Pulp Magazine - Review of "Boxes Made for Shoes"

September 19, 2002

By day, Janet Pazzynski works for a communications company, climbing telephone poles and splicing cables. Scaling such heights and looking out across the city can give someone a unique perspective on the world and how we live it. That might also account for the wit that permeates her writing with On Beyond Zebra. The local quartet's sophomore CD, Boxes Made for Shoes, blends a heavy dose of acoustic guitars, catchy melodies, whimsical subject matter and Pazzynski's strong alto voice. But it's a wonder she is performing today, let alone playing lighthearted music, after a tragedy she suffered three years ago. Two weeks prior to the release of On Beyond Zebra's debut album, Pazzynski's husband was found dead, a suicide. Suddenly she felt little desire to promote her music once the CDs arrived. Thankfully, friends helped her through this trying time and today, a new lineup of OBZ has put her back on track with renewed energy. Drummer Ed Wiancko remains from the previous incarnation; bassist Barry Silverman and guitarist Matt Sever round things out. Their debut album featured several compositions by Pazzynski's son/OBZ co-founder Jake Ortego -- who co-wrote two songs here. On Boxes, though, Pazzynski had a hand in virtually all the songs, most of which were co-written with Sever. The mood borders on silly -- like the opening pop of "Run Mum" or the jazzy "One Too Many Tomatoes -- but even in those moments Pazzynski's strong voice and sharp sense of melody sustains attention. A few songs have a reflective feel that manages to keep the mood upbeat. The gentle "Friendly Spirits" talks about ghosts living in her house, although in this case, the visitors are a priest, Ho Chi Minh and Wonder Woman. On Beyond Zebra filters their zany perspective through a number of musical styles, throwing in jazz, folk and ska riffs and making it all work seamlessly. - Mike Shanley

Scene Local - Review of "Boxes Made for Shoes"

November 10, 2002

With a name like On Beyond Zebra, you'd expect a band to have a quirky sense of humor, and that's evident on the full-length CD Boxes Made for Shoes. Song topics like footwear fascination, the ghost of Ho Chi Minh, and a mother who's submitted to the evil of white-trash TV all make an appearance while accompanied by peppy acoustifolk- pop. (That's rightŠI just made up that word) Though there are some serious moments on Boxes Made for Shoes, the disc is at its best when having fun and waxing nostalgic. Vocals for the group are shared by Janet Pazzynski and Matt Sever, though Pazzynski has the lion's share on this collection. Her vocal swagger sounds like Chrissy Hynde and Deborah Harry, but instead of being in your face, Pazzynski is carefree. The guitar work is excellent on BMFS, with tasteful solos and jazzy chord work, and the rhythm section never plays second fiddle to the melodic lines. The strongest songs on the album are the atmospheric "Friendly Spirits" and the head-bobbin' swing of "One Too Many Tomatoes", complete with the requisite drum solo. Other high points are beach-friendly "Deep Sea" and "Envy", which has the feel of Naked-era Brownie Mary. A fan of OBZ's style will have just as much fun listening to Boxes Made For Shoes as the band did making it. - Costa Q

Pittsburgh City Paper - Review of "Boxes Made for Shoes"

September 18, 2002

On Beyond Zebra Boxes Made for Shoes Self-released here's a kind of melancholy that runs deep through the best songs on Pittsburgh pop-rock group On Beyond Zebra's latest release, Boxes Made for Shoes. It's a melancholy that trumps the cool-breeze funk guitar and bass on "Envy" or the finger-snappin' jazz-pop of "Chared," and dominates the proceedings of songs such as "The Fellowship." And it's a melancholy that saves Boxes Made for Shoes from itself -- stringing together an often-disparate assemblage of stylistic ventures and binding them with a relaxed, and oddly relaxing, desperation. Singer and songwriter Janet Pazzynski has been through a lot -- personal tragedy led to the shelving of On Beyond Zebra's last disc, 1999's Gone Beyond, and it was years before the band recovered. But when Pazzynski's songs get close to that root sadness, a spiritual melancholy that borders on but shirks malaise, she produces her best songs. Pazzynski is at her best when she's combining a Laurie Anderson-like delivery with a melodic sense that harkens to the better alternative pop of the '80s -- Todd Rundgren-produced XTC, the later Siouxsie and the Banshees records, or the more worldly pop of the Belle Stars. There's certainly plenty of songs that fit this sort of post-new wave pop aesthetic on Boxes Made for Shoes -- besides the above-mentioned, there's the acoustic ska-pop of "Plastic" (which even has an '80s lyrical focus), and catchy atmospheric pop such as guitarist Matt Sever's vocal jaunt on "The Gift" (nothing to do with The Jam -- sorry). But a few of the other tracks that take deliberate strolls into other musical neighborhoods find themselves getting mugged: "Run Mum," an attempt at a Tom Tom Club sunshine-rhythm, gets maced by the TV-references in its lyrics and a jerky plasticity to the rhythm, and the "Moondance" jump-jazz of "One Two Many Tomatoes" falls victim to its own reference points. Boxes Made for Shoes shows On Beyond Zebra to be a band embroiled in a lifelong search for voice -- most bands would do well to take a lesson from OBZ's open-mindedness, and undefined personal vision. But there are times to take comfort in the musical facets that a group is accomplished in, and when OBZ does that on Boxes Made for Shoes, they shine. - Justin Hopper

