Tag Archives: The Viper Room

Haven’t heard of Automatic Static? The trio hails from “muthaf*%in’ Sacramento California” (proclaimed more out of anger than affection) and, on this particular night, has traveled 530 miles or so just to punish the Viper Room and all the unsuspecting hipsters that showed up — and the quota this evening seems unusually high. The band churned out a particularly groove-laden set that had everyone in the crowd shakin’ their respective booties. Patrons found it difficult to resist their catchy hooks of “Keys to Heaven” or the pummeling riffage of “Kill ‘Em All.” A myriad of influences spring to mind, though of the good kind: Singer/songwriter Z Rokk sounds a bit like The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson; their brand of raucous rock is somewhere between the stoner sludge of Black Sabbath (how many bands wouldn’t exist without Tony Iommi?:)); there’s even a bit of the Zeppelin-esque in there, at least in slivers and bits. And if you’re into Them Crooked Vultures, I’ve little doubt you will love them : Like TCV, the emphasis is on rock and ink. Lots of tattoos, yelling, and pretty much just straightforward rock n’ roll. I caught up with A.S. singer/songwriter Z Rokk recently after their show and talked about the band’s influences, nefarious history, and exactly how miserable life in Sacramento is.

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