Exclusive Interview with Zarscene
Posted on March 22nd, 2009 by Alain Safa
Exclusive for Lebjournal
It is the spirit of springtime ,you feel it in your skin.
It is the power and the energy of the youth,it moves you to another world.
They´re a group of young Lebanese musicians , full of hope and energy.n 2005 Zarscene
Was formed as a Classic Rock Cover Band
Which has been touring Lebanon ever since July 14th 2006.
Since then, the Band has pushed their passion to a new level.
Each member has his own unique and edgy personality.
All coming from different backgrounds with different influences
which gives their music a tasty new edge.
The Band was proud to release their first video clip in Early march 2009
and their single THRONE OF THE GODS. The band is currently working on their
debut album which is expected to be released in late 2009.
Band Members: Elie Hage ( Vocals ), Charbel Salem ( Drums),
Patrick Moufawad ( Guitar ) , Sam Zouein ( Bass ) , Ziad Kahale ( Keys )
Influences: Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Queen, Scorpions,
Iron Maiden, Europe…
Hometown: Brumana .
Performances : Over 40 performances .
Small gigs in different Pubs all over Lebanon such as :
Nova, Snatch , Bar Louie , Cherry’s , Cheers…
And Big events such as : Winter Fusion 2008 and Sumer Fusion 2008 , AUB outdoors, AUB Woodstocking , 2 TV appearances on Future TV on the program Ajwaa “until now”
And much more…
I want you to meet The band Zarscene in a unique interniew we call it The top 10 of zarscene.
1: Tell us about the name of the band. Where it is from and what does it mean?
Well, it was Elie who came up with the name. He just popped it out one day out of nowhere and we simply thought it was different and decided to stick to it. At first we thought it meant nothing. But 2 years later, our guitarist Patrick found out, surfing the net, that “ZAR” is a healing ritual practiced in Egypt in which a person feeling distressed is rounded by ritual performers that play rhythms and sing songs while he surrenders totally to the music, and in the final state of trance, faints being healed of that which distressed him (Evil Spirits). And we thought that was pretty cool.
2: How was the band formed?
Charbel, Pat, and Sam used to jam together back in the days. Then as the years went by, each went his way and got involved in different lineups. In 2005, Charbel had formed a band with Elaie but due to circumstances they had to simply stop. In late 2005, Charbel and Elaie teamed again with Pat and Sam, followed by Ziad on the keyboards. And so the band was formed.
3: What is the main message in your songs?
The songs at times involve feelings and others
involve fantasies. But the core of the idea is in modern
societies and the “retardation” effect whether it would be
generated by political turmoil, degraded values or superficial
communal goals and thoughts.That said, we can’t be categorized
as despaired people or powerless retreating to ourselves, our view
of the world is a positive one. We do believe that change is coming
and we believe in the furtherance of progress through the way we find best,
“ART” and the human mind.
As much We like to write and sing about
all kinds of fantasies that take the listener to another
dimension away from life’s cruelty and every day’s problems.
It’s just another way for our listeners to just step back and
relax and take the journey to another pleasant realm.
4: Tell us about the activity of your band?
Well we have plans for abroad. Unfortunately bands have no future here in Lebanon but to stay underground and perform typical gigs. We’re lucky we have connections that are capable of conveying the band’s music abroad. And that’s what we’re planning on doing once our album’s released; hopefully in late 2009. We also got into AJWAA (Talent Show on Future TV) and we reached the quarter finals so far. It’s going great so far. The video clip “THRONE OF THE GODS” was a major achievement due to the fact that it’s quite unusual for a Lebanese band.
But there’s surely more to come…

5: Tell us about your dreams and your wishes?
Elaie: My dreams are uncountable, but one of them is to become a successful artist and a star. “My wishes can’t be mentioned because if I do mention them, they won’t happen” ?
Charbel: My dream is simple and obvious: To become a well known and successful musician.
Patrick: My dreams and ambitions go far beyond a good load of cash and beautiful cars that’s for sure. It is my ambition to create a new vision of the world more adapted to the level of progress realized in our days. And hopefully get the message through using art and words of course, always aiming for beauty along the way.
Sam: My dream is to show the whole world what Zarscene is about.
My wish? Well, I just wish to make my dream come true
.
Ziad: Eli, Pat, Sam n Charbel will help my dream come true when we show what music is because we rarely listen to music these days. We’re here to make a difference, to make things clearer; we’ll accentuate the concept “Art” in the world of “Music”
6: Why did you become a musician?
Elaie: Because it’s in my blood. As a kid, I used to sing too but when I first heard about the THE BEATLES everything changed. I turned into a new musician.
Charbel: Music has always been a passion of mine. I started learning music at the age of 7. Plus it runs in the family. As a child I used to spend all my money on music. Music was taking most of my time and all my efforts besides school. I’m actually surprised I managed to pull through school with good grades ha-ha.
