Zygo - EST. 2003 and moving like a Truck
I know, saying a new post is long over due is an understatement. Some great things have been happening to our little company and it's getting crazy. We're all working to keep up with things and keep everyone thirst-free. Most of the last few months have been spent in the street spreading the gospel. Not to mention, we've launched a new rum called Shango , 44North has been picked up in a few more states, and Zygo has been keeping us up through it all.
If you guys get a chance, check out this new mag called Machete . It's a borough by borough breakdown of NYers influencing the underground culture across the country. They've also got a badass review of Zygo under the "Fuel Change" Tab on the bottom right.
Oh and hail to TOOL and the skull shattering performance Saturday night at the City Center. It's the sixth time I've seen them and they're still one of the best live acts ever. After the show we got invited down to Alex Gray's Gallery, Chapel of Sacred Mirrors . Pretty intense place even though it's on Club Hell Alley (27th btw 10th and 11th). The street has gotten so insane with clubs that the cops shutdown traffic on the whole street. I never thought I'd see the day when a city street in Manhattan would have to shut down just to compensate for megaclubs overflow. When I first started working in clubs (Thanks for breaking my club-cherry Limelight) there were only a couple of huge clubs and they were all in remote and undesirable areas of the city. Now, within a couple of blocks in West Chelsea they're a dozen or more.
Anyway, back to the mighty TOOL and COSM. Alex is the cat who did the last two Tool covers and he did a live painting with a discussion on his work for the new album 10,000 days. The place is a trip and you should definitely check it out.
Also got a call from Tom Sisk and it seems he's putting together a 34,000 square foot Nightclub in Jakarta. If you don't know Tom he was the owner of Centro-Fly and the guy who hired me to manage Centro. He's the truest big thinking visionary lunatic I've ever met. He was a great mentor and not to mention, I met Ron and Ken thanks to him. It was Tom who came over to me one day at Centro-Fly and handed me my 1st bottle of Zygo. All he said was "Check this out, it's got all the same shit as red bull and doesn't taste like a tin can." I use that line to this day. Well, I cracked the bottle at my desk. It was fucking good. Zygo was first time I saw something original come out of the booze biz and it tasted damn good. Actually, the whole office was in shock that this new product didn't suck. Salespeople would come in with new crap all the time. Most of it we'd politely turn away or we'd take it in as a favor to our sales rep, Jerry Burke. 99.999% of the time those new brands would wind up collecting dust on the backbar or on our wall of shame in the inventory room. Holding that bottle of Zygo I just kind of knew this was different. That night I handed the bottle off to one of my best bartenders (Brock Erickson), and told him to see how people liked it. At the end of the night, while we were closing out, Brock told me that people really dug it and were asking for more. We decided to carry it and see where things went. Well only after a few weeks Centro was ordering 10 cases a month and the bartenders loved it. After Centro-fly closed in 2004 Brock told me he lied and it was the freaking bartenders that drank the first bottle. They liked it and wanted the shit for themselves. Then they started selling the shit out of it as shots, so the customers would buy them a shot too. I guess they were the first members of the 70 Proof Regime. One of our craziest nights with Zygo at Centro-Fly was a 4th of July weekend. We had Paul Oakenfold and John Digweed on consecutive nights and the bartenders went through 90 bottles of Zygo. It just blew my mind, because we sold more bottles of Zygo than Goose that weekend.
Well through all this Ken, Ron, and I all got pretty close. We started to work together a lot and before I knew it I didn't want to do anything else but build Zygo. Now we're like family and we've got a whole portfolio of brands. It's hard to believe that just 3 1/2 years ago Centro-Fly was one of the first places ever to carry Zygo and now we've got a few thousand places across the country that dig what we do. Thanks everyone!!!!!!
Harold Joyce
P.S. check the pics for some of the shit that went down in the last few months. I promise to be more up to date!
posted by: Harold | May 22 2006 | 15 comments.
From the East Village to Miami and a stop over in Point Pleasant New Jersey
We'll do this chronologically............first off, we had our great friend M debuting her new band The Sick List @ Otto's Shrunken Head. The girl is a born Rockstar for as long as I've known her. M, we love you and thanks for the support! Keep an eye out for her shows around NYC and Brooklyn.
