(DL39) ZOOPARTY - Lardass

ZOOPARTY kommen aus Schweden und machen nicht nur knackigen, treibenden Punkrock, sondern mit ihrem neuen Album auch einen großen Schritt nach vorn. Gab es auf ihren bisherigen Scheiben immer mal wieder die eine oder andere schlichtere Nummer, ist jetzt jeder der zwölf Songs ein Knaller für sich.

Das mag nicht zuletzt an der Unterstützung liegen, die sich die Schweden bei den Aufnahmen ins Boot holten: So spielte Glen Matlock von den SEX PISTOLS bei zwei Liedern den Bass, Brian James (THE DAMNED) bei zwei weiteren Songs die Gitarre und Bruce Kulick (früher Gitarrist bei KISS) war bei „Hardcore“ mit von der Partie.

Verfügen offensichtlich über gute Kontakte, die Jungs (oder ausreichende finanzielle Mittel). Dabei haben ZOOPARTY dieses Namedropping eigentlich gar nicht nötig. Songs wie „Set the world on fire“ oder „You don’t know me“ machen einfach Spaß und animieren zum Mitgrölen.

Wer auf klassischen britischen Punkrock, gepaart mit skandinavischem Rock’n’Roll im Stil von GLUECIFER steht, der kommt hier voll auf seine Kosten, sollte aber nicht allzu lange warten. Die LP ist auf 300 Exemplare limitiert.

Achim Lüken

© by Ox-Fanzine / Ausgabe #138 (Juni/Juli 2018)  - 8/10

ZOOPARTY are from Sweden and not only make crisp, driving punk rock, but with their new album also a big step forward. Every now and then there was one or the other simpler number on each of their previous albums, now each of the twelve songs is a blast for themselves.

That may not be due to the support that the Swedes took on the recordings: Glen Matlock from the SEX PISTOLS played the bass for two songs, Brian James (THE DAMNED) for two more songs the guitar and Bruce Kulick ( former guitarist at KISS) was part of "Hardcore".

Obviously have good contacts, the boys (or sufficient funds). ZOOPARTY actually do not need this name dropping. Songs like "Set the world on fire" or "You do not know me" are just fun and encourage you to join in the fun.

If you like classic British punk rock, paired with Scandinavian rock'n'roll in the style of GLUECIFER, you'll love it here, but do not wait too long. The LP is limited to 300 copies.

Achim Lüken

© by Ox-Fanzine / Ausgabe #138 (Juni/Juli 2018)  - 8/10


(DL39) ZOOPARTY - Lardass

Part of me wants to ignore that this record goes to lengths to let you know it’s “Swedish Punk with special guests Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Brian James (Damned), and Bruce Kulick (Grand Funk Railroad/Kiss).” There’s a lot to unpack there. Kulick was the fourth guitar player in Kiss, one who never wore makeup and played during a time when it was particularly difficult to get noticed in Kiss. He was also in a (sort of) proto punk band called The Good Rats, a band that probably won’t appeal across the board, but they’re a band way more interesting to know about than Kiss in ‘84. I’m glad Glen Matlock is staying busy, but it’s also hard to distinguish yourself as a guest bassist. I paid attention to the bass on the songs he played on. It was fine. He’s a great bass player. Which brings me to the highlight of the album: Brian James’ guitar solo on “Everything I Failed to Be.” The solo is excellent. Everything I told you about the guests on this record is more interesting than the record itself, which is fine pop punk with competent hints of mainstream, big-vocal hardcore. None of it much scratches the surface for me. –Billups Allen

Razorcake


(DL39) ZOOPARTY - Lardass

Zoo Party are a fine band, they produce music of a zested variety, are always on the Fungal radar and have brought me untold pleasure with their quick-fire and highly fruited sound. The outfit is a 3-piece, they hail from Sweden, have 3 albums under their belts (all reviewed by yours truly), and have been witnessed plying their trade with good vigour and magnetising effect. This album is released on Deadlamb Records, a fine affair ran by quality geezers doing it the right way. It all sounds good, my honest streak and fair judgement shall not be swayed though, I go in hopeful but not bent!

