Jan 23 min read

LEZ ZEPPELIN AT SOUNDCHECK STUDIOS

Photos by Joanna Gleason

Review by Jean Senat Fleury

On December 28, 2024, Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, Ma, welcomed Lez Zeppelin, the Girls Tribute Band of Led Zeppelin founded in 2004 by New York guitarist, Steph Paynes. Fans from Massachusetts and particularly from the South Shore came together to participate at this live performance. It was phenomenal. The all-girl quartet, Lez Zeppelin, were terrific on stage.

The group composed of band leader and founder Steph Paynes (guitar, mandolin, theremin), Dana Athens (vocals), Joan Chew (bass, keys, mandolin), Hillary Blaze (drums, percussion) interpreted the songs of Led Zeppelin amazingly. With great talent and infectious passion they played extremely well the music of the iconic rock band in a way that they efficiently communicated their energy to the audience.

Becoming the first female rock act to pay homage to Led Zeppelin, from start to finish, they delivered a terrific show. They stayed true to the musically audacious spirit of the original iconic English rock band formed in London in 1968 with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham. Spin magazine called them “the most powerful all-female band in rock history.”

Producing by legendary recording producer Eddie Kramer (who worked with Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix) the group’s first LP, titled, Lez Zeppelin (2007), gained unanimous critical acclaim and was identified as one of the best albums to play authentically Led Zeppelin’s music. The album earned rave reviews across the board. Reviewing the release for AllMusic Guide, Alex Henderson wrote that the album is “worthwhile” and that the musicians “should not be dismissed as a mere novelty act”, the editorial team gave the release 3.5 out of five stars.

In March 2009, Lez Zeppelin played a benefit concert in Mumbai, India. In 2010, the band returned to the studio to record a second album with producers Perry Margouleff and William Wittman that serves as a replication of Led Zeppelin’s 1969 debut. The album was recorded at Pie Studios in Glen Cove, New York, using all of the same analog gear and recording techniques, as well as the same vintage equipment used by Led Zeppelin band in 1968. Stephen Thomas Erlewine writes that the tone and musicianship are correct but “ultimately it’s not much more than excellent advertising for their live gigs.”

In 2015, the band released the Mystic Snowman, single where they put Frosty in place of the May Queen and the lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold. “ Don’t cry, snowman, not in front of me/who’ll catch your tears if you can’t catch me, darling?/ if you can’t catch me, darling/ don’t cry, snowman, don’t leave me this way/a puddle of water can’t hold me close, baby/ can’t hold me close, baby.” The band followed it with their 2019 album recorded with a string section.

1- Battle of Evermore

2- Achilles Last Stand

3- Rain Song

4- Immigrant Song

5- Friends

6- In the Light

The group has been featured on major television including BBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, MTV, VH-1, FOX, and radio shows worldwide, such as SiriusXM and NPR.

In June, 2013, Jimmy Page attended their show in London and said of the group, “they played the Led Zeppelin music with an extraordinary sensuality and an energy and passion that highlighted their superb musicianship.”

LEZ ZEPPELIN Setlist

1st set:

GTBT

Ocean

Custard

Babe

Over the Hills

In My Time

Dazed

2nd set:

Song Remains

Heartbreaker