The Punkabilly rebels return with album #3, paying homage to almost every type of modern music!
Our favourite St Albans Rock ‘n’ Rollers The Zipheads release their third studio album ‘Rock’n’Roll Renaissance‘ today! Twelve terrific tracks chart the influence of Rock ‘n’ Roll upon almost every type of modern music, from Hard Rock to Rhythm & Blues, Pop to Punk, and Swing to Ska.
Guitarist and lead vocalist Ray Waters says “Obviously, we’re fans of 50s Rock ‘n’ Roll and Rockabilly, and this album is a return to that music. There’s a line in the title track; “You can’t bring it back because it never went away.” People talk about ‘the Rockabilly revival’ which suggests everyone stopped listening to Rock ‘n’ Roll between the 50s and the 80s, which isn’t true at all. We’re not trying to reinvent anything – just celebrating a particular type of music that we love!”
Album opener ‘Rock’n’Roll Renaissance (1st movement)‘ sets out The Zipheads’ manifesto for the album in a rompin’ stompin’, complete with horns, blast of music. Second track ‘Happiness‘ is a joyous voyage in pursuit of – feeling happier! Drummer Will Bennett must have two extra arms, I reckon, the complex rhythms he holds down are just superb.
Stepping up a gear, ‘Hold Tight‘ is a rapid Rockabilly tune, Ray’s guitar riffing out some sublime 50’s surf. The Latin-influenced ‘How Do You Like Me Now?‘ is another feel-good song, about returning after a period of growth and change:
Ray tells me “St Albans is quite incestuous, we have a song about that as well!” The hard-rocking ‘Incestuous‘ takes a cheeky swing at the ‘short supply’ in the town! The Zipheads swing through ‘Why Say You Do?‘ with top vocal harmonies during the chorus.
A little medieval interlude comes in ‘Rock’n’Roll Renaissance (2nd movement)‘ with the band trying out their talented hands upon a selection of period instruments! Bass player Dick Dynamite stands out on ‘Funny‘, a fabulous and fun Rockabilly number.
Galloping straight out of the 60s, ‘Mandy‘ is a cracking love song, Zipheads style. First single release from the album, ‘Everybody Knows‘ (which also got a Christmas makeover and re-release!) is an absolute belter! Ray gets creative on guitar, Dick thumps those bass strings, and Will pounds the drum skins with tight rhythm. The lyrics are sad, but sung so catchily, you can’t help joining in:
The bluesy ‘Top Of The World‘ lifts the mood again, a celebration of everything that has been achieved, and the strength found in doing so.
“It’s become a Zipheads tradition to end every album with a cover – it’s about paying tribute to the musicians we love.” explains Ray. “With ‘Lonely Teardrops‘ we’ve taken a Rock ‘n’ Roll song and made it into a Reggae song.” As a fellow Jackie Wison fan, I can attest that they’re made ‘Lonely Teardrops‘ sound like I imagine it always should have sounded – this cover is an absolute treat to finish the album with!
Out on 9th June 2025 on Voodoo Canapé Records, you can hear ‘Rock’n’Roll Renaissance‘ in full on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and all the usual places, as well as grabbing a physical copy from HERE on CD and vinyl! There are a few of the limited edition gold-coloured vinyl left online, but only as part of the merch bundle deals, and there will be some for sale in person at the album launch show THIS FRIDAY!
Main Photo Credit: PAULINE DI SILVERSTRO
- Rock’n’Roll Renaissance (1st movement)
- Happiness
- Hold Tight
- How Do You Like Me Now?
- Incestuous
- Why Say You Do?
- Rock’n’Roll Renaissance (2nd movement)
- Funny
- Mandy
- Everybody Knows
- Top Of The World
- Lonely Teardrops
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