Lincoln resident performs in ZZ Top tribute band

ZZ Tush, a local ZZ Top tribute band, is getting ready for their upcoming performances in Northern California and other parts of the country, including Arizona, Nevada and New Jersey. ZZ Top, a rock band formed in Houston, Texas in 1969, is one of the longest-running bands to have all original members (until 2021) performing in the band. The name "ZZ Tush" originated from one of ZZ Top's classic hits, "Tush." ZZ Tush's band members are Lincoln resident Ed Koop, 57, on drums; former Lincoln resident "Jersey" John Roche, 66, on bass and Dan Monaghan, 65, on guitar. Roche now is from Davis and Monaghan is from Cameron Park. All three band members sing and each member has been involved in music most of their lives. Roche and Monaghan formed the tribute band eight years ago and were in rock bands together for four years before that. According to Roche, after their previous band split up, he and Monaghan formed a ZZ Top tribute band. Roche and Monaghan chose ZZ Top because they resembled the ZZ Top members based on their appearance, and according to Roche, "They're (ZZ Top) just so iconic. So many people know who they are." When their former drummer left, Roche and Monaghan held auditions for a few months. They chose Koop, who showed up to his audition wearing drummers' gloves like drummer Frank Beard did in ZZ Top. "That's the moment we knew this guy gets it," Monaghan said. Koop joined ZZ Tush eight months ago. Prior to joining the band, Koop had been a long-time fan of ZZ Top and ZZ Tush. "I remember the first time I saw these guys live, they came out and I literally stopped and said, 'That's ZZ Top,'" Koop said. "These guys are serious." What makes ZZ Tush stand out from other ZZ Top tribute bands? "Authenticity and attention to detail," Koop said. That includes creating replica set pieces and instruments to costumes and signature props of the original ZZ Top. The band rehearses in Koop's Alpha Dog ADA Signs warehouse in Roseville. In addition, Koop also created a stage set and a drum set that is a replica of the original ZZ Top Band with skulls on the outside of the drum frame. "Everyone has a speciality," Roche said. "Ed has the capacity to hold practices and build all this stuff (stages and set pieces) here. Any recording or mixing and mastering, that's all Dan." According to Roche, he is the band's "handyman." Roche created the microphones and guitars to replicate those of ZZ Top, from the two main neon-green microphone stands to the furry guitars and tobacco cans on the guitar belts. "What makes ZZ Top's microphones and guitars special is the fact that Billy Gibbons designed all of these pieces himself, there's nothing like it," Roche added. Gibbons is ZZ Top's guitarist and primarily vocalist. ZZ Tush has received kudos from ZZ Top's staff. "These guys nail it," said Matt Young, drum technician for ZZ Top. "They sound great and they got the look right down to the tailpipe mic stands." That look is important to ZZ Tush. "Fans listen with their eyes," Roche said. "When they walk in and see you, if you look like the band, 75 percent of that performance is done. If you can knock out the music a little bit, you've scored." Koop shared the excitement he has about being a band member. "Being the new guy and you see people go, 'Whoa,' that's the reaction you want," Koop said. This year, ZZ Tush has 10 performances so far scheduled, including in Auburn, Sacramento, Vacaville and Gilroy. For more information, visit zztush.com.