Patrick: I believe that a man’s purpose lies deeply in that inner voice, and that inner voice felt at ease when I first held my guitar. It sounds a bit poetic, but I can’t express it any other way, it just felt right. I was 14 back then and didn’t have much of a point of view to think about getting a message. I knew what I know now, it wouldn’t even have been a choice, it would’ve been like an instinct to me, as vital as quenching my thirst.
Sam: It has to do with my family’s musical background, my mother is a pianist and since I was a kid she kept pushing me into music. I discovered my instrument “The Bass” at the age of 13 and fell in love with it. AND YES I AM SELF TAUGHT.
Ziad: My father was one of the best trumpet players in Lebanon the late 60s.
At the age of 6 a piano teacher knocked on my door and helped me throughout the years to discover that music was inside me. It’s a natural power. And now i think i know how to use it.
7: How would you like to describe yourself to the Lebanese Audience?
Elaie: I’ll leave this to the Lebanese Audience to describe me and judge. But I hope they feel what I am singing and how I am singing.
Charbel: Straightforward to a point that some people get offended. I’m simply too honest. Um what else…: Unusual, organized, picky, optimistic, caring…
Patrick: A new fresh voice looking to please the ears and develop the mind.
Sam: A normal but no typical guy. I am the kind of person that lives life the way I want it with a simple life philosophy: “What I don’t accept for myself, I will never accept it to happen for others”.
Ziad: Listen to my music, then tell me yourself !
8: If you could change the situation in the world with your music…what would you like to start with?
Elaie: I will start right where John Lennon stopped.
Charbel: (Laughs) I feel that I’m running for miss world…
I guess it would be freedom from materialism, because money is the source of all conflicts in today’s world.
Patrick: Definitely, the international system. I believe that power equilibrium is at an all time mis adjustment. This situation, giving way to some to benefit from the power
surge strongly affects our lives. what used to be religion in the past now is street thinking, going after the green and shutting our senses to the truth.
Once that is gone and of course proper thinking gives birth to an appropriate system i believe that nothing of the problems we have now would remain.
Sam: “Peace means reloading your guns” and thats what i would like to change 1st.
Ziad: EDUCATION!!. The education we’re having is producing copies of living creatures. We humans are creative but education is destroying our creativity by teaching us how to imitate others . We should at least try to make things clearer concerning this situation in the world. Then the world on it’s own will become better place.
9: If you had the chance to play with the most famous band in the world…
Who could this band be?
Elaie: The Beatles. All the way…
Charbel: Not to sound too typical or anything. Put “UP THE IRONS!!! ” \m/. .. Iron Maiden!
Patrick: Iron Maiden or Pink Floyd. But If I had a chance to actually sit down and get to know members I would definitely go with dream theater.
Samer: Epica… I am in love with their vocalist with Simone Simons. Oh and Protest The Hero.
Ziad: Muse – Protest The Hero
10: What are your plans for the future and what is your last word to Lebjournal readers?
Well as we said before. We have one more live event in late May 2009 at AUB (AUB outdoors) and then the band will be hitting the studio to finish recording the album. We won’t be t during summer (aside from 1 or 2 gigs). But we’ll be definitely out and about once our album is released.
We’d like to thank all readers of www.LebJournal.com who will decide to start supporting the band or who has already. And we promise “kickass” material and performances very soon.
And we from the Lebjournal wish you all the success to once again present the best of the Lebanese spirit to the world.
Visit the Zarscene site on http://www.youtube.com/user/Zarscene











gr8 guys and good luck for you samer zouein my hero and for alain a big thanks for his super super interview and my teers show that guys from my heart.
I’ve been a fan of Zarscene ever since their early start,, and i’m so happy to get to know their personalities which reflects their music.. Truly one of the Best Lebanese bands,,, Hail Zarscene
Famous band : Epica? . i wasn’t at all expecting this.
Best of luck Zarscene, you really deserve to shine.
Thanks guys for yur comments.
we´´re glad to have them too
Reading this interview pushed me to tears !!
We rarely find this passion for music here in Lebanon, especially coming from people our age, they’re all too busy in politics and all the things that will destroy them, and few of them have this passion for music.
And i have to admit it, you gave me a push to work harder on my band that we just started it.
Best of luck Zarscene, and especially Sam, you influenced me in so many things… You really all deserve to be stars.
Wonderful words Nathalia shows how much we need this new spirit of creation to see the world with positive eyes like the Zarscene and you do.
well done Zarscene , videoclip pro, and charbel what a nice voice .. <>
and about the video 2:53 rocks \m/ …
and samer don’t use a lot of internet cose it will blow your mind internet is not for music internet is for …
Great Band, just saw the video clip, couldn’t believe it was shot and produced here in lebanon. The music is very unique, Elie’s amazing we don’t find a lot of good SINGING vocals in lebanon anymore, I like to think he’s the best. Charbel is also a kickass drummer really knows what he’s doing. Props for the band and full support.
-Karl-