3/28/18
Fans of Led Zeppelin would be delighted to know that there’s a Zep tribute band called LZ129 in DFW. While LZ129 apparently don’t play very much, they certainly emulate the wonder and brilliance of the classic rock superstars. The 5-piece featuring vocalist Kat Cain, bassist Mike Luzecky, drummer Matt Young and the guitar wizardry of Pete Weise and Andrew McMillan burned through two sets performing Zep classics including "No Quarter", "The Ocean", and "Good Times Bad Times". Cain effortlessly wailed and pleaded with all the conviction and stage presence of a young Robert Plant. The rhythm of Luzecky and Young perfectly evoked one of rock's greatest groove and boom bass and drum sections of all time, John Paul Jones and John Bonham. The guitar pair of Weise and McMillan beautifully represented the precision and perfection of the guitar god Jimmy Page. To the naked ear the songs glittered with gold although "Stairway to Heaven" was nowhere to be found. For the finale, the audience was graced with "Moby Dick" and an inspired drum solo by Young imbued with the passion, thunder, and triplets of the late, great Bonham. Bonzo’s ghost was on hand to say, “It really brought tears to my eyes even though I can play the fill at the end of Rock and Roll much better.”
LZ129 is a thoroughly mesmerizing journey through the Zep catalog. Next time, it would be nice to hear a stab at "In the Evening" and "Ramble On". And Bonzo's ghost is requesting "Immigrant Song" and that the drummer play with his hands on "Moby Dick".
You'll recognize members of LZ129 from the original Denton, TX band TOMKAT.
- DC