Hey -- Check this out!

[redvette]

Follow this link and you will see my son (the Greek) and his band "Dickens Zoo". Notice the bass -- it is a 1980 Rickenbacker lefty that I bought for him a year ago. Nice to see that he is playing it. Whoever recorded this must have be like me -- ignore the singer -- listen to the bass player!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm4iDbjLuG4

[alanz]

I see this band has ignored one of my "Big Al's Band Rules."

[VRICKY63]

Rock on !!!!

[paologregorio]

I see this band has ignored one of my "Big Al's Band Rules."

Which rule is that? Enlighten us. Does it have to do with fog machines, not allowing female lead vocalists, or possibly any female band members at all, No air guitar playing by lead vox, raising arms over the head by the lead vox, or having a song over three minutes long?

Humor aside, I thought they had just the right presence for the style. It wasn't over the top nor understated.

Although it's not really my style of music, they came across as a pretty good headbanger band to me, and the bassist did a fine job-he definitely had a nice round yet punchy, tone, and solid bass playing.

[alanz]

Item 2) on your list but I think I've just added another 3 rules to mine.

[paologregorio]

Item 2) on your list but I think I've just added another 3 rules to mine.

Glad to help out

[redvette]

I'm neither up nor down on "effects", but as to the girl singer, here is a near verbatim quote from my son. (This was after I asked him why he had to add a "decoration" to the band). He said -- Dad, this girl is a superb singer; she can roar like a lion, shreek like a banshee or sing like a nightingale as necessary -- plus, she does exactly what she is asked to do and is a really super sweet young lady.

PS -- the Dickens Zoo band has been touring Greece this summer, mainly playing in outdoor venues with 6-15,000 ticket sales. Making a living which the band had a hard time doing in the US.

PPS -- You can see the "decorative" Tanya Kikidis on this video. It is from a TV show combining Dickens and Vasilis Papaconstantinou, who is a very well regarded Greek rocker. In this video, Vasilis guys are the bass player and keyboard. The lead guitar, singer, violinist, drummer and sax (my son) are Dickens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ9N3ZtJ_oM

[ram]

Richard - I like their sound. It's their band so their choice of a female lead or not - sounds to me like they may have found a diamond in the rough with her. I hope the have a good tour!!