Shotgun Messiah Duo Zinny Zan and Harry Cody Launch New Project Zan/Cody

Welcome to episode #148 of the Rock Interview Series. This feature was recorded on May 28th, 2026, with guest Zinny Zan, vocalist of the hard‑rock band Shotgun Messiah during 1985–1990. Zinny first made his mark fronting the Swedish band Easy Action from 1981 to 1985. When the band chose not to relocate to the United States, he left and joined Kingpin — the group that later moved to America and changed its name to Shotgun Messiah. They released their self‑titled debut in September 1989, but about a year later, Zinny was relieved of his duties. Now, more than three decades later, Zinny has reunited with Shotgun Messiah guitarist Harry Cody for a brand‑new project called Zan/Cody. Their debut album, “Beautiful N’ Damned,” arrives July 24th on Frontiers Music.

According to Zinny, the reconnection with Cody didn’t come from any big plan. It grew naturally out of years of friendly check‑ins and messages. As he explained, “We’ve been in contact… happy birthdays, merry Christmases, ‘are you okay after the quake down in California,’ whatever.” Things shifted after Zinny released his 2022 solo album. Harry commented on it, Zinny replied, and suddenly the idea of working together again didn’t feel far‑fetched. Zinny first invited Harry to play a little guitar on a track or two, but quickly realized that wasn’t enough. “Why should I use Harry to play guitar on a thing or two? I want to do something with him… on equal basis,” he said. Harry agreed, and the two began exchanging songs and ideas from opposite sides of the world — Sweden to the U.S.

The chemistry returned immediately. “It was so easy to get back together again. It was like 35 years never really happened,” Zinny said. What started as a small idea quickly grew into something much bigger. “All of a sudden, there you go — you have a full‑length album and some more songs to go.” The writing process was effortless, built on mutual respect and a shared instinct that never faded. “These days you’re older, you’re wiser… I’m listening to what he’s saying… he does the same with me. We add things to each other’s things.” The result is an album that feels both new and familiar, capturing the spirit of their early work without trying to recreate it.

For fans of the first Shotgun Messiah record, the spark is unmistakable. Zinny remembers that era clearly: “The energy, the attitude — it was electric.” He wondered whether that magic could ever be recaptured, but once he and Harry started writing again, the answer became obvious. “All of a sudden with Harry it just felt like wow.” The new material carries that same fire, but with the maturity of two musicians who have lived entire lives since their last collaboration.

The album features bassist Nalle Påhlsson, drummer Bjarne Holm, and longtime collaborator Chris Laney, who mixed the record and added keyboards, backing vocals, and additional guitars. “That is the band we’re going to tour with… the same band that is backing up me and Cody on this album,” Zinny said. The lineup gives the project a tight, cohesive sound that reflects both their past and present.

Touring begins with a major milestone: a debut performance at Sweden Rock Festival on June 6. “It couldn’t start in a better place,” Zinny said, noting the significance of returning to the country where both he and Harry grew up. More European dates are lined up, and while nothing is confirmed for the U.S. yet, discussions are underway. “Right now, dates in Europe… nothing in America, but we are in talks with certain people.”

Even after 35 years, the connection between Zinny and Harry came back fast, and the songs followed naturally. Zinny summed it up in the simplest way: “We just did what we like and love in our hearts — and there you go.”

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