A highly original mix of styles such as metal, classical, punk, jazz and folk all combined to make the H.P. Zinker blueprint an unusual prospect, and maybe the ignorance of both press and public can be put down to an inability to pigeonhole the band. That many of their recorded tracks were instrumentals can only have added to their lack of commercial success, although it could probably be assumed that this was never their intention anyway.
The album 'Beyond It All' added American drummer Dave Wasik and displayed innovative songwriting that recalled both medieval classicism, grunge, prog-rock and Black Sabbath. The 'Sunshine' EP followed, and featured Evan Dando on vocals for one track, alongside a version of Dave Brubeck's jazz classic 'Take Five'.
Puempel left shortly after this release, and the remaining pair continued with another single, followed by 'Perseverance', their third album. The mish-mash of styles continued, with wah-wah guitars, New Orleans blues and folk-rock added to the already diverse mix. Lyrically, the band displayed a tendency towards slacker/stoner attitudes, and often their songs lasting 6 minutes plus featured only one or two verses. The impression often given by this approach is that words are superfluous, as the music is already heavy with emotion, whether it be resigned melancholy or unfocussed anger.
'Mountains of Madness' followed with a new bass player in tow, and the title track's lyrics were taken from writings by English horror novelist H.P. Lovecraft. Most critics found the album lacking in depth or interest, and later the same year H.P Zinker broke up.
A posthumous compilation, 'Staying Loose', featured tracks from throughout their career, and is the best introduction to the essence of the band for those curious enought to seek them out. Never successful or admired enough to have influenced many up and coming bands, H.P. Zinker are an overlooked rock gem, and some might argue that their European origins denied them their fifteen minutes in an industry that over-emphasises US and UK acts.
Hans Platzgumer relocated in Munich and released a solo mini-album taking on house, trip-hop and electronica in 1998.
IF YOU LIKE THESE, YOU'LL LIKE H.P. ZINKER: Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Dinosaur Jr, Nirvana, Buffalo Tom, Pink Floyd.