Cheap Shot had the good fortune of speaking with Rachel Minton (aka Rach), singer and keyboard whiz for spunk rock band Zolof the Rock and Roll Destroyer. The band has been busy recording up a storm, but Rach took the time to chat with us via internet messages. Ahh, internetz...what can't you do? Anyway, the correspondence was a pleasure, and Rach was very good to talk to us. Check it out below.

CS: What is the latest with Zolof? How are the new recordings coming?

Rach: We're having a lot of fun with the new record. Right now we're really close to being finished, so we're just adding in the fun stuff. After the new record is completely done we're starting to record the songs for our split with Reel Big Fish. We're super psyched to get started on that cause we just heard some rough tracks of the Reel Big Fish songs. All of the songs on the split are going to incorporate elements from both of our bands, so this should be interesting.

CS:Are there any tours in the works to coincide with the new material?

Rach: Well, this is a studio summer for us. We expect to start touring again in the fall. We're working on some ideas for touring, but nothing is definite yet.

CS: What have you been listening to lately?

Rach: The Beatles, Sebadoh, Jeff Tweedy, Blink 182, sooo much Phil Collins, Reel Big Fish, Cyndi Lauper.

CS: What is your favorite Philadelphia-area venue to play?

Rach: We definitely love playing halls, but we especially love playing the Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall in Fairless Hills.

CS: Looking at most of your album artwork, I have to wonder: is anyone in the band a huge fan of old Japanese cartoons?

Rach: Actually, we had different artwork being worked on for Jalopy Go Far when Rick Robot, of Hello Voltage, came to us with some of his sketches & ideas. In a split second [we] chose it for Jalopy Go Far because it fit the mood perfectly. We decided to use Rick again for The Popsicle EP. The new album, however, will have a different designer.

CS: Zolof and Reel Big Fish have become increasingly close over the years (after several tours and a split EP, due in September). How did the friendship start?

Rach: Well, we're all a little quirky and we just hit it off really well on tour...we've been pals ever since.

CS: What inspired you to start playing music? Did you always sing?

Rach: I was playing music, piano mostly, at a really young age. But singing, I think everyone sings whether they admit it or not. When I sing (especially for Zolof) it feels like I'm driving in a car with the stereo at full blast, singing at the top of my lungs. We've all done that, right?

CS: Any advice for bands just starting out?

Rach: Be grateful for everything you get. Don't get discouraged when 3 people come out to one of your shows cause there might be 1 person who never heard of you before, and that person might leave your show as a new fan. Every band has bad shows, be it attendance or performance, you just can't let it get to you.

CS: Boston or Styx? You MUST pick one!

Rach: I think I'm going to have to say Boston, but "Mr. Roboto" is a damn fine song.

CS: Finally, why can't every band learn to be as fun as Zolof?

Rach: Well, I think we need balance in our music. But mostly, I need my metal, too.