Zikzak

Music:

Member Since: 28/01/2006
Band Members: Todd Stadtman: Lead vocals, bass, keys. David Rubinstein: Guitars, keys, programming, vocals.
Influences:

"Anna Li" video - Directed by David Kerin and Corey LeChat (2000)

Sounds Like:

”Clever, melodramatic lyrics. Sing-along choruses. Bouncy beats. Smooth vocals. Who could ask for anything more? San Francisco duo Zikzak has crafted a pretty great pop album, along the lines of a more upbeat Elvis Costello or a less electronic Erasure… This is great pop music: lush, weird, pretty and sad.” - Splendid Ezine

”The duo's graceful and classically structured songs might be what Frank Sinatra might have sounded like if he had come of age in the 1990s. The piano and Stadtman's vocals on "Halfway Down" are prime examples of the group's artistry and seamless execution of the songs. As the disc continues, Stadtman's voice becomes even more impressive, composed, and emotional, in the vein of Morrissey.” - The All Music Guide

”The pair list such influences as Elvis Costello (obviously) and the Sex Pistols, but nevertheless have their own unique sound. And they've produced one of the best pure-pop albums I've heard in a long time.” - 181.4 Degrees from the Norm!

“This is definitely a great pop group, well-developed and unique” - OtonoCheyenne

“Zikzak play great pop music.” - Bliss Aquamarine

”DAVID RUBINSTEIN and TODD STADTMAN create lush, full-bodied guitar-pop reminiscent of all those early-80s new romantic groups, enhanced with the crisp, clear production technology of today. (Stadtman) croons in a sometimes overly dramatic warble that alternately resembles that of Edwyn Collins, Gene's Martin Rossiter, and Pulp's Jarvis Cocker.” - The Big Takeover

”Comprised of David Rubinstein (guitars, keyboards) and Todd Stadtman (vocals, bass guitar) - both veterans of the San Francisco scene - Zikzak is into anthemic, high drama pop. And when they feel like it, they can really lay down some infectious tunes.” - Tidal Wave Magazine

”I can't understand Zikzak's stated list of influences. Elvis Costello, Sex Pistols and Frank Sinatra? Whatever they call it it's pure intellectual pop for the bookish crowd. Backpackers take notice. Fine and dandy set of tunes here” - Speck Magazine

”Zikzak ­ duo Todd Stadtman (vocals) and David Rubinstein (instrumentation) ­ certainly copped their template from the early 80s Brit-pop bands like Soft Cell, Blancmange, Yazoo et al. A kinder and gentler time perhaps for a new pop frontier. Not that Zikzak play electro-pop, merely substitute Rubinstein’s sterling guitar work for dated synthesizers. Musically, the references point to British singer-songwriters like Elvis Costello, Lloyd Cole and Nick Heyward.” – The Power of Pop

”'You Strike Me Down' starts 'See You There' off and it's pure pop, somewhere between the Beatles and Elvis Costello. In fact, many of the tracks here remind the listener of Elvis Costello, though they're unnervingly sung by Edwyn Collins.” - Jockrock

”If Madison Avenue had a research team that went out to document eighties Britpop, I wouldnít be surprised to find that it was Stadtman and Rubinstein. At this point no one remembers Lloyd Cole anymore. Hell, he was one of my favorites and I barely remember him. Apparently these guys do. Some will say that Stadtman sounds like Morrissey. Fuck them. He sounds like Lloyd Cole. Anyway, apart from the crooning style, Zikzak did a even more homework to affect their songwriting style. Stadtman writes songs like some odd hybrid of Martin Gore and Elvis Costello.” - Jetbunny Magazine

”This debut album is dripping with melodrama and hooks, loud-soft-loud dynamic and smokin' guitar, with the occasional trip-hop beat spotlighting Todd Stadtman's and David Rubinstein's love for the Jackson-and-Costello axis of clever pop” - Tampa Weekly Planet

Record Label: Bitter Records
Type of Label: Indie