ZO2 - Showz 16-18
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03/23/07 - Mystic Lounge, Staten Island, NY
By David Z
Living in Brooklyn, I’ve traveled over the Verrazzano Bridge countless numbers of times and have been to Staten Island more times than I can remember. And yet, this is the first time I’ve played a show there with ZO2. It hardly seemed possible. But what a first time it was. The place was packed from wall to wall and the PA system was killer. The show was actually a going away party for a friend who put the entire show together and we’re thrilled for him that the turn-out was so good. However, if you know him, you aren’t surprised.
The stage was a little small but the vibe in the place made it feel like we were on the KISS tour again. My only regret was the short set. We only got to play six songs. However, the coolest part of the club was that there was a VIP section that was on the second floor overlooking the stage. So whereas sometimes we don’t really get to see the other bands, this time we got to enjoy all the other bands and have a great view.
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03/24/07 - Fat Daddy's, York, PA
By Paulie Z
This show was awesome! First off, we played with a band called Evelyn’s Ashes. These guyz are amazing! They played a kick ass set and they’re great guyz and we’re looking forward to playing with them again at the Rock Asylum. But, to really have an awesome show, you need awesome fans. And York, PA turned out full force. Not only was the place packed but many of the people there were ZO2 fans. And we’ve never played there before! What a welcome!!! We’re always a little nervous playing a place for the first time because we never know what the crowd will be like. To walk in like we’re coming home and find all of our friends and fans waiting for us is not just exciting, it’s also almost a relief. We know it’s going to be a great night when we see familiar faces because even if the club is nearly empty, we know our fans are loud and loyal. The energy of even a few is enough to make the place feel completely full. And, in this case, it actually was full.
The staff at Fat Daddy’s is really cool too. Actually, there was one waitress in particular that I got to know a little better in the back room - and if she's reading this: I'll see you again in two weeks ; ) The club loved us and to prove it, the owner booked us to play again two weeks later with Funny Money. And we’re looking forward to returning! York, PA knows how to rock!!!
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03/30/07 - "Rock Asylum" - Arlene’s Grocery, New York, NY
By Joey C
We were all a little more excited by this show than the other Rock Asylum shows. This was the night that ZO2 was going to announce our big surprise!!! Everyone was so pumped up from the second the Asylum began. I have to say the ''inmates'' are getting crazier each month and it makes it that much more fun for us. Also, because Arlene’s is like home and everyone who walks through the doors is like family, it was very hard to hold back the surprise before we got on stage. Everyone was running up to us, begging and pleading, saying they had to know now.... But, I have to applaud our self-restraint - we waited...
The curtain fell at about 10:30 and the Asylum inmates didn't let us down. The place erupted like I haven’t seen before. Sure, it’s always a great show and the crowd at Arlene’s is one of the highest energy crowds of any place we’ve ever played but this was bigger. During the set people were getting a little impatient waiting for the big announcement... I could hear people yelling from the back from the back, but Paulie waited until the final pulse of Fly on Your Wings to do it.
ZO2 GOT SIGNED!!!! TO RIKER HILL RECORDS!!!!!!!!
I thought the roof was going to blow off! Everyone went berserk!! NOW THAT’S A PARTY!!!! We played the last song almost in a haze. We were excited to begin with but the energy of the crowd – the great support and unbelievable outpouring of joy was indescribable. I wonder if, even as we go forward (and upward), there are many moments that will compare to that.
Thanks to every last one of you Inmates at the Asylum.... we definitely couldn't have done it without you!
And, stick around, the party is just beginning!!!
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Stayed tuned for next week’s journal.
SAME Z TIME…SAME Z CHANNEL…OR LINK FOR THAT MATTER!!!