NOV '04 ISSUE: "THE YEAR IN METAL 2004"

Chance Of A Lifetime
By: Rob Andrews

We don’t often write about “unsigned” bands on these hallowed pages. And that’s done with good reason. After all, there are dozens-upon dozens of signed bands struggling for a little recognition, and we always figure they deserve our support more than anyone else. But when the unsigned band in question----and by that we mean a group without any major or indie label affiliation----happens to land the opening gig on a summer-long national tour with Kiss and Poison, we figured they might be worth checking out. And in the case of ZO2, that notion proved to be right-on correct!

The fact of the matter is guitarist/vocalist Paulie Z., bassist/vocalist David Z and drummer Joey Cassata have the kind of natural, real-deal rock and roll flair that is too rarely heard these days…especially from an American band. But much like Euro-flavored rock revivalists like the Darkness and Jet, and home-grown riff-mongers such as Silvertide, this Brooklyn-based unit seems determined to bring a bit of much-needed swagger into the hard rock fold, a fact that can be heard throughout their self-financed debut disc, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“Getting the chance to tour with bands like Kiss and Poison is an amazing thrill for us,” David said. “And it’s an amazing opportunity as well. We know the odds of a band in our position getting a chance like this. There are so many young bands on major labels that would kill to do this. But we’ve gotten the chance, and we’re gonna do everything we can to make it work for us.”

So exactly how does a band from the “mean streets” of Brooklyn, NY find themselves on a tour with the likes of Poison and Kiss? After all, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have always been known to be pretty fair judges of rock and roll talent, and obviously it was they who provided the ultimate thumb’s-up to ZO2’s summer-long road romp. According to the ZO2 boys, they were as surprised as anyone upon learning that they had landed this potentially career-making gig, though they believe their ambitious, Noo Yawk-style publicity machine may have aided their quest to land such a plum touring assignment.

“We’re pretty aggressive when it comes to promoting the band,” David said. “And we’re surrounded by people who believe in us as much as we do. That’s the kind of passion and dedication that you need to make a mark these days. All-in-all that makes for a great situation. Our manager is a friend of Paul Stanley’s, and he had gotten our album and he evidently liked what he heard. We would have been happy to land one or two dates on the tour, but one thing led to another, and before we knew it we had landed the opening slot for all 37 dates…and even getting paid for it!”

While David may make ZO2’s recent accomplishments sound rather matter-of-fact, no one can deny the significance of this unit’s achievements. But after checking out the contents of Tuesday s and Thursdays, it’s easy to understand why Stanley---and just about everyone else who’s checked out this group’s work---ends up reacting excitedly to the brand of music ZO2 makes. On such tracks as Takin’ Me Down and Fly On Your Wings, this unit manages to simultaneously draw inspiration from the halcyon ghosts of hard rocks past, as well as pay homage to many of today’s trend-setting acts. It’s a neat trick if you can pull it off, but ZO2 clearly have their rock and roll priorities lined up in the right order…and it’s about to pay big dividends for this go-for-broke power trio.

“We’re the kind of band that’s ready for anything,” David said. “let us play in front of 10,000 people and we won’t let you down; put us in a packed club and we’ll blow the roof off. All we’ve ever asked for is the chance to get up there and play. We’re not waiting for labels to bang on our doors---we’ll just do it ourselves! We’re totally convinced that there’s not a situation that won’t bring out the best in us.”