Punk gospel blues that will rock your behind
intro
to Zen Guerrilla! Zen
Guerrilla Pull
/ Nile Song singleCreature
Double Feature Invisible
"Liftee" Pad ep Gap-Tooth
Clown ep Invisible
"Liftee" Pad / Gap-Tooth Clown Trouble
Shake / Change Gonna Come singlePositronic
Raygun Ghetto
City Version / Hungry Wolf singleTrance
States in Tongues Mama's Little
Rocket singleDirty Mile
/ Ham and Eggs singlePocketful
of String / Wigglin' Room split singleThe Seeker
/ Half Step singleShadows
on the Sun Mob Rules
/ The Trooper singleHeavy Mellow
ep Plasmic
Tears and the Invisible City ep
Every few years or so a band comes along that is so damned good it makes me wish I was in that band. It used to be NoMeansNo. Then it was Alice Donut I wanted to be in. There've been other bands (some not on the Alternative Tentacles label)... but at present it is Zen Guerrilla that rocks as I've always wanted to rock: in a group mind meld where everyone's on the same page... the same plane... where the instruments and their players are all working together perfectly to create a momentary vortex that would never have existed had these particular individuals not taken the time to synchronize their sound and vision. I've read that these guys have been friends forever and, seeing them live, I believe it. These guys are tight. Carl Horne (bass) and Andy Duvall (drums) hold down the fort with tough-as-cement grooves. Rich Millman (guitars) provides an aggressive sonic assault from which Marcus Durant (vocals, harmonica) barks out commands using the speaker of an old 16mm film projector as a vocal effect.
I saw Zen live before I heard them on disc. I was very pleased to discover Zen Guerrilla totally rocks and promptly hunted down all of their recordings. I highly recommend you check them out when they happen through your digs. Zen are thrash punk mixed with blues, soul and gospel. The result is music as cool sounding as it is wholely unclassifiable. Weird? Not at all. In fact, Zen's blues riffs put acts like John Spencer to shame. Zen are totally tight with no discernable ego... just loads of fun to see live. The first time I saw them, Zen was the second band of three to perform and the audience called them back for an encore! That was the first time I'd seen the middle band get called back!
Then Royal Trux came out and totally stank the place up.
Zen Guerrilla - Compulsiv Records 1992
This is a very strange DIY debut album indeed. The music on here is completely different from anything Zen Guerrilla did from 1996 and on. There's no hint of the punk-fueled blues (or is it blues-fueled punk?) that this band is now effortlessly cranking out. Here the Guerrillas seemed determined to be some kind of guitar-heavy space-rock band or something. Lots of trippy sounds and Marcus' vocals are subdued and indecipherable. This stuff is kinda experimental... avant garde even. Yet with the exception of one track called 'Solar Station' the transcendent trippiness fails.
Overall, the music isn't that bad. In my book, it's the over kill on Marcus' echoing vocal effect that keeps Zen Guerrilla from being a great album. If He had taken his singing duties a little more seriously and let his voice step out from behind the noise, this would be one fun disc to play and replay. It's telling that the only track where he turns off the vocal effect is a cover of Jimi Hendrix's 'If 6 Was 9'. Perhaps Marcus was embarassed by his lyrics? Then why the lyric sheet?
The guy who sold me this disc informed me he prefers this incarnation of the band to the new bluesy version. He also mentioned how intense their live shows were back then. Perhaps all the screeching guitars, trippy effects, and echoing vocals make sense in a live situation (where the audience is drunk or even worse... stoned). But on this here studio release all the sounds end up in a big muddy musical pile. It doesn't help that the cd is a single 40 minute track making skipping from song to song damn near impossible.
Pull b/w Nile Song - Union Hall Records 1993
I'm including this single because it is the only place these songs appear. (From here on, if you see a single reviewed, it is only because one or both of the tracks is not available on any ZG album).
