...REVIEWS !!
THE VON ZIPPERS "The Crime Is Now!" LP
german norwegian french italian swedish spanish
ENGLISH
UNCLE
DAN'S HOUSE OF SMUT (US) DEC 2004 There is a perception
amongst some folks that maturity is a bad thing--the ruination of all worthwhile
creativity. That isn't necessarily always the case, though. Take the VON ZIPPERS,
for instance. This Canadian blitzkrieg squad first rose to fame as snotty smartasses,
taking the stage adorned in German war regalia whilst pumping out their relentless
garage rock n' roll--definitely great, but still kind of gimmicky. Their new
album The Crime Is Now adds such incredible depth to the killer stuff they've
always done musically, the abrupt turn of corner leaves one excitedly wondering
just what the hell has happened to these guys.
Sonically, the VON ZIPPERS brand of garage punk is very much rock n'
roll minded. Think something along the lines of the Mullens for point of comparison.
The Crime is Now comes off very straightforward with an unfabricated sense of
power. The VON ZIPPERS are head and shoulders above most of the pack, just as
they've always been.
The thing that separates The Crime Is Now from the band's past work, and makes
this platter an instant all-time classic of the genre, is its intelligently
crafted lyrics. Far from the out-of-ass ranting most pseudo intellects today
perceive as effective communication, these words are thoughtfully put together
with great care. Subject-wise, they are very political and pro-socialism, with
many indictments of a corrupt mass media unwilling and unable to cover its biases.
As such, it is recommended to consume this album as a whole. For those who simply
want to rock out, you'll be able to appreciate the band getting their na-na's
out on "Blue Suit Bullies" or the cool midpoint time signature shifts
of the harmonica infused closer "Friday Is The Spice Of Life." That's
fine, and a really cool thing, but the VON ZIPPERS have created something here
worthy of much more than a passing glance.
If the VON ZIPPERS can evolve gracefully and successfully, why do so many other
bands fail at it? Simply put, they aren't as special as these folks. The Crime
Is Now undoubtedly begs for masterpiece status. For its blueprint of showing
greater possibilites within the confines of the garage rock form, this is essential
listening--regardless of whether you agree with its politics or not.
ODYSSEY
ZINE (USA) July 2004 Ever notice
that Canadian bands seem to be better at being activists? Look at the Weakerthans
or Propaghandi. It just seems that they care a little more about what is going
around them than we Americans, and they say what they have to say with such
style. Add the VON ZIPPERS to this list of great bands that have a bit to say
about the state of world affairs. In fact, we should retitle this album, "Why
Canadians are smarter than Americans." Right when you open this booklet,
you know you're getting something a little different for an AlienSnatch!/Estrus
release. For one thing, this release has all of the lyrics printed out. That's
something that doesn't happen too often these days. For many bands, the lyrics
aren't a real important ingredient anyway. It's just something to propel the
voice "instrument" along. But the VON ZIPPERS have some really smart
stuff going on in here, and the lyrics deserve to be read: "We'll foster
our own genetic clones and boost a false economy. Well everything's bigger (and
that makes it better) like TVs and tits, if they're small forget it." As
for the tunes, they're a great punk/blues/garage hybrid, with a sort of Eddie
Spaghetti meets Joey Shithead vocal quality. Just when you thought you couldn't
take another band regurgitating the sound and dogma from a band twenty years
their senior, you get the VON ZIPPERS. These guys realize that you can say something
enlightening with rock and roll, and it can still be a hell of a lot of fun
(Phil Hunt )
ODYSSEY ZINE (USA) FEB 2004 Damn, this disc rules. ROOOOOOOOLSS! This is 11 tracks of pure garage rock fun. What I really love about it is the guitar tone, which has a nice clean sound to it, while still remaining raunchy enough to rock like a bitch. Similarly, the production is perfect, as everything sounds good, and actually sounds like an instrument (a common complaint of mine about some garage bands). It's hi-fi, but not slick or overbearing at the same time (another thing that ruins some great garagers.....). This is something that you throw on a party, and drink 'till 'ya throw up, from the real burners like "Blue Suit Bullies", "Little Black Heart", "Cracked Judy", "Put on the Brakes", and "Put on the Brakes". The harmonica on tracks like "Put on the Brakes" makes a great song even better, and the best thing about the ZIPPERS is that they are a garage band, yeah, but they're not something that's sooooohooo garage that it's offputting to the casual listener (read: more widespread appeal than some mediocre garage bands like the BLACK LIPS). And just when 'ya think that it's all about partying and chicks, it's actually not. There's alot of political lyrics here, as "Common Sense Party Theme" starts off with the lyrics, "Canada, home to the free and false market economy, where your worth is what you're paid", and "The air's real hot, yeah, it makes me cough, but it's rebate time and you bought us off" (from "Little Black Heart"), reveals that there's some brain to the VON ZIPPERS brawn. But the bottom line is this: The VON ZIPPERS are an underrated band, namely 'cause they don't tour very often outside of their native Calgary. Pick this record up, turn it up to ten on your stereo, and go drink some beer. Or kick a politician's ass. (Ryan Settee)
