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Written by Luke Oram
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Wednesday, 30 September 2009 13:16 |
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Despite having a name that would only be tantalising to Germans (‘Vaiter, Zere’s a fly in my Zoup’ etc.), Auckland’s THE ZOUP etch out an okay niche as funk-rockers.
Local bands seem to have an ill-fated love-affair with funk music, as if forever stuck in a quest to replicate the Chilli Peppers sound – luckily for The Zoup, there’s enough mid-90’s rock influence in their sound to balance out the white man’s swing. |
Frontman Jaydn de Graaf has a great voice, channelling hero Brandon Boyd in frenetic rocker 'Missing' and perfecting the grunge croon in 'Para Mi'. De Graaf’s band-mates, while hardly cooking up an alternative-rock storm are tight and melodic; Dominic Mauger’s got some tasteful guitar hooks, swinging from aping John Frusciante in bouncy jaunt 'Take Some Time', to providing some hardcore-lite in the almost menacing 'Move Again'.
The Zoup dish up an impressive debut. It’s still on the wrong side of the year 2000, but there are some promising bones – the boys can write a great song, which stands them in great stead. Perhaps a few years on the track will help them find their own sound. By the sounds of their first effort, all the ingredients are present for the making of a great Zoup. |
