NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
There are cover bands and there are good cover bands. Wednesday saw Zoso, the Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience, come to Brooklyn Bowl in NYC and evoke strong memories of the golden age of 70s rock and roll. Having been formed over twenty years ago, the band has honed its craft and is one of the best out there. If you squint a bit, you might even imagine Plant, Page, Jones and Bonham on stage!
Opening for Zoso was local band Dirty Old Gangsters, led by guitarist/vocalist Wass Stevens (an actor you may have seen in movies and TV). They were an apt opening act due to their old school style of rock and they lived up to their name, with Stevens telling stories about each song whether it was about strippers, heroin, instagram models, or just a call out to the “girlies” in the crowd. It was a good time!
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Before Zoso even took the stage, you could feel the Led Zeppelin vibe with the candles on stage and the psychedelic colorful patterns lighting the walls and ceiling. Matt Jernigan, aka Robert Plant, looked and sounded the part so perfectly. I couldn’t believe he was able to sing those high notes for an entire show! Age has not impacted the vocal range of this Robert Plant. His partner in crime James Rotondi, aka Jimmy Page, definitely had the Page movements and even facial expressions down. The crowd really went crazy when he brought out the multi-neck guitar for several songs. The audience filling the venue covered the full range of ages from the young and hip to those who probably saw the actual Led Zeppelin live in the 70s. Say what you will about cover bands but if music is supposed to make you happy and evoke memories and emotions, job well done!
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