www.zamarro.com
The history of ZAMARRO, the swiss rock-trio from Basel, starts in April 2002. After the split of Markus Gisin`s previous band Lunazone, the singer and guitarist soon is on the lookout for musicians to start a new project and with ex-Hellmute drummer Michael Hediger and bassplayer Marco Redolfi, who had played in many different bands, he eventually joines forces.
Out of some jams their style begins to evolve into compelling songs that are built upon impelling and forcefull musical arrangements topped with Gisin’s melodic vocal lines. At that time the band is called ZORRO.
First proof of what they are capable of is the 6-track 10”-vinyl and CD titled “1st race”, which is recorded under their former name and released by german indie-label “Middle Class Pig Records” (The Masons, Cretin 66, The Blondes) in November 2002. This record is distributed in Europe and promoted by Romy Ruaras in Amsterdam, who had worked for bands like Nebula, The Supersuckers, Hermano or The Gaza Strippers. With this first release, ZORRO/ZAMARRO are playing about 50 shows in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Croatia and Slowenia.
In September 2003, ZAMARRO conquers the USA! After a 6-shows westcoast-tour, they are entering the studios with cult-producer Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Zeke, Therapy, The Supersuckers, Zen Guerilla). Because of his many experiences and an unbelievable musical comprehension, a record is created, that brings the power, fun and identity of ZAMARRO to the point: “Lust in Translation”.
In June 2004, german label SUPERMODERN (Chung, Sharon Stoned, Danko Jones) releases the album in Europe and Japan. It is beeing highly esteemed by the critics all over the musical planet.
ZAMARRO are opening for Adam West/USA in 4 countries on their 5th European Tour and by midth 2005 they have played close to 50 shows for Lust In Translation , amongst others for acts like Mondo Generator and Motörhead.
In October they will be back to Seattle with Jack Endino for the second album, which will be released on SUPERMODERN in February 2006.
Contact:
Band: http://www.zamarro.com
Label: http://www.supermodern.de
press:
Announcement for the show on 5/28/04 in Bern at Reithalle with Columbian Neckties:
Up next you’ll get to hear Switzerland ’s best kept secret in rock. Zamarro from Basel just released their critically acclaimed debut album „Lust in Translation“ which is just about the best rock effort to come out of this country in a looong time! Think of hard hitting rock and roll in the veins of Queens of the Stone Age mixed with the melodical talent of Urge Overkill.
http://www.bokson.net/rock/chronique/1468.html
Amoureux de rock n'roll, Zamarro risque de vous tirer quelques frissons. Encore plus, si Queens Of The Stone Age, AC/DC ou Motorhead n'ont pas l'habitude de vous laisser indifférents. Car c'est bien de ce côté qu'il faut aller chercher les influences de ces allemands autrefois appelé Zorro. Droit au but et sans fioriture, sans pour autant s'avérer speed et banal, le trio choisit de sonner lourd et direct ("Behind The Moon", "Glow"). En onze titres, on se prend une rage, une intensité, et une énergie dans la gueule comme cela arrive trop rarement. Sûrement l'empreinte d'un certain Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden, Zeke...) qui s'est dignement occupé de la production de cet opus. Accords puissants, riffs efficaces, rythmiques autoroutes, un chant rappelant incontestablement Josh Homme ("Breakdown"), voilà ce que Zamarro propose lorsqu'il baigne dans le stoner. "Lust In Translation" est donc un bon disque qu'il vous sera difficile de vous procurer puisqu'il ne bénéficie pas de distribution française. Fouinez, tentez les bons disquaires, on ne sait jamais, le jeu en vaut la chandelle...
Ecoutez l'album sur le site du groupe
Matthieu
29/12/2004
http://stonerock.free.fr/nouveau.htm
ZAMARRO "lust in translation" supermodern records
Les 3 petits lascars de ZAMARRO (ex ZORRO) nous arrive avec un super album de rock énergétique...
Furie contenue et haine en attente de revanche au programme...
