 The
burgeoning Los Angeles club scene has witnessed the birth of dozens of
quality rock bands from the Doors to Guns 'N' Roses, but none quite so
humorously defiant as Zak Daniels And The One Eyed Snakes. Take the band's
name for instance. "When you play music for a living, sometimes you take
almost any job that comes along," says Zak, the tall, trim lead
vocalist/rhythm guitarist who fronts the four piece outfit. "A few years ago
we were literally existing from gig to gig, when an odd looking gentleman
approached us after a show and asked if we'd like to score and play on the
soundtrack for a film he was producing. Imagine our surprise when a few days
later, we arrived at a Hollywood Hills mansion that featured a home studio
and was also the location for the film, a Triple X rated one at that."
After completing the soundtrack later that week, we were asked to select a
fictitious name for the credits. As a lark, we selected " The One Eyed Snakes."
Now, we didn't make this choice to offend women or anything like that, we were
just having fun with the new, ugh, genre in which we were working. And guess
what, the producers rejected the name because they thought it was too raunchy
(Say What? It's a porn flick!). I don't recall what name was used for the music
credits, but we decided then and there that the "One Eyed Snakes" moniker would
be resurrected." And with their eponymous debut CD on independent "Big Water
Records," Zak and his mates did just that.
Long known on the local club circuit as a no nonsense hard rock band, the
group has matured considerably since they were hailed as "the next big thing" by
local radio and press in the mid nineties. Zak has maintained a philosophical
outlook about such hyperbole. "It's been said many times by many people, but
there is some truth in the phrase: "Nothing is an overnight sensation," he noted
appropriately. After a couple of line-up changes the Snakes have become a
permanent musical family. Jimmy Kat Katsikides, who co-produced the album with
Daniels, brandishes one of the meanest lead guitars in all of rock. The rhythm
section consists of Doug Lavery on drums and Orion Lindeman on bass. Together
they anchor a sound that can overwhelm the casual listener or tenderly seduce
them.
The fifteen tracks on the CD reflect the poise and versatility of Daniels,
who's catalog boasts over two hundred and fifty songs. Songs like "Fourteen
Dollars & 57 Cents," "Tombstone Hat," "Brown Eyed Beauty" and "Sky-Boy,"
are evocative of the passion that has always been the band's trademark on stage,
but so too are "Words," "Cartoon Savior" and "Fast Ones." From their hometown of
L.A. to the Big Apple and back, you can bet that wherever Zak Daniels And The
One Eyed Snakes appear, fans will be left with a smile on their face.
By David Budge - Red Rooster
Update: Two songs from the first CD broke into the Top-40 for a total of 39
weeks on the charts. AC radio loved the album's two ballads. "Sky-Boy" lasted 21
weeks on the charts, and "Tombstone Hat" lasted 18 weeks. They're now promoting
their second release, Snakeland. Look for "Silicone" to be the first single.
Other Snake News!
We recently signed a few licensing deals which could turn out to be a very
good thing. Crucial Music licensed the songs Silicone and Fair Weather Friends
for placement in films, television, etc.
Songs With Vision licensed our recording of Bob Dylan´s Highway 61 Revisited
(the only cover we do) from our first CD, the self titled debut Zak Daniels And
The One Eyed Snakes.
Pump Music licensed 25 of the 26 songs from both CDs. Our self titled debut
and Snakeland.
Also Look for a new TV show called Break On Through. It should be out
sometime this fall. We were chosen through a
www.Sonicbids.com opportunity to
shoot the pilot for this show. The shoot was a hoot! Should be serious fun to
watch.
Press
Release: submit press copy
THE BOSTON
GLOBE
Rocks with a ferocity unseen
in these parts for years. Acerbic wit and biting often sarcastic
insight. Lead guitarist and co-producer Jim Katsikides is a riff
slinger in the tradition of Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Billy Gibbons.
He knows when to rage and when to pull back to allow Daniels room
to move. The whole collection sparkles with a lustful sense of
humor that reaffirms the notion that it's still okay to have some
fun in rock and roll.
SAN FRANCISCO
CHRONICLE
If you
thought good old fashioned rock and roll with a modern edge was
something only the Rolling Stones or U2 attempted every few years,
you owe yourself a listen to Zak Daniels And The One Eyed Snakes. Inspired if occasionally
demented vocals and thought provoking lyrics, Daniels skill as
a songwriter is evident on all of the record's highly charged
tracks. A rock solid rhythm section provides the foundation for
some masterful guitar work by LP co-producer Jim Katsikides. Good hard rock is alive an well and Zak and his Snakes are
worthy progenitors.
GROOVEBOX
No wimps.
No simps. No samples. No violins. No brass section. No second-guessing
or settling for second-best. Just flat out, go for the throat
Rock. Note to radio program directors: Just hit the random button
on your CD player and you're certain to hit a track full of dangerous
hooks and good old fashioned R&R excitement. A quartet of
enormous power and slashing intensity.
NEW YORK
DAILY NEWS
Zak Daniels
is that rare refreshing breeze in an otherwise oppressive jungle
of angst, alienation and misogyny that dominates contemporary
pop music. Daniels injects equal parts humor, passion and good
solid rock into his music. Highlighted is the righteous guitar
work of co-producer Jim Katsikides. This record is fresh and uncliched.
DALLAS MORNING
NEWS
You'll
find plenty of substance on Zak Daniels and the One Eyed Snakes
debut CD on Big Water Records. Lead guitarist and co-producer
Jim Katsikides has a seemingly endless array of talent. His refreshingly
powerful master-strokes enable Daniels extraordinary lyrics to
penetrate even the thickest levels of musical prejudice. With
a mischievous wit, Daniels turns introspection and observation
of everyday events and situations into an art form and he and
the Snakes also rock the house.
SEATTLE TIMES
This rugged
rock is the genuine article. No sham or pretense here, just solid
presentation, inspired songwriting and a genuine, if occasionally
deranged sense of humor. Daniels doesn't just sing a lyric, he seems
to live it.
WASHINGTON
POST
Daniels
and his One Eyed Snakes do make contact and in a variety of ways
that suggest a return to the passion that gave birth to this music.
He and his band deliver the material convincingly and with feeling
and you'll find the spirit is alive and well.
INDIANAPOLIS
STAR
Humor,
craft and high decibel rock and roll just doesn't get much better
than this. A gem of a record, this CD should be the start of something
big for Daniels and his mates.
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