ZEKE
ZEKE established a nasty disposition while cutting teeth on their own brash hardcore punk. ZEKE formed in 1993 with an original lineup of Blind Marky Felchtone, Donny Paycheck, Mark Pierce, and Dizzy Lee Roth. The bandβs first release was 1993βs βWest Seattle Acid Partyβ single on Wrecking Ball Records, followed by the βHolley 750β single on IFA Records. ZEKE then set out to bring their energetic recordings to the stage and established a more than formidable reputation as βthe live band to beatβ via concentrated regional touring.
The self titled single βZekeβ was then released on Scooch Pooch Records and was followed by the 1995 release βSuper Sound Racing.β ZEKE then hit the road again, unveiling a devastatingly high-octane live assault. The band was heralded as βRock and Roll outlaws,β playing every conceivable venue that would have them. The release of the next full-length, βFlat Trackerβ a year later ensured ZEKE had enough audio ammo to stay on the road for months on end. And tour they wouldβ¦
In 1997 Manβs Ruin Records issued the live album βPIGβ to a rousing response. ZEKE then signed to Epitaph Records in 1998, releasing, βKicked In The Teeth.β βKicked In The Teethβ was mixed and engineered by Jack Endino and the albumβs increased distribution and availability found the band legions of white-knuckled new followers.
ZEKE recorded the follow up to βKicked in the Teethβ β βDirty Sanchezβ β with Kurt Bloch of THE FASTBACKS. βDirty Sanchezβ was released in early 2000. ZEKEβs second Epitaph release, βDirty Sanchezβ rocked like a motherfucker. From the beginning quote of βHey, heβs acting weird, it must be drugs!β to the last roar of the FLEETWOOD MACβs βRhiannon,β βDirty Sanchezβ bludgeoned with tireless energy. Following βDirty Sanchezβsβ release, bassist Mark Pierce left the band and was replaced by Jeff βThe Kidβ Matz.
Throughout the time that ZEKE called Epitaph home, they toured relentlessly. The band paired up with anyone and everyone who would have them, hitting the road with the likes of JERRY CANTRELL (ALICE IN CHAINS), ALL, THE VOODOO GLOW SKULLS, DOA, THE SUPERSUCKERS and even a few dates with PEARL JAM. The band toured the U.S., Europe, Japan and Australia, spreading their rock while breaking all the rules. ZEKE played everything from stadiums with 50,000 people, to bars with 10 people, but the spirit remained the same; rock like this might be the last show ever.
The bandβs fifth full-length, βDeath Alleyβ was released in 2001. Even after a solid stretch of similarly themed and arranged albums, ZEKEβs βDeath Alleyβ began with the premise that βfast is just not fast enough.β βDeath Alleyβ continued the bandβs full-throttle approach, utilizing ZEKEβs essential formula β a manic, methamphetamine lab distillation of early American hardcore and classic rock β to full effect.
When youβre a punk band that is eternally touring, strange things are bound to happen that will have as much of an influence on the band as the music that got them started. KISS, BLACK FLAG, THE RAMONES and BLACK SABBATH all get a run for the money when it comes to ZEKE antics. When asked about some specifics, vocalist / guitarist Marky Felchtone rattled off a brief list: βDrum sticks in eyes, broken bones, incidents involving cake, drugs and under-aged females, Black Metal homicides, etcβ¦you name itβ Felchtone went on to note that the reason he and ZEKE love touring so much is that itβs βitβs the best reason to avoid real responsibility.β
After leaving Epitaph and releasing 2003βs βLive and Uncensored,β ZEKE began writing new material and set out looking for a suitable label that they could not only feel at home with, but one that could handle their βballs to the wallβ rock and roll and enjoy the band as fans first. A contract with Relapse was inked in October, 2003 and saw the band join an artist stable (MASTODON, HIGH ON FIRE, ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY, BONGZILLA, etc) that are at once musically mated and touring compatible. ZEKE found their new home.
ZEKE set the cruise control to βwhite hotβ on their Relapse debut, βTil the Livinβ End.β A relentless ride of rock and roll abandon, ZEKEβs βTil the Livinβ Endβ mixes punk nihilism with a hard hitting metal extravagance. βTil the Livinβ Endβ burns from start to finish, as super-charged guitars, electrifying leads and a raucous punk attitude race full-throttle down a highway to Hell.
Thank the gods of rock and roll, youβve just met your new favorite band.
GRANDAD (release show)
Grandad is manische grunge-punk uit Arnhem/Nijmegen. Als ze niet met grof geweld lawaai uit hun instrumenten rammen, spelen ze rauwe, grungy riffs over een rails van beukende drums. Met de zanger en de gitaar in constante strijd over wie het hardst kan schreeuwen, creΓ«ert Grandad een psychose aan geluid waarvan je opa zou omvallen.
Waterdruppels in een kale loods. Het geluid van Grandadβs nieuwe single βHoly Waterβ breekt reguliere akkoordprogressies en melodieΓ«n, en klinkt desolaat en dissonant. Holy Water is een bombastisch grunge-punk nummer over onderdrukking en indoctrinatie: water waarin je je veilig voelt, maar je ondertussen doet stikken. Het nummer is geschreven in een oude atoombunker.
EVILCENTRIC
Speciaal op verzoek van ZEKE hebben we Evilcentric als opener vanavond! Evilcentric is Post-hardcore Post-punk Retro-metal uit Groningen. Nou ja, naar eigen zeggen dan. Leden van wijlen Mad Wizard en Uhgah?Wugah! jammen wat in de spaarzame periodes dat dat kan ten tijde van de corona lockdowns. Het idee is dat het allemaal lekker moet blazen met een soort van metal heavy gevoel, terwijl voor de riffs de inspiratie wordt gehaald uit uiteenlopende luide genres als punk, thrash metal, hardcore, stoner en garagepunk.
Dit zorgt voor een verscheidenheid aan afwisselende, zware en noisy nummers, die tijdens de eerste optredens de een in trance lijkt te brengen, terwijl een ander op het underground festival G.G.I. 2022 in Ierland vindt: 'I thought you guys would be more heavy and proggy, but it this way faster and thrashy than I had expected'