Chemical Zoo
Gig Seeker Pro

Chemical Zoo

Band Rock Metal

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Top Ten Independent Albums of 2006"

CONGRATZ !!! !! ! !! !!!
On having an Album named to MNR’s Top 10 Independent Albums of 2006!
CLICK HERE for the complete list.
Cheers the MNR CreW & keep it MeTaL in ’07!

__________________________
www.myspace.com/metalnetradio
Blog posting

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Top 10 Independent Albums Of The Year
Current mood: working
Category: Music




... support these bands, add them to your friends list, check out their tunes, leave them a message and buy their music !!!
Cheers the MetalNetRadio Crew



Top 10 Independent Albums of 2006



01. VERBAL DECEPTION – Aurum Aetus Piraticus

www.verbaldeception.com

www.myspace.com/verbaldeception

Canada



02. HJALLARHORN – Trilogy Of Lightning

www.hjallarhorn.com

www.myspace.com/hjallarhorn

Norway



03. CONGLOMERATORZ – Naturally Heavy

www.cgzmusic.com

www.myspace.com/conglomeratorz

USA



04. EVENLIGHT – Fuck Yeah

www.evenlight.com

www.myspace.com/evenlight

Canada



05. NEW HORIZON – III

www.empyriaproductions.com

www.myspace.com/empyria

Canada



06. NO DAWN – Necessity

www.nodawn.com

www.myspace.com/nodawn

Norway



07. SOLACE OF REQUIEM – Utopia Reborn

www.solreq.com

www.myspace.com/solreq

USA



08. FROM THE ASHES – Awakened

www.fromtheashesband.com

USA



09. CAUSTIC LYE – That that is is

www.thelye.com

www.myspace.com/causticlye

USA



10. CHEMICAL ZOO – Fluid Exchange

www.chemicalzootopia.com</P>

www.myspace.com/chemicalzoo

USA



- Metal Net Radio


"Bodog Review"

CHEMICAL ZOO took the stage and took everyone by surprise. Their swat team style and talented instrumentals had a slight resemblance to ‘Extreme’ (if you don’t know them, google it). The lead singer had the crowd enticed with his Alice Cooper moves and heavy melodic vocals right through to the final note.
- Bodog.com


"Chemical Zoo gets ready for big Atlanta performance"

Kevin Byrd bounced between the soundboard and the band, skipping over his microphone cord, spinning, jump-kicking and saluting as he sang.

The pounding heavy metal music vibrated the upstairs room, with white rope lights strung on the floor, posters of women in bikinis tacked to the ceiling, yellow walls and a black curtain fronted by a gong.

Lonnie Hammer twirled his drumsticks between beats as guitars blared.

"Turn me on," Byrd sang into the microphone. "Turn me on. Flickaswitch and turn me on."

Chemical Zoo, a band of five 30-something guys who perform in green flight suits and black caps, rehearse in a room over the garage of Hammer's Drummonds home.

Hammer, Byrd of Haywood County; Ronald Thies of Olive Branch; Robert Parker of Oakland and Andy Kunkel of Atoka formed Chemical Zoo about two years ago. The band has recorded one album.

They're getting ready for a big show -- at The Loft in Atlanta on Saturday -- that could further advance them in a national Battle of the Bands competition, sponsored by Bodog Music.

The competition started with 5,000 bands, initially chosen by fans online.

There are four performance rounds in 17 markets nationwide. Chemical Zoo won the first round in Atlanta in September.

At the end, the champs in each market will compete in Los Angeles for a $1 million recording contract.

"The further we go, the stiffer the competition will get," Byrd said. "I feel pretty good that we've made it as far as we have."

"We're not going to lose," Thies said.

Chemical Zoo has been gaining momentum with their songs in rotation at local radio stations and by performing at local venues, including The Stage Stop in Raleigh.

They've also been getting thousands of hits on their Web site, Chemical Zootopia.com.

Hammer, who has long hair with blonde streaks in front, said Chemical Zoo, which plays original songs, is doing its part to bring the heavy metal sound back to mainstream.

Their flight suits help them get noticed over bands who just wear T-shirts and jeans, he said.

