Don Zientara

Don Zientara (/ˌzɪnˈtɛərə/[1]) is an American record producer and musician. He owns and runs Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, Virginia, located just outside Washington D.C., and is most widely known for his production work with Fugazi, Minor Threat and various other Dischord Records artists.[2][3][4] Don Zientara started out in Rochester, New York, a child on St. Stanislaus St. in the Polish section of town. Eastman Kodak was booming, Xerox was quickly coming on the scene, and the city was in its heyday. His parents were working class – mother was a hairdresser, father was a factory worker at Kodak. St. Stanislaus Elementary School provided his education kindergarten through grade eight. His brother, four years his junior, was his only sibling. It was in those years he took up guitar lessons, and was very adept at reading and playing. Then he stopped out of boredom, and it took two years to return to the guitar, egged on by a friend who taught him to play by ear. That was the ticket! He was a natural player by listening! After that, he became a student at Bishop Kearney High School, where he was firmly established “middle of the pack” grade-wise. The guitar playing continued, bands came and went, and all was well. Friends who knew electronics helped him build guitar amps and speaker cabinets. Thos friends went on to become rocket scientists and researchers for Xerox. In 1966 he started his art education at Syracuse University. There he learned he wasn’t a great art student, but tried hard. Playing in several bands kept his guitar chops up. He graduated in 1970 with a BFA – just in time for the first draft lottery! We have a winner here – Number one! So eluding his Army physical by bouncing between Rochester and graduate school at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia, he held out until the summer of ’71. While he was at Syracuse and graduate school at West Virginia he became involved with liturgical music and performance. There was one young priest he became friends with, but the end of the school year cut it short. At that point, he noticed that the Army was allowing enlistees to get guaranteed training in many areas, one of them being Electronics. Since he was sure of being drafted, he chose enlisting with a guaranteed training – something he had always wanted to learn more about. So in September 1971 he started Basic Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. After finishing, next was his electronic training at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Arriving at Fort Monmouth, he was told there was a little waith to begin the school. Days dragged into weeks, and weeks dragged into more than a month, when finally he was called into the headquarters office. The electronics school was getting a lot of men (and women), but the Army would honor its commitment….. or, would he like to paint and draw at an Army base in Alexandria, Virginia instead? Electronics school was tempting, but after training there was no guarantee the Army would place you in the job you were trained for. Most likely, for electronics specialists that meant repairing communications equipment in the fields of Viet Nam. After thinking it over for a good ten seconds, he chose the U.S. Army Recruiting Support Center in Alexandria, Virginia. There he painted, drew, framed various pieces, and lived the life of an (Army) artist at Cameron Station. And, of course, played in bands. Cameron Station in Alexandria was just a short hop from Washington, D.C., And that was where his priest friend from West Virginia was going after they parted. So, Don tried to find him and connect. As it worked out, this priest left the order and went back to New York City, but the people that he

Don Zientara
GenresRock, hardcore punk, post-hardcore, post-punk, art rock, alternative rock
Occupation(s)producer
Years active1978–present
Websiteinnerearstudio.com


Zientara released four albums of music on the Northern Liberties label. Music by Zientara has also been released by Crooked Beat Records in Alexandria, Virginia. He contributed four songs to “A Bang On The Ear,” released in 2016 for Record Store Day.[5] He also contributed to “Recutting The Crap, Volume One,” a tribute to The Clash released by Crooked Beat Records.[6]

Production credits

Zientara's production/engineering credits include the following:[7]

References
  1. Wright, Ian James (May 2, 2020). "'And the Same' with Don Zientara". The Alphabetical Fugazi (Podcast). Event occurs at 51:37. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  2. " Inner Ear Studio Site. Last accessed 2/26/11.
  3. " International Audio Pro. Last accessed 2/22/11.
  4. " AllMusic Guide. Last accessed 2/22/11.
  5. "Various Artists-Crooked Beat Records Presents: A Bang On The Ear". Record Store Day. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  6. "Various Artists-Recutting The Crap". Record Store Day. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  7. AllMusic Guide Credits. Last accessed 7/9/14. [Foo Fighters] – "Sonic Highways"
  8. Discogs.com
  9. Dischord Records News. Last accessed 6/20/13.
  10. Discogs.com. Last accessed 4/16/18.
  11. Discogs.com. Last accessed 6/20/13.
  12. Discogs.com. Last accessed 4/22/14.
  13. Mobiusstripdc.com. Last accessed 8/11/16.
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