La musique de ZAMARRO ressemble à un gros méchant loup qui boufferait des tas et des tas de petits cochons vivants... Les décortiquant avec cette rage que l'on assimile si bien à cet animal si aimable au demeurant...
Grosse bourre donc que ce "lust in translation" avec à la clé une énorme envie de nous faire bouger le fion.
ZAMARRO rentre dans cette catégorie de groupe qui joue du stoner rock mais très rock dans le sillage de tous ces groupes qui imitent un peu quand même ACDC flirtant avec ROLLERBALL et autre furie...
Les guitares sont très affutées, presque jubilatoires, la voix est tout simplement grandiose, presque trop... Et la rythmique envoie du bois (comme on dit chez nous en FRANCE)...
ZAMARRO est SUISSE et j'en ai marre que ce petit bout de pays nous nargue avec tous leurs groupes tous aussi géantissimes les uns que les autres...
PAT LAHO "the little big man" 8,5/10
www.zamarro.com
http://www.cr-entertainment.ch/_reviews/index.html
Zamarro
Lust in Translation
[2004 , Super Modern Music ]
reviewed by Daniel / 2004-05-07
I have to say I’m quite a bit excited to write about this record. After a long time there’s a new swiss band to write about. And boy these guys know where it’s at. To get to the point instantly, I think „Lust in Translation“ is about the best rock effort that has been released by a swiss band in a very loooong time! Actually I can’t think of a better release by a swiss band at all.
Zamarro is a traditional three piece rock combo. The band consists of Markus Gisin on guitar and vocals (used to play in Lunazone), Marco Redolfi on bass (used to play in various local hardcore acts) and Michael Hediger (also plays in legendary swiss band Hell Mute) on drums. To me it’s amazing how the band manages to create such a crunch thick wall of sound with their single guitar approach. Since I’ve already seen them playing live, I know this ain’t just due to the superbe-as-always Jack Endino production on „Lust in Translation“.
Musically Zamarro draws strong inspiration from Stoner Rock Combos like Nebula or the famous Queens of the Stone Age. I’m not really a sucker for this type of music, but in my book Zamarro scores the most for their exceptional ability to mix that heavy rock influence with a beautiful melodic and melancholic pop feel. Zamarro has just about anything a great rock band needs. Smoking guitars, a whole lotta GROOVE, melodies, a strong voice and after all great songs. Thumbs up guys, I’m sure this will put Switzerland on the rock map.
Zamarro - Lust In Translation - Reviewed on Skrutt (Sweden)
ZAMARRO-LUSTINTRANSLATION(CD-SUPERMODERN/EVIL BITCH 666) Fuck, I get really inspired to interview the group immediately when the first song was on it´s way. Really good is it anyway and they play as if they mixed stonerrock with powerpop in some odd way. I really get a kick foreward of this na d I only want to have more all the time. You can think that Sator played with a little bit harder sound or what to say because it´s hard to say something about the group except that they´re fucking good. They manage to get melodies in everything they do and that shall they be honoured for. It was obvisiously this group which was named Zorro before but it doesn´t matter. Please check this out if you want some high octane rock.(EIGHT) 4/6-04
HELLRIDE (USA)
Zamarro - Lust in Translation (2004 Supermodern Music - Germany) By Chris La Tray July 21st, 2004
For those who haven't figured it out already, my musical sweet spot is straight up driving hard rock, and that is the path taken by Swiss rockers Zamarro . . . and they stomp all over it. I first listened to this album two times back to back while driving over a couple mountain passes separating Washington and Montana on a hot summer day, and it was sublime. While there isn't anything particularly original about the band, they still have a number of things in their favor that definitely sets them, if not ahead of the pack, at least in the vanguard.
First of all is the songs. A trio, these guys bring the rock for sure, loud and punishing, but within the context of actual songs. This is not just a riff fest, there is actually melody here, some good changes, and tasteful arrangements. Riffs aren't lacking, and neither are some searing guitar leads (thank God!). Over it all singer/guitarist Markus Gisin's clean vocals are actually discernable over the roar, with bassist Marco Redolfi backing him up with some well placed harmonies. The rhythm section of Redolfi and drummer
Michael Hediger lay down a sturdy foundation as well, and that is critical to my enjoyment of the rock. I'm not saying every song is top shelf, but the record is across-the-board strong enough to be a worthy listen (my favorite song probably being the opener, "Roadmovie").
