Von Zippers - Blitzhacker

  by Cara Ross

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

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If you’re not drunk already, you will be after listening to this! Grab a stein: the latest release from Alberta, Canada’s leading purveyors of mudslinging, sleaze-fest, trash rock is a collection of singles and former compilation tracks lovingly compiled together for us to enjoy in their entirety. It’s time to get our dancin’ boots on once again, only this time bring your lederhosen, and ladies wear your Drindles while you’re at it. The Von Zippers are Fun with a capital F. Since the release of 1997’s debut “Wow ‘em down at Franzl’s”, which was followed by their full-length: “Bad Generation” two years later, they have yet to show any signs of letting up. Being a Canuck myself, let me take this opportunity to flog the Von Zippers for you: “Blitzhacker” is a perfect introduction for anyone not familiar with the band, and will go a long way towards an overview of what one of Canada’s better garage bands has to offer. It is definitely worth checking out if only for the excellent cover of Da Slyme’s “Truck Stop Nun”, which was originally released on a compilation called “Oh Canaduh (2)” that featured several contemporary garage, surf and punk bands and which displayed some of Canada’s most legendary and oft overlooked gems. There are very few gimmicks that ever really work for me, but even I have to concede that the kitsch factor here really appeals, even if perhaps my personal army-brat experience does colour my opinion. Seeing these lads decked out in all things Deutsche really makes me smile, even more so given that their music in no way resembles my father’s collection of German Beer drinking songs. There’s something to be said for a man in lederhosen, and it is this: “please don’t ever wear that again”. Only the wonderful thing is that they do. Men in lederhosen straddling drum kits and strapped behind guitars seen live is a silly sight. But don’t be confused, there’s no real German influence in this music, it’s straight up garage-punk. And with totally rabid organ-drenched songs that are short, fast-paced, and have titles like “Hey Hey baby” and “Hot Rod Monkey”, how can you miss? The Von Zippers are the one band I turn to when I really need to get things jumpin’, just slap these babies on before you go out, and you can’t help but have a good time. So grab your Gasthaus partner, liebchen, you will need to dance to it.

Track Listing:-

1 Megavolt
2 Truckstop Nun
3 Hey Hey Baby
4 Wurms
5 Hot Rod Monkey
6 You Destroy Me
7 Monkey On You
8 Screwdriver High
9 V-Z Theme
10 Mighty Red Baron
11 Proto Sicko
12 I'm Bugged
13 Brokedown
14 T.V. Baby
15 Summertime Blues

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