Zapoppin'
Encyclopedia
Zapoppin' are an alternative folk
and skiffle
band from Falmouth
, Cornwall
, UK
. As of 2011 the group consists of Thomas G. J. Sharpe on harmonium
, banjo
and vocals, and Luke Richards on a stripped-down drum kit (called ‘The Z-Kit’) and vocals.
The band have been noted for their ‘black humour and obtuse lyrical themes’ by Clash
, and were said that they ‘could be the face of a new strain of folk once everyone has recovered from their Mumford
measles’ by 247 Magazine.
. The band formed in January 2007 and played their first official show supporting Alex Neilson
’s and David Keenan
’s free jazz duo Tight Meat. The following October Zapoppin’ self-released their debut album, Z 1.
and lagerphone
. The following year they recorded and self-released their second album, Parma Violence (the track "Hoisted" was the first by the band to receive radio airplay), as well as The Introducin’ Zapoppin’ EP in order to promote themselves on their first European tour across Germany and The Netherlands. One review for the Zapoppin’ live show during this period published by Stranger
noted the band’s ‘wake-up-the-dead energy’ and having ‘enough discords and attitude to fill all the cracks in the walls.’
Antiquarian Party Ballads For Dames, the band’s label debut for Serious Types, was released the following October. The ‘mutoid music...fierce banjo and demented harmonium’ as described by Jam earned the record a place as one of their "Jam Favourites of 2010," while a four-star review from 247 Magazine compared its sounds to ‘an excitable Blyth Power
had they used banjo and harmonium instead of crunchy guitars.’ The track "Oops, you’re a racist" received airplay on London-based Resonance FM
, most notably as part of their last broadcast of the year, "New Year’s Eve: A Natural Selection – the pick of 2010."
Samuel Brettingham left the band shortly after the album’s release in order to sail the Mediterranean sea.
The Pearl River harmonium
has been integral to the Zapoppin’ sound since the band’s beginnings. Essentially a miniature pump organ, sound is generated by pumping the pedals with the feet.
Samuel Brettingham brought the rhythmic sounds of the cajón
to Zapoppin’ in 2008. The instrument is played by sitting atop its box-like structure and hitting the front with the hands.
The lagerphone (or Mendoza or Monkey Stick) was played by Samuel Brettingham when the band toured and recorded Antiquarian Party Ballad For Dames. It is made up of a long staff of wood adorned with bottle caps and attached to a heavy boot which is then stomped and occasionally hit with a smaller wooden stick.
The Z-Kit, as played by Luke Richards, is made up of a homemade stomp-box, snare drum, cymbal and bell. It is played using plastic and metal brushes.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
and skiffle
Skiffle
Skiffle is a type of popular music with jazz, blues, folk, roots and country influences, usually using homemade or improvised instruments. Originating as a term in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century, it became popular again in the UK in the 1950s, where it was mainly...
band from Falmouth
Falmouth, Cornwall
Falmouth is a town, civil parish and port on the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It has a total resident population of 21,635.Falmouth is the terminus of the A39, which begins some 200 miles away in Bath, Somerset....
, Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. As of 2011 the group consists of Thomas G. J. Sharpe on harmonium
Harmonium
A harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
, banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
and vocals, and Luke Richards on a stripped-down drum kit (called ‘The Z-Kit’) and vocals.
The band have been noted for their ‘black humour and obtuse lyrical themes’ by Clash
Clash (magazine)
Clash is a popular music and fashion magazine based in the United Kingdom. Its magazine title is published 12 times a year. It has a circulation of around 40,000....
, and were said that they ‘could be the face of a new strain of folk once everyone has recovered from their Mumford
Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons are a British folk rock band. The band consists of Marcus Mumford , Ben Lovett , Country Winston Marshall , and Ted Dwane...
measles’ by 247 Magazine.
Formation
Sharpe and Richards met in 2005 while studying at University College FalmouthUniversity College Falmouth
University College Falmouth is a British university college in Falmouth, Cornwall. Founded in 1902, it had previously been the Falmouth School of Art and then Falmouth College of Arts until it received taught degree-awarding powers in March 2005...
. The band formed in January 2007 and played their first official show supporting Alex Neilson
Alex Neilson
Alex Neilson is an English drummer, percussionist and singer who is currently based in Glasgow but grew up in Leeds. He has performed alongside a large number of bands and artists including Lucky Luke, The One Ensemble Of Daniel Padden, Ashtray Navigations, Alastair Galbraith, Isobel Campbell,...
’s and David Keenan
David Keenan
David Keenan is a Scottish author, critic and musician. He is the author of England's Hidden Reverse, a biography of Coil, Current 93 and Nurse With Wound, a regular contributor to The Wire since 1995, and proprietor of Volcanic Tongue, a shop, distributor, record label and mailorder business that...
