Z.O.W.I.E.'s demo of a few months back is coupled with some very strong live material for a fine first release.
Spy sounds with some surf and lots of very strong fuzz guitar work. Some mighty nice arranging and writing, as well as solid sound. Of particular note are the incredible groove that was born as "Peter Gunn," and the fine version of the Go-Go's "Surfin' and Spyin'."  Spy edge and big guitar twang. It's a hard sound to buttonhole, but if you're into Davie Allan and Mission Impossible, this will work for you.

 Picks: Dick Tracy, Four Eyes, Planet Gunn, Siberian Express, Steppin' Stone, Surfin' and Spyin', Terror At 7 Springs, The Vibe, Triple 0 Stomp

"Napoleon Complex"
Big fuzz approaching the spy sound from the Mission Impossible direction, with string bending action and a credible melody. Whirling console organ backs up the double picked parts.

"Four Eyes"
"Four Eyes" is a pretty darn cool fuzz number with a bit of surf sensibility and lots of edge. melodic and relentless.

"Siberian Express"
Espionage on the "Siberian Express" is dipped in organ cheese. Well written and executed, with big guitar charging and whistling organ.

"The Vibe"
"The Vibe" floats groovily across a sad scene with cool organ tone and haunting drums and bass. The guitar rings in danger looming in the distance. Brooding and hazardous.

"Our Man In Cairo"
The big twang goes to Egypt, where a relentless riff and spy tone support whirling organ melodies. haunting and troublesome.

"Terror At 7 Springs"
Big fuzz spy with intense guitar drive and a whistling organ underbelly. Very big and powerful, with vibrant harsh guitar work. Quite cool.

"Planet Gunn"
"Peter Gunn" becomes "Planet Gunn," recorded live at Area 51. Very interesting slow soft treatment with throbbing guitar before launching into an intense assault.

"Surfin' and Spyin'"
The Go-Go's' "Surfin' and Spyin'" is driven mighty hard. Big and powerful, with all the panache the song deserves. It was recorded live at Area 51.

"Steppin' Stone"
I never thought I'd hear an instro treatment of this tune. It's quite effective, with big guitar and great relentless drums. Recorded live at Area 51.

"Triple 0 Stomp"
This starts out more a progression than a song, but heavy surf guitar thrashing bails it out. Like a surf jam in high gear. "Triple 0 Stomp" was recorded live at Area51.

"Dick Tracy"
Big and twang driven, "Dick Tracy" is high powered, with throbbing bass and huge guitar. Excellent.
Recorded live at Area 51.

Phi Dirt

visit REVERB CENTRAL

"NEW" GANDY DANCER
Issue #62, July 2001

Guitar, keyboards, bass and drums outfit described as America's Hippest Swank-A-Delic Spy/Rock Combo and that's OK by us. The surfin'/spyin' originals here are first rate and certainly give off good vibes when they are playing - they truly seem to be having a ball. Dressed in Matt Helm black they could have written this for TV in the sixties but with the heavenly edge of 2001's music.

Davy

e-mail dave@damapub.freeserve.co.uk

PIPELINE INSTRUMENTAL REVIEW
Issue #52, Summer 2001

Z.O.W.I.E. stands for Zonal Organisation for World Intelligence and Espionage, and this six-tracker is a preview Ep for their upcoming album "la vie dangereuse."  A four piece featuring guitar and organ they are billed as America's Hippest Swank-a-delic Spy/Rock Combo, although their drummer was killed in action so they are currently operating as a trio.  We're talking spy themes with a sixties feel here, though the quality of reproduction and the wide-ranging and dynamic guitar sounds do bring them forward in time.

Strident and fluid guitar playing drives "Napoleon Complex" over a big beat, the searing solo being taken with great aplomb by Agent 71857.  It's a good theme too. "Four eyes" and "Siberian Express" have more basic melodies but are decorated with some tasty organ from Dava. "The Vibe" is a cool mood piece with splashes of guitar over a synthy backing and a threatening wash of bass.  "Our Man In Cairo" recalls the Beat Girl riff on guitar and builds quite an atmosphere before "Terror @ 7 Springs" winds things up with its scene-setting soundtrack punch.  An appetising taster, I'm looking forward to the album.

Alan Taylor

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