Lez Zeppelin

Lez Zeppelin is an all-female tribute act, performing the work of Led Zeppelin.^[1]

History

In June 2005, Chuck Klosterman wrote an article for SPIN Magazine that featured Lez Zeppelin as a leading protagonist in a trend of all-female hard rock "tribute" bands. He referred to the group as "the most powerful all-female band in rock history" and described the rise of bands like Lez Zeppelin as a "kind of multilayered cultural phenomenon."^[3] Stories about the group appeared in the Times of London, whose journalist called the band "the best new band I’ve seen all year, no question;" Reuters and CNN.com.,^[4] which ran a front page feature that called the group so "electrifying" they are "driving club audiences to a frenzy."

In April 2007, after touring in the US and Europe the band released its first album, Lez Zeppelin, which was produced by Eddie Kramer, former recording engineer on several Led Zeppelin albums. In the wake of this release, the band was invited at festivals including the Download Festival in the UK; Rock am Ring and Rock im Park in Germany; and the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans.

The announcement in February 2008, that Lez Zeppelin would take the stage at the Bonnaroo Festival, was incorrectly reported by some news organizations, which stated that Led Zeppelin was to perform.^[5]

Throughout 2008, the group continued to tour in the U.S. and in the late fall made its first visit to Japan to promote the release of its debut record. In March 2009, Lez Zeppelin played a benefit concert in Mumbai.^[6] In 2010, the band headed back into the studio to record a second album.

Current members

• Steph Paynes - guitar, Theremin
• Leesa Harrington-Squyres - drums
• Megan Thomas - bass guitar, mandolin, keyboard
• Shannon Conley - vocals, harmonica^[7]

Album

In late 2007, the band (then consisting of Steph Paynes, Sarah McLellan on vocals, Helen Destroy on drums and Lisa Brigantino on bass and keyboards) recorded its first album containing six Led Zeppelin selections (one song from each of the first six albums) and two originals. The album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York City with producer/engineer Eddie Kramer, best known for his work with Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix, and was mastered by George Marino, who digitally remastered all of the original Led Zeppelin recordings with Jimmy Page. The album, released on Emanation Records, is distributed by Redeye Distribution.,^[8] and was also released and distributed in Japan by the Avex Music Group.

The group (consisting of Steph Paynes, Shannon Conley, Megan Thomas and Leesa Harrington-Squyres) returned to the studio in 2010 to record a second album with producers Perry Margouleff and William Wittman that serves as an incredible replication of Led Zeppelin’s 1969 debut. The album was recorded at Pie Studios in Glen Cove, New York, using all of the same analog gear and recording techniques, as well as the same vintage equipment used by Led in 1968. The album, released on Pie Records, is distributed by Redeye Distribution in the U.S. and was also released and distributed in Japan by the Avex Music Group.

Track listing

1. "Good Times Bad Times" (Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham)
2. "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" (Anne Bredon/Jimmy Page, Robert Plant)
3. "You Shook Me" (Willie Dixon, J.B. Lenoir)
4. "Dazed and Confused" (Jimmy Page)
5. "Your Time Is Gonna Come" (Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones)
6. "Black Mountain Side" (Jimmy Page)
7. "Communication Breakdown" (Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham)
8. "I Can't Quit You Baby" (Willie Dixon)
9. "How Many More Times" (Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham)

References

External links

• Official website
• Lez Zeppelin at AllMusic
• Lez Zeppelin at Billboard
• Steph Paynes Interview-Artist Connection Podcast