zZz

zZz is the sleazy steamin' locomotive barreling out of Amsterdam - a city, if ever there was one, that needs no introduction. By combining the doom-laden vocals of the late Ian Curtis and the dark comedic psychobilly madnezZz of Cramps singer Lux Interior, a monstrous thunder is let loose. Organ, drums and vocals is all it takes for this duo to serve up their Molotov cocktail of violent trance, psychedelic electro wave, garage soul and dirty rock & roll.

zZz came to life at the turn of the century when two house mates, Björn Ottenheim and Daan Schinkel, decided to make music with a simple drum kit and an old $50 church organ in their basement. Within a week they had composed five songs and were invited to play at the party of an infamous Dutch smuggler, where the Sound of zZz was born.

From then on zZz built up a notorious live reputation and within the year,their demo, Bikini Inferno, was released. Excelsior Recordings got hold of a copy and after seeing the duo perform as support act for the 80's Matchbox B-Line Disaster, they were offered a record deal. A few months later, Excelsior released a 7" single, which contained the songs 'Godspeed' and 'Ecstasy'. The track 'Ecstasy' recently featured in the soundtrack of the Dutch hit movie 'Phileine Zegt Sorry', accompanying the film's steamiest sex scene. Delicious. Less sexy but nevertheless great fun, the track O.F.G appears on the newly developed ATARI game Driver4, released March 17th 2006.

Appearances, live sessions and airplay on the main ‘alternative’ radio stations in Holland and Belgium, an extensive Benelux release tour and remarkable shows on the major rock festivals (e.g. Pukkelpop, Lowlands…) and winning the prestigious Dutch Essent Awards over the last year, have made sure that the Sound Of zZz did not get unnoticed in the alternative music scene. Smashing supports for Dutch rock queen Anouk on 4 occasions at two 11.000+ venues (Ahoy, Rotterdam, NL & Sportpaleis, Antwerp, B) were the icing on the cake.

Meanwhile zZz have been blowing people away in the UK and Germany and is about to conquer the rest of Europe through another set of mind-blowing psychedelic rock shows at e.g. Arezzo Wave Festival Italy, Benicassim festival Spain and Les Méditerranéennes France.

And how will they appreciate this barrel of sleaziness in Japan, the home turf of bands like Melt Banana and Afrirampo? Time to find out in May when zZz embarks on a two-week tour with Fatboy Slim to support the Japanse release of “The Sound of zZz” on KSR.

As for the US, zZz just cannot get enough. Acclaimed as “both innovating and captivating” by Spin Magazine, the debut album received a warm welcome in the land of opportunities. And so did the live shows. With two extensive tours to show for and a hurle of new fans, zZz cannot wait to get out there again. A new US tour is in the works for the fall of 2006.