Back catalogue: Punk band Zowiso – Digital releases
Zowiso
Digital releases and reunion concert
Legendary Dutch punk band Zowiso back in the spotlight
Today three LPs and an EP by the legendary Zowiso from Dutch town Wormer are released digitally on all known streaming- and download platforms. This sunday the 4th of march the band will give a one-off reunion show in their home region.
In the footsteps of The Ex, a flourishing do-it-yourself community emerged in North Holland’s Wormer in the early 1980s. One of the most important exponents of that scene was Zowiso. They had their roots in punk but in addition there was a multitude of styles. The somber side of “the other eighties” had a clear influence on the lyrics, but there was a lot of fun. Where else than with Zowiso do you find a version of Hey Joe as Hé Joop, including an off-key trumpet solo? Eat this Mr. Den Uyl (former Dutch Prime Minister)!
Zowiso was active between 1980 and 1986 and released various LPs and singles. Four of these are now released digitally through TCBYML:
- At A Jogtrot To Death (1982)
- Sloop De Stopera (1983)
- Beat Per Minute (1983)
- The Lust (1985)
At A Jogtrot To Death
At A Jogtrot To Death is the blasting debut album from 1982. Recorded in the studio of The Ex, under direction of Ex-guitarist Terrie Hessels and renowned producer Dolf Planteijdt. As a result of their already extensive stage experience, this statement of raw but charming punk is on tape in no time. Also includes the live bonus single on which the hilarious Hé Joop, with a more than exuberant trumpet solo 🙂
Sloop De Stopera
Sloop De Stopera from 1983 is the Zowiso side of the split-LP that they made together with other Wormer band Zwembaden. Both bands did not have enough material for a full record, subsequently. The kickoff of the Zowiso side is the impressive Welcome Back. It is a scorching commentary on the Falklands War victory parade in London, including wheelchairs and crutches. A good example of the political stand of Zowiso.
Beat Per Minute
In the same year as the Stopera LP the Beat Per Minute EP was recorded in the ‘famous’ Joke’s Koeienverhuurbedrijf Studio in Schellingwoude. Again with Dolf Planteijd behind the buttons, who records three heavily engaged tracks. Beat Per Minute was released in 1983 but a year later also functioned as a special appendix to the irregularly appearing anarchist magazine Gramschap.
The Lust
The last LP by Zowiso was released in 1985. Although we still hear the familiar Zowiso subjects on The Lust, the sound sounds more open and regularly it also has a slightly slower tempo. You can even call it grown-up and the critics were full of praise. Still, the band then had to deal with a long period without inspiration and pleasure, so in 1986 it was decided to part as friends.