By Nate Dolha
Published: Dec 7, 2013
For rock and roll fans, there is something special about the mix of good times, big guitar riffs, and kicking beats.
Coat the mix with a healthy dose of keys and you have a recipe for Classic Rock bliss.
Local four piece Zombies Locker has turned this combination into a great 10 track sophomore release titled: Zombies in the House of Madness.
A rarity in the age of digital, Zombies Locker chose to record the bulk of the new music live off the floor at our own Eagle Eye Theatre over the course of five days.
When asked what drove the decision to record in this manner, drummer Enzo Milia explains that it was a great way to capture the energy of the band. No cut and paste editing, each track carries the foundation of a great performance.
This energy is apparent right from the start of the album. Lead track Debris kicks off with singer and guitarist Ben Lens introducing us to the beautiful tone of his Gibson Les Paul, and before you can say ear candy, the band is off running!
Writing lyrics about his life experiences, and the world around him, Lens and his soaring vocals serve as a great guide for the 10 track musical journey ahead.
After listening through the album a few times, one is curious to know how this band would create a sound that pays homage to the giants of rock and roll without sounding like a tribute act.
A pro in every sense of the word, Todd Mader explains how he writes each song on an acoustic guitar, and how the band jams his ideas through to completion.
Quick to deflect the praise to his bandmates, Mader makes it clear that it is the camaraderie of the band that delivers the goods.
Keyboardist John Bright rounds out the lineup, and for lovers of the classic Hammond Organ, provides some of the juiciest nuggets of tremolo dripping awesome you will hear on any album out today.
His performance on Sometimes really stands out, and his bandmates are quick to point out that adding his talent all over the record was a real treat, allowing the band to take the songs to another level.
One recent evening the band delivered a blistering three set show of both originals and covers to a packed house at The Cliffside Pub in Valleycliffe.
Opening with 54-40’s Ocean Pearl, the dance floor quickly filled up with eager smiles as the band wasted little time hitting their stride, delivering a great rendition of the Beatles Eleanor Rigby in their first set, and an equally stirring performance of The Clash’s London Calling late in the evening.
The middle set was all original material from Zombies in the House of Madness, as well as songs from the group’s first effort, 3.
Hearing these songs live, the energy and authenticity the band so passionately spoke about before the show shone through. This band was killing it, and happy patrons repaid the favour by proudly holding up the new CD while they danced the night away.
For your own copy of this made in Squamish musical gem, head over to Kelly’s Eclectibles, 1496 Winnipeg St., or if you prefer a digital copy, the album is also available on iTunes.
