When your record opens with a song called "Punk Fucking Metal," you better be untouchably solid punk fucking metal. Which Zig Zags very much are. The band will release their new record They'll Never Take Us Alive on May 10 and we're blasting the hard-hitting, speeding-down-the-highway anthem "Fallout" today. If you can't listen at maximum volume right now, then don't bother. Wait until you can.
Here's what the band had to say about the new record.
"The thing is – we ain't dead yet. Every album we record, every song we write – has to be faster, harder and heavier – than the one before. And that's why this new record is all about upping the ante and raises the stakes, and why it marks the dawn of a new day…and a new era."
"This album, our first with RidingEasy, was written over the last year. It's reveals our longtime roots, our enduring love (all hail!) to the early punk of our hero(ines) Dead Moon and The Wipers (forever!) but friends, don't be misled…this is a METAL record – of the true blue, headbangin', riff-ridin', no-bullshit – kind."
Even better, vocalist and guitarist J. Maheu talks a little bit about being in a punk band like Zig Zags, and how it doesn't matter if it's punk or not – "you still gotta be able to play."
"Everyone puts photos of Sid Vicious up on Instagram. The other night I watched D.O.A, the documentary about The Sex Pistols' first and only U.S. tour. In it, Sid's a mess, he and his annoying girlfriend. And they're the only ones who get interviewed! Maybe John Lydon and Steve Jones (not to mention the drummer) didn't want to participate. Maybe Nancy made Sid do it. But it whatever the case, I didn't wanna watch it. The rest of the band is crushing! They sound just like the record! As a musician in a touring band, I can't stand Sid Vicious. He's cartoon character with a Swastika shirt, nodding off while everyone else loads the gear. I don't care if it's punk — you still gotta be able to play."
Pre-order They'll Never Take Us Alive here and catch Zig Zags at one of the dates below.
05/03 London, UK @ Desertfest
05/04 Berlin, DE @ Desertfest
05/06 Prague, CZ @ Academy of Fine Arts
05/07 Leipzig, DE @ Ilses Erika
05/10 Karlsruhe, DE @ Alte Hackerei
05/11 Milan, IT @ Sound Music Club
05/12 Cuneo, IT @ TBA
05/14 Valence, FR @ Mistral Palace
05/15 Lyon, FR @ Trokson
05/16 Paris, FR @ Supersonic
05/17 Rotterdam, NL @ V11
05/18 Lohr am Main, DE @ Umsonst und Drinnen Festival
05/19 Eindoven, NL @ Dynamo
05/21 Manchester, UK @ Soup Kitchen
05/22 Margate, UK @ Elsewhere
05/23 Liege, BE @ Rockerill
05/25 Groningen, NL @ Vera
04/19 Oceanside, CA @ Pourhouse
04/20 Los Angeles, CA @ Psycho Smokeout Festival
08/03 Schierling, DE @ Labertal Festival
08/08 Santarem, PT @ InStr
08/09 Moldeno, PT @ Sonic Blast Moldeno