PHILLY BURBS.COM (USA) FEB 2004 While Canada's The VON ZIPPERS' third album, "The Crime is Now" is available domestically on CD from Estrus Records, you have to go all the way to Germany to ALIEN SNATCH! RECORDS to find the vinyl version, which I did, and it's worth the effort. The gorgeous gatefold sleeve takes you back to the time when buying a record meant getting a complete package with intelligent design and loads of art to look at and lyrics to read along to as you listen to the album. Congrats to Pat Moriarity (cross between Kozik and Daniel Clowes?) whose great artwork really makes this vinyl LP special. As for the music, the VON ZIPPERS play garage-influenced punk, but with lots of rock and roll flare. (Think the DIRTBOMBS meet the CYNICS.) The production is clean, the performances are tight and the songs are right on. There's an unexpected political edge to the lyrics that address environmental pollution, cultural homogenization and media control by corporations. (Dave McGurgan)
ALL MUSIC GUIDE (USA) FEB 2004 In the grand tradition of their noble Canadian forefathers D.O.A., on their third album the VON ZIPPERS reveal themselves to be a political punk band that doesn't sound like a political punk band. The Crime Is Now! overflows with chunky guitar riffs, stomped-out beats, and beer-soaked, good-time attitude (especially now that they've been stripped down to a keyboard-less power trio), but a listen to the lyrics reveals that these guys have plenty on their minds — genetic experimentation ("SGWTF"), global warming ("Insect Idol"), corporate greed ("Blue Suit Blues"), the need for economic and political equality ("Common Sense Party Theme"), and all manner of other stuff that's stuck in their craw ("Put on the Brakes"). But at the same time, these guys proclaim their concerns with a gutsy urgency that never sounds precious or pretentious, and "Friday Is the Spice of Life" (in which they offer their recipe for a perfect evening — "kung fu movies, Estrus records, and beer!") shows they haven't gone Fugazi on us. A good slab of blue-collar punk rock that's book smart and street smart at the same time, The Crime Is Now! proves that enlightening the masses can be a whole lot of fun if you do it right (Mark Demming)
NEXT BIG THING (NETHERLANDS) JAN 2004 The German ALIEN SNATCH! label is steadily becomin' one of the prime sources for current none-lame p-rock. Take the VON ZIPPERS, a Canadian band who's deliver the goods in fine style on their latest 'The Crime Is Now' disc. I could call 'm a slightly more accessible NEW BOMB TURKS, but that would be sellin' 'm short 'cause there's a singular mind at work here, but it gives you the general direction anyhoo!
SLEAZEGRINDER
(USA) The VON ZIPPERS, as we all know, are the surf Nazis
that menaced Annette Funicello and friends back in the 60's*.
They like dirty rock and roll and cheap beer and Mousketeer tits, and they ain't
afraid to take over the whole fuckin' beach if they have to. The do play surf
music, sure, but it ain't that beachball-bouncing bubblegum stuff, it's a savage,
shark spotting, neo-punk garage kinda surf music, for people that really wouldn't
be caught dead at the beach. It's a beach blanket bango played by guys in monocles
and those fucked up, twirly Red Baron mustaches, and made for the kind of people
that only like doin' the twist when they're wearing Frankenstein masks. It's
a freakout and a clambake all at once. With harmonicas, even. I dunno exactly
what kind of crime the VON ZIPPERS are committing here, but it's most definitely
happening, baby. Get Zipped! *Not really.
They're actually a bunch of Canadians from right now. The real VON ZIPPERS are
probably eating honey mush or something by now, but I bet they're still mean
fuckers.
FFWD
WEEKLY (CANADA) If you’ve been fortunate enough to see Spike
Lee’s film 25th Hour, you already know that its most stirring moment is the
misanthropic monologue by lead actor Edward Norton. No matter what you think
of the rest of the film, the anger in that scene is palpable, and while it reaches
a climax with Norton’s character Monty Brogan pointing fingers and naming names
("Send those Enron assholes to jail for fucking life! You think Bush and
Cheney didn't know about that shit? Give me a fucking break!"), it concludes
with him aiming his uncontainable vitriol at himself in an incendiary call-to-arms
for social responsibility in an age of rampant individualism.