'Lardass' begins, has a wonderful uplifting riffery that sets the sonic sensors to high alert and has one pogoing with passion to the zipping and irresistible vibrations thrown one's way. The words involved are honest, thoughtful and against the takers and twats in this life who thrive on others misery. This an all-round encouraging construction moving with joy de vivre and thirst for the task at hand. The gushing waters are foamed, the band create a mix that is crisp, animated and, most importantly, lucid. A sparkling opener, just what was needed and continuing the standard set over the previous 3 albums. 'Two Different Sets Of Rules' is a crisp and well breezed rip up against the injustice of it all and the prejudice we find in many circles. A stop and start opening, a thrust of vitality laden goodness and we stomp along with much gumption and hit many fine and dandy highs along the way. Zoo Party have a zip, move with pepped panache, have the ability to maintain lucidity whilst galloping with purpose - it is a good angle to the output and this second number, although not as effective as the first, is still magnetic listening matter!

A toss around the tympanics, a very stated chorus and a regulated run through of the first verse sees 'Set The World On Fire' go through reliable motions and come out the other end with shit-free credit. It is a very safe and stable song, the band roll with a pumping flow, pulse with a punctuated temperament and make sure the core of the song is never strayed from. 'You Don't Know Me' has a very Euro-flavour akin to an 80's pop glamorisation that included a harmonious essence liable to embrace the sing-a-long needs of the eavesdropping clientele. The initial escalation is rinsed through and magnetic, the following river rush bubbles and foams before hitting a calm spot on which we can dwell. My thoughts are of a very inoffensive tipple that doesn't try to be anything else than a sweet burst of riffed up music that relies on clarity and clout and a coherent delivery - is this a bad thing?

'Don't Be Afraid Of Love' is a groovy chicken , cluck-stuttering with a hugging charisma that serenades the softer side of the soul and gives one a feeling of general brightness and hope. The tempo is mid-paced, the affect is of poppish innocence with a care to keep all components somewhat simple and refreshingly honest. This may not be everyone's choice of punkism, whatever the fuck punk is these days it doesn't matter, I like some pleasant material to tickle the neurones - this is all well and dandy. 'No Point At All' starts in vibrant fashion, kicks a good chunk of the rear and moves with a wonderful cleanliness of sound that gives the listener a full-on experience of the ZP zest. The verse has many points to take heed of, the chorus cuts blow a gale and toss one about (as well as off) with energising accents. I am right in the eye of the storm here, tis bloody marvellous. 'Everything I Failed To Be' is a great titled and sums up the no-hope and the 'at a loss situation' many of us have encountered at one time or, many others. The song is a quirked oddity and despite having the usual pep in the engine room and high level of string and skin activity this one comes across as a simplistic wrap-around bubble-gum speedburst that needs little microscopic investigation. Tis a free-wheeling roll-along, no bullshit, no fuss - get on it, get over it or get the fuck outta here!

'Wake Up' screwdrives and drills with early vitality, sets about setting an alarm-clock noise to invigorate the senses and makes sure one is not dozing off anytime soon. And how dare they, this is a convincing effort from the ZP lads and here again they play out a perky pusher of persistent energy that really excites the most simplistic of receptors and sets an 'alive and kicking' feeling in motion that never lets up until the last blast out - smashing. 'Hardcore' is nothing of the sort and belts away on expected riffery, a riffery full of high-blended tonality making sure that each and every component gets a good sound airing. You know the script, this effort sticks to it, don't expect nothing new, just accept and enjoy. This isn't my favourite tune to chomp on but it is still a wholesome listen, I shall let you delve further and make up your own mind.

The last hat-trick, I make a dash for the tape and leave suggestions to tantalise your aural taste buds. 'Hearts Don't Lie' is a crystal clear effort and something of a cheap-track jollity that avoids complication and just wanks itself off for the pure pleasure of it by using a repeat-beat routine. Mixed and blended to a tee, not for me though. 'Shaken And Disturbed' is more like it, a strong multi-layered effort that sees a subtle progression in the output with a serious edge to proceedings whilst maintaining the expected power and professionalism. The song is mid-paced, highly efficient and has a touch of darkness that is neatly banished by a cloud-clearing chorus eruption done in fine style. The soundscape is saturated, the Zoo Party Three come out of this one with all flags of victory flying. We finish events with 'Your Truth Is A Lie', a right riff loaded jaunt of pleasing magnitude that goes through expected revolutions and gives us nothing new but a consistent send off in keeping with the ZP style. The band could have taken a risk here, they play it safe somewhat, I shall not be a bastard so late on and leave this one on good terms.

