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{{Short description|Italian instrumental music band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Refimprove|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = Zu
| name = Zu
| Img = Zu - Trento.jpg
| image = Zu Credit Valerio Pampanini.jpg
| Background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
| years_active = 1997–present
| Years_active = 1999–present
| Origin = [[Rome]]
| origin = [[Rome]], Italy
| genre = {{hlist|[[Noise rock]]|[[math rock]]|[[avant-garde metal]]|[[Industrial music|industrial]]|[[Ambient music|ambient]]|[[Drone music|drone]]|[[Electronic music|electronic]]}}
| Genre = [[Math rock]]<br />[[Noise rock]]<br>[[Punk jazz]]<br>[[Grindcore]]<br/>[[Jazzcore]]
| website = {{url|zuism.net}}
| URL =
| current_members =
| Current_members = Luca T. Mai<br />Massimo Pupillo<br />Jacopo Battaglia
* Jacopo Battaglia
* Massimo Pupillo
* Luca T. Mai
* Stefano Pilia
| past_members =
*[[Gabe Serbian]]
*Tomas Järmyr
}}
}}
'''Zu''' is an [[Italy|Italian]] instrumental [[Trio (music)|trio]] from [[Rome]].


'''Zu''' is an Italian [[instrumental]] band from [[Rome]]. While their line-up of baritone sax, bass guitar and drums is typical of a [[jazz band]], their hard-driving sound is indebted to [[punk rock]] and [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] and, according to [[AllMusic]], "defies easy categorization".<ref name="AMbio">{{cite web|author=Steve Leggett |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/zu-mn0000234000/biography |title=Zu &#124; Biography & History |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref> Zu have collaborated with a wide variety of musicians and been described as "masters at adapting to their guests' musical backgrounds".<ref name="AMc">{{cite web|author=Jason Lymangrover |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/carboniferous-mw0000810215 |title=Carboniferous - Zu &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |website=[[AllMusic]] |date=9 February 2009 |access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref>
== Biography ==
Hailing from [[catholic]] Rome, Zu are an atypical trio made of drums, electric bass, baritone saxophone and electronics. Formed in Rome in 1997, they began as composers and players for theatre performances. The band is composed of three members: Luca Mai on baritone [[saxophone]], Massimo Pupillo on [[bass guitar|bass]] and Jacopo Battaglia on [[drum kit|drums]]. Zu have released fourteen [[album]]s, including two live album and two splits, and played in festivals in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. In 2006 the band toured with the Fantômas Melvins Big Band, a superband which is a fusion of [[Fantômas (band)|Fantômas]] and the [[Melvins]].


==History==
The band are members of the Italian folk-jazz group [[Ardecore]].
Hailing from [[Ostia (Rome)|Ostia]] (a town near Rome), Zu are an atypical trio consisting of drums, bass, [[baritone saxophone]] and electronics. Formed in Rome in 1997, they began as composers and performers for theater productions. The band is composed of three members: Luca Mai on baritone saxophone, Massimo Pupillo on bass and Jacopo Battaglia on drums.


Zu have released fourteen albums, including two live albums and two splits. They have played at festivals in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. In 2006, the band toured with the super group [[Fantômas (band)|Fantômas]] [[Melvins]] Big Band.
== Style ==
Although difficult to define, Zu's style could be characterised as a fusion of [[math rock]], [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] and [[noise rock]], but with the caveat that it does not respect boundaries or genres. The music is instrumental, and features virtuosic drumming, powerful bass and distorted saxophone.


The members are also active in the Italian [[folk-jazz]] group Ardecore.
One constant element in Zu's music is collaboration, and many of the band's albums are billed as collaborations with a guest musician (such as [[Mike Patton]], [[Buzz Osbourne]], and [[Nobukazu Takemura]]). Often, a collaborator will join them at live performances as well. Members of the band also collaborate with other musical projects, most of which exist only as live performances.

== Style ==
[[File:Zu-3.jpg|thumb|Zu performing]]
Zu's music is instrumental and features virtuosic drumming, powerful bass and distorted saxophone. Many of the band's albums are billed as collaborations with a guest musician (such as [[Mike Patton]], [[Buzz Osborne]], [[Mats Gustafsson]] and [[Nobukazu Takemura]]). Often, a collaborator will join them at live performances as well. Members of the band also collaborate with other musical projects, many of which exist only as live performances.


==Reception==
==Reception==
[[John Zorn]] described the band as creating "a powerful and expressive music that totally blows away what most bands do these days".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zuism.net/zu-story |title=ZU (band) |website=Zuism.net |date=11 October 2019 |access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref>
The band's album ''Radiale'', recorded with [[Bob Weston]], was placed in ''[[The Village Voice]]'''s jazz poll for 2004.


In 2009, ''[[Carboniferous (album)|Carboniferous]]'' was voted Album of the Year in ''[[Rock-A-Rolla]]'' magazine's Best of 2009 poll.
[[John Zorn]] described the band as creating "a powerful and expressive music that totally blows away what most bands do these days".