Inspiringly
enough, The Crime is Now, the latest record from Calgary punk rock band The
VON ZIPPERS, performs a similar function, channeling all the urgency and insurgency
of fast, loud and snotty rock ’n’ roll for polemic purposes. If you’re like
me, you thought that punk rock with something to say had long since been replaced
by a legion of generic, mindless pretty-boys singing about poo and pee on the
Warped Tour. Of course, to call that shit "punk" is to turn your tattooed
back on a legacy that stretches at least as far back as 1977, when the Sex Pistols
were shocking the world by saying nasty things about the queen, and Al Charlton,
The VON ZIPPERS’ pissed-off frontman, was kicking out his first jams in Calgary’s
original punk scene.
Now that Charlton’s
in his 40s, he’s often referred to as Calgary’s oldest teenager, and the lyrics
on this record show why – he’s still got a youthful, idealistic edge. In singing
about a litany of social problems, he points fingers and, like Monty Brogan,
is eager to name names.
"Monsanto’s in
like a dirty shirt," he yowls in the Dictators’ tribute "SGWTF"
(or "Science Gone Way Too Far"). Later, in "Blue Suit Bullies,"
he Bronco-busts Calgary’s own mayor, asking, "Is it urban planning or just
more of Bronconnier’s hot air?"
But Charlton’s no
mere Cassandra. For each itemized societal ill – from racism and homelessness
to corporate scams and the growing gap between rich and poor – he offers up
a socialist solution, the result being that The Crime is Now comes off as a
borderline cuckoo collection of egghead ideas (NB: that’s a compliment) backed
up by meathead garage rock guitar riffs (also a compliment) and the ass-freeing
rhythms of bassist Doug Boland and drummer James Hayden.
My only reservation
is that The VON ZIPPERS end the record with "Friday is the Spice of Life,"
a song about being too weary and apathetic to take any action after a long week
at the office. While this may describe the current state of affairs for many
malcontents, it’s inconsistent with the 10 fire-starters that precede it. This
record is at its best when it’s not pulling punches.
ESTRUS
RECORDS (USA) WHY DON’T THESE GUYS JUST SHUT UP?” you’re
thinking, as you nervously sample the wine and cheese, and fellow hot-tub party
guests furrow their Botox-injected brows, unable to comprehend this deafening
bunch of middle-aged no-counts and the flat headed-but-socially-conscious rubbish
they’re touting as ‘The People’s Fight Against Frivolity’... “WHOSE LAME-BRAINED
IDEA WAS THIS, ANYWAYS?!!” your own whiny, nasal voice now rising out loud in
objection, but still inaudible through the relentless, plexi-powered din of
the VON ZIPPERS... Finally re-emerging from their dark ‘n’ dank Budget Ape basement,
those still-drunk VZ chumps finally open the door to daylight and deliver their
third Estrus full-length tirade, impeccably titled ‘THE CRIME IS NOW!’... Appearing
on the scene as packs of drooling, mechanical robot dogs bark and march forth,
appetites ravenous for crafty K-9 treats of regime change, resources, and re-election...
So, shine up them spats, Jack, and dig down in those deep pockets, or why not
cash in those worthless mutuals, ‘cause the VON ZIPPERS loudly proclaim, ‘THE
CRIME IS NOW!’... THE VON ZIPPERS “The Crime Is Now!” CD...ES1291D. Recorded
at BUDGET APE STUDIOS. Sleeve design by PAT MORIARITY.
