The Zoobombs are probably the best live band I have ever seen. I found their cd by chance amongst Sophies cd junk pile and was instantly sold by their brand of electro punk pop joy and bombast. Imagine my surprise when I saw an ad for a Zoobombs gig in my hometown in a couple of weeks from that day.
I had to go, and boy am I glad I did. The place wasn't too full, Dennis and Austin came with me. I swear it was a euphoric, almost spiritual experience, they played with such innocent glee and energy.. The singer was like Jim Morrison mixed with Jimi Hendrix and Johny Rotten, they had the FULLEST sound. I spent the first half in awe and amazement and the next half in tearful joy. People were jumping up and down, singing and waving their arms in unhibited abandon. Don, the singer fell over, held notes, became possessed and shone with delight at the crowd whenever he got a chance.. he was more than a rocker, he was a conductor, they broke strings, messed up, and brought it all back together in a cacophony of thick delicious sounds. I had SO much fun, I will never forget the Zoobombs.
Here's what the press have to say about them :
The Zoobombs are perhaps one of the most talented yet underrated bands in the world, in addition, Don Matsuo is a brilliantly gifted, yet unrecognized guitarist/arranger. An undiscovered gem, those having the pleasure of Zoobombs' brash sounds grace their ears, can appreciate funky hardcore at it's fiercest...and at it's absolute finest.
They infuse the music with manic and naïve energy; it's hard to tell whether they're playing with such unironic vigor or they're missing the mark so widely that they're creating something new by accident. Either way, it's damned refreshing to hear. Leave it to an outsider to discover something new and exciting in something old.
The Zoobombs rock, absolutely. Welcome Back is a blow to the solar plexus, a frantic and wild disc that careens across the indie nation's musical map, occasionally alighting on Jon Spencer-ish blues explosions, Beck-like grooves, and Sonic Youth-ster soundscapes. Despite these disparate points of reference, the Zoobombs create a sound wholly theirs--and wholly kick-ass. Matta (superfunky organ), Don (guitarist and leader), Bukka (beats), and Moo (bass) summon all the lost rock gods through their instruments
Described as funky hardcore, these Japanese guys are incredible. Y'know how The Hives have this intense, fierce, brash garage-rock sound? Well I'm telling right now...the Zoobombs even *out-Hives* The Hives. The entire album, it's like these guys are totally 'in your face' with guitars, organs, and screeching/chanting vocals. My goodness. It's almost like they're obsessed about letting you hear their music, and won't let you off-the-hook until you finish hearing each song.
A combination of blues, punk, funk, rock, noise, and everything in between - "Welcome Back Zoobombs" scores a perfect 10 in every category. Above all - this music is fun. It's up-beat, energetic, instantly likeable - "such incredible power the band holds!"
The Zoobombs could be a novelty act - if they didn't ROCK SO HARD! It's the John Spencer Blues Explosion with a Japanese work ethic - play harder, hotter and tighter than anyone. You won't know what all of the lyrics mean (unless you speak Japanese), but you may still find yourself humming along and bobbing your head to the music.
Oh man, what a joy the Zoobombs are. This Japanese quartet approaches rock & roll with such unabashed pleasure and unrestrained naiveté that you can't help but smile outrageously as you hurl your ass around the dance floor. They aren't exactly breaking new ground here, falling somewhere between the blues explosions of Jon Spencer and funk-laced Meters jams, but somehow, someway, they make you feel like you're hearing the music for the very first time.