In 2009, Carboniferous was voted Album Of The Year in [[Rock-A-Rolla]] magazine's Best Of 2009 poll.


== Personnel ==
== Personnel ==
[[File:Zu @ Roadburn Festival 2017 04.jpg|thumb|Zu live at [[Roadburn Festival]] 2017]]
*Luca T. Mai – [[baritone saxophone]]
*Luca T. Mai – [[baritone saxophone]]
*Jacopo Battaglia – drums
*Massimo Pupillo – [[bass guitar|bass]]
*Massimo Pupillo – bass
*Jacopo Battaglia – [[drum kit|drums]]
*Stefano Pilia – guitar


===Major collaborators===
=== Ex-members ===
*[[Gabe Serbian]] – drums
*[[Eugene Chadbourne]] – [[guitar]] on ''The Zu Side of the Chadbourne'' and ''Motorhellington''
*Tomas Järmyr – drums
*[[Jeb Bishop]] – [[trombone]] on ''Igneo''

*[[Mats Gustafsson]] – [[saxophone]]s on ''How to Raise an Ox''
=== Major collaborators ===
*Xabier Iriondo – on ''Zu/Iceburn''
*Fred Lonberg-Holm – [[cello]] on ''The Way of the Animal Powers''
*[[Eugene Chadbourne]] – guitar on ''[[The Zu Side of the Chadbourne]]'' and ''[[Motorhellington]]''
*[[Jeb Bishop]] – [[trombone]] on ''[[Igneo]]''
*[[Nobukazu Takemura]] – on ''Identification with the Enemy - A Key to the Underworld''
*[[Mats Gustafsson]] – [[saxophone]]s on ''[[How to Raise an Ox]]''
*Spaceways inc. (band) – on ''Radiale''
*Roy Paci – [[trumpet]] on ''Bromio''
*[[Xabier Iriondo]] – on ''[[Zu / Iceburn]]''
*[[Mike Patton]] – [[human voice|vocals]] on some live dates and ''Carboniferous''
*[[Fred Lonberg-Holm]] – [[cello]] on ''[[The Way of the Animal Powers]]''
*[[Nobukazu Takemura]] – [[electronics ]]on ''Identification with the Enemy – A Key to the Underworld''
*[[Ken Vandermark]] – saxophones on ''Igneo'' and ''Radiale''
*[[Ken Vandermark#Spaceways Inc.|Spaceways inc.]] – on ''[[Radiale]]''
*[[Buzz Osborne]] - on ''Carboniferous''
*[[Mike Patton]] – [[human voice|vocals]] on some live dates and ''[[Carboniferous (album)|Carboniferous]]''
*[[Ken Vandermark]] – saxophones on ''[[Igneo]]'' and ''[[Radiale]]''
*[[Buzz Osborne]] – on ''Carboniferous''
*[[Balázs Pándi]] – drums on 2011 tour
*[[Eugene Robinson (singer)|Eugene Robinson]] – vocals on ''The Left Hand Path''
*[[David Tibet]] – vocals on ''Mirror Emperor''
*[[Damo Suzuki]] – vocals on some live dates
*Okapi – electronics on ''Zu / Dalek / Okapi ''and on some live dates


== Discography ==
== Discography ==
* 1999: ''[[Bromio]]''
{{col-begin}}
* 2000: ''[[The Zu Side of the Chadbourne]]''
{{col-break}}
* 2001: ''[[Motorhellington]]''
*''Bromio'' (Wide/[[Southern Records|Southern]], 1999)
* 2002: ''[[Igneo]]''
*''Zu Side of Eugene Chadbourne'' (Felmay, 2000)
* 2003: ''[[Live in Helsinki (Zu album)|Live in Helsinki]]''
*''Motorhellington'' (2001)
* 2004: ''[[Radiale]]''
*''Igneo'' (Red Note/Amanita/Wide/Wallace, 2002)
* 2004: ''Eccentrics, Issue #1'' Hinterlandt / Zu / Can Can Heads
*''Live in Hellsinki'' (2003)
* 2005: ''[[The Way of the Animal Powers]]''
*''Radiale'' ([[Atavistic Records|Atavistic]], 2004)
* 2005: ''[[How to Raise an Ox]]''
*''The Way of the Animal Powers'' (Xeng, 2005)
* 2005: ''[[Zu/Dälek]]'' feat Økapi
*''How to Raise an Ox'' featuring [[Mats Gustafsson]] (Atavistic/[[Touch and Go Records|Touch and Go]], 2005)
* 2006: ''Rai Sanawachi Koe Wo Hassu''
{{col-break}}
* 2006: ''[[Zu/Iceburn|Zu / Iceburn]] – PhonoMetak 10" Series No. 1''
*"Spiritual Healing" (Zu vs. [[Dälek]]) (Wallace, 2005)
* 2007: ''[[Identification with the Enemy: A Key to the Underworld]]''
*''Rai Sanawachi Koe Wo Hassu'' (Macaroni, 2006)
* 2008: ''[[Il Teatro degli Orrori/Zu]]''
*Zu/[[Iceburn]] (split) (2006)
* 2008: ''Zu/Xabier Iriondo/Damo Suzuki – PhonoMetak 10" Series No. 4''
*''Identification with the Enemy: A Key to the Underworld'' (Atavistic, 2007)
* 2009: ''[[Carboniferous (album)|Carboniferous]]''
*Zu/Teatro Degli Orrori (split [[gramophone record|10"]]) (2007)
* 2014: ''Goodnight Civilization'' EP
*Zu/Xabier Iriondo/[[Damo Suzuki]] (10", 2008)
* 2014: Zu & [[Eugene Robinson (singer)|Eugene Robinson]] – ''The Left Hand Path''
*''[[Carboniferous (album)|Carboniferous]]'' featuring [[Mike Patton]] on Soulympics and Orc and [[King Buzzo]] on Chtonian ([[Ipecac Recordings]], 2009)<ref>According to Carboniferous' album cover</ref>
* 2015: ''Cortar Todo''
{{col-end}}
* 2017: ''Jhator''
* 2018: ''ZU93 Mirror Emperor''
* 2019: ''Terminalia Amazonia''

