Zak Wins WAMI as Best Drummer

Baileys Harbor native Joey Zak was awarded the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) award for Drummer of the Year. Zak, who tours with Milwaukee-based band Marashino, said the recognition came as a surprise. He caught up with the Pulse via email.

“I was out on the road, I think in Austin, Texas getting ready for a show. One of my friends called me and told me that I was nominated for a WAMI. I didn’t take it too seriously. The other nominees in the category were older than I was, but I was told by one of the board members that I was there to represent a new younger generation on its way up. So, I came home from that tour and tried to make it to the awards show. I didn’t go, but a friend, Michael Sean (bellvue suite) was there and texted me to say that I had won best drummer for the year and that there was a huge cheer from all in attendance. This felt really good, because I put my heart and soul into every performance large and small. Playing drums has become a huge release for me… but anyways…. That was pretty cool. Drinks were then on me.”

Marashino is currently working on a new record, which Zak said will be a bit more “aggressive and edgy” than the band’s previous stuff, and the band’s first to be released on a national scale.

In March the band played South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, and this summer they’ll be playing dates with Seether, as well as Chicago’s Mobfest, before hitting the road for a month.

“The band is more focused now then ever and we are keeping our eyes to the sky in order to achieve the next step up the ladder,” said Zak.