All Girls. All Zeppelin.
Since forming in 2004, the New York City-based quartet has toured throughout the United States and Europe to become the first and foremost female rock act to pay homage to Led Zeppelin and to garner rave reviews across the board. Although, LEZ ZEPPELIN stays true to the musically audacious spirit of the original, delivering the legendary rock band’s blistering arrangements and monstrous sound note-for-note at what often are sold-out frenzied shows around the world, the four women that make for the four essentially diverse elements of the band bring their own unique energy and passion to the music. Indeed, this may be the thing that serves most to set them apart. But then, there is also the seamless and strangely appropriate way in which LEZ ZEPPELIN inject their gender-bending performance into material that is often thought of as an historically male expression. For those who believe this to be the case, all that can be said is: times have changed.
Live, the group takes its lead from what Led Zeppelin did in performance, seeking to create an intense experience from the in-the-moment interaction between all the players to both recount and reinvent the musical moment for the audience. In the studio, the band is equally committed to garnering the spirit and authenticity of the original and called on legendary producer/engineer, Eddie Kramer, to produce the group’s debut self-titled album, which was released in July 2007. Kramer, of course, sat behind the desk on as many as five of Led Zeppelin’s records, and is also renown for his work with Jimi Hendrix, Kiss, Lauren Hill and AC/DC.
Although it was clear from the very first gigs that the group was doing something out of the ordinary for audiences hungry to hear this music played live, things reached a turning point when in 2006, Chuck Klosterman, formerly of SPIN magazine, called LEZ ZEPPELIN “the most powerful all-female band in rock history.” More press kudos followed; The New York Times raved that “Strapping on the double-necked Gibson with attitude to burn, this all-girl quartet pays tribute to its swaggering namesake Led Zeppelin, ripping through the catalog with blazing accuracy;” Bob Stanley of The Times of London hailed, “they are the best band I’ve seen all year, no question;” and CNN.com and Reuters ran front page features that called the group so “electrifying” they are “driving club audiences to a frenzy.” Over the past year alone, the group has been featured on VH1, MTV, CNN, FUSE and CBS Good Morning, among other major news networks and has been the subject of full-length features in leading magazines and daily papers across the world. The band has also become the first “tribute” band to play major rock festivals, including Bonnaroo (Manchester, TN), where the group played in front of an audience of 20,000; Download Festival (UK), Rock Am-Ring and Rock-im-Park (Germany) and the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans (USA).
Even so, there are still skeptics who dare to ask:
Can four women pull off the exuberant, powerful and musically intricate performances for which Led Zeppelin are known?
Come and see.
BONNAROO...
.......can be described in one word: Wow.
For those who couldn't make it, here are a few glimpses into what it was like from where we were standing onstage [click on the links below]
Walking to the stage
From the stage
The Beginning of Rock and Roll
Encore!
Dazed and Confused from Audience
"There are a few jarring moments when it will feel like the most powerful all-female band in rock history..."
--SPIN
...Just wanted to tell you ladies that your show was kick ass at the Mercy Lounge, Nashville. I knew you were at Bonnaroo last year but wasn't able to make that show but am really stoked that I got to make it last night! You all put on a hell of a show cant wait to see you all again!
--Kristin Klemm
"Strapping on the double-necked Gibson with attitude to burn, this all-girl quartet pays tribute to its swaggering namesake Led Zeppelin, ripping through the catalog with blazing accuracy"
--THE NEW YORK TIMES
"...You are amazing! We enjoyed the show and look forward to seeing you again. Hopefully that time my camera won't crap out before 'Whole Lotta Love' and I can get some footage.....The band is great."
--Dan
"...their coolly delivered parts displayed musicianship beyond practiced......a remarkable performance." --THE BOSTON GLOBE
Loved your show last night in the ATL. You ladies rocked that house. I still believe I saw a young Ann Wilson singing on that stage.
--Cyndi Leigh
“This is going to sound like blasphemy, but there are certain riffs as played by (Steph) Paynes that rival those of Page.” --ASPEN DAILY NEWS
