The Zipheads bring a Rock’n’Roll Renaissance on Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th was the chosen date for The Zipheads to unveil their highly anticipated third album, Rock‘n’Roll Renaissance, at the Camden Underworld. Since the release of their second album, “Z2: Rampage,” the St Albans trio had been busy and wanted to showcase their progress. The night kicked off with another trio, The Dead Shout, featuring two veteran musicians, Darren Edwards on double bass and Gary Voodoo on drums, along with Jack Elfick on guitar and lead vocals.

The performance started with Gary’s powerful drum introduction to “Just You Wait,” setting the tone for a dark song of betrayal. “Drag You Down” followed, delivering fast-paced psychobilly action, with Darren’s signature swinging bass style. Jack introduced “Love Song,” adding a touch of bitterness, and “Boppin’ And Shakin’” kept the energy high with its classic psychobilly vibe. “Jump Your Bones” featured a familiar riff from The Stooges but made it their own.

“Ice Cubes” showcased mainly instrumental elements, punctuated by Gary’s spoken word interjections. “I Me Mine” had a nostalgic 50’s soda shop feel, while “Spring Clean” brought a surge of energy with its amphetamine-laced guitar work. “Wanted Maniac” and “Dead Man’s Party” intensified the mood with their manic energy, leading up to the closing track, “Going Cold,” signaling the end of a stellar set.

Following the spirited performance by The Dead Shout, The Zipheads took the stage for their album launch. A few technical glitches delayed the start of the set, but once they kicked off with “How Do You Like Me Now?,” the band was unstoppable. The reworked version of “Welcome To The Real World” as “Welcome To The Underworld” paid homage to their venue, The Mother Red Cap, an establishment with a rich history dating back to Renaissance times.

Lead vocalist Ray Waters welcomed the audience and announced the launch of their long-awaited album, “Rock‘N’Roll Renaissance.” The title track, showcasing Dick Dynamite’s double bass prowess, set the stage for a night of high-speed Gretsch guitar madness. Despite a few technical hiccups, the band powered through hits like “Hold Tight” and “Funny,” with their signature mix of bittersweet lyrics and energetic performances.

“Everybody Knows” and “Manslaughter” showcased Ray’s storytelling skills, blending humor with music seamlessly. As the night progressed, the band delved into deeper themes with songs like “Last Man On Earth” and “Incestuous,” adding personal touches and hometown references to their setlist. “Don’t Pretend” closed the main set, leaving the audience buzzing with excitement.

For the encore, The Zipheads rocked the house with a high-energy cover of Jackie Wilson’s “Lonely Teardrops” and a tribute to The Damned with a funky rendition of “Neat Neat Neat.” The night ended on a high note, proving once again that The Zipheads were at the top of their game, delivering a memorable performance to their dedicated fans.