Photo: The Daily Telegraph

Vince Contarino – Zep Boys

Led Zeppelin are one of those rare bands that have surpassed their time of origin, not being forgotten to the 1970’s, and have instead gone on to embed themselves into the collective consciousness of the decades and generations that were to come; and well into today. For a band who only existed officially for 12 years, their music has inspired generations of bands and musicians that were to follow. None least of which was Adelaide native Vince Contarino, who, only six short years after Led Zeppelin officially called it quits, went on to found the tribute band, Zep Boys, with a couple of his friends. Thirty years later, Vince has continued that tradition with the Zep Boys; cementing their reputation as the premier Australian Led Zeppelin tribute band.

2016 spelled a change of pace and locale for the Zep Boys, with the band going on to play such esteemed venues they never had before like the Sydney Opera House (where they had two sold out shows in January this year). Leading a new format entitled Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin Masters, the Zep Boys (which comprises vocalist/instrumentalist Vince Contarino, guitarist Tzan Niko, bassist Warwick Cheatle, and drummer Bradley Polain) hit Brisbane and Melbourne next (with two set for the latter); with the shows kicking off in Brisbane this Saturday (July 2) before Melbourne next week (July 8-9).

I was firstly interested to find out from Vince how the Sydney experience was for him and what his best memories were from those two shows. As well as what they’ll be looking out for with Brisbane and Melbourne.

“The whole Sydney experience was fantastic. The day before the gigs we had an unplugged rehearsal with the Black Dog Orchestra which wetted our appetite and created a very tangible sense of anticipation. Walking into the Sydney Opera House for the first time was exciting with feelings of bewilderment, joy, and even some nervousness. The view from my dressing room was incredible: the Sydney Harbour in all its splendour. Now that’s what I call a dressing room. Believe me I have had my share of dirty dressing rooms with populations of seen and unseen creatures scattered amongst human waste and toxic debris! The best experience though was to see the audience in the Opera House on their feet dancing and singing at the top of their lungs celebrating music and each others company. It was incredible and something I will always treasure. I have experienced the audience going crazy countless times before, however, within the confines of the Opera House it was kind of staggeringly wonderful. I hope we can do the same in Brisbane and Melbourne.”

Vince founded the Zep Boys a whopping thirty years ago. I could only imagine how staggering it must have felt for Vince to think of how much time has passed. I pondered the question to him as to what has kept this fire alive and burning three decades in?

“To answer the question of what has kept the fire alive is multifaceted. The simple fact of the music being a challenge has kept me busy and disciplined, which in turn gives you a great deal of satisfaction when you achieve a certain amount of success in performing the music of Led Zeppelin. The energy generated by four people – let alone an orchestra – is also quite exhilarating  and something I crave because it’s just so much fun. The most important part of this multifaceted equation would be the people that come to the gigs. They have kept participating for 30 years and they are the ones who have stoked the fire and kept it going. Without an audience there just is no show.”

The Zep Boys’ performances have truly grown into massive productions in and of themselves. With both The Black Dog Orchestra in Melbourne and Brisbane’s prestigious Queensland Symphony Orchestra behind you for their respective shows this time around, I couldn’t even begin to fathom the feeling of how it must be to perform at the forefront of something of this scale. Almost like conducting a metal mass, I wondered?

[laughs] “Metal Mass! When we think of something being spiritual we often conjure feelings of reflection and quiet introspection. I say spiritual because many folks have a musical spiritual experience at our gigs because Led Zeppelin means so much to them, but even people that are not so familiar with Zeppelin have these dynamic emotional waves throughout the show. I believe that the Orchestra shows enhance and facilitate these feelings with a greater intensity.  I know that when I hear the Orchestra play with the band it just lifts me to another level and I think it does the same to the listener.”

I was interested to find out what has been the best part for Vince with this new orchestral format for the Masters tour.

“The Masters tour is unique. I have performed with Orchestras for over ten years now – from 75 piece to 35 piece. It is always an incredible experience, however, the Masters tour is different. The conductor and arranger, Nick Buc, has done an amazing job of channeling the spirit of what the music means to him and has been able to communicate it via dots on manuscript and in turn into something audible through the musicians playing their instruments. He has done this effectively, creatively, artistically, and, more to the point, with integrity. He has further elevated the ‘orchestral thing’ to another level again.”

The Zep Boys began in Adelaide in 1986 for a band with the simple desire to play some classic Zeppelin tunes. But 30 years later, they stand today as Australia’s premier group keeping the music of Led Zeppelin alive and well. I asked Vince if he ever saw it going as far as it has, or being as successful as it has and continues to be?

