6 May 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Zed - Gig Review: Zed @ The Church, Christchurch - 8/12/2023

11 Dec 2023 // A review by Peter K Malthus

Zed are back! 23 years after the release of their triple-platinum, number one debut album Silencerthey have finally returned, after a couple of teaser reunions over the years. Formed in 1996 (Originally as Supra) by Nathan King (vocals, guitar), Ben Campbell (bass) and Adrian Palmer (drums) whilst still at high school, they really hit their straps with the addition of powerhouse guitarist Andy Lynch, prior to recording the album.  They recorded another album, This Little Empirebefore disbanding in 2004. However, new single Future You is the first from an upcoming new album, and Zed are set to take on the world, all over again.

If the crowd at this show was anything to go by, it won't be a difficult goal to achieve for them. Before they took the stage, we were treated to a set from the bold, sassy, and irreverent Emma Dilemma. Emma's songs have a uniqueness of character, to a degree that is no mean feat in the music world. It takes a lot to truly stand out as a performer, and Emma has certainly carved out her own niche. Her rollicking, raunchy set featured many from debut album Spitas well as new kazoo-riff driven single Bed All DayPlus, I got to experience the deliciousness of her partner-in-crime and guitarist, Moses, whom I haven't seen perform since his days in House Of Mountain. Long before the end of the 9 song set, Emma had the crowd wrapped around her little finger.

After a brief intermission, the wait was over... the venue was briefly plunged into darkness, before the opening strains of Renegade Fighter had the crowd roaring their joy at the stage. Zed were tight, slick, and polished. Their glorious vocals were effortlessly on point, and Andy Lynch had a guitar tone that had me drooling. They delivered a set of classics from both earlier albums, but also introduced a couple from the new album along with Future You, to the delight of the capacity crowd. Nothing beats a sing-along, so before they dished up the final banger of Glorafilia, they tore new ones for both Kings Of Leon's Sex On Fire and Radiohead's Creep, inspiring a raucous and heart-felt vocal effort from the audience.

A triumphant return to form, in the city where they formed. Zed were magnificent, and utterly brought the house down.

Photo Credit: Alec Huisman
Zed Photo Gallery
Emma Dilemma Photo Gallery

 

About Zed

Wherever you are and whatever you're doing, when Zed's Renegade Fighter comes on the radio, you'd better keep your guard up - because this song packs a punch! From the first chords of its overdriven guitars, to its clever harmonies, to the final echo of its hook-heavy chorus, the debut track from Zed is equal parts menace and vulnerability, charm and arrogance. In short, it's 100% pure Rock n Roll, no imitations accepted.

Originally formed while they were still students at Christchurch's Cashmere High, Zed is the dream child of Nathan King, Ben Campbell and Adrian Palmer, all of whom found they shared a passion for guitar pop - fuelled by their parents old Beatles records, a bit of Crowded House, and radio stars Supergrass and Radiohead.

Sometime back in '96 though, daydreams and air-guitar weren't enough, and like thousands of young bands before them, the three began getting together in each others bedrooms for band practice.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Zed

Releases

This Little Empire
Year: 2003
Type: Album
Silencer (Bonus Disc)
Year: 2001
Type: Album
Silencer
Year: 2000
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Peter K Malthus

TheSlacks - Album Review: Information Ape
02 May 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Scott Armstrong (vocals, rhythm guitar), Mark Armstrong (vocals, lead guitar), Blake Gibson (vocals, bass guitar) and Zane Greig (vocals, drums) are collectively  TheSlacks, Taranaki's answer to the question "What do you reckon a cross between Johnny Cash and Sublime would sound like?" Information Ape is their new album, their third after 2003's Suppressed Inventions and 2014's Welcome To The Rolling Vibe, and they're embarking on a 4-date tour to coincide with New Zealand Music Month to support it, their mums think they play Folk-Rock, they themselves think they play Country-Ska, but apparently they actually play Adult Contemporary Pop...
Read More...
Gig Review: Dragon @ Town Hall, Christchurch - 18/04/2024
20 Apr 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Dragon is a name long since synonymous with rock & roll in Australasia, and the band is currently enjoying an 8-date tour in celebration of their 50th anniversary. Starting April 12th in Invercargill, the tour will work its way slowly up the country, to wind up in Auckland on April 27th.
Read More...
Sounds Escape - Album Review: Midnight Drive
18 Apr 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Sounds Escape is the solo project of Logan Wedgwood, an Auckland based drummer, guitarist, and composer. Sounds Escape started coming into being during lockdown, and having released two EPs since 2022, Midnight Drive is his debut full length album.
Read More...
Cian - EP Review: All New Ways Of Life
22 Mar 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
All New Ways Of Life is the introductory offering from Wellington-based Hardcore Metal outfit, Cian. Connor Matthew (Guitar, Vocals), Navah Chapman (Guitar), Dylan Jonkers (Bass, Vocals) and Zed Ramsay (Drums) have delivered four raging slabs of blistering-hot Metal on this EP and are hungry to take over the world with their punishing, riff-laden sound.
Read More...
Jackie Bristow - Jackie B And The Mini Band - EP Review: Summertime
22 Mar 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Jackie Bristow has had a career on a continuous upward trajectory, since being discovered at the tender age of eight, in her primary school's choir. In the time since then, she relocated to Australia, and then on to Nashville in the USA, regarded by many as that nation's "music capital".
Read More...
The Mons Whaler - Album Review: Hold My Gun
29 Feb 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
The Mons Whaler were formed in the Taranaki area, by Hemi Coates (vocals & guitar), Andre Peri (percussion & backing vocals) and Phil Hoskin (bass, guitar backing vocals). Multi-talented Courtnay Low joined forces with them, on keys, backing vocals and lead guitar.
Read More...
Empyrvore - Album Review: Nadir: Empyrean
12 Feb 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Nadir: Empyrean is the latest release from Wellington-based Empyrvore, and their first full length album. It has been a labour of love for its two creators, Jared and Mike, who followed the complete DIY path for recording, mixing, mastering, and releasing...
Read More...
David Edwards - Album Review: Electric (Yang) / Acoustic (Yin) - 2CD Compilation 1998-2023
30 Dec 2023 // by Peter K Malthus
Fiffdimension is the name under which Dave Edwards records and performs, having released the debut album Scratched Surface back in 1998. He's certainly been busy since then; I think I counted around 40 releases listed on his website.
Read More...
View All Articles By Peter K Malthus

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • TOO SWEET
    Hozier
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • FORTNIGHT
    Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone
  • MILLION DOLLAR BABY
    Tommy Richman
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
    Artemas
  • I CAN DO IT WITH A BROKEN HEART
    Taylor Swift
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • DOWN BAD
    Taylor Swift
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem