Zex-Child Soldier

No Front Teeth Records
2017

Ottawa, Ontarios' Zex (vocalist Gretchen Steel, guitarist Jo Capitalicide, bassist Gab Hole, and drummer: Mark Useless) has a new single out. It's entitled "Child Soldier" and it is everything that we have come to love and expect from this (socially-conscious) four-piece band! Last heard from in 2015 with "Fear No Man", vocalist Gretchen Steel and her punk metal companions have perfected their one of a kind sound. It falls somewhere between punk rock and (N.W.O.B.H.M.-infused) garage metal and yes, it is AWESOME! If you have never heard it for yourself then A) Your life is incomplete and B) These two songs are as good a place as any to dive right into! And speaking of (stage) diving right in, Zex PLEASE come to my part of Ohio!! If you're reading this then please know that the U.S. needs Zex. We need your loud take on punk rock and we need your message.  Your U.S. fans want to bop about and slam dance to your mission and your cause. Please come before it is too late...

Zex-Fear No Man

Self-Release/Independent
2015


Is there anyone out there that remembers Zex? They were the Ottawa, Ontario four-piece that gave us  the fun "Fight For Yourself" back in 2014. If it helps to refresh your memory any then here's what I had to say about that particular 10-track album:  ""Fight for Yourself"  combines old-school punk (specifically the British and New York scene), 70's rock/hard rock, glam and N.W.O.B.H.M. into one f**king fantastic collection!". The two-track "Fear No Men" is more of the same from band members Gretchen Steel (vocals), Gab Hole (bass), Cody D (drums), and  Jo Capitalicide (guitar) only it's LOUDER! Of course around these parts we always say preach the louder the better so there's nothing left to say other than to buy this on a.s.a.p.!

Zex-Fight for Yourself

Capitalicide/Uncle D Records
2014

Just released last week, "Fight for Yourself" is the 10-track debut album from Ottawa, Ontario's own Zex. Preceded by a pair of well-received/highly-recommend 7"s, with two of the previously-released singles, "Savage City" and "Wanderlust", appearing here on Zex's first LP*, "Fight for Yourself"  combines old-school punk (specifically the British and New York scene), 70's rock/hard rock, glam and N.W.O.B.H.M. into one f**king fantastic collection! In Zex there's two girls and two guys (one of which is guitarist Jo Capitalicide of Germ Attak, Trioxin 245 and Iron Dogs** fame) and you haven't lived until you've had a chance to see these Ottawa punk rockers in action! And you can do exactly that thanks to the official video for title track/album opener, "Fight for Yourself"! Go ahead and check it out. I'll wait....

OK good, you're back. See what I mean about Zex? Pretty cool right? That's merely the first cut though.  Next you've got "Wild Blood" where we find Zex drawing a clear line between The Runaways and Girlschool and then "We're Rebels" takes you on a wild ride where punk and Oi! And no matter whether we are talking about any of these early (instant!) classics or even "Screaming at the Wall", "XXX", "Wanderlust", "World of Trash" and "Savage City" guitarist Jo Capitalicide is always spot f**king on! Jo's particular style of playing allows Zex the opportunity to perfectly switch between a number that might recall the Avengers and one which hints at a love of punk-infused N.W.O.B.H.M. such as (early) Iron Maiden (or specifically Paul Di'Anno's work on Iron Maiden's self-titled debut and "Killers"). He's not the only highlight though when it comes to this Canadian four-piece. Throughout "Fight for Yourself" lead vocalist Gretchen Steel commands attention and her voice gives numbers like "Fight for Yourself", "We're Rebels" and "Break Out" a serious sense of urgency! Meanwhile "On Our Own" is an impassioned call out and "Savage City" finds Zex's fiery front-woman raising the alarm while Jo Capitalicide and the rhythm section of Gab Sex and Tasha (bass and drums respectively) rally around Steel in a defiant show of support! As charming as they are corrosive, Ottawa's Zex are all at once the best of both worlds (old-fashioned punk and late seventies/early eighties N.W.O.B.H. M.) while simply a fun and refreshingly original rock collective with a knack for writing memorable material. For now "Fight for Yourself" is a vinyl, tape and digital only release. It will be split release between Uncle D Records and Capitalicide, but for those of you who might just be looking for easiest and quickest thrill ride possible then you can download "Fight For Yourself" off of iTunes or directly from the band here:
http://zexzexzex.bandcamp.com/


*These are different versions of the singles. Both "Savage City" and "Wanderlust" have reportedly been re-recorded. Here "Savage City" (a 70/80s-inspired number that simultaneously recalls Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and The Runaways) sounds a tad bit cleaner while English punk rocker "Wanderlust" maintains the same blistering outlook and contentious attitude. It should go without saying, but in case there is any doubt at all I thoroughly enjoyed both numbers! 

**I previously covered Iron Dogs "Free and Wild". You can read it here: http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/10/iron-dogs-free-and-wild.html

 Zex's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/zexzexzexofficial

PS: As a side-note I simply cannot recommend this band enough! Zex's sound was forged from a shared love punk, garage rock and roll, Oi!, seventies/early eighties hard rock, seventies glam rock and N.W.O.B.H.M. It's contagious as all get out and recalls a simpler time when punks and bangers gathered together by way of a mutual admiration of bands like the Ramones and Motörhead!