FLYING REVOLVERBLATT (GER) DEZ 2005 Ich habe eine Weile nichts mehr von diesen kanadischen Spinnern gehört, die sich vor Jahren gern mit wilhelminischen Utensilien und Floskeln, von Pickelhaube über Wirtshausromantik, umgaben und dazu rudimentärem Garage Punk bolzten. Musikalisch hat sich in den Jahren nicht allzu viel gewandelt, allein man scheint ernsthafter geworden zu sein. „The Crime Is Now“ ist ein Art Konzeptalbum, welches nordamerikanische gesellschaftliche Verfehlungen und Gedankenlosigkeit, von Gentechnik, Umweltverschmutzung, Medienkontrolle über Wirtschaftskritik, thematisiert. Das ist ungewöhnlich für eine Garage Punk Band, die solche Kritik meist außen vor lassen. Verpackt wird das wie gewöhnlich in wild stompenden Garage Punk, der (auch das ist selten) so charakteristisch ist, dass man ihn am ersten Ton erkennt. Alien Snatch hat hiermit löblicherweise die Vinylversion der CD auf Estrus veröffentlicht und dies in ein Klappcover mit Artwork von Pat Moriarity gesteckt, welches nur so wirklich zur Geltung kommt (cc)
OX
#54 (GER) MARCH 2004:
So sehr
ich Estrus Records immer noch schätze, so schwer ist mittlerweile nur noch
an die Vinylversionen der Releases (so es sie überhaupt gibt) heranzukommen,
und wenn, dann nur richtig teuer. Aber Dank Alien Snatch-Daniel gibt‘s jetzt
zumindest die Vinylversion des aktuellen VON ZIPPERS-Albums in einer deutschen
Lizenzpressung auf schön dickem Plastik und mit Klappcover, welches das
Artwork erst so richtig zur Geltung bringt. Was den Rest anbelangt, so zitiere
ich mich einfach mal selbst aus der CD-Rezension: „Habe ich irgendwas nicht
mitbekommen? Die Kanadier liefern hier das politischste Album auf Estrus ever
ab, eine gnadenlose Abrechnung mit dem American (und Canadian!) Way of Life,
mit der Gentechnikindustrie, mit Umweltverschmutzern und Politikern, die Sozialsysteme
gen Null reduzieren. Und das im Gewande von lässigst shakendem Rock‘n‘Roll-Punk,
wie man das auch schon von ihren ersten beiden Alben kennt. Komisch irgendwie,
wenn zu solch garagiger Musik statt über Saufen und Weiber über Chemieabfalldeponien
gesungen wird, das kennt man irgendwie nicht, das verwirrt - und ist ein Beweis
gegen Leute, die behaupten „solche“ Bands hätten nichts zu sagen, seien
belangloses Entertainment. Doch, mit diesem Album sind mir die VON ZIPPERS sympathischer
als je zuvor. Schön auch das Artwork von Pat Moriarity, das thematisch
da weitermacht, wo die Texte aufhören.“ (jh)
GREEN HELL RECORDS (GERMANY) DECEMBER 2003 Lange war's still um die Kanadier, aber jetzt gibt es in Form von "Crime is now" elf neue Songs, die nahtlos an den trashigen Sixties PUNK der Vorgänger Platten anschließen. Nimm die verzerrtesten, deftigsten Momente der SONICS, paare mit dem schmissigen Rock'n'Roll und dem Händchen für gute Songs der SWINGIN´NECKBREAKERS und drehe dann anschließend durch den 77er bzw. Raw Power Wolf (siehe u.a. auch Armitage Shanks). Klasse!
MOLOKO PLUS (GERMANY) FEB 2004 Man mag kaum glauben, dass hier die ollen Pickelhaubenrocker am Werke sind. Während andere Garagenkollegen belanglosen 70ties Rock spielen, kommt von den Kanadiern aggressiver Garagenpunk mit politischen (!) Texten heraus. Neben Umweltzerstörung und ökonomischen Ungerechtigkeiten kommt auch das Private nicht zu kurz: "When I get home from work, I wanna set it on fire, but I busted my hump and now I'm too damned tired.". Ihr sagt es , ihr sagt es. Dazu ein schönes Klappcover, das an die Bedtime for Democray LP der DEAD KENNEDYS erinnert. Rundherum gelungene Platte! (tb)
GROOVE.NO (NORWAY) Canadiske The VON ZIPPERS er et friskt punkband med et bein i god, gammel garasjerock. Dette kombinerer de med tidvis svært politiske tekster, noe som er svært uvanlig for denne type band. Men kombinasjonen av svett rock'n'roll og betraktninger rundt samfunnsutviklingen funker svært godt for disse gutta.De blåser ut sin frustrasjon over tukling med gener i moderne forskning i SGWTF (står for Science Gone Way Too Far). Dette er kanskje skivas mest fengende låt. Klassisk, enkel kraftpunk med god garagerockbeat. De lener seg mot bluesrock i noen av låtene, uten at dette blir rendyrket. Det er vel heller slik at de forsterker et lite blueshint med et velplassert munnspill.Hjemlandets myndigheter, media og den nye økonomien får gjennomgå mens strengeinstrumenter snerrer som villhunder. Partylåter er det også plass til. Tittelen Friday Is the Spice Of Life sier vel sitt. Til tross for alvorlige tekster funker The Crime Is Now! godt som gladrock. Den er full av overskudd og humør, selv om bandet er forbanna store deler av tida. Utover skiva sliter de likevel litt med å variere formen sin. Dermed synker også konsentrasjonen til lytteren. Innsatsen er riktignok på topp, og trioen fyrer av en god dose krutt. De mangler bare nok skikkelig gode låter til å imponere gjennom ei hel skive. (Jonas Prangerød)
