3 Feet High & Rising: "Keeping Company" with Ferentz & The Felons' Frontman, Guitarist & Song-writer Zak Ferentz (The Witzard Interview)

"Today is the day that this gets released. There are so many people to thank for this and I hope you all know who you are, so "thank you" a million times. I sat in a room writing these songs on an acoustic guitar and every time I would finish a song, I would take my guitar and go see my mother. I would go into her apartment and play the song for her, letting her hear everything first. My mother loved every song, but all she asked for me to do was to always make sure that I kept the music real and pure with lyrics that people can relate to. "Put your pain out into the world, so others can heal, Zak." Those were her exact words. So, I just want to say that is what I will always do; I will always write music to help people feel less alone. I will always write music that will have a positive message for not only myself, but for every person that listens. To anyone suffering from anxiety, depression, family problems, mental illness, addiction, fear, or any other form of suffering: just know that you're human and you join 7 billion other people, who will suffer from one of the above, at some point in their life. We are all together and we are all Felons. Peace and love!" Ferentz & The Felons frontman Zak Ferentz wrote within a heart-warming Instagram post.

Just this past Friday, July 13, 2018, New Jersey-bred Folk Rockers Ferentz & The Felons unleashed their debut EP, Hudson County, which was premiered exclusively at Pop MATTERS. Zak Ferentz himself fittingly described Hudson County as something along the lines of "having Tom Petty & Neil Young write a record for Madball." Ferentz & The Felons' phenomenal 5-track debut, Hudson County EP is now available to stream or purchase from Apple Music, Google Play, Soundcloud, Spotify, and like-minded digital retailers, as well as directly from The Felons on the road. The Witzard was lucky enough to send a batch of questions to Ferentz & The Felons' frontman, guitarist, and primary song-writer Zak Ferentz; ch-check out our comprehensive interview below, which has been lightly edited for general clarity. Shout-out to Zak Ferentz for being so honest, open, and vulnerable and essentially, putting it all out on the table for the greater good of the music-loving world!


Sincerely,

Matt "The Witzard" Horowitz
Founder & Editor-In-Chief

I. How did you ultimately, decide on the group name "Ferentz & The Felons?" Who are your fellow Felons and what does each member contribute within the group setting?

I was going to go out as a solo artist, but I always wanted to have a solid band behind me and "Ferentz & The Felons" just sounded perfect, so it was an easy fit for the band and what I was going for musically and lyrically. As for The Felons, you have Matt Waz on drums, Robert Dudziak on bass, and Rich Catalano on lead guitar & backing vocals.

II. Now, I know you're a founding member of Metal/Hardcore band, War Story... but what were some of your greatest musical inspirations and influences while creating your Hudson County EP? I personally, sense elements of Johnny Cash, East Coast Punk/Hardcore, American tattoo culture, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and even fellow New Jersians The Gaslight Anthem throughout Hudson County!

You hit the nail on the head! I always loved a wide variety of music and all of the above are definitely influences for me. I come from an urban environment, so I always list that as an influence. There's something about being from a city that just separates you from the rest. But to better explain my influences with The Felons, it would be like having Tom Petty & Neil Young write a record for Madball haha.


III. What were The Felons' typical recording processes like while creating Hudson County? For example, how exactly was "Note to Self" created from beginning to end?

I wrote all of the songs on an acoustic guitar in my room and then, I showed them to the band and we put them together, as a whole. When we hit the studio, the songs were all about 90% complete and we took the time to put final touches on them, as we were recording.

IV. Ferentz & The Felons' debut EP, Hudson County, really seems like a deeply personal, multi-layered 5-track affair; would you mind briefly discussing the lyrical themes and real life experiences that helped shape each track, Zak?

I dug pretty deep with this first outing and, although, it seems personal, it is relatable to most people. I think of where everyone's problems start and it's usually at home with their family, so I made sure I spoke of my upbringing. I grew up in public housing with both parents battling heavy heroin addiction. Times got really tough and it took until only a few years ago to really get rid of a lot of my demons that were destroying me.

Last month, I lost my mother; she took her life with drugs and as much as I want to break down and let those demons back in, I have to think of how many people I can motivate and inspire to push forward by understanding and staying positive. There are so many people out there struggling with mental health, addiction, fear, etc. that I feel it's my duty, as a strong individual, to give back to this world with the most positive force and that's what this record is about. It's about putting my story out there, so others can feel less alone. It's about inspiring people to embrace their flaws and their demons, so that together, we can get over them.


V. If you could, hypothetically, pick just 5 "Desert Island" albums to from now until the end of eternity, which albums would you chose and why?

Tom Petty - "Wildflowers" (1994): This record should be the definition of American Rock "N" Roll. It has some of the best song-writing I've ever heard and it makes me think of the days I spent with my mother. Tom Petty will always go down as a family favorite for us.

Madball - Hold It Down (2000): Madball will always be one of my all-time favorites and to me, this record blends the old and the new. They define the DIY mentality and for that, I'll always love this band and record.

Neil Young - Harvest (1972): Lyrically and musically, genius. Neil is a man who stands behind his music, a man that lives his words, and Harvest defines his career. One of the best to ever do it!


Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power (1991): In my opinion, it's the greatest Heavy Metal album of all time. It has some of the best riffs, drums, bass lines, vocals, and lyrics ever written. This album helped mold me into the man I am today.

50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2003): I was raised in the projects lol and when 50 hit the scene, this album blew us away. The hunger and pain in every word made me feel so much of this record. To me, this is easily, Top 5 Hip-Hop records of all-time, but for me it's #1.

VI. Now that your Hudson County EP has been effectively unleashed into the terribly unsuspecting world, what's next for Ferentz & The Felons?

We're out here pushing this release everyday. We have some really cool shows lined up and we just shot a video for a special song! I'm constantly writing and working with the band on new songs/ideas, but for now, we're going to just play this EP to as many ears as we can!