Collectively bending and defying genres, Chicago's ZZZZ is comprised of ex-Sweepthe Leg Johnny, Swing Kids, and Tekulvi members in addition to aclassically trained pianist. In 2002,alto-saxophonist and vocalist Steve Sostak saw the end of not one, but twobands. Sweep the Leg Johnny, who hadreleased a string of well-received albums and justly earned a reputation as araucous live act with a host of rigorous tours under their belt, called itquits after six years of existence. Shortly thereafter, Sostak's other band, Check Engine disbanded as well.
During the same time, drummer Greg Sharp saw his band Tekulvi break up after the band realized they would no longer beable to maintain their hectic tour schedule after guitarist Chris Almodovarbecame the father of twins. Steve approached Greg and Chris with the idea ofjust "jamming in the space," and considering the burden of jobs, school, andnow children, there would be no pressure to record and tour. They then askedformer Swing Kids and Sweep bassist John Brady to join themand round out the pressure-free sessions. With the framework for a couple ofsongs in place, Chris suddenly decided to move his family to upstate New Yorkand Steve, Greg, and John found themselves guitar-less.
After playing with a few different guitar players through most of 2003, Sostak,on a tip from a friend, contacted Ellen Bunch about playing electric piano.Although Bunch had never played in a band, she was classically trained, and waswilling to experiment with different song structures and styles. The interplaybetween the sax (now amplified with delay effects) and electric piano wasamazing, and the four began writing songs as ZZZZ. Now, with a solidified line-up, ZZZZ began playing shows in December 2003 and finished the yearplaying alongside The Paper Chase ata sold-out New Year's Eve show in Chicago.
Early 2004 saw the band playing shows with the likes of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, FaunFables, Skeleton Key, Cheer-Accident, and William Elliott Whitmore. After anothersold-out show in Chicago,this time with TV on the Radio, wordspread to Polyvinyl Records about the new noise/punk/dance quartet and the twodecided to start a working relationship.
ZZZZ went on to play more showsduring the summer and early fall including an impressive set at the 2004Polyvinyl CMJ Showcase. Upon their return to Chicago, the band immediately beganpreparations for recording. Enlisting the help of producer John Congleton (The Paper Chase, Explosions in the Sky, 90Day Men), the band entered Electrical and Soma Studios at the end ofOctober to record their debut full-length.
The result was Palm Reader, acollection of melodic oddities that conjures the absurdity of a no-wave danceparty tangled in piano concertos, gypsy brass, ricocheting male and femalevocals amongst a cache of punk rock aesthetics.
In November 2005 ZZZZplayed their last show at Schuba's in Chicago.Greg currently plays in White Savage withRyan as well as playing in Chin Up ChinUp while Ellen plays in Reds andBlue. Steve moved to Lima, Peruwhere he teaches full-time.