“The simple answer is no. Retrospectively, of course, we can say yes; but we are all genius in retrospect. I can say now that I am not surprised because we have done it, but then again, we have had the music of Led Zeppelin on our side so we have half the battle there!”

Leading a production like Stairway To Heaven — Led Zeppelin Masters is no small feat, and so I was curios to know Vince’s feelings towards it. And whether any members of Led Zeppelin had perhaps commended their efforts over the years even?

“I am filled with pride and humility. I still work just as hard now as I did in the beginning to get myself in the best shape for the gig. It takes a great deal of effort to prepare the voice so that it can get anywhere near close to the vocal acrobatics of Robert Plant in his hey-day. I have never met anyone from Led Zeppelin but I have been told they receive royalty cheques from our performance. So maybe they have heard of us indirectly!” [laughs]

Given the setlist will comprise 20 songs from across Led Zeppelin’s career, I was interested to discover what have become some of Vince’s favourites to perform over the years — whether for himself, or for the crowd response they yield.

“It’s a great set list. Over two hours of Led Zeppelin! The favourites change all the time. The last time we played ‘No Quarter’, ‘Achilles Last Stand’, ‘Ramble On’ and ‘Nobody’s Fault But Mine’ were standouts for me. Then there are the brutal songs like ‘Immigrant Song’, ‘Black Dog’ and ‘Whole Lotta Love’, which take you along just because of the sheer energy they generate. I love them all!!!!”

For a band that lasted only 12 years, Led Zeppelin have had a remarkable and almost unprecedented impact on rock and popular music; being hailed numerous times from various places as the “greatest rock band of all time”. I pondered the question to Vince what it is he feels has allowed Led Zeppelin to endure in the public’s conscious for as long as they have?

“Sounds like an easy question, but once again, there are many reasons. Elvis Presley is known as the ‘King of Rock ‘N’ Roll’, but, of course, there were many before him. Elvis in a way introduced Rock ‘N’ Roll to the general public and made it commercial, and because of this – amongst his incredible talent, energy and sublime voice – he is remembered as the founder of rock music, and his music endured. Well, ironically, the members of Led Zeppelin loved Elvis and for many similar reasons they acheieved what Elvis did and have become immortal. They took the music of early rock and blues and reintroduced it with a power and force that blew everyone away.

They also had a mystique and an aura about them as well. Of course, maybe the fact that they did not do interviews (very rarely) made them even more mysterious, but really, it was the compositions and the way they performed those songs on record and at live concerts that exacerbated and enhanced their godlike status. An incredible phenomena to recognise is that young people seem to get into Led Zeppelin at the same age as we all did back in the day. So maybe there is something even more extraordinary about them. The chemistry that they had as four individuals (like The Beatles) was something that permeates into the psyche of many, if not all of us.”

The death of Led Zeppelin drummer and songwriter John Bonham in 1980 is what spelled the end for Led Zeppelin as a band, with the band feeling they couldn’t continue in his absence and in the wake of other conflicts that had arisen at the time. As someone who was around when the tragedy occurred, I asked Vince if he recalled much about that time and how it affected him back then.

“Firstly, I was so saddened to hear of John Bonham’s death; especially under the circumstances. It could have been avoided. Just tragic and unnecessary. When they announced that they would disband because continuing without Bonzo would not be Led Zeppelin anymore, my respect for the band rose even more.”

Any funny moments from your shows over the years, I asked?

“I remember one day I didn’t attend a BBQ that the crew in Perth had. I was doing my usual ‘rest and stay calm before the gig’ thing. I picked up my harmonica to play ‘Bring it On Home’ and the crew had attached a sausage to the harp, so I got a mouth full when I went to blow it.” [laughs]

Before we wrap up, I asked if Vince had any last words he’d like to say to those anticipating the Zep Boys’ shows in Brisbane and Melbourne?

“I would tell the people that are coming to the show that we have done everything we can to make this a memorable experience full of excitement, emotion, and wonder. I would ask them to relax and take it all in because surprisingly two hours goes really fast when you are having fun. So stay in the moment and let it fill you because music – and especially music played live – is more than healing; it is magical.”

The Zep Boys hit the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre this Saturday (July 2), before taking to Melbourne’s Hamer Hall from July 8-9. Tickets available from the links below:

www.ledzeppelinmasters.com 
www.artscentemelbourne.com.au
and www.ticketmaster.com.au

Saturday, July 2: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Friday, July 8 & Saturday, July 9: Melbourne’s Hamer Hall

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