Zed Kick Out The Psychobilly Jams On New ‘Wrecking Machine’

Quad-Cities psychobilly band Zed is rampaging through a demonic hot rod of rock and raunch on their new album, “Wrecking Machine,” and they’re turning it loose for the first time Saturday, during a CD release party at the Village Theatre, 2113 E. 11^th St., Village of East Davenport.

The group – Bill Lear on vocals, John Kautz on bass, Mark Detl on guitar and Dave Hughes on drums – will be performing tracks from the disc and more, on a bill with local legends The After Darks and The Memphis Dives. Doors open at 6, show is at 7, tix are $7 at the door.

The group was formed in 2008 and has been roaring through regional gigs since then, albeit with Shawn McNeely on drums. McNeely passed away three days after he finished recording on the new album, with Hughes joining after his passing. “Wrecking Ball” is the act’s second release, after 2009’s “Unfinished Business.”

According to Lear, the new record is a great capture of their fun, wild sound.

“Our sound is a fusion of punk rock and rockabilly called Psychobilly,” he said. “Our songs are about science fiction, horror, some funny topics and an occasional serious topic. We sound a little like the Cramps, Reverend Horton Heat and the Dead Kennedys. Our live shows are full of energy and fun. We don’t preach to get any point across. We play hard and fast, and people can tell that we are having fun.”

The recording of the album, at Flat Black Studios in Iowa (it was later mixed at Audiosiege in Portland, Ore.) was a bittersweet endeavor, due to McNeely’s passing.

“After Shawn passed away finishing the record was incredibly hard. We wanted to finish Shawn’s last project and we leaned into it as best as we could,” Lear said. “There were many re-recordings because we wanted the best possible product. From start to finish it took about two years. We are happy with the finished product and are ready to rip it up for everyone.”

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They’re likewise ready to rip it up Saturday night.

“This show is a culmination of two years of hard work and dedication,” Lear said. “Finishing this for Shawn and his family was a priority for all of us. We think it’s a great record and are proud to share it with everyone. We have always been a family first; we just happen to be musicians too.”

This is the first of many gigs to promote the record, although they’ll take some time to celebrate Hughes’ impending nuptials in November.

“We plan to play shows, sell T-Shirts and drive on,” Lear said. “Dave is getting married – congrats! — in

November but we are ready to finish out the year strong and kick the crap out of 2024.”

For more info on the group, check out their website at https://www.zed138.com/.