Zoo Party are a highly efficient band, cruising through the tonal spheres with ease and knocking out a very effective sound for people like me and people like you. They have a good feeling going on within their weavings, I find what they do most inoffensive - in my life of honesty and toe-treading this is a blessing. If you haven't already - check out the band please, and rock to some honest vibrations.

www.fungalpunknature.co.uk


(DL39) ZOOPARTY - Lardass

Here are three dudes from Sweden that sound like a gang of nine. That's three times density on this album, and it's a solid one. "Set The World on Fire" and "Two Different Sets of Rules" are both made to be included on "What I'm Listening to Now!" mix tapes and punk radio playlists. The vocal-less intros on every song are the fourth member of the band that everyone wants to hang out with after the show. The hype is rebuilt every few minutes, and this band needs to pat themselves on the back for perfecting their formula. Don't be thrown off by the minimal album cover. This is a band that rocks, and not a trashy Euro-trance dance party, as the cover may suggest. For reference, if you like the BOUNCING SOULS, you will love this. (Ryan Hertel)

Maximum Rock N'Roll


(DL39) ZOOPARTY - Lardass

"Fantastic"

Megawatts

 


(DL39) ZOOPARTY - Lardass

Having graced Blackpool’s Rebellion Festival five times and with an 11th UK tour scheduled for June, Zooparty have only gone and dropped an A-Bomb of a new album entitled Lardass. Don’t let the title fool you into thinking there’s a display of comedy on show, as Zooparty specialise in catchy pop punk, and I ain’t referring to the likes of Blink 182. This Swedish ensemble are more akin to The Bouncing Souls and pogo friendly tunes are their forte.

The title track sums up everything you need to know about Zooparty in a 2 minute and 40 second blast. It’s all schoolyard chants over straight-up melodic punk rock, right down the vocal coda of “na-na-na-na-naaaa- na.” You want high energy singalong stuff? You got it!

As with previous outings, special guests are aplenty with Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols offering bass duties on You Don’t Know Me and Everything I Failed To Be. Brian James of The Damned also adds licks to the latter as well as on Wake Up. If that’s not enough then mid 80s to early 90s KISS guitarist Bruce Kulic takes the lead on Hardcore. One thing’s for sure – vocalist Erik Petterson’s little black book has paid dividends. Production kudos must go to Chips Kiesbye too. The Nomads, Hellacopters, Michael Monroe knob twiddler makes the whole thing sound huge.

If you like your punk with a pop edge and relish the classic Fat Wreck Chords period, then with these 12 infectious slabs, Zooparty may well have created your favourite album of 2018. Pogo, pogo! Ginge Knievil

Mass Movement


(DL39) ZOOPARTY - Lardass

"Zooparty is back and as usual, there are guests like Brian James and Glen Matlock, but this time, Bruce Kulick from Kiss have joined too. Chips has produced and I can hear that because there are significant Sator influences, but it does not interfere in any way. Musically, it is the same nice style that ZooParty usually has and the title song sometimes sounds like a tantalizing melody somewhere in the middle of the song. There are also cool choirs and here are 77-punk, surf and power pop mixed in a wonderful constellation. Set the world on Fire is a punk is a song in early Boys spirit, I really like and I really like ZooParty's attitude in the songs. You become really happy by the 12 songs on the disc and the one who does not buy this disc is probably stupid in their head I think. There are no long songs just but it's no longer necessary when you have quality. You don't know me sounds like a Professionals song and I do not know if Matlock is on this (he was not is that group at all). But it's a 12-piece album and I think everyone can find their own favourite here. 27/3-2018"

Skrutt Magazine 8/10


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