A Look at Zebra

 Heather has decided to skip Rocklahoma this year. Like a lot of people, she is a little disappointed in the lineup, and has decided to save her money for other vacations. I can't disagree or fault her on the decision. Even though she won't be backstage with Bring Back Glam!, she'll be there in spirit for sure and even offered to research some bands. Today, Heather's take on Zebra.

Time to learn a little about one of the lesser-known bands that will be taking the stage during Rocklahoma 2008. Zebra is on the bill for Sunday, July 13. The band formed in 1975 in New Orleans. Their mainstream debut dropped in 1983. The self-titled album became the fastest selling debut record in Atlantic Records history, shipping 75,000 copies in the first week. The album stayed on the Billboard charts for eight months, peaking at number 29.

The second album came a year later with disappointing results. Sales never took off, and there was no hit single to be found.

Zebra released a new album in 2003, and in 2007 a DVD of a live performance from The House of Blues. Throughout their career, the boys have opened for major acts such as Aerosmith, Kiss, and ZZ Top.

Mentioned on the band's website as a touring "lowlight," Zebra's equipment was stolen after a gig in Houston back in 1981. They say that's when Twisted Sister, Rat Race Choir, the Good Rats and Southern Cross staged a benefit concert on their behalf, raising money to replace the equipment.

In addition to Rocklahoma, Zebra will play the Tomato Fest in Chalmette, Louisiana and the Metro New York Balloon and Music Festival in Shirley, New York.

Aside from the "busy" touring schedule, the guys are working on solo careers. Lead singer Randy Jackson's solo album Randy Jackson's China Rain hit store shelves in 1993. Felix Hanemann plays acoustic guitar and piano in unplugged shows, singing his own tunes along with covers from Rod Stewart, Oasis and Eric Clapton. He hopes to release a solo album in the near future. Following a battle with breast cancer, drummer Guy Gelso is starting a blues band.

If you'd like to know more, you can always visit the bands website. I feel the site leaves much to be desired, starting with the fact that it is silent. Typically bands like to promote their music, and it blasts the moment you click on their site. Not Zebra. This dare-to-be different group apparently wants to attract fans with their lack of music.

After finding some of their tunes on YouTube, I can honestly say I am not impressed. But you judge for yourself.

First, "Who's Behind the Door."

Now, the video for "Tell Me What You Want."

Comments

[Joe]

Great article Allyson..I saw Zebra years back open for Loverboy when I was a kid..and they blew Loverboy away BIG TIME..Hope you and Eric had a great weekend..take care and talk to you soon =)

[don]

i like zebra and saw them way back when they had theit hits. one comment though about the review. are we becoming so jaded that we'll slag a band because they don't assault us with their music as their page loads in? personally i hate it when i go to a page and music blares out or a video starts playing. if i want to hear it i'll click on it. maybe i'm just weird that way. and another thing, you seem to make it appear that the band has done next to nothing since their second cd came out til now. they actually do a lot of solo touring even though they may not put out new music constantly. believe it or not that does happen even in these instant gratification music days. just my 2 cents.

[Allyson]

Did anyone read my introduction? This is Heather's point of view - but I agree with her: you should hear a band's music the second you click on their page. I always have my audio turned down so I can adjust accordingly becuase I expect to hear some loud tunes.

Allyson

[kari]

I've seen this band more times than I can count with having grown up in their backyard. I am so excited that Zebra will be playing Rocklahoma this year and and it will be very exciting to see them play in an element outside of New Orleans. I highly recommend the album 3.5 and also, check out the video for Bears on You Tube (highly entertaining-imo). Thanks Allyson for the blog on ZEBRA!!! I know everyone will be very impressed when they play Rocklahoma. We have been let down on a lot of aspects with this festival but I guarantee this band will ROCK!

[Gary]

If you ever get a chance to check Zebra's singer Randy Jackson out solo, do it. I saw him in a small club where it was pretty much him, a 12 string guitar,and a small PA.He tore off some Zeppelin songs I swear probably would have been as good or better than the real thing, given the same bare bones set up. The guy has an unbelievable voice live,and this was w/o and echo or phasing effects to make him sound better.Kicks ass on guitar also.I wish i could catch the entire band this year,as I'd be willing to bet they'd smoke live.

[KixRules]

I love the song "Tell me what yo want", and "Who's behind the door" is ok, but other than that...that's really all I like by them.

[aXe mAn]

Honestly,The only song that I really like from them is, "Tell Me What You Want". I can't stand "Who's Behind The Door"....

[JT]

Zebra is one of those bands that has a few killer songs, but the rest of the catalog just doesn't stand up. The two videos posted, plus "As I Said Before," are my favorite songs by the band, there are a couple of other good songs, but most of the rest is bland. This is not a knock against Zebra, because I think it's great for a band to have one killer song, let alone 2-3.

[don]

allyson, yes i read your introduction but maybe joe didn't. did i need to address heather by name since i knew she was the one that wrote it? not in my book but maybe i need to so i won't confuse you in the future. i'll say it again, i completely disagree with the need to hear a bands music the second their page starts loading in. i'm not the only one in my house who uses the computer so sometimes the audio can be set at a different level than what i left it on. often the music starts before the page is fully loaded (no i don't have dialup) and then it's too late to try to adjust levels. i prefer to simply click "play" if i want to hear a bands music and it's not that hard to do. especially if i'm going to their site to check out tour dates, etc. you know, i already know what the scorpions sound like so i don't necessarily need to hear their music each and every time i go to their page but even if it's a band i don't know i still want to be the one who decides to push play. to each his own though but it doesn't mean a band doesn't want their music heard.

[J. Lucas]

Always loved "Who's Behind the Door?". Never got to see them live though.

[Heather]

Don,
You are certainly entitled to your opinion and I appreciate you taking the time to read the article and respond. I still disagree. From a marketing standpoint, if you are proud of your product, you put it out there. And you make sure that if someone stumbles across your website, they get a taste of what you have to offer. Maybe they'll become a new fan.
Again that's just my opinion.

[JT]

I've gotta agree with Don about the music on webpages. Many times I'm listening to the radio or a CD when I'm surfing, and I don't want to be overwhelmed with music that I'm not controlling. Make it an option at the top of the page, a little triangle that I can click if I want to listen to the band. I've been on too many sites that blast the music and don't even have an option to stop or pause it. That's an immediate turnoff to me.

[TommyRace]

I've been a huge Zebra fan for over 20 years now so of course my post will be biased but all I can say is if you've never seen them live, prepare to be blown away.
Randy Jackson's vocals are better than ever. Between Zebra shows and solo acoustic performances, Randy performs with the Long Island Philharmonic doing the music of Led Zeppelin.
Felix is always getting the crowd going on bass and keyboards, and it's great to have Guy Gelso back with us behind the drums.
Hope to see you at Rocklahoma this year!