"We don't want to be like the cookie-cutter bands," Hammer said. "You've got to be a little bit more on the cutting edge. The shock rock stuff is starting to come back."

Band members say they want what every rock band wants: to travel to the world with their music. "To live the dream, man," Byrd said.

"We want to break through the glass ceiling," Hammer said. "I want Elvis money. We all do." - Memphis Commercial Appeal


"Area Band Aims for Rock Stardom"


There is no “I” in rock ‘n’ roll band, and local rock/metal outfit Chemical Zoo buys into that idea. Its members use each of their individual strengths to achieve their goals.... drummer Lonnie Hammer's knowledge of production was essential to the band’s debut release. The album was recorded in bassist Andrew Kunkel’s “gnoB studios,” a fully equipped pro-tools facility, located at his house in Atoka.

Guitarist Ronald Thies’ mastery of Internet technology and web design has led to the development of the band’s Web site. And front man Kevin Byrd, who grew up in Fayette County, has done his part, by promoting the band, spreading the word, grabbing gigs and even landing them a tour of the East Coast this September.

Hammer said, it’s that teamwork that has helped them gain some much-needed attention.
“We’re stomping our feet and creating enough dust. People are taking notice of us.”

The album that people are taking notice of is called Fluid Exchange, which could be described as a musical menagerie of Classic rock, rap, modern rock, funk and social and political commentary, captured within a heavy-metal cage. While the band may explore individual genres within each song, it usually surrounds them with heavy riffs and soaring solos.

Prior to Chemical Zoo, Byrd, Kunkel and Thies were part of another act called “Ain’t Yo Mama.”
But while trying to get off the ground and record their first album, the band lost its drummer. Then, a mutual friend pointed Byrd in the direction of Hammer, who was doing work as a “mercenary drummer,” Byrd said.

Hammer, who had already performed in and recorded with several successful bands, agreed to do the drum tracks. But he said he wasn’t interested in joining the band, he said.

That changed, however, as he continued to play with its members.

“There was just something there that was just magical,” Hammer said. “I went in to work, and I started liking the guys.”

He decided to join full-time, and Chemical Zoo was born. The members later added guitarist and Oakland resident Robert Parker, making them a solid five-piece.

Following the do-it-yourself ethics of most indie acts has earned the band some noteworthy success. Its tunes can be heard on six major Internet radio stations. One, called Official Goth Radio, is placing the band on a two-month tour of the Southeast coast in September.

Though not opposed to the idea of a major contract, the members of Chemical Zoo realize that staying independent could still bring moderate success.

“You know, the indie thing is much more lucrative and wide-open than it used to be,” Byrd noted. “I mean, you could actually make a good living on your own, because the Internet is the thing. I mean, it’s the most powerful tool on the planet for marketing yourself.”

And market themselves they have. The band has greatly used its Web site, Internet radio and even Myspace.

It has also earned a chance for a million-dollar contract with Calvin Ayer’s Bodog music. Entered into a tournament for indie acts, Chemical Zoo swam past 4,600 other bands to play in the third round, which will take place in Atlanta.

Suffice it to say that Chemical Zoo is chasing opportunity.

“We’re not sitting around on our heels, dude,” Byrd said. “We’re not playing around here. We’re going for it, and if anybody wants to get on board and give us a leg up, great. But if they don’t, then I’m gonna claw my way to the top until my fingernails fall out.”

And while the band members do take their craft seriously, the same can’t be said about themselves.

“We’re ready, we’re the real deal,” Hammer said. “We’re not just like some garage band.”

“We’re an upstairs band,” Kunkel joked.

“We’re a loft band,” Byrd countered.

“Above-the-garage band,” Hammer concluded.

For more information on Chemical Zoo, visit them at www.chemicalzootopia.com or at www.myspace.com/chemicalzoo.
- The Fayette County Review


"The Phoenix Rises - Chemical Zoo Returns To The Fair Theatre In May"


They say you can’t keep a good band (or is it man) down. Either way, it appears to be true. After suffering a brush with tragedy, local rock band Chemical Zoo returns to the Fair Theatre on May 13th with a few of their friends to bring their brand of entertainment back to Fayette County.

