Zebrahead

Zebrahead: Live at the House of Blues DVDLive at the House of Blues DVD (2004)
Kung Fu Records

Reviewer Rating: 3

User Rating:

Contributed by: KirbyPuckettKirbyPuckett
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on July 9th 2004If you asked me if I was a Zebrahead fan I'd probably respond with a modest "Yes." They're an enjoyable band, stirring pop-punk in with some urban flavor, glazed with a modern-rock aroma. Their albums have that feel good summer sense to them, but don't quite capture the essence of seeing the band .

If you asked me if I was a Zebrahead fan I'd probably respond with a modest "Yes." They're an enjoyable band, stirring pop-punk in with some urban flavor, glazed with a modern-rock aroma. Their albums have that feel good summer sense to them, but don't quite capture the essence of seeing the band live. Kung Fu Records has been doing an excellent job with their Show Must Go Off series to bring energetic performances of music to the home entertainment system. So in short, I was rather eager to pop this DVD in and scribble down a review.

Joe Escalante and his minions haven't stopped with their success yet, although they came close. This DVD captured the band wholly during their CD release show for their latest record, "MFZB." They just did it sloppy as all hell. Throughout the Reel Big Fish video you rarely catch a glimpse of the cameramen; however it seems that every shot on this night contains at least one of them. Most of the clips filmed by these guys are rather shaky and uneasy too. I know the pains of filming and video editing, but it gets a tad out of hand. Production is saving grace though, even if the couldn't get rid of the majority of the crew the footage is still put together quite well.

…but what about the show?

Well, on stage banter is what a "party" band strives on and when Justin Mauriello opens the show in his grandmother's muumuu you know there will be a load of amusement. A set list comprised equally from all three of their studio recordings gave a packed House of Blues a reason to bounce and sing their hearts out for over an hour. Hangin' out in the crowd to sing "Jag Off" excited the boys and girls. Jay's rant from "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back" was a nice touch to their choice of tunes. During "Set Up" they were able to stir up the pit quite nicely, as the clips from the crowd showed everyone having fun. The two radio singles from Waste of Mind "Get Back" and "Check" really spark the crowd to stretch their vocal chords to match Mauriello and Ali Tabatabaee word-for-word. Commencing an encore performance with "Playmate of the Year" caused the largest ruckus of the evening.

Once you look past the aesthetics you've got a good product in your hands. The band commentary is downright hilarious. On the other hand, the back stage footage and photo sections are what you've come to expect from the series, nothing revolutionary, but still an excellent added trait in the series.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (August 18, 2004)

me again my reveiw is below this one. now to really reveiw it. personally, i don't like them. MFZB's songs all sound like each other. they r a party band, theyre not very good considering they r in their 30's they should be some wher by now. they have been around since 1996 and theyre only popular in japan. and to the idiot who compparred them to simple plan u truly are a moron. simple plan are sell outs and ZH isn't even played on the radio. nobody deserves to be comparred to SP not even ZH

Anonymous (August 18, 2004)

i actually saw this. my sister has it, and she's in it. you can see her on the top balconey. justin wore a mumu

Anonymous (August 10, 2004)

This DVD it's GOOD as ZEBRAHEAD.
ZEBRAHEAD 4EVER!!!!!

Anonymous (July 31, 2004)

this band is really good. and at least original. good dvd.

Anonymous (July 31, 2004)

and still YOU were the one working in a record store while they are MAKING the records. you're such a cool guy.

squirrelbait (July 16, 2004)

Fact: This shit is wack.

Anonymous (July 15, 2004)

Be fair, no one aged 17 would buy this. No one who was 15 would buy this.

Anonymous (July 14, 2004)

DUDE,

You're kidding me right?!! People out there take this as legit? This is terrible!! I remember a few years back when I worked in a record store I stocked their CD and nobody ever bought it. I listened to a promo and took it out after the first song and we used it for M9 practice. If you are over 17 and listen to this, you must have the mentality of a 17 year old.

Anonymous (July 13, 2004)

BSD, shut your trap, everything you say is stupid.

Anonymous (July 11, 2004)

ass monkey is one word. "assmonkey".

Anonymous (July 11, 2004)

Zebrahead's first album was alright, it's been downhill ever since - MFZB was a big disappointment for me

Anonymous (July 11, 2004)

I'll make ammends. I don't like much in the way of modern pop-punk... So maybe this isn't as bad as the SP to the GC, but it's definitely not as good as the Adolescents.

-BSD

Anonymous (July 10, 2004)

Oh well BSD, we agreed about how much the Beatles rule and shut that dorkus down, but I guess we disagree on this band. I was the person saying they catch way to much shit, like they're simple plan. you of course think they are as bad as simple plan. oh well. ZH is good for what they are, just fun pop music, nothign too deep or serious or new, just good summer listenin, like lit.

-beatlesuperfan

opivykid (July 9, 2004)

I echo BSD's comment....

Anonymous (July 9, 2004)

So this is better than the Adolescents...?

It's Zebrahead... they're as lame as Simple Plan. I can't believe this.

-BSD

stratmanx (July 9, 2004)

Haven't seen this yet but if it's anything like the show they played a few months ago I'm sure it's stellar. One of the most energetic live bands I've seen.

Anonymous (July 9, 2004)

Yeah I like Zebrahead. Just simple fun summer music.

Anonymous (July 9, 2004)

ZH rule and catch waaay to much shit for no reason. jesus they've barely been on the radio and people treat them like they're simple plan or something. I personally love em. hip hop mixed w/ pop punk/rock and funk. nice.

fattony (July 9, 2004)

"A set list comprised equally from all three of their studio recordings"

If I remember correctly, the set was almost half devoted to material from their new album, as this was their CD release show. But whatever. Still a really fun show and DVD.

CrookedSuperhero (July 9, 2004)

I wish i could make her see, shes just the flavour of the weekkkk, da na na na, da na na na, dee no na na na

Anonymous (July 9, 2004)

I want an American Hi Fi DVD please .. . . . TOO STONED, NINTENDO!!!!

maverick (July 9, 2004)

Fixed, thanks.

-Scott

Anonymous (July 9, 2004)

"down right" is one word: "downright".