The lights go down, it's dark and the soaring sound of a rock band bound for greatness collides with the low ceiling of a small club. It's like 1978 all over again, when U2 first stormed the pubs of Dublin, Ireland.
But this is the 21st Century in San Francisco, and the band is Zoo Station, a quartet that bills itself "The Complete U2 Experience." Since 2001, this talented force has delivered the visual, musical and spiritual thrill of a U2 concert to bars, clubs, outdoor festivals, private parties and corporate events along the West Coast of North America. Singer Bonalmost leads the show, flying high with the vocal strength and confidence of Bono's The Joshua Tree days. The Sledge showers thick layers of effectual guitar work over crowd as Adamesque on bass and Barely Larry on the drums deliver the pounding heartbeat of some of modern rock's most memorable songs.
The band's primary job is replication, but periodically Zoo Station innovates as much as it imitates. During their trademark full-album spotlight sets – in which the band plays an entire U2 album from start to finish – Zoo Station encounters such obscurities as "Elvis Presley and America," "Promenade," "Red Hill Mining Town" and "Acrobat," songs rarely or never performed live by U2.
"Songs like these are exciting," says Bonalmost. "All we can really do is ask ourselves, 'What would U2 have done onstage?'"
More familiar are melodies like "Pride (In The Name of Love)," "With or Without You," "Beautiful Day," and "Vertigo." Behind the band, a multi-media visual projection system elevates Zoo Station's performances to the highest level of virtual authenticity. Swirling abstract imagery appears behind the stage, interspersed with rapid-fire "U2-phemisms" and in-synch flashing light choreography. All are recognizable from U2 shows, and these visual effects, centerpieced by Bonalmost's lively theatrics, reflect Zoo Station's deep-set love of U2's music and their commitment to fully recreating the dense emotional impact of a U2 concert.
Since day-one, when an earnest Craigslist posting sparked the band, Zoo Station has played nearly 300 shows and now flourishes a repertoire of nearly 140 U2 songs. The sing-along radio hits appease casual listeners, while the most loyal U2 fans are wowed by the surprising depth and variety of the set list. Such thrilling rock and roll was made for vast arenas, one-acre stages and sky-high screens, and though U2 quit the bar scene in 1980, Zoo Station thrives there, doing what U2 no longer can: setting the smallest neighborhood pubs burning to life with a sound that has drowned out the world.
To inquire about booking Zoo Station, please contact Billy Cohen at (415) 753-0910 or via email at billy@labyrynth.com!
Peace Sunday, June 5, 1982, Rose Bowl, no nukes - nuclear disarmament - stop nuclear madness concert - NYC - Central Park - June 12, 1982, 1,000,000 person march and rally for Nuclear Freeze. Photography and presentation by Curtis Rainbow. 'Give Peace a Chance' music by Achim Schultz. Inspiration by Yoko Ono. Dedicated to John Lennon.
Erasure-esque are back at their favourite stomping ground....The Red Devil Lounge in San Francisco. We are performing this Friday night August 7th with a host of great bands with us for an 80's New Wave Night. Don't miss this great show.
This will be a great night of music and entertainment at a great location.....The Red Devil Lounge is located at 1695 Polk Street (at Clay) in San Francisco. It's only $10 so come out and enjoy Four amazing tributes to some of the best 80's music.
Erasure-esque will be making their debut Seattle performance when they appear at Neumo's in Seattle on August 1st for the 80's Synth Pop Tribute Night! Also appearing are Black Celebration (Depeche Mode Tribute) and Love Vigilantes (New Order Tribute) Don't miss this great show.
This will be a great night of music and entertainment at a great location.....Nuemo's is located at 925 E Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122. It's only $10 so come out and enjoy these three amazing tributes to some of the best 80's music.
Erasure-esque will be appearing at Kimo's Bar & Penthouse Lounge in San Francisco on July 11th for the Erasure Tribute Night hosted by Cookie Dough.
This will be a great night of music and entertainment at a great location.....Kimo's is located at 1351 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. It's only $6 so come out and enjoy the celebration of Erasure's music.
congats on the celbration tom. night fellas..if at all possible can you play one if not all 3 of these songs: MOFO BAD and KITE...thankyou and I will hopefully see ya manana.
Check out our newest mixtape officially hosted by a Major Artist! Just click the cover to download all the Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes for free at www.coast2coastmixtapes.com!
Artists click below to submit your music to be considered for the next Coast 2 Coast Mixtape hosted by a Major Artist!
What up fellas...long time no see...heard the new track today...it took me a few times to get into it and now I can't stop listening to it...HAHAHAHA...it's gonna sound great live...love the fast dope lyrics...hope to see you guys real soon...if not Walnut Creek then Blackthorn for sure...we'll be celebrating my birthday...CHEERS BROTHAS!!! Check out my bulletin on myspace too!!!
