Get Recced: ZOX

recommended by Amezri

I first heard ZOX on WEQX, an independant station out of Manchester, VT. The track was "Can't Fall Down," the new single from the band's soon to be released second album, "The Wait." I thought the tune was pretty catchy and hey - was that an electric violin? Doing a bit of digging online, I found the band's website and quickly read up on the quartet from Providence, Rhode Island.

Recently, I had the chance to see ZOX live at the 27th Annual Tulip Fest in Albany, NY. There was a pretty good crowd and the band certainly disappoint. There's a worry sometimes that a band that sounds great on their album won't sound as good in person -- this was not the case. ZOX sounds just as good, if not better, live and it's really something to watch violinist Spencer Swain jump around on stage while flawlesly playing his instrument.

If You Like...

Reggae, Punk, Rock

Speed Bio:

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Eli Miller, drummer John Zox, and bassist Dan Edinberg met at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island in 1999. Violinist Spencer Swain was found via an ad in a weekly local music paper. Their debut CD, "Take Me Home," was released in 2003 and since then the band has shared the stage with Guster, Rusted Root, Everclear, Goldfinger, Cowboy Mouth, and the Starting Line.

What Do They Sound Like?

The band's self-described sound seems to be the Cure meets the Police meets Beethoven. They have a distinct punk-rock-reggae sound with a classical flavor. Samples from the first and second album are available at the band's website, zoxband.com.

My favorite track from the first album is actually an instrumental. "Canon" takes Pachelbel's "Canon in D" and transforms it into a groovy little reggae piece before kicking it up to a punk-rock tune a quarter of the way in. The band closed with this at Tulip Fest - yes, they closed with an instrumental. Not that you'd really notice, of course, the energy from it was so high - especially with Spencer Swain bouncing around the stage. Why, yes, I do have a not-so-secret fascination with violins and cellos in bands.

Where to Buy:

"The Wait" will be released in stores August 2005. In the meantime, you can purchase the debut CD, "Take Me Home," from the band's site.

For More Information:

Zoxband.com offers lots of information, a gallery, press information, a forum, street team, and other extra goodies.

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