=== Singles and music videos ===
* "Carbon" (2009)
* "Soulympics" (2009)
* "Goodnight, Civilization" (2014)
* "Cortar Todo" (2015)


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}<!--added above External links/Sources by script-assisted edit-->


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{commonscat}}
*{{cite web|author=Andy Couch |url=http://www.ipecac.com/artists/zu |title=Ipecac Recordings - Zu |website=Ipecac.com |access-date=17 April 2020}}
*{{allmusic|11:gjfpxqqjldde}}
*{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p392703}}
*[http://www.zuism.org Zu official web page]

*[http://www.myspace.com/zuband Myspace]
{{Zu (band)}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Zu}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zu}}
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[[Category:Avant-garde metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Avant-garde metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1999]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1999]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Rome]]

[[Category:Ipecac Recordings artists]]

[[Category:1999 establishments in Italy]]
{{Italy-band-stub}}
{{rock-band-stub}}

[[de:Zu (Band)]]
[[fr:Zu (groupe)]]
[[gl:Zu]]
[[it:Zu (gruppo musicale)]]
[[pl:Zu (grupa muzyczna)]]

Latest revision as of 08:48, 10 May 2024

Zu
Background information
OriginRome, Italy
Genres
Years active1997–present
Members
  • Jacopo Battaglia
  • Massimo Pupillo
  • Luca T. Mai
  • Stefano Pilia
Past members
Websitezuism.net

Zu is an Italian instrumental band from Rome. While their line-up of baritone sax, bass guitar and drums is typical of a jazz band, their hard-driving sound is indebted to punk rock and heavy metal and, according to AllMusic, "defies easy categorization".[1] Zu have collaborated with a wide variety of musicians and been described as "masters at adapting to their guests' musical backgrounds".[2]

History

[edit]

Hailing from Ostia (a town near Rome), Zu are an atypical trio consisting of drums, bass, baritone saxophone and electronics. Formed in Rome in 1997, they began as composers and performers for theater productions. The band is composed of three members: Luca Mai on baritone saxophone, Massimo Pupillo on bass and Jacopo Battaglia on drums.

Zu have released fourteen albums, including two live albums and two splits. They have played at festivals in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. In 2006, the band toured with the super group Fantômas Melvins Big Band.

The members are also active in the Italian folk-jazz group Ardecore.

Style

[edit]
Zu performing

Zu's music is instrumental and features virtuosic drumming, powerful bass and distorted saxophone. Many of the band's albums are billed as collaborations with a guest musician (such as Mike Patton, Buzz Osborne, Mats Gustafsson and Nobukazu Takemura). Often, a collaborator will join them at live performances as well. Members of the band also collaborate with other musical projects, many of which exist only as live performances.

Reception

[edit]

John Zorn described the band as creating "a powerful and expressive music that totally blows away what most bands do these days".[3]

In 2009, Carboniferous was voted Album of the Year in Rock-A-Rolla magazine's Best of 2009 poll.

Personnel

[edit]
Zu live at Roadburn Festival 2017
  • Luca T. Mai – baritone saxophone
  • Jacopo Battaglia – drums
  • Massimo Pupillo – bass
  • Stefano Pilia – guitar

Ex-members

[edit]

Major collaborators

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Singles and music videos

[edit]
  • "Carbon" (2009)
  • "Soulympics" (2009)
  • "Goodnight, Civilization" (2014)
  • "Cortar Todo" (2015)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Steve Leggett. "Zu | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  2. ^ Jason Lymangrover (9 February 2009). "Carboniferous - Zu | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  3. ^ "ZU (band)". Zuism.net. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zu (band).
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