Pics and Words from Alan Dearling
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“We’ve come more than 10,000 miles to play and sing for you, TOd-MOre-Dann!”
So screamed front-man and bass player, Greg Lowery. He’d brought with him two of his bands from San Francisco, US of A… First up, the Control Freaks, and then, the Zodiac Killers, whose musical heritage is chock-filled with the outrage and the primal gusto and theatricality of garage and punk rock. It certainly created an air of scarcely concealed danger and energy to the stage at the Golden Lion in Todmorden, Yorkshire.
I much enjoyed taking these images of musical mayhem, born from the Land that has brought ‘peace’ to the world, or, a world in pieces…. Lots of swearing, tub-thumping, loud and abrasive lyrics – Nazi Interrogations, Mutations, Genocide, Murder, Executions… As the Control Freaks chanted: ‘You’re gonna needa First Aid Kit!’
So, the audience witnessed two versions of Greg at the helm. The Zodiac Killers headlined, after Greg had earlier performed in police helmet and uniform with the Control Freaks. I totally agree with Paul Thorpe, who was in the crowd:
“Great bands, noisy aggressive music, but lovely to talk to later!”
From their on-line sites, we learn that The Zodiac Killers were a band from San Francisco. The brainchild baby, one of apparently five bands formed by singer and bass player, Greg (Ripoff) Lowery. Those legendary US bands were Supercharger, The Rip-Offs, The Infections, The Zodiac Killers, and The Control Freaks. This 2024 UK tour celebrates the Zodiac Killers getting their act together for the first time in 12 years for the sole purpose of playing the UK!
Here’s one of the songs that was a highlight of the Zodiac Killers’ live set:
‘Nazi Interrogation’ live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFLcpHMz9AY
Greg Lowery tells us, “We play fast, catchy, fun, yet gritty punk rock. The Zodiac Killers boast a wild show with 3 lead vocalists. The Zodiac Killers also feature one of the greatest drummers in garage punk rock, Matt K. Shrugg. A total animal on the kit, most drummers after seeing Matt drum want to sell their drum kit, and take up painting. Zodiac Killers has always been considered a great live band, and now you can see why for yourselves.”
Personally, I discovered Jami Wolf, who was the original female guitarist of the Zodiac Killers. My camera seemed to gravitate to her muse-like quality which exuded the intensity of Patti Smith and the visual danger of Carrie, the original fire-starter! They are a tight outfit with all the members contributing 105% commitment to the punk freak-out!
Jeremy Tuman is described by the band as, “The lead guitar shredder with great punk rock chops”, and the Zodiacs are blessed with the powerful, energetic vocals and words, and lively bouncing up and down, and lead bass-playing from Greg Lowery. Greg has told us that this was his favourite band out of all the bands he has created. ‘Genetic Mutation’ along with ‘Nazi Interrogation’ were among the high points.
‘Blast off’ early video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niQfkT2moqw
After the gig, Greg sent me this: “The Zodiac Killers’ movie, 4 songs, jokes…gemetic mitatiln (genetic mutation, methinks) …is one of the songs.” ‘Society’s Offenders’, the film, offers a lot of off-kilter, Ramones-like, fast and furious vocals and tons of incendiary guitar riffs. Greg says, “After years of seeing bad copies of The Zodiac Killers movie we did in 2003, I decided to upload a hi-def version of it. This is the way the movie was intended to be seen. This movie was shown on The Zodiac Killers 2003 European Tour before the band played, and the jokes were translated into Spanish, French, and Italian for those fans.”
You want to find out more about ‘Microwave Sex’? Or, ‘Genetic Mutation’?
‘Society’s Offenders’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVB_gAXKIcs
The Control Freaks
Confrontational, theatrical, loud and abrasive… “You’re gonna to needa First Aid Kit!”
The Control Freaks are billed as Greg’s latest Musical Explosion! Their music is being released on the legendary Slovenly Records label and their own little Dirty Water Records. Greg suggests, “It’s amongst my greatest work. We slaughtered Europe recently with The Rip-Offs at Funtastic and more, now we’re back in the UK on our mini tour!”
Their ‘Mindless Entertainment’ album on Slovenly Records captures their intensity and musical insanity. MOR, soft American rock, it definitely ain’t!!! ‘Gonna be a Riot’ with spit and venom vocals from Natalie Sweet.
‘First Aid Kit’ was the closing number and offered a great creative onslaught, a barrage, a riot of noise and audience participation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry_0xj62wwo
