All-girl rockers Lez Zeppelin: ‘Leave your scepticism at home’

SINGAPORE - On YouTube, four long-haired musicians are onstage, before the drummer gives the count-in and the band launches into a roaring rendition of Whole Lotta Love, complete with theremin interlude and that lovely howling wail that characterises that Led Zeppelin classic. We’re not watching a video of the iconic British rock band of the ’70s though - it’s Lez Zeppelin, the New York City-based all-girl tribute band that has been making waves for their musicianship, passion and “gender-bending audacity they bring to the music of Led Zeppelin”.

Founded in 2004 by guitarist Steph Paynes, the band dress like Led Zep, play like Led Zep and pull out all the stops like Led Zep. It wasn’t long before the group’s reputation for playing Zeppelin’s music began to attract major interest, playing some of the biggest stops on the music festival circuit. And now, the band is heading over to Singapore to perform at this year’s Beerfest Asia.

Of course, having a name like Lez Zeppelin and playing rock music means that the band does have its fair share of sceptics; but Paynes said she’s used to them. “The number one misconception (is) that we can’t play the music adequately because we are girls,” she said. “The number two misconception has to do with the name of the band. Most people assume that we have a certain sexual orientation. But, we decline to answer these sorts of questions, preferring a bit of old fashioned mystery over full disclosure. In this tell-all age of Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites, we believe that old school ‘rock star’ mystery is all too rare and very refreshing.”

Q: Led Zeppelin is obviously a big influence, but do you have any musical guilty pleasures? Like Mariah, Cher or Julio Iglesias?

A: I have to admit that I’m a sucker for a good pop song, like Maroon 5’s Payphone or Lady Gaga’s LoveGame, for instance. Everyone in the group has a secret stash of musical candy corn, sure. For weeks I was singing that awful song from the movie, Frozen! But, if you try not to judge, you realise there are so many different elements that make music alluring and these things can pull you in despite yourself. Even ridiculously corny things, like the yodeling on a Slim Whitman record, can be brilliant by virtue of its very horribleness. Sure, I can own up to time spent listening to Elton John, The Eagles and the soundtrack to The Sound Of Music. For the record, though, I never bought an album by David Cassidy, Bobby Sherman or Justin Bieber.

Q. What is the one Led Zep song you don’t get tired of playing? Or which song has been requested so many times by the audience that you can’t stand playing it any more?

A: I suppose the most requested and possibly most played song in our repertoire is Rock And Roll. Although, it’s pure and beautiful in its simplicity, there are occasions when it’s a bit tough to get the energy up – say by the eighteenth gig in a month-long tour. But then, the audience usually goes nuts during that song so although it is sometimes a little tired to start, it’s always exciting to finish. But, honestly, the only reason we could play the music of Led Zeppelin over such a long period of time and with so much gusto is that this music is artistically rich and sophisticated enough to keep our interest. I’m not sure there is another band with which I could get so deeply involved. That’s because there is always something more to discover beneath the surface and behind the notes in this music; you listen again and there’s another nuance you’ve missed. Plus, there are endless possibilities for expression, especially in the longer pieces such as Dazed And Confused, or No Quarter or In My Time Of Dying. The jam is different on every night and the composition leaves room for the band to interact in the moment. This is the highest form of ensemble playing and it’s absolutely invigorating.

Q: Do you have any Spinal Tap moments on tour?

A: Gosh, there are so many over the years it’s hard to choose! One that comes immediately to mind is when I came roaring out of the gate during the first song at a gig in Detroit, tripped over my purple glitter bell-bottoms and fell flat on my face at the foot of the stage. Another is when the band was on tour in Germany and we had the song, What Is And What Should Never Be in constant rotation. One night we got to the guitar solo, which is played with a slide, and I couldn’t find the slide! My guitar tech had put it on the top of the amp behind me and I went running all over the stage to find it. And, of course we’ve gotten lost many times in the kitchens of theaters while trying to find the stage. We’ve even played Shank Hall, the club in Milwaukee that is famous in the movie for the unveiling of the miniature Stonehenge. Yes, you might say we live Spinal Tap!

Q: How do fans prepare for a Lez Zep gig?

A: Things to bring: earplugs, a bottle of beer, a hot date, an open mind and a sense of adventure! Most importantly, leave your skepticism and expectations at home.

Led Zeppelin perform June 26 and 27 at the Rock Marquee. Beerfest Asia runs from June 26 to 28 at Marina Promenade. For tickets and details, visit http://www.beerfestasia.com