Dig
It ! (France) #29 Jan 2004 Qualité
et diversité sont depuis cinq ans les mots d'ordre de ce petit label
allemand qui monte. Des DEMONICS aux LEG HOUNDS en passant par les YUM YUMS,
FEVERS, TRASH BRATSou Dirtshakes, Daniel Snatch se fait plaisir et sort principalement
du vinyle (coloré, 180 & 220g, pic discs) sous des pochettes qui
chatouillent agréablement l'oeil. Celle des VON ZIPPERS (genre comix)
se déplie comme un double album (mais c'est un simple) et recèle
le quatrième méfait (The Crime Is Now) de ces Canadiens imputrescibles
au gimmick original (foin de cagoules de catcheurs, vive les casques à
pointes teutons !). Le groupe pond là son meilleur album et synthétise
ses influences 60's garage et guitares sales 70's sans fautes de goût
(on se souvient d'une explosive version de "Summertime Blues" plus
proche des BLUE CHEERSque de l'originale). De plus, chaque morceau a désormais
ce petit quelque chose qui attire immanquablement l'oreille et qui n'était
pas toujours au rendez-vous sur les albums précédents. La voix
soignée au Bourbon et les griffures de guitares tout en puissante complicité
forcent l'intérêt et l'étonnement admiratif. Et c'est à
la troisième écoute que j'ai fini par comprendre : ces gars-là
font des FLAMIN´GROOVIES du XXIème siècle tout à
fait honnêtes.(GD)
RUMORE #151 (ITA) JULY 2004: Il gruppo è canadese, l’etichetta che ha stampato il cd degli Stati Uniti, mentre della versione in vinile se n’è occupata una label tedesca, strano? Non direi se ci troviamo al cospetto di una vera e propria leggenda del sottobosco punk-garage mondiale. Di gruppi che bazzicano queste sonorità ce ne sono sempre di più, ma affidarsi a volponi del calibro dei VON ZIPPERS è piacevolmente rassicurante come fumare le solite sigarette, bere la solita birra, trombare la solita ragazza. Si sa esattamente a cosa si va incontro e l’eccitazione è sempre quella della prima volta. Punk-garage, e non il contrario, con code stonesiane (Cracker Judy), ghirigori bluesy con tanto di armonica procurabrividi (Put On The Brakes, Friday Is The Spice of Life), stop & go da pelle d’oca (Common Sense Party Theme). Eppoi quel concentrato micidiale di punk’n’roll dall’inequivocabile titolo Incendiary (immaginate i Pistols alle prese con una cover dei Sonics), che da solo vale il prezzo del biglietto. The Crime Is Now! è una mitragliata che fa secchi in pochi secondi tutti quei fighetti in All Star e giubbini di pelle da 2000 dollari. Impugnare, mirare, sparare…please! (Manuel “manwell” Graziani)
BAM #3 (ITA) JULY 2004: (Vom) Questo concept album dei VON ZIPPERS è in assoluto il loro migliore LP! Un punk con forti venature blues e soul al servizio di una durissima denuncia sociale, esplicitata fin dall’inquietante doppia cover illustrata da Pat Moriarty: ecologia, economia criminale e altre minacce incombenti. “If this is progress…” cantano i canadesi e il sorriso si fa amaro. 11 pezzi tutti eccellenti e pieni di pathos e che a tratti mi ricordano gli Oddball’s Band per via dell’enfasi del cantato. Un disco teso e decisamente sopra la media delle uscite in ambito r’n’r. Compratelo, prima che sia troppo tardi!
CAPINCH (Italy) May 2004 Edizione gatefold cartonata con testi all’interno e artwork firmato da Pat Moriarity. Non c’è che dire, i dischi della Alien Snatch sono di una qualità oggettiva non comune. Ma non basta questo a farmela considerare tra le migliori d’Europa in assoluto: è soprattutto il valore artistico delle sue uscite che ultimamente tende sempre di più a salire verso livelli non usuali. E anche questo LP si presta a far la sua porca figura al fianco degli attuali best seller di scuderia. I VON ZIPPERS non sono una band di primo pelo, questo è il loro quarto album e hanno all’attivo anche diversi singoli. Questa quarta prova sulla lunga distanza parla una lingua garagey punkrock con un pizzico di RnB ad alta energia e suonato con mooolta foga. Veramente belli i testi, giusto per star svegli e attenti alla merda che ci circonda. Ma se non vi bastano le parole, la musica vi sparerà un bel calcio di elettricità nel culo. Alza il volume, ragazzo, sei il tu padrone della strada
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