DJ EEZY Lou (one of Pittsburgh's top club DJs) - Review of "Boxes Made for Shoes"

November 28, 2002

Very nice mix of tunes in the new "Boxes Made For Shoes" CD. The production is very tight and the overall sound is top notch professional quality, that of major label release. The appeal would fit the listening audience of WYEP style programming. I like the variety of styles ranging from 80's type to bluesy jump to jazz influenced ballads. The opening track "Run Mum," could easily fit almost any Mom and that makes this 80's style tune an easy song to relate to. keeping with the 80's theme, the closing track "Plastic" reminds one of what the Violent Femmes may have touched on. "The Gift" has a very friendly guitar bounce appeal. I would think those who listen to The Dave Matthews Band would find this track fitting in quite nicely. Overall for me, lyrics seem to fall in the background, but this collection of songs seem to bring the listener into each song message from "Friendly Spirits" to "The Fellowship" you find yourself in the settings. And after being deep into moods you can find yourself jumping up and Dancing to a swing style track ("One Two many Tomatoes") the guitar solo, while rather short, is really cool. This collection of songs has a lot of the right ingredients to make it in a genre for those who like the less commercial but a familiar sound. - DJ EEZY LOU

Scene Local - Interview with On Beyond Zebra

December 7, 2002

Back in 1995, Janet Pazzynski's son questions why she wasn't pursuing her music more seriously. Together they began to write music and search around for musicians that would share their vision of a unique band. Soon Ed Wiancko joined as the bands drummer and to this day is the only remaining original member besides Janet. Although no longer in the band, Janet's son Jake Ortego performs with On Beyond Zebra (OBZ) playing the didgery-do and harmonica. Over the years, the band has gone through many changes bringing us to the current line up which consists of: Janet on lead vocals/rhythm guitar, Ed on drums, Matt Sever on lead guitar/vocals, and Barry Silverman on bass guitar. With a sound that is a mix of jazz, funk, and swing OBZ hopes to become a vital part of the Pittsburgh music scene. SCENE.local sat down with OBZ in Janet's uniquely decorated house to bring their views of the Pittsburgh scene and what they hope to bring to it. What is your goal for the band? Janet - "I'd like to be a bigger fish in Pittsburgh. Not necessarily the biggest, I don't really want to travel." Matt - "I don't think any of us are doing it to get famous, I do it because I love to play music. In terms of fame, it's nothing I've ever pursued, if it happens it would be great." Story behind the band name Janet - "Originally the band name was SwankŠ." Matt - "Swank?!? I wouldn't have joined you guys if your name was Swank!!" Janet - "One thing I used to say to my kids while they were growing up was, 'you guys are taking me on beyond zebra, your driving me nuts. Well, On Beyond Zebra is a Dr. Seuss book; it's the alphabet beyond 'Z'. It's all these crazy letters and goofy symbols and it tells you the animals that are associated with those letters. My son said it was a 2o'clock in the morning shower revelation, "On Beyond Zebra, that's perfect." What has been your best performance? Ed - "I think the cd release party at rumShakers, the sound was just right, I could hear everything. I feel we were all playing well that night." Janet - "We were psyched, the audience was psyched, it was a great night." Barry - "The cd party for me was the first time I felt properly integrated with the organization. On Beyond Zebra has had a Spinal Tap like history. With spontaneously combusting bass players, not drummers. I'm the most recently added member of the band. That show was the first where I felt like I knew all the material without thinking about it." Favorite Local Band? Janet - "I doŠ.the Barons. They are an Oktoberfest band, I love them." Barry - "I would say the Gathering Field, they are just very entertaining. Bill Deasy in particular is a real dynamic performer. I really enjoy watching their shows" Matt - "I really like Crisis Car and New Invisible Joy. I'm constantly seeking out local music, those are the bands that consistently impress me." Ed - "I'd have to agree with Matt on Crisis Car. I did get to see them at one of the outdoor shows at Market Square. I feel that they have the same kind of quirky sense of humor as we do." What makes people come back to your shows? Janet - "I think because they have a lot of fun. They enjoy us and what they here." How do you feel about bands in the scene working together? Matt - "I have some pretty strong feelings about that. I feel that people just aren't very supportive of other bands. The only person I ever met that supports other people is Christine Carnevali from the Fuzzy Comets. Everyone else is always like, my band, my band, my band. People don't want to hear about your band, they want to talk about theirs. I just don't know how to get bands to see it as 'We are in this together." Ed - "I think that MAP is a start to that, thinking of the music scene as a community. I want to thank the Fuzzy Comets for always helping us out by having us open for them and sharing their fan base with us. I think it's important for the more established bands to help out the ones just starting out. It would be a great help if the real big names, the Clarks, Gathering Field, what have you would have one or two smaller acts open up for them, so the community could see them." Why does the scene have such a problem getting exposure? Barry - "I can answer that question. There is a real survivalist mentality here, because there are so few venues, there are so few slots to fill during a month for bands to play. We need to find more opportunities for bands to play in this area, I don't mean necessarily open more clubs, I mean all day affairs. Rent out an empty warehouse or something and have all night parties with different bands. We need to find more opportunities for bands to play here." Check out their newest release, "Boxes Made for Shoes", recorded at Studio 28 with Chris and Jeff.