Zip Code Rapists

It's hard to determine if Zip Code Rapists are an offshoot project of Zip Code Revue, vice versa, or if each band released an album or two (for Amarillo), then decided to call it quits. Whatever the case, Zip Code Revue released the roots rock album Abundance in 1994, led by singer/songwriter/guitarist John Singer. He was supported by a set backing band (something that Zip Code Rapists would later shun). The only thing constantly reliable about the Zip Code bands is the ongoing presence of Singer. Their sound was similar to other Amarillo classic rock-style recording artists like U.S. Saucer and Dieselhed, two bands that Zip Code Revue/Rapists would tour with. Zip Code Revue soon went on hiatus, but would later mutate into a completely different band, both stylistically and personnel-wise. Singer decided at this point to team up with Amarillo Records head Gregg Turkington under the tasteless moniker Zip Code Rapists. A completely different musical approach was taken -- trying to see how far they could push their audience. Gone were the well-crafted tunes of the Revue, and in came screaming, noisy compositions (broken up here and there by a dirty funk track or a lonely country tune), accompanied by confrontational performances, as evidenced on their 94124 E.P. Presently, both bands are inactive. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide