The Madison and Milwaukee music scenes have long seemed rather disparate. Though separated by a mere 90 miles of smooth, straight interstate highway, genuine interaction between the two has remained surprisingly scarce. But with the addition of new drummer Shane Hochstetler (Call Me Lightning) and the release of a new self-titled album, Madison noise rockers Zebras continue to evolve as a band and do their part to bridge this unseemly gap between scenes.
Formed in Mad-town in 2007 by Vincent Presley on vocals/guitar and Lacey Smith on vocals/synthesizer (both formerly of Window Smashers), Zebras ripped into the Madison noise rock scene with a frantic, scathing progressive sound. Presley’s frenetic, screeching vocals and chaotic overdriven guitar deliver a solid punch to the gut, while Smith’s eclectic synth tones lend a truly unique accent that at times muddies the sound to unnervingly dark, creepy levels (they refer to it as “Moog metal”) and at others is borderline uplifting.
The band’s unique and overpowering live performances did not go unnoticed, and the group soon hooked up with Milwaukee’s own noise aficionados IfIHadAHiFi. The kindred spirit groups started sharing the stage together, each introducing the other to its fans and hometown scene. When drummer Shawn Pierce left the band in 2009 (currently drumming with Milwaukee band Surgeons In Heat, notice a pattern developing here?), Presley and Smith asked DrAwkward (DJ Hostettler) and MrAlarm (Josh Davis) of IfIHadAHiFi to fill in for a 2011 tour.
Zebras appear to be entering a golden age of its development as a band with the addition of Hochstetler. The group recorded the first side of its self-titled full length at Hochstetler’s Howl Street Studios (the second side features songs recorded in 2009), and the mad man behind the kit has certainly had a less-than-subtle impact on the band’s overall sound. The new tracks, including the absolutely killer “Black Cancer,” veer almost violently metal while retaining the abstract character that makes Zebras so bewilderingly enjoyable to listen to.
Hear for yourself here, or better yet, see the band’s first Milwaukee show with Hochstetler behind the kit for yourself Saturday night at Cactus Club with Burning Sons and Magnetic Minds.
