ZO2 is a hard rocking band that I have enjoyed for a couple of years now. Largely an independent group, the band was throwing a party to celebrate their association with Riker Hill Records. I had been invited based on my earlier support of their music and for also being the writer of a rather positive review for Metal Edge Magazine. The show was a blast and also featured Craving Lucy and should you want to see more just scroll past the logo below. The festivities while documented by me feature the stellar photography of Peter Parrella.
Artist: ZO2 Venue: The Canal Room (New York, NY) Opener: Craving Lucy Date: 5/22/2007 Label: Riker Hill Records
The New York City Rockers Z02 has reason to celebrate and this is primarily due to their association with the newly launched label Riker Hill Records. If you have ever seen ZO2 perform live in the past you know that they take their Rock & Roll seriously, and now under the watchful eyes of Riker Hill the road for possibility seems to be that much more promising. Tonight we would have the honor of attending the label’s launch party that would be held at The Canal Room. It would be our first adventure to this noticeably stylish venue and while I hade heard about Quiet Riot recently performing here we did not get to that one. This chance to not only enjoy some great music but also a new place would turn this into a special treat all around. As a venue it is decently sized and offers a nice floor area for those that want to be up close and personal to the bands; it also has a great amount of tables and seating for those wishing to chill out and rock at the same time. The room this evening would be filled with label representatives and well-wishers, family, friends and several media representatives tossed in for good measure. Here are our thoughts on the night and the bands that performed. Continue reading ZO2 @ The Canal Room (5/22/2007)→
Artist: ZO2 Title: “Ain’t It Beautiful” Label: Splivey Cool Entertainment (Independent Release) Release Date: >Genre: Hard Rock Rating: 4/5
I’m glad when this happens because every so often you come across a band that reminds you about the simple pleasures of Rock & Roll and all of the magic that it possesses as a form of music. This is the case with New York’s own ZO2; a three-piece hard rocking group that bring you back to a sound that is generally lost by bands that are concerned more about genre labels than the task at hand. The bands sophomore effort is entitled “Ain’t It Beautiful” and it’s an independent release just like their debut but don’t let the term “indie” sway you in any fashion. ZO2 is a group that comes from some truly inspirational musical foundations. Bassist Dave Z. is also a member of that holiday juggernaut we call The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, while brother Paulie and drummer Joe Cassata each have ample background from their numerous working bands. At times it seemed like these bands were busier than some of the established industry “professionals”. The group also had the chance to open up for KISS for the entire run of dates on their “Rock The Nation” tour. They would perform on this tour with Poison as well, and this is clearly a milestone for these guys. The CD follows “Tuesdays & Thursdays” with a similar theme of Melodic Hard Rock that will appeal to all fans who loved what KISS and Aerosmith did in their early years. Their sound is by no means retro but instead is a skillful blend of the old meeting the new and showing the listener how fresh it can sound when you focus on the basic formulas. The guys each sing which adds three-part harmony vocals and make for some easily memorable choruses. Paulie Z. has the kind of voice that many Rock singers can only aspire to for he is bluesy at times, passionate at others, and when it is called for – he can scream like a banshee. This is the kind of diversity that you want in a front man and he surely delivers on all fronts as he gets you on your feet with numbers like “Get Up Now” and “If You See Kay”. While these are two of the bands most inspired rockers on the CD, I loved “Comin’ Home” and “Isolate” the best as each of them just took me away to a live show with the vibe that they brought on. The guys also took the time to show respect and homage to the Rock founders with “Get The Led Out”, a number that uses some sweet Zeppelin feels and style in a mix with their own unique sound. Continue reading “Ain’t It Beautiful” by ZO2→
Artist: ZO2 Venue: Arlene’s Grocery (New York, NY) Opener: Me Talk Pretty Date: 2/17/2006 Label: Independent Artist
When I take into account the amount of shows we are required to bring you here on PiercingMetal.com, I find myself sometimes being a little unfair to some of the fine independent artists that we come into contact with. Every once in awhile, we will aim to sate the hunger in our readers for the groups that are particularly impressive as a whole and who also bring the musical goods to the table.
One such band is ZO2, a group I have known for a couple of years based on attending KISS conventions and through their other bands. The group is merely three guys, two of them Brothers who handle the guitars and vocals along with their drummer who also sings. The frequently perform at a comfortable little club in Downtown Manhattan called Arlene’s Grocery. On a good night you can fit a little over a hundred screaming fans in front of the stage and based on the growing popularity of these guys that is seldom a problem. This is great to see happen for an independent group and on a Monday night no less. I have seen some of the signed groups having issues on weird nights of the week at certain outlets. I instantly liked the feel of Arlene’s and arrived in time to see the opening band Me Talk Pretty. They play an interesting blend of contemporary Rock with some influences that are clearly the result of their guitarist Leon Lyazidi (born in Spain) and the lovely Julia Preotu (the bands Romanian import) who sings. I am sure good things will be waiting for them going forward. Continue reading ZO2 @ Arlene’s Grocery (2/17/2006)→
Artist: Z02 Title: “Tuesdays And Thursdays” Label: Splivey Cool Ent. Release Date: 2004 Genre: Melodic Rock Rating: 8/10
Z02 is the brainchild of the Brothers Z, Paulie and David along with drummer Joey Cassata. The members of this group are not strangers to the performing world by a long shot. David is the touring bassist for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra while Paulie and Joe are members of the popular KISSNATION (a NYC Based KISS Tribute band). The CD “Tuesdays And Thursdays” is quite the tasty piece of Rock and Roll. It also sports an amazing production for a group of guys who are releasing this independently without major label backing. One does not always see the level of quality that they have made sure to place on this piece. It even sports a fully colored and lyric filled booklet that is covered with artwork. Really nice looking and well-thought out. Continue reading “Tuesdays and Thursdays” by ZO2→