At this point Zen Guerrilla are still fancying themselves as psychedelic hard rockers. They even refer to themselves as "Space Monsters" (or perhaps that's the name of this release? It's unclear by the packaging).
'Pull' is a noisy and muddy rocker much in the tripped-out style of their debut release. 'Nile Song' is a throbbing pulsating cover of the Pink Floyd tune, and probably the best recording the band had made up to that point. 7" vinyl only.
Creature Double Feature- Insect Records 1995
I've never seen or heard this disc. Send in a review if you have. If you can get a hold of a copy for me, better still!
Reader Comments
deveerenco@chello.nl. (De veer derks)
just press caterpillar creature double feature in on google. tracks: 3 paws , yolk, evolvold,emperor's stool ,clearcoat, sed but who does what i dont know. do you know if invisible liftee as well as gap tooth came out on vinyl? i don't mean the alternative tent version but seperately? do you have zen guerrilla on compulsive on vinyl? cheers, mike.
Invisible "Liftee" Pad ep - Insect Records 1996
Six fun tracks... each a sign of great things to come from the Zen boys. It's been four years since Zen Guerrilla and what a difference four years can make. Here the band's focus turns to blues, soul, and gospel played with an enthusiastic punk attitude. The over-all recording quality has vastly improved as have Marcus' vocals which can now be understood (when he wants them to be).
The ep immediately jumps into your face with the fast guitars and desperate wails of 'Chicken Scratch' and 'Slip Knot'. This is followed by the much mellower but still rocking 'Wee Wee Hours'. With it's straight forward blues scale and sing-a-long lyrics, 'Wee Wee..' is my favorite track. Next, 'Dirty Jewel' stirs up quite a punk dirge before the beer-soaked blues of "Tin Can" brings it all back home. The ep closes with a noisy number called 'Jig-a-Boo' (which was left off the subsequent Alternative Tentacles re-issue of this ep).
Reader Comments
psychostuck@hotmail.com. (Alessandro)
Is "Wee Wee Hours" a cover from Chuck Berry's 'After School Session' (58) track 04 "wee wee hours" ? I think it might be see ya man, Alessandromattro@raptorial.com. (mattro)
"Wee Wee Hours" doesn't have a song credit for Berry attributed to it. I went to the amazon.com site and found a 30 second sample of this song (from the remastered Anthology collection). Berry's version doesn't sound like the same song at all. Zen Guerrilla's "Wee Wee Hours" borrows (lyrically, anyway) from the traditional gospel/civil rights protest song, "This Little Light of Mine" and Berry's does not.
Gap-Tooth Clown ep - Insect Records 1997
I assume it's a lot like the Alternative Tentacles version to follow (in which case, I'd give it a 6 or 7), but since I ain't heard this as a stand-alone I'll hold off on my official rating. The Invisible ep had a track that didn't make it to the Tentacles version, perhaps this one does too? Someone let me know!
Invisible "Liftee" Pad / Gap-Tooth Clown - Alternative Tentacles 1997
Jello to the rescue! Biafra signed Zen Guerrilla to Tentacles and quickly reissued their two eps in a one CD package. The first half of the disc is Invisible "Liftee" Pad (see review above).
The latter half is the Gap-Tooth Clown ep which kicks into gear with 'Auto Pilot,' an instrumental with a smidgen of psychedelia. 'Crow' is so grunge and Marcus wails such high notes you'd swear it's a Soundgarden track circa '88. 'Lipstick' has a Hendrix thing going for it musically but this is overshadowed by sobbing/screaming vocals. 'Gospel Tent' is pure cowpoke complete with a harmonica meant to sound like a train whistle. The best track from the Clown portion is the last and longest: 'Unusual' which opens with a cool bass groove by Carl.
Trouble Shake b/w Change Gonna Come- Alternative Tentacles Records 1997
The a-side, 'Trouble Shake' is from the approaching Positronic Raygun. This is the standout track (among many excellent songs) from ZG's Tentacle days. A very cool song you need to know. A soulful cover of Sam Cooke's 'Change Gonna Come' (a crowd favorite at their shows) is the b-side. 7" vinyl only.
