Good vibes only and absolutely no regrets as The Dead Zoo unleash new guitar and synth propelled stormer ‘Hoover Damned’ on 23 August.

With a freewheeling abandon and chaotic energy, The Dead Zoo’s defiantly exuberant new single presents a raw narrative about breaking free from messy entanglement before regret has any prospect of setting in.

“I wanted to write about a world where women are as free to make mistakes and walk away as men traditionally have,” says singer and guitarist Kaoru. “The narrator of the song is a proxy for me,” she continues, “a ‘Mary Sue’ unencumbered by a sense of doubt, barrelling from one mess to another like a comet blazing through the solar system then catapulting away into free space”.

Musically, ’Hoover Damned’ combines the raw drive of grunge with the vocal harmonies and sass of 90s British indie - a recollection of a hazy musical youth driving to a mixtape of The Breeders, Elastica, The Wedding Present, Lush, L7 and Teenage Fanclub.

The musical backing, underpinned by the aggressive blasts of Jon’s rolling and syncopated beats is propelled equally by Kaoru’s trademark buzzsawing guitar, the epic Future Islands-esque cheer of Somrata’s synth hooks and the scratchy pulse of Gabby’s furious yet melodic JJ Burnel reminiscent fuzz bass.

Somrata says ‘Hoover Damned’ started life as “a throwaway instrumental backing track that Kaoru recorded for a Christmas video. We found it infuriatingly catchy and started playing around with it in the studio as it evolved over a few months into the raw ingredients of the song it is today.”

She goes on “that’s when we realised we had a TUNE. It’s nagging AF. A real ear worm”.

Taped under the expert supervision of producer and engineer James Aparicio (Mute Records’ Depeche Mode, Grinderman, Fuzz Club’s Throw Down Bones), ‘Hoover Damned’ is the first release from a fruitful set of recording sessions at East London’s Hackney Road Studios. Like all the tracks it was mixed by Kaoru in Brooklyn, New York’s Apartment L.

With a summery DIY video directed by the band on tour and backed with soaring shoegazy b-side ‘Pebbles’ - led by Somrata’s yearning vocal - ‘Hoover Damned’ has been cementing the band’s position as ones to watch over recent live outings, and will demand your attention on all streaming and digital platforms on August 23rd via Rock Noir Recordings.

The single release is supported by dates at Louisiana Bristol (11th August), Windmill Brixton (12th August) and a release show at Walthamstow Trades on 24th August.

Video trailer youtu.be/r4tsz7pg2AA 

Full video youtu.be/E41ZI2GkspA
Presave link distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thedeadzoo/hoover-damned-2 


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About The Dead Zoo
Founded by trans woman guitarist and singer Kaoru Sato, formerly of Weird Sex (Roadkill Records), Electric Shocks (Artrocker Recordings), Dogviolet and notorious transgender punks Six Inch Killaz, with Somrata Sarkar (ex Ghost Patterns) on keyboards and vocals, Jon Baker-Bates on drums and Gabby Cain on bass, London- based The Dead Zoo are harnessing danceable post punk verve, blistering guitar noise, and queer dream poppy energy. Watch out for them on stages in London and beyond.

Having supported ARXX, Jemma Freeman and the Cosmic Something, CIEL, High-Vis, ALT BLK ERA, and deux furieuses, the band’s chaotic and high energy shows have rapidly built them a reputation as a formidable live force. Last year’s hi octane garage punk single “Do Clean / Do Dirty” only cemented that renown.

FFO: 

CLT DRP, CIEL, Junodef, Ditz, Beebadoobee, Girl Ray, Lime Garden, GENN, Boygenius

“Claws bared, The Dead Zoo stalk the stage with their obsidian post-punk anthems, fierce garage-rock and uncaged gothic guitar interplay.” Josh Cooper—Roadkill Radio / One Little Independent Records



“Sure to become your new favourite London post-punx” - Loud Women



“Dance-y and punky, with deep topics touched upon, played with passion and skill, and a good dose of humour thrown in” – Hayley Foster da Silva–Joyzine



“(They) continue to blend pop sensibilities into their heavy post punk/shoegaze offerings” Kate Crudgington–Get in Her Ears



"Destined for great things” Bill Adamson–With Just a Hint of Mayhem