The Zep Boys revisited WA for the first time in two years, tonight leaving the pubs & clubs behind that they so frequently have played and this time graced the stage at the wonderful Astor Theatre. With over eight hundred Led Zeppelin fans congregating in the listed art-deco venue, it was a night to behold as Vince Contarino and his troops delivered a frantic night of nostalgia & memories, performed to the highest of quality.
The expectant crowd didn’t need to wait long as the Zep Boys took to the stage, kicking things off with ‘Rock n Roll’ – is there any better way to warm a crowd up? With a twenty-two song set is wasn’t going to take long to get things moving as the band transitioned into ‘Celebration Song’. “Great to see the oldies in the balcony. That’s just where I would be,” laughed Contarino. “Hope you’ve all had your blood pressure tablets up there? I crush mine up and snort them because it’s so much more rock n roll!”
Tonight the venue was switched to concert mode, meaning those who wanted to be seated had the option to purchase balcony seating, whilst the floor area was a Zep Mosh Pit for those wanting to get closer to the action and dance – the balcony area was sold out! The age group, as always for the music of Led Zeppelin was varied, with teens, parents and grandparents filling the Astor. Bathed in a sea of yellow and red lights Vince continued his vocal onslaught, powerful and precise – ‘Good Time Bad Times’, ‘What Is and What Should’ and ‘Over the Hills’ were dispatched with ease to the joyful crowd, with Vince encouraging crowd participation where necessary.
‘Ramble On’ and ‘Nobody’s Fault’ were near faultless, and with a rhythm section of high-quality in drummer Julian Perotta and Stuart Day on bass, the engine room of the band purred along perfectly. Add in the guitar skills of Tzan Niko and Contarino’s Plant-like power vocals then you get the nearest thing to catching Zeppelin live.
‘Moby Dick’ allowed us to enjoy the talented Perotta, illuminated in a blinding flash of spot-lit colours – breath taking. From one extreme to the other, we were treated to Day, Contarino & Niko front and centre for the stripped back ‘Bron-Y-Aur Stomp’ before one for the finest riffs ever created filled the air – the wonderful ‘Kashmir’ with multi-coloured search lights filling the theatre. Spectacular!
‘Stairway to Heaven’ received a huge cheer as Niko donned the double necked guitar. ‘Dazed and Confused’ left us just that followed by ‘Immigrant Song’, ‘Heartbreaker’ and the anthemic ‘Black Dog’. The crowd were ecstatic as Vince led the band from the stage. Surely there can be no more? We’ve had twenty of the finest Zeppelin tunes. But no, the Zep Boys returned to finish us all off with ‘Rover’ before unleashing the ace in the pack, ‘Whole Lotta Love’.
The Zep Boys have been a staple entity around the Australian pub and club scene for over thirty seven years, and judging by tonight’s performance they have no plans of slowing up just yet! An outstanding night of music.
Once again, a mention to the sound & light crew at Astor Theatre for an excellent job!
Special thanks to Starr Special Events for the media access.
Photos by Linda Dunjey Photography
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