Positronic Raygun - Alternative Tentacles 1998
Positronic Raygun is a brief release (about 35 minutes long) that mutates the blues scale about a dozen different ways before it's through. The album seems parenthesized by full throttle sonic assaults placed back-to-back with instrumentals. It starts off with a kickass instrumental "Saucerships to Ragtime" followed by a perfect blues/punk rock blend known as "Trouble Shake" (my favorite track on the disc). Likewise, at the end of the disc, we are presented with the aural attack called "2,000 Watts Over the Southside" which slides into the wordless "Frequency Out". What happens in between these parantheses is a great deal of fun for everybody. The band itself exhibits a boundless joy in running traditional blues, modern effect pedals and the DIY punk ethic through their musical JuiceMan™ to see what comes out the other end. Take a sip... Positronic Raygun was easily one of my favorite releases of 1998.
Ghetto City Version b/w Hungry Wolf- Epitaph Records 1999
The a-side, 'Ghetto City...' is from the approaching Trance States in Tongues. It is also my favorite ZG track ever. Find it. Hear it. Love it. A decent cover of X's 'Hungry Wolf' is the b-side.
* Trance States in Tongues - Sup Pop 1999 *
Trance States In Tongues is pure testosterone drenched thrash blues punk. I could (and will) sit here and try to describe this music using mere words but suffice it to say, you absotootly must experience this disc for yourself. Zen is best live, of course, but their discs, particularly this one, will not disappoint you. Now, I'm the biggest fan of all things Tentacles but, quality-wise, switching over to the Sub Pop label has given ZG their best sounding release to date. This is thanks in no small part to legendary producer-of-the-grunge, Jack Endino who oversaw the flicking of the switches and tweaking the knobs for this disc.
My favorite track on TSIT is "Ghetto City Version" a straight-forward fuzzy blues rocker with solos and wails of desperation. ZG does wonderful things with Bowie's "Moonage Daydream," all the while maintaining its emotional vibe. "Magpie" is mellow enough to ask your prom date to dance to as it throbs like slow dance music of old (if it was a longer tune, "Magpie" would be irresistible... causing teenagers from coast to coast to grab hands, and flock to the dance floor upon hearing its opening chords). Other standouts: "Pins and Needles" the frantic opening track; "Mod Riot" which wreaks like the sidestream smoke infested club where Zen Guerrilla first kicked my ass; and the down 'n dirty "Peppermint" which forces bootys to shake.
Reader Comments
mcweber@earthlink.net. (Mike Weber)
Hi - I just read your Zen Guerrilla review page. I'm a recent convert, and totally agree with you about the greatness of all their recent releases, particularly Trance States. I have all the Alter. Tentacles & Subpop ZG stuff, but would love to hear the earlier releases from 92 & 93. Is any of that still in print? If you don't have it already, (check out) the newest 45, "The Seeker" b/w "Half Step", which is awesome. I'm going to ask them to play that one live next time they come to town. (San Diego).P.S. I'm also a big Alice Donut fan. I'm still mourning their demise. My dream is that they reunite & tour with a reunited Jesus Lizard.
mattro@raptorial.com (Mattro)
I'm pretty sure only the Alternative Tentacles and Sub Pop stuff is in print at the moment, although I have seen ZG sell the original CD version of the "Liftee" ep at some of their more recent shows.juleladio@hotmail.com (Jule)
I'm a fan of zen guerrilla,I'm a singer of a band in spain (excuse me for my english) and I need the lyrics of "mod riot". My e-mail is juleladio@hotmail.com. Thank you very much.
Mama's Little Rocket- Allied Recordings 2000?
Gimmicky single-sided 5" picture disc. The picture on the disc ain't all that. 'Mama's Little Rocket' is a great straight-forward thrashing of the blues scale but it only clocks in at 2 1/2 minutes. Great track but this release hardly seems worth the effort it took to produce it. 5" vinyl only.
