Drink the Fear: A Chat with Zac Maloy of the Nixons

Discography:

Halo (RainMaker, 1994)

Foma (MCA, 1995)

The Nixons (MCA, 1997)

Latest Thing (Koch, 2000)

Popular Tracks: Sister, The Fall, Happy Song, Baton Rouge

Proving that Oklahoma had more to offer besides country and the Flaming Lips, the Nixons quickly scored a deal with MCA and had a smash across the board with “Sister.” The band even opened for Kiss! Though the band fell apart after everyone moved on, frontman Zac Maloy became an in-demand songwriter and drummer John Humphrey became the drummer of Seether. In 2017, the band reunited and in 2021 they released some new music and went back out on the road, still sounding as great as they did back in the day. A few years back, Zac was kind enough to share his memories of the band's time in the spotlight

Pete Crigler: When did you become interested in music?

Zac Maloy: My grandfather was a country singer, so those old Cash, Merle songs…were the first songs I remember hearing. Then, Zeppelin came through a friend’s older brother’s car stereo...

Pete: When did the Nixons come together and what was the music scene around you like?

Zac: We started in 1990 in the OKC/Norman music scene which was actually pretty healthy: Flaming Lips, Chainsaw Kittens and a few other “for real” bands were kicking around.

Pete: How did the band develop its sound?

Zac: We really just wanted to be loud and heavy…it started with that. Then just all the aggressive bands of the time…mixed with some old school Who and Zep.

Pete: What was it like recording Halo?

Zac: It was guerrilla style for sure. Between gigs, late at night...

Pete: How did the band come to sign with MCA and how do you feel about it now?

Zac: They became aware of us after “Sister” got some pretty substantial regional radio play; flew us out wined and dined. And I am thankful and look back fondly on that time and those people.

Pete: Tell me about recording Foma and how did Glenn Tipton come to guest?

Zac: Mark Dodson, our producer, also produced Judas Priest. He just called him up and Glenn tracked that in his home studio and sent it over. We met him later in the process and that was badass! The whole Foma recording was amazing and also…I don’t remember a few of those nights:)

Pete: What was the inspiration for Sister?

Zac: This is the simplest answer: my sis moved from Oklahoma to California; I sent her a postcard with many of those words on that postcard made the final lyric draft.

Pete: What was success like and how did everyone react to it?

Zac: It was a lot of fun to see yourself on MTV and in Rolling Stone Magazine. Those are dream come try kinda moments. But really didn’t change any of us…we just kept our heads down and kept making music and touring.

Pete: What caused Ricky Brooks to leave?

Zac: There were just tons of creative differences that led to the break up; we felt we needed to make a change. 

Pete: Was there any pressure when it came to the self-titled album?

Zac: For sure. Anyone who says there’s no pressure is just not being honest. On any album on a major label. But I will say it was super fun writing and recording that LP, that truly outweighed any feelings of pressure.

Pete: Was there disappointment when it didn’t do as well?

Zac: For sure. Anyone who says there’s no disappointment is just not being honest. On any album on a major label; that underperforms. Now, in the same spirit of that last answer: I am super proud of the final product. I stand by it all this time later. 

Pete: Tell me about the recording of Latest Thing; how did it come to land at Koch?

Zac: Those sessions were also a lot of fun. In Charlotte (great city, killer food) with Steven Haigler who had worked with artists like The Pixies and Bob Mould. The label at the time just didn’t feel as emotionally attached to the band at this point. It was pretty much all different employees from the President down to the radio folks on the ground. To their credit: they gave that album to go shop. Koch came calling with a great offer and a lot of energy.

Pete: What caused John Humphrey to leave and what was it like bringing in Ray Luzier?

Zac: This is probably the lowest point for me looking back. I won’t get into the nitty gritty but basically: we were all just not seeing eye to eye at all. And made some choices that we probably all regret in some way. Ultimately, I felt I had to go out there and support this record I was really proud of; but it was tough. Broken record alert: I am also VERY proud of this album. In fact, it’s probably my favorite in terms of actual songs, songwriting and production. 

Pete: What ultimately caused the band to disband?

Zac: Just felt like we were running on fumes at the end. I was also a new father and it just wasn’t inspiring anymore. 

Pete: How did you come to switch sides and become a writer/producer?

Zac: Sort of fell into it. The songwriting thing was a couple incidents: Jaret from Bowling for Soup called me and asked if I would cowrite with him and I ended up with a few cuts, then a song I had recorded on a solo album found its way on the first Daughtry album. Built a studio in Tulsa and started working with local artists then worked my way up to working with tons of folks on all levels. I am lucky enough to be able to work with a great publisher in Warner Chappell, formerly with Sony…and have met so many great folks I am able to continue getting cuts and making music.

Pete: Did everyone in the band keep in touch during the break?

Zac: John, Jesse and I a little. But Ricky and I hadn’t spoken in over 15 years. So, it’s been super healthy and very cool to bury those hatchets and get back to being a rock band.

Pete: What was the impetus for the reunion and what has fan reaction been like?

Zac: It was just time to put the past aside and play a rock show. The first shows were sold out and the reaction was pretty mind boggling and so appreciated.

Pete: What are the current plans for the band?

Zac: We are actually working on new music right now. And more shows. opening slot for Smashing Pumpkins soon, then just keep on rockin’.

Pete: What is everyone up to outside of the band?

Zac: I am a full-time songwriter in Nashville and continue to write and produce. Jesse and Ricky are making music and have their hands in other businesses and endeavors. John is the full-time drummer for Seether.

Pete: What do you think of the impact of alternative rock in the ‘90s?

Zac:  It was profound. It was perhaps the last great music wave of that depth, energy and emotion. 

Pete: What do you hope the Nixons’ legacy will be?

Zac: That we wrote meaningful music and lyrics. And worked. And entertained, at all costs.