Artist: ZO2 Title: “Z-Rock: Season 2” Label: Anchor Bay Release Date: 6/8/2010 Genre: Comedy/Rock Reality Rating: 3/5
Picking up from what appeared to be only a few months later than when our first season of “Z-Rock” ended, we find the fabulous Z Brothers getting back together and trying their hand at Rock and Roll stardom for the second time. A lot had transpired during the first season as well and while the band came close to a deal it never ended up panning out. Such is the life of a Rock and Roll band and all you can do is pick up the pieces along with your instruments and press on as best as possible. With Season Two we find the premise remaining largely the same as their manager Dina (played by Lynn Koplitz) and Neil (played by Jay Oakerson). There is a little of everything that one expects in a show like this and it felt like they were going for the laughs a little more this time around and moving farther away from the “reality” aspect. I felt this way after a couple of the more ridiculous situations that the band found themselves in such as the wrestling episode and the political rally episode. Yes these things could actually happen but there was much more on the slapstick side but I guess that is alright since I had already mentioned that I viewed this as a more mature, modern day type of “The Monkees”. Across the season the band encounters Steel Panther, Chris Jericho and Mini-KISS while Dave Navarro, John Popper, Dee Snider, and Joan Rivers make returns and continue to play their real life selves. I think that I would have preferred the real KISS considering ZO2 opened for them in real life. Continue reading “Z-Rock: Season 2” by ZO2→
Artist: Fozzy Venue: B.B. King Blues Club Opener: ZO2, Razer Date: 4/28/2010 Label: Riot! Entertainment
Yes Metal fans your prayers have been answered and the Fozzman cometh to New York City to lay down the Metal justice in a fashion that only he can deliver. Of course its long been known that Fozzy is actually the brainchild of World Wrestling Entertainment’s Chris Jericho and guitarist Rich Ward (The Duke, Stuck Mojo) . For a number of years they played up an identity and back story about their origins but seem to have moved on from that premise for the sake of the Metal material that they have. I had to admit that even though the band featured the wrestler, when I first heard them I wasn’t very impressed and this would be around the time of their covers album. The reason was more based on at that point in my Metal life, I was more focused on the up and coming Power Metal bands from Finland and all of their output since it was so energetic and unique. I write this down based on the change of opinion that I had when the band released the “All That Remains” CD (not to be confused with the band of the same name) and now their latest effort “Chasing The Grail”. With these recordings Fozzy has really shown to be coming into their own and an interesting Metal force to be reckoned to boot. Their show this evening would be live at B.B. King Blues Club and it would also feature the band Razer from Phoenix, AZ and Brooklyn’s own ZO2. Going in I hardly knew what to expect and even wondered if it would be crowded but after observing the activities that happened tonight it was pretty safe to say that if you missed this one you will very likely be kicking yourself. Here is how the night went down for those who are among that number. Continue reading Fozzy @ B.B. King Blues Club (4/28/2010)→
Artist: ZO2 Venue: J&R Music World (New Yotk, NY) Opener: n/a Date: 4/17/2010 Label: In Tune Music
Now that your taxes were paid you could sit back and relax and see what money you had left to use for that wonderful musical holiday that they call “Record Store Day”. At this stage of the game in music purchasing I am guessing that it should be called either “CD Day” or “MP3 Day” when you think about it. Of course there are vinyl releases coming out every now and again these days but they are no longer the ruler of the musical roost when compared to the dominant mediums. The fun today would take place at J&R Music World where we have covered a number of in-store appearances and intimate performances in the past and among the many that were taking part in the day would be Folk legend Judy Collins and Brooklyn’s own ZO2. Continue reading ZO2 In-Store Appearance @ J&R Music World (4/17/2010)→
Artist: Z02 Title: “Z-Rock: Season 1” Label: Anchor Bay Release Date: 6/9/2009 Genre: Comedy/Rock Reality Rating: 3/5
If you are from NYC and you hit a lot of shows then I think that there is a good chance that you are aware of one of our local music sensations with the band ZO2. The guys are always entertaining with their brand of KISS meets Aerosmith tinged Hard Rock and their very catchy original tunes are laced with wonderful harmonies. However, this review is not about the band’s music or live show but about the recently aired scripted reality comedy that was a weekly feature on the IFC channel at the tail end of 2008. The show stars the brothers Z (who are also known by Paulie and David Zablidowsky and are brothers in real life to boot) along with their drummer and longtime friend Joey Cassata. The premise of the program shows the bands struggles as a group that is trying to make it big by meeting the right people, playing their shows and keeping a busy regimen during the daylight hours doing other jobs that allow them to fund the musical enterprise. Of course the daytime job is that of being a band that performs at children’s parties so the chaos ensues as they walk the fine line between decency and Rock and Roll decadence. As you can probably tell already that is a very fine line for sure. Continue reading “Z-Rock: Season 1” by ZO2→
ZO2 was celebrating the second season premiere of their scripted comedy series “Z-Rock” which was airing on the IFC Network. The event was documented in full on THIS LINK and now please enjoy a larger photo gallery from the festivities.