’s free jazz duo Tight Meat. The following October Zapoppin’ self-released their debut album, Z 1.
Samuel Brettingham joins
In 2008 Zapoppin' enlisted Samuel Brettingham on the cajónCajón
A cajón is a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru, played by slapping the front face with the hands.-Origins and evolution:...
and lagerphone
Monkey stick
The mendoza, mendozer, monkey stick or lagerphone, is a traditional English percussion instrument, widely used in folk music. The origins of the name are not known but it is believed to stem from an association with one of the many Gypsy, Spanish and Italian buskers who were popular in London in...
. The following year they recorded and self-released their second album, Parma Violence (the track "Hoisted" was the first by the band to receive radio airplay), as well as The Introducin’ Zapoppin’ EP in order to promote themselves on their first European tour across Germany and The Netherlands. One review for the Zapoppin’ live show during this period published by Stranger
Stranger (magazine)
Stranger is a bi-monthly creative lifestyle magazine based in Falmouth, Cornwall, United Kingdom that focuses on the alternative, creative, non-metrocentric side of British culture...
noted the band’s ‘wake-up-the-dead energy’ and having ‘enough discords and attitude to fill all the cracks in the walls.’
Serious Types
In 2010 Zapoppin’ had their first headline tour across the UK with their last concert at The Bantam in Northampton on 17 April. The show was billed as a ‘Serious Types Production’ by promoter Gary E. Cottis who was impressed enough by the performance (and a subsequent headline slot at Moseley Folk Festival) to release the band’s next album on the fledgling Serious Types record label, established with partner Bekki Frost.Antiquarian Party Ballads For Dames, the band’s label debut for Serious Types, was released the following October. The ‘mutoid music...fierce banjo and demented harmonium’ as described by Jam earned the record a place as one of their "Jam Favourites of 2010," while a four-star review from 247 Magazine compared its sounds to ‘an excitable Blyth Power
Blyth Power
Blyth Power are a British rock band formed in 1983 by singer/drummer Joseph Porter, formerly of Zounds and The Mob.Blyth Power's music shows strong influences from punk rock and folk music, and the band members have described their sound as a cross between The Clash, Steeleye Span and The...
had they used banjo and harmonium instead of crunchy guitars.’ The track "Oops, you’re a racist" received airplay on London-based Resonance FM
Resonance FM
Resonance 104.4 FM is a London based non-profit community radio station run by the London Musicians' Collective .The station is staffed by four permanent staff members, including programme controller Ed Baxter and over 300 volunteer technical and production staff.Until September 2007, ResonanceFM...
, most notably as part of their last broadcast of the year, "New Year’s Eve: A Natural Selection – the pick of 2010."
Samuel Brettingham left the band shortly after the album’s release in order to sail the Mediterranean sea.
2011
Zapoppin’ returned as the duo of Richards and Sharpe in 2011. They recorded four double a-side singles for Serious Types and toured France and Switzerland.Instrumentation
Aside from the prominent use of the banjo, Zapoppin’ have always used lesser-known instruments.The Pearl River harmonium
Harmonium
A harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
has been integral to the Zapoppin’ sound since the band’s beginnings. Essentially a miniature pump organ, sound is generated by pumping the pedals with the feet.
Samuel Brettingham brought the rhythmic sounds of the cajón
Cajón
A cajón is a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru, played by slapping the front face with the hands.-Origins and evolution:...
to Zapoppin’ in 2008. The instrument is played by sitting atop its box-like structure and hitting the front with the hands.
The lagerphone (or Mendoza or Monkey Stick) was played by Samuel Brettingham when the band toured and recorded Antiquarian Party Ballad For Dames. It is made up of a long staff of wood adorned with bottle caps and attached to a heavy boot which is then stomped and occasionally hit with a smaller wooden stick.
The Z-Kit, as played by Luke Richards, is made up of a homemade stomp-box, snare drum, cymbal and bell. It is played using plastic and metal brushes.
Albums
- Z 1 (self-released, 2007)
- Parma Violence (self-released, 2009)
- Antiquarian Party Ballads For Dames (Serious Types, 2010)
EPs
- Introducin’ Zapoppin’ (self-released, 2009)
- The First Four Singles (Serious Types, 2011)
Singles
- "She’s his (from heels to lips)" / "The Cheapest Laugh" (Serious Types, 2011)
- "Pumpin’ Out The BTUs" / "Sweat Out" (Serious Types, 2011)
- "Flay The Night Away / "Creatine Creature" (Serious Types, 2011)
- "Dark As Dogs Guts" / "In The Mud" (Serious Types, 2011)