The Zulus: "Kings in the Queen City" (1985)

Boston's late, great band "The Zulus", the harder-rockin' descendents of "Human Sexual Response". They released a scant handful of recordings, including their self-titled EP and one full length album "Down on the Floor". The vinyl EP was not widely distributed in the first place and was never released digitally, and the album CD is long out of print. Both were excellent.
The band was:
Rich Gilbert - guitar, keyboards, harmonica, tambourine, vocals
Larry Bangor - vocals, tambourine
Chris MacLachlan - bass
Malcolm Travis - drums

[@jpfiloramo]

Rich Gilbert is a Guitar God. /o/ BRILLIANT \o\

[@heidijvierthaler8089]

YES HE IS!

[@deek6942]

unfortunately he's now playing country in Nashville. Doesn't change his brilliance on 6 strings, but damn... the Zulus coulda been a contenda if they had the right record deal and producer........they blew the fuckin hats off Seattle grunge imho.

[@TheGreatDane-MarcRieperFan]

I was at the Great Hall show in '89 when The Zulus opened up for Pixies. I was very familiar with Human Sexual Response, but had no idea that the "Bangor Dynasty" was resurrected until seeing The Zulus walk out on stage. I was there for Pixies, but left that night incredibly excited about the show The Zulus put on. Tight, loud, fire-breathing live sound and energy, and Gilbert's guitar playing was f'n amazing. I picked up the Down On The Floor LP soon after, and was excited to see who produced it, but it didn't capture the experience I had at the show. It was enjoyable, but the show was incredible.

[@authoritease]

Yes, after seeing them live and listening to this EP 1000 times; my feeling about Down On The Floor was that Bob Mould and Slash Records/Warner Music had destroyed The Zulus. I mean listen to this song!... They were pretty damn astonishing.

[@keithfrancis2471]

I loved the Zulus, purchased a cassette at MIT in the mid 80's. Watched them in Boston and Providence.

[@rogerweaver9863]

Still have the vinyl. Miss this music. Boston Kings.

[@mooville32]

Got to see them at SPIT!!!

[@rednoise0]

I remember Spit! Punk club on Landsdown, right? I saw Zulus once only (wish it were more.) There was some event where there were several bands playing outside The Coop stores in Harvard Square and Kendall. I saw Morphine in Harvard Sq., then biked it over to Kendall to catch Zulus and Throwing Muses. Them was the days...

[@mooville32]

@@rednoise0 You bet! The night I saw them the guitarist was practically hanging upside down from a bar or something while playing during the opening song. I saw the Beastie Boys with The Pogues there. So many memorable shows. I saw Morphine in Harvard Square a few times too. Cool!

[@frbyrd-tg5co]

I hope someone can corroborate: saw the Zulus at The Channel where Larry Bangor comes out in a kids red cowboy outfit (hat, vest and chaps). Thought the nite was a joke, and then Gilbert torched the crowd with his guitar playing. Sooo good, I still can't tell you who the headlining act was that night.

[@rednoise0]

I can't corroborate, but it sure sounds like something Larry would do. I totally believe it!

[@ericostling-pianistcompose5536]

You're spot on, I was there. Larry loved flaunting that cowboy outfit, especially how uncomfortable it made out-of-towners coming into the Boston clubs. This was before they were signed, angling tor a record contract and opening up for someone like Husker Du or the Dead Kennedys. Allowed to do one encore before the headliner they pulled out "Whole Lotta Love" and absolutely nailed the Zeppelin cover.

[@lisamartick6979]

saw them at the rat. excellent show!

[@stephenlanciloti6982]

never to be equalled

[@williamjordan8594]

There's a post-Slash demo tape of a dozen songs that absolutely rocks.

[@lisamartick6979]

Love this album. Wish to see them again.

[@rednoise0]

Me, too! They were supposed to do a reunion show in Boston last year that was postponed, then (I assume) cancelled. I would guess that logistically it would be very difficult for it to happen again, but I continue to hope.

[@lisamartick6979]

We can hope!!!@@rednoise0

[@DjWellDressedMan]

Boston!

[@brokenartangel]

I had this on cassette abd have been jonesing for this album for years thanks for uploading

[@rednoise0]

Supposedly the cassette version of this EP had an extra song that has never appeared anywhere else. Do you remember if your cassette had that?

[@rokarolla]

rednoise0 Cassette has "Out out"