Another huge advantage Zamarro enjoys is the sound quality of the recording, which should come as no surprise considering the stalwart Jack Endino was at the knobs. I have to respect a band that makes the trip halfway around the world to get the guy they want, and it pays off for them. The mix is great, with every instrument discernable and sitting right where it needs to be. Given the lackluster sound quality of so many rock and stoner rock records these days (the "sonic nightmare" of the High Times compilation comes to mind), it really pleases my ears to listen to some good sounding music for a change. As inexpensive as decent sounding recording gear is these days, it is inexcuseable in my opinion to release something that sounds like Ohio lake-bottom mud, and Zamarro avoids that trap.
In closing, I think Zamarro is a fine band with a good record. I look forward to the next one -- a little seasoning (they've only been together since 2002) would push them right to the front of the pack.
SLEAZEGRINDER:
Zamarro
Lust in Translation
Supermodern
Swiss power trio (just like Hellhammer!) Zamarro dragged their cowbells and flash-ass guitars and whiskey bellies all the way to Grunge God Jack Endino’s Seattle studio/drugstore to get that “heavy sound” on this master-blaster, and you know what sound I’m talkin’ about, baby. Big, beefy, arena-wrecking, million dollar, playing-the-chainsaw-with-yr-cock-flapping-in-the-breeze HARD ROCK SUPER ACTION. Most bands don’t have this kind of conviction. Most bands aren’t going to travel, literally, halfway around the globe (probably closer to three-quarters, if ya want to get technical) to get the maximum firepower out of their rock and roll. And, ya know, most bands needn’t bother, anyway. It’s much cheaper to suck at home. But our not-so-young bucks in Zamarro, well, that’s a different story. JE fleshed these three evil sumbitches out double-wide and triple thick, and “Lust in Translation” sounds more like the whole fuckin’ Swiss Navy barreling down on ya, instead of just three AWOL landlubbers. Of course, all the knob twiddling on Heaven and Earth ain’t gonna save you unless you Bring the Rock, and believe me, Zam brought it. With a sound that snatches 70’s heavy rock riffs outta the sky like lightning bolts and beats them into a post-stoner/sleaze groove with a decidedly dark edge, Zamarro very comfortably land in the Valley of the Super Rocker, where they may beat their hairy chests and suck the eyeballs outta phony rock n’ roll’s jive skull with like-minded warriors like Cracktorch (their closest cousins, easy), Dirty Power, Hermano, and, just to be classy about it, the Cult. Easy rolling biker metal, ego-star vox that stare you straight in the eyes, and more cowbell than a Thin Lizzy/BTO tour in 1976 all converge in an orgy of manly rock here. Best of all, the songs are distinctive and catchy, not just mere doped up tone-droners. Me, I like the flash-grunge boogie of “Breakdown” and the slinky motorsleaze of “Faith”, but I’m more than happy to let you pick yr own winners. Ya got plenty to choose from, that’s for sure.
Long Gone Loser - Magazine, issue #10 (Australia)
ZAMARRO - "Lust In Translation" CD (Supermodern)
Riffage galore in this killer album by Switzerland rockers, Zamarro. It's
like Motorhead meets Fu Manchu. A perfect combination if you ask me cos I
fuckin' love both bands. I've been into these guys since their days as Zorro
but they've come a long way and left those days years behind them. From the
opening riffage of 'Roadmovie', this song has more hooks than Leatherface's
workshop, complete with lead cowbell. I am right into this album, it's got
everything I wanna hear leading into Summer. Get your beer, grab your girls,
and head to the beach in your muscle car with stereo blasting this baby. The
only thing that sucks about this album is the font they used. I kept getting
the song titles mixed up. Eeek! Hate that! But if that's the most of your
worries, you have nothing to fear and will live happily ever after owning
this little gem.
(Damo)
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