Chemical Zoo held a RockStock last November at the Fair Theatre. There were to be three bands including themselves and a full evening of Rock and Roll music for guests. The show did go on, but without the Zoo. Lead singer and front man Kevin Byrd was on his way back to the venue for the show when he was involved in a head on collision with another vehicle. The tragic accident ended with two people being airlifted to the Med and Kevin being ambulanced off to Methodist Somerville. Kevin recalls the night saying,” It was surreal… I remember thinking…I’ve got to get out and walk this off…I’ve got to get to the show…” but unfortunately, there was no walking this one off. Kevin sustained six broken ribs, a broken nose, and a mild concussion. The worst of his injuries were to his feet and ankles. They were crushed in the floorboard of the Mustang he was driving causing stress fractures in both heels and both ankles. The Zoo was forced into a four month hiatus while they waited anxiously for their singer to recover. When asked how all this has affected him and the band, Byrd says, ”I wish it had never happened, you know? Even though it wasn’t my fault, I still feel horrible about it because I’ve known the other victim’s family all my life. It has given me a lot of time to reflect and has put a lot of things in very sharp perspective for me. I would never say it was a good thing but something like this can show you how many people really care about you and think about you; people that you might not even know about. It has shown me the power of love and forgiveness and the power of prayer. I am so grateful to be alive and to have the friends that I have.” As to the band he said,”…they are the greatest guys on the planet…and I am so proud to be able to stand up and play with them again.”

After months of doctors and physical therapy, Kevin is back on his feet and Chemical Zoo is “on the road again”. Their new CD entitled “Fluid Exchange” is gaining fans and popularity and the airplay they are receiving on 92.9 and Rock 103 is helping to fuel their momentum. With several dates booked in the next few weeks including a slot at the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival, Byrd is very optimistic these days. “We have a lot of positive things going on and a lot of good people behind us. We are really stoked about coming back to Somerville. We put so much work into the last show and so many people came out to see us… we just want to do what we set out to do. By the time we get to the Fair Theatre in May, we will be slammin’.” For more info on upcoming shows or to see their entire calendar, visit them on the web and sign up to receive their free e-newsletter. The address is www.chemicalzootopia.com.
- The Fayette Falcon


"For Those About To Rock..."


For those about to rock: Area band aims for rock stardom
____________________________

There is no “I” in rock-and-roll band.

Local rock/metal outfit Chemical Zoo buys into that idea.

They might be seen as a modern day A-Team, using each of their individual strengths to achieve a goal and always loving when a plan comes together.

For example, drummer Lonnie Hammer's knowledge of production was essential to the band's debut release. The album was recorded in bassist Andrew Kunkel's gnoB studios, located at his house in Atoka TN.

Guitarist Ronald Thies' mastery of Internet technology has led to the development of the band's Web site. And front man Kevin Byrd has done his part, promoting the band, spreading the word ,grabbing gigs, and even landing them a tour.

It's that teamwork, Hammer said, that has helped them gain some much-needed attention.

“We're getting noise, you know,” Hammer said. “We're stomping our feet and creating enough dust. People are taking notice of us.”

The album that people are taking notice of is called Fluid Exchange, a rock piece that could be described as a musical menagerie of Southern rock, rap, modern rock, funk and social and political commentary, captured within a heavy metal cage. While the band may explore individual genres within each song, they usually surround them with heavy riffs and soaring solos.

“It's a very diverse record, riding the waves between intervening musical genres,” Byrd said of Fluid Exchange.

The creation of Chemical Zoo itself resulted from eventual death and gradual rebirth.

Prior to Chemical Zoo, Byrd, Kunkel and Thies were part of another act called “Ain't Yo Mama.”
But while trying to get off the ground and come up with an album, they lost their drummer. A mutual friend, however, pointed Byrd in the direction of Hammer, who was doing work as a “mercenary drummer,” Byrd said.

Hammer, who had already performed in and produced for several successful bands, agreed to do the drum tracks for the them. But he wasn't interested in joining the band, he said.

