Live at The Khyber Pass,
Philadelphia - 01/14/95

 

 

...I missed most of the next band, Aroma, shooting shit with friends upstairs in the Khyber's living room, but got back downstairs for my surprise treat, the Zonic Shockum. I only read about them a couple nights prior to this night. The lead singer/guitarist, Debbie, and her husband/guitarist, Steve, are supposed to be the energy behind Stain fanzine and have been part of the Philly scene for many years up until their recent almost breakup. They are cool cool cool. The lead singer, Debbie, also lead the earlier band, Grubby, that struggled through some of their songs. In contrast, with Zonic Shockum, the result of confidant musicianship was evident as the emotion laden vocal, the gleaming guitars, and the driving drum spoke together as of one body. In that instant, even the garbage on the stage floor and the gaping holes in the ceiling seemed to come alive, transporting one to, let's see if I can get this right, a bon fire celebration in the tent ground of Genghis Khan's army on the Mongolian steppe on a hot summer night. Or whatever.

- Kim Chowchuvech