he ultimately lost his fight, although the intervening two and a half years had seen the creation of many epic songs, a number of which are contained on this album. There are a number of additional tracks featuring Marc that are in various stages of completion and CBZ intend releasing them on a subsequent album at a later date.
Cool Beyond Zero give clear testimony that music is not only a universal language but that it also has the ability to contain within it, the fondest memories of dear friends departed. Listen out for the eerie sound of Marc’s harmonica on some tracks.
This debut Cool Beyond Zero album takes you through many various styles (the band being almost impossible to pigeonhole in terms of style), as they hurtle you through the sheer breakneck Zeppelinesque anthem that is Horizontal Rain, the almost country-ish Mama's Dream, the quirky reggae of 36 Hours In The Day, Marc’s amazing Private Pat lyrical storyline (complete with real Scottish Bagpipes) and the haunting closing piano ballad title track When Mother Time Is On Your Side!
There is a wealth of cumulative experience clear to see and hear throughout this album, reflected in the attention to detail and melody, something held very close and dear to each and every band member's hearts.
We hope you like the album.
We also hope we did you proud, our dearly departed brother Marc.
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