But that changed, however, as he continued to play with them.

“There was just something there that was just magical,” Hammer said. “I went in to work, and I started liking the guys.”

Hammer decided to join full-time, and thus Chemical Zoo was born. They would later add guitarist Robert Parker, making them a solid five-piece.

Following the do-it-yourself ethics of most indie acts has earned the band some noteworthy success. Their tunes can be heard on six different major Internet radio stations, one of which, called Official Goth Radio, is placing them on a two-month tour of the Southeast coast in September. For more information, visit www.chemicalzootopia.com.
- The Millington Star


"Chemical Zoo Has Goal of Big Time"

Garage bands are a dime a dozen....It would be incorrect to characterize Chemical Zoo as a garage band since they have their own studio and practice in a nicely equipped band room at the drummer's house. They have a CD and a dream to go along with it. "We've all played in cover bands" says singer and frontman Kevin Byrd, "but this is totally different...we're in it to win it". Last Fall, Byrd, guitarist Ronald Thies and Bassist Andy Kunkel were recording their new album and looking for a new drummer. They enlisted Lonnie Hammer, a seasoned veteran with a resume full of session work and touring experience to help. Lonnie just agreed to do the tracks for them at first but as recording went on, he decided this was the vehicle he'd been looking for as well and joined the band. Chemical Zoo was born. The band enlisted guitarist Robert Parker to fill out their lineup soon after the record was done.

Their plans to tour immediately were disrupted when Byrd had a near tragic head on collision last November. He is just now recovering. According to Hammer, the group's new record Fluid Exchange will be released regionally this spring to local radio stations with local shows and a Mid South tour to follow. Having played on nine internationally released albums, Hammer knows the music business well. "I've been so close I could taste it. We like to have fun, don't get me wrong - but we're looking at the Big Picture" he says.

They have a music video in the works for the spring as well. "It's going to be professionally done" says Hammer. The cost might be upward of 25K if not for the bands connections to people in the industry.

They have no illusions concerning the amount of time and effort required to make the dream a reality. "People have this strange perception of musicians" says Byrd. "They seem to think we're a bunch of lazy, dope smoking freaks.......we're the hardest working guys around! Being in a band costs you time, money, and sometimes even relationships and other opportunities. Don't tell me about sacrifice - this is a lot of hard work."
- The Covington Leader (Feb. 2006)


Discography

For The Fallen (Single release)
Flickaswith (Single release)
Gypsy (Single release)
Fluid eXchange (LP)

Photos

Bio

Chemical Zoo came into being partially (but not entirely) by coincidence. Ronald Thies, Kevin Byrd and Andy Kunkel were writing and recording their first LP when they lost their longtime friend and drummer. Through a friend, they heard that Lonnie Hammer was not doing much in the way of playing with a band at the time so they contacted him about tracking on the record (with a view to ultimately landing him as a drummer). Lonnie, as it turned out, had been keeping quite busy doing sessions for various people around the country and having played on as many as nine internationally released records, was pretty happy doing what he was doing. He did, however, agree to do the tracks on the record. By the time the third song was done, Lonnie was so into what was going on that he decided to go for it. Names were thrown out for the band and the boys settled on Chemical Zoo. With statistically 60 to 70 percent of the population on some type of mood altering drugs, prescription or otherwise,the world we live in is a chemical zoo and the human body,moved by electrical impulses which fire chemical responses to stimuli (including music), is a chemical zoo of sorts as well. The record came together and, with the expertise of Skidd Mills (747 Studios,Memphis), turned out better than the guys could have hoped for. It was truly chemistry in action, a Fluid eXchange of ideas if you will... thus the name of the record. Robert Parker was introduced into the lineup after weeks of auditions for a second guitar player. His personality and ability fit the bill and completed the package perfectly.Due to an unfortunate turn of fate, Ron was forced to give up the band after the first year. Cary Scarbrough materialized to replace him almost immediately and once again, Fate smiled on the Zoo. Stronger than ever,they hope this is the first chapter in what will be an extensive catalog of their talent and creativity. Five minds with a single focus and the drive and will to make it happen. Zootopia is at hand.