Dirty Mile b/w Ham and Eggs- Estrus Records 2000
Two ZG originals, "Ham and Eggs" not available anywhere else. Both tracks are brief but deliver the goods. "Dirty Mile" eventually shows up on Shadows on the Sun. 7" vinyl only.
Pocketful of String b/w Wigglin' Room- Fanboy Records 2000
This is a split single with Bob Log III, a guy I've never heard off before. 'Pocketful...' is the most unique ZG track you'll ever hear. Imagine one of those late '60s psuedo-psychedelic TV commercials for Tide detergent (or something). You know, with go-go dancers in short colorful skirts and all that. Now imagine the version of 'Ain't She Sweet' you'd hear in this commercial. 'Pocketful...' is kinda like that. Totally out of character for ZG but very fun nonetheless.
'Wigglin Room' is the Bob Log track and it is a surprisingly great down-n-dirty blues song that deserves its place on the opposite side of a ZG single. 7" vinyl only.
The Seeker b/w Half Step- Sub Pop Records 2000
Great studio version of The Who's 'The Seeker' (an encore favorite at their live shows). 'Half Step', an above average ZG track, is the b-side that dutifully traverses the blues scale and lightheartedly informs us about lost love and despair. Excellent single. Recorded during the Trance States sessions. 7" vinyl only.
Shadows on the Sun- Sub Pop Records 2001
Another solid outing from the Zens. This time it's all originals, (no cover tracks on this release). The most pleasant surprise is that Marcus steps out from behind the vocal effects generators and reveals something we've suspected all along: He's got a damned fine singing voice! Just listen to the soulful, heart felt acoustic number "Evening Sun" if you need proof. We always knew the band could rock, but Marcus' vocal performance–no matter how bluesy or soul-drenched–always seemed played off as schtick. Nowhere was this more apparent than at Zen Guerrilla's shows. Not any more. Mr. Durant, though still having fun with the put on, has become a legitimate singer on his own.
Elsewhere on the album... the band is as tight as ever on "Smoke Rings", a down-and-dirty electric dirge that will remind puritans why they fear rock 'n roll. The obvious single from this release is the immediately accessible rocker "Graffiti Hustle" which will bring in Zen newbies for Shadows like "Ghetto City Version" did for Trance States. Other favorite cuts from this release: "5th & Cecil B.", "Captain Infinity", and the slide-guitar heavy "Shadows". For the second album in a row, there's not a weak track to be found.
Additional features: Three tracks with Hammond Organ / Piano playing by Jason Staczek and a great concert version of 'Fingers' (from Positronic Raygun) revealing just a taste of the live vibe pulsating through a Zen Guerrilla show.
Reader Comments
pinkhen@hotmail.com. (lisa simonson)
Zen Guerrilla is my favorite band.The show at Bottom of the Hill last friday night (sept 14 '01)was incredible.They dug each and every one of us out from under the rubble ,Completly unhinged,full of fire and soul.An electrifying experience!.I hope you were able witness that show.They are the real thing.,Just where music should be.....mateo_aguilar@hotmail.com (Mateo Aguilar)
Iīm from Spain and Iīve become a Zen fan, they were in a Festival here in Madrid (Festimad) and it was AMAZING. Now theyīre coming on tour again and I wonīt miss them... Iīd like to ask you for 1 favour... do you know any place/site/web where I can get their lyrics? Iīve been surfing the web but I havenīt found anything. If you know something please help me... if you donīt thanks because your reviews of the Zenīs albums has been a great guide for me. Thanks again... Mateo.librarianeric@yahoo.com (Eric)
I came across your website while looking for Zen Guerrilla lyrics. This is a shot I took a couple months ago when they headlined the Las Vegas Shakedown, a three-day fest with lots of kick ass bands. Want to see more? Go to http://photos.yahoo.com/librarianeric. I've got a few more Zen Guerrilla shots along with over 20 years of other great concerts! There's over 140 shots of Johnny Thunders, Joe Strummer, X, the Supersuckers, the Damned, John Lee Hooker, Shane MacGowan, Los Straitjackets, Dirtbombs and LOTS of others! Let me know what you think, Eric San Diego, CAmattro@raptorial.com (Mattro)
Yo gang... I have no problem posting plugs for your personal projects. And yes, I will post your questions so that others may answer them when I cannot. It's all part of of this whole DIY networking thing. BUT... all I ask is that you send me your reviews!! Tell me what you like or hate about this band or why you like one of their albums over another. After all, this is a REVIEW website. Thank you for your consideration! -mattro
Mob Rules b/w The Trooper- Safety Pin Records 2001
Two cool cover tracks. Side A is a punked out version of Black Sabbath's "Mob Rules". On Side B, Marcus gives great Dickinson in a very faithful rendition of Iron Maiden's "The Trooper".
