ZO2 to release new album June 9

With the release of Casino Logic, Brooklyn rockers ZO2 return with all the rock and attitude that earned them their own hit show on cable innovator IFC, critical and popular response to their last disc, Ain’t It Beautiful and found them openi ng for acts like KISS, Bret Michaels and Twisted Sister at rock’s biggest venues while moving into the headlining slot at rock clubs across the country.

The disc is set for release on June 9, 2009 to coincide with the start of the second season of Z Rock, their “hybrid” TV show which stars the band and features special guests from the worlds of comedy and music. The show celebrates the life and antics of this emerging band, creates water cooler moments with its irreverent approach and pokes fun at the current state of the music business.

The band, credited with “bringing the swagger back to rock ‘n’ roll” are aligned for their breakthrough moment on a national level.

Casino Logic is “the rationalizations that people make when they are gambling,” says ZO2’s Paulie Z, “It’s the way we justify doing things based on our belief that we will win in the end.”

This sums up where ZO2 are now. With everything seemingly on their s ide – a new season of Z Rock, the release of the record, continued touring and a robust following on tour and on the internet- the band is counting on themselves, and a group of veteran music business supporters, as they self-release Casino Logic and support it through old fashioned grunt work. They’ll tour this summer as headliners with Canada’s The Trews and utilize the power of the buzzed about television show as a driver for radio play, retail exposure and maximized attention for their music so that the fans can vote on whether they are to become the next American rock band. The scenario begs the question – what does a band have to do in 2009 to get the support they need to bring their music to the masses?

Casino Logic features tracks co-written by the bandmembers and longtime producer and collaborator Bob Held (credits). Highlighted by the first single “Painted Lady,” also co-written by Spin Doctors’ Chris Barron, the record is a step forward for the band whose last CD was heralded throughout the national, regional and local media and possibly best summed up by Hustler which said that the music is, “rock ‘n’ roll the way it used to be: ballsy, soulful and ass-shakingly good.”

With Casino Logic, ZO2 brings a harder edge and tighter grooves to the 11 track disc. And, in true ZO2 tradition, the CD is a hands on effort from the band with lead vocalist Paulie Z providing design and art direction and the inclusion of one of four customized playing cards in every CD, each featuring a bandmember or an image of the full band as a fun collectable addition for their dedicated fans. ZO2 is: Paulie Z (vocals, guitar), David Z (vocals, bass guitar) and Joey Cassata (drums, vocals).

Worth note, the release includes “Red Line Highway” which cranks it up and puts the pedal to the metal, “Show Me”, a track that brings back the heyday of crowd participation arena rock and the ballad “Stronger”, will have audiences singing along and waving their iPhones with the lighter app. And “No Way Out” features friend, supporter and Z Rock alumni, the Blues Traveler himself, John Popper.

Following the success of the first season of Z Rock, the show was the highest rated original program ever on the network and featured recurrent guest stars Joan Rivers, Greg Giraldo, Gilbert Godfried, Dave Attel and Patrice O’Neal from the world of comedy and musicians like Dave Navarro, Sebastian Bach, John Popper, Dee Snider and Chris Baron, the second season is jam packed with original music and surprise guest stars including some returning from last season.

The stage is set – visit http://www.zo2.com/ for song clips and more information, join the ZO2 community on MySpace at www.myspace.com/ZO2 and tune into IFC on Sundays at 11pm, on Direct TV and On Demand to see the new season of Z Rock and weigh in on your support for the band by buying a copy of Casino Logic at iTunes, through the band’s website or at your local retailer. Check the websites or sign up for the band newsletter for local shows being scheduled in your town.