Prozak
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Prozak was a New Jersey based rock band from 1990 - 1996.
[edit] Members
| Member | Instrument | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Keith Zuccolo | Guitar | '90 - '96 |
| Scott Holden | Lead Vocal | '90 - '96 |
| Rob McCausland | Bass | '90 - '92 |
| Tom Giddings | Drums | '90 - '92 |
| Brian Wagner | Bass | '92 - '93 |
| Chris Pennie | Drums | '93 - '95 |
| Joe Decker | Drums | '93 - '96 |
[edit] History
Prozak started in 1989 when guitar player Keith Zuccolo, spotted his neighbor Scott Holden trying to hitch a ride home one afternoon. Holden had lived only two houses away from Zuccolo, so he decided to pick him up. During their ride they discussed music, and found that they had very similar tastes. Holden had been a drummer in several local bands, but was looking to sing lead. Zuccolo had also played with a few bands but had not been playing with anyone at that time. Both expressed interest in starting a band. As fate would have it, Zuccolo knew drummer Tom Giddings, and Holden knew a bass player, Rob McCausland. By the time they reached Holden's home they had decided to start a band.
Rehearsals began within a week and the quartet quickly decided on the name Prozak. They derived the name form a recent controversial drug that had been in the news during that time. They altered the spelling in an attempt to avoid any potential legal issues. This first incarnation of Prozak would last less than a year, perform beer soaked renditions of songs by artists such as, AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Sex Pistols.
By fall of 1990, the two members would leave Prozak. McCausland would join the U.S. Army, and Giddings would begin attending college in Albany. Zuccolo and Holden were left to find a new rhythm section. Zuccolo recruited bas player Brian Wagner, and he in turn brought in a drummer. Wagner would play with Prozak on and off until 1993. During that time the band had several drummers. Towards the end of his Prozak stint Wagner was playing with several bands but agreed to play with Prozak until a replacement was found. Bass player Joe Decker replaced him.
In 1993 Prozak would see what was to be it’s best line up completed when Zuccolo, had a chance conversation with his old boss. As it happened, Zoccolo's old boss had a son in high school that was learning to play drums; his son's name was Chris Pennie. If Zuccolo did not think the band would mind playing with such a young kid, Pennie's father thought it would be a good opportunity for his son.
This version of Prozak would play clubs and bars throughout the NJ/NY area, and record 10 songs. Prozak live performances displayed tight and talented musicianship, and a high-energy vibe. While never released commercially, bootleg copies exist of Prozak's two demos, as well as some of their live shows.
Pennie left the band in 1995 when he began attending Berkley School of Music. The band found a replacement for him, but then ended up breaking up in April of 1996, following a show at the Hoboken, NJ club The Love Sexy in which lead singer Scott Holden appeared on stage dressed as "the Vegas Elvis".
[edit] Songs
| Title | Music | Lyrics | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psyilocibin | Zuccolo | Holden | 1992 |
| The Stomp | Zuccolo | Holden | 1992 |
| Morning Wood | Zuccolo/Decker/Pennie | None | 1993 |
| Funkyland | Zuccolo | Holden | 1993 |
| Move On | Zuccolo | Holden | 1993 |
| True Lies | Zuccolo | Holden | 1993 |
| Spring | Zuccolo | Holden | 1993 |
| Cheese (aka City Cheese) | Zuccolo | Holden | 1993 |
| Sonet (Surrender to Win) | Decker/Zuccolo | Holden | 1994 |
| Brighter Day | Zuccolo | Holden | 1994 |
| Thing You Do | Decker/Zuccolo | Holden | 1994 |
| Dreams | Zuccolo | Holden | 1994 |