Here I feel I must point out that Zen Guerrilla picks great songs to cover and never fails to put their unique stamp on someone else's creations. Well done, lads! 7" vinyl only.
Heavy Mellow ep- Flapping Jet 2002
Heavy Mellow is a vinyl only 12" picture disc with two previously unreleased studio tracks and three live tracks. Side A has loud and fast live versions of "Ghetto City Version," "Trouble Shake," and "Heart Attack" recorded in the Netherlands back in 2000. Side B slows things down considerably with two brand new recordings: "Old Floor Shiver" another one of those sexy teen slow dance blues numbers; and "Radio Ghost" which somehow slows things down even further with what can only be described as a bluesy romantic (almost adult contemporary) ballad.
I'm not ga-ga about the new material but ZG won me over by including live versions of my two all-time favorite Guerilla tracks ('Ghetto...' and 'Trouble...'). 'Heart Attack' was a good choice as well. Other misc: Jack Endino produced the two newbies; the gorgeous illustration on the disc (of a Grateful Dead-style skeleton wearing virtual reality glasses and playing guitar on a magic carpet) is by Douglas Thompson.
Reader Comments
psycho.com.br. (alessandro 'psycho')
yeah, i have heavy mellow 12" picture disc here in my hands - what a piece of art! the pink/yellow side contains two slow and sexy songs (old floor shiver / radio ghost)... very zen guerrilla style well, on the other side (the skeleton side) there are live versions of ghetto city version, trouble shake & heart attack - thats the noisy / punky side of it - so, these tracks were recorded live at lowlands and this side starts where shadows on the sun has ended (fingers live at lowlands). what can i say? its a kick ass record... keep up the good work.
Plasmic Tears and the Invisible City ep- Insect Records 2002
Here we have a single track 24 minute mostly-instrumental jam session that professes to be an original motion picture soundtrack. Never heard of the film, have any of you? The disc contains no additional information about it. Too bad. Based on what the band (and producer Jack Endino) have put together here, the movie must be some kinda visual trip fest. The Guerrillas harken all the way back to their space rock days for Plasmic Tears.... Rather than trying to make songs out of the psychedelic meleé (as they did in the days of old), here the band opts to create auditory textures and moods free of words or voices. The only exception being a short segue into 'Pocketful of String' being played through a noisy radio about 16 minutes in.
This is an interesting ep, but I can only recommend it to people who are already Zen Guerrilla fans and/or are appreciators of movie soundtracks.
Other sites that would interest a current or future Zen Guerrilla fan:
Zen's
"Shadows on the Sun" page at Sub Pop Records.
The
Zen Guerrilla page at Alternative Tentacles Records.
Internet
video concert of Zen Guerrilla live
at the Empty Bottle in Chicago (March, '00). Scroll down to bottom
o' page to find it. This show includes a great cover version of Iron Maiden's
'The Trooper'.
Here's
a simple Zen
Guerrilla Discography I threw together for ya (contains track listings,
compilations appearances, and general misc.).