Zebra – Arcada Theatre (St. Charles, IL) – November 15, 2024
Story and photos by Jeff Elbel.Hard rockers Zebra gave Chicago-area music fans something to obsess over besides the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul on Friday night. After being absent from the Chicago area for decades, the trio has found a regional haven at the Arcada Theatre. It was the band’s fourth appearance since 2018.
To reward returning fans, the group shook up their set list substantially. Essential favorites from the band’s gold-selling 1983 debut were still performed, including set opener “As I Said Before” with its Zeppelin-esque riffs and earworm harmony.
Alongside these familiar selections were deeper cuts like “Can’t Live Without” from 3.V and “My Life Has Changed” from 2003 album IV, as well “Drive Me Crazy” and “Little Things” from 1984’s No Tellin’ Lies album. After comically disagreeing upon whether the song was written in the ‘70s or ‘90s, the band played an unrecorded rocker called “Directions.”
The concert was full of impressive performances by the technically proficient band, coupling their chops to catchy melodies. In addition to roots in the classic rock of Led Zeppelin, the trio connected to other skillful but accessible progressive rockers such as Rush.
Randy Jackson’s keening falsetto on songs including “Tell Me What You Want” gathered strength throughout the evening and was in full flight by the time he sang “Time” accompanied by his chiming 12-string guitar. The guitarist’s solos ranged from bluesy bends to dizzying pyrotechnic runs on songs including “Better Not Call” from 3.V and “The La La Song.” For several songs including “One More Chance,” he switched from 12-string rhythm patterns to snarling leads on a red double-necked B.C. Rich guitar.
Bassist Felix Hanemann switched from bass guitar on songs including slashing riff-rocker “Wait Until the Summer’s Gone” to lush, orchestral keyboards on songs including fan favorite “Bears.” With Hanemann’s ominous keyboards and Guy Gelso’s thundering percussion, Zebra demonstrated how powerfully a song like “Who’s Behind the Door” could rock when led from the acoustic guitar.
“Arabian Nights” was a standout selection from IV. In his introduction, Jackson explained that the song was co-written by Mark Hitt, a close friend of the band and “one of the best guitarists you’ve never heard of.” With its Middle Eastern scales and motifs, the song echoed the mood of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.” Hanemann played bass guitar while triggering keyboard sounds with his feet.
The trio were in good spirits, with Jackson and Hanemann occasionally trading brotherly barbs and in-jokes on mic. When Jackson announced how touched he was to know that his own composition “Don’t Walk Away” was Hanemann’s all-time favorite song (“He likes it even better than “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” Jackson said), Hanemann suggested that they could skip the song and just continue with the banter. “You’re so good at it,” said Hanemann. “I’m going to come to your house and do stand-up comedy in your front yard,” promised Jackson. “Let me know when, so I know not to be there,” countered Hanemann.
“Now is the time for the celebration of the life of Mr. Guy Gelso,” said Jackson before the trio launched into “The La La Song.” Revealing his bandmate’s age, Jackson added, “He’s going to show you what 73 is all about!” Following the harmony-laden song, Gelso played a rhythmically intricate solo. At the conclusion, he launched from his throne with a broad grin to receive an ovation from his disciples in the crowd. Later in the evening, Gelso revealed that he must have had his attention partially on his cell phone notifications when he announced that Tyson had lost to Paul in the eighth round.
The main set closed after more than two hours of musical thrills with “Take Your Fingers from my Hair,” which had been requested throughout the set. When the band returned for an encore, Jackson announced that Zebra would fulfill its promise to promoter Ron Onesti by playing some Led Zeppelin fare. After coaxing the crowd into silence (“Pretend you’re on acid,” Jackson said), the trio began “What is and What Should Never Be” in hushed tones. Jackson announced that the final song had been a brand-new favorite of his own just as he was graduating high school. Following final song “Stairway to Heaven,” the bandmembers shook hands with fans crowded near the stage and waved goodbye.