Second stop didn't have me there in body, but spirit. Our New Jersey Assassin Keith Bryson was doing damage and keeping notes down on the Jersey shore. Just cause it's cold doesn't mean there aren't a few spots down there with a winter draw.....From what I heard Jenkinson's had enough people in the house to warm up the crowd for widespread body shots, while Head Trip played the stage. Just a few mentions of thanks: Melissa and Rob for selling so much damn Zygo and putting up with Bryson! Of course manager extraordinaire, John Mosco, thank you for bringing Zygo into Jenkinson's and digging what we do. We'll be back Point Pleasant whether you like it or not.
Third stop was a four day campaign into Florida, invading Miami to Ft. Lauderdale. Premier, our distributor down there is a tremendous team....I wish I had more pictures to cover the madness, but Shawn Begley had me out at too many strip clubs (no cameras obviously) and it all happened toe fast to get on film.....oh, and my pasty ass didn't get a drop of sunlight. Me and Pruckner (our southeastern missionary) would wake up around 8am, spread the gospel all day bouncing from bar to bar, and stay out until 5am converting the night dwellers of sunny Florida to the Zygo goodness. Actually, we saw so little sun that I felt like we were still in my New York apartment (which sees no light). So I'll try to thank everyone proper from our stay and if something is missed, I'M SORRY. From Premier, thank you Shawn, John, Brooke, Dena, and Raul. And just a few honorary mentions of the spots that joined the 70 proof regime: The Shore Club, Pawn Shop, The Standard, Mandarin Oriental Miami, Snatch, Garage in Del Rey, Pangaea at the Seminole (Frenchie you rock!), Murphy's Law, Park at the Hard Rock (Joshua is a true Metal Fan), and Jerry's in Miami for drinking Zygo and serving me and Pruckner food every morning when we look like Death. Oh and I can't forget Natalie, who cared for us at Sushi Samba Miami.
So for now I'm back in NYC/LES, but as I'm writing this Ken is breaking open the Colorado, Arizona, and Cali on a blitzkrieg tour to introduce our brands to the Western inebriation.
posted by: Harold | Feb 1 2006 | 9 comments.
For those who speak of the Zygo Goodness- We Salute You!
After this week I just had to ring in on the blog and shout out a few thanks.
1)To Raymond Roker the publisher of URB magazine ,
You're ahead of the curve of every urban mag out there and it's flattering to be mentioned in this month's issue. Thank You very much....you should all check it out!
2)To all the cats @ HQ in NYC (especially Al) for getting the entire staff from 92.3 Free FM's JV and Elvis show trashed on Zygo! Damn good job my brothers. JV and Elvis spent a few minutes on air raving about Zygo's wonders and all that happened 10 bottles later. I'll post up the transcript once we get it, maybe even a wav file.
3)To the peeps at Playboy for doing a great peice on our second 70 proof brainchild 44°North Vodka .........too bad the article doesn't come with an invite to the Mansion. All in due time, patience, patience!
4)To Patrick Gioannini at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for putting another cocktail on the menu with Zygo.....usually I don't wave a flag for every cocktail that winds up on menus around the country, but this one is for a special occasion. It's for the Chinese New Year and will be a part of their celebrations held at the MO Bar.....as of yet it's nameless, but here's the Recipe:
Equal Parts
Zygo
Green Tea Liqueur
Sauvignon Blanc
granished with an Orchid
So thanks for an amazing week! Anyone out there with some great Zygo cocktails please chime in and we'll put it up on the site.
posted by: Harold | Jan 13 2006 | 2 comments.
Christmas to New Years - And a Breif History of Everything
We've accomplished a lot in 2005. I mean, you know you're huge when our friend Shilpa has St. Nick swiping bottles during her holiday party @ Bua ....not too long ago we were just a few idealists roaming the streets selling Zygo a bottle at a time. Now, mythical characters are coming to life to drink our magic elixir. Honestly, I think Shilpa caught one of the funniest Zygo shots I've ever seen!
2005 was officially a year filled with goodness spent with our ragtag militia of booze peddlers, backpacks filled with Zygo, and shoes worn down by the street.
Thank you to the people who took the time to stop and have a shot with us this year...but most of all thank you for spreading the word when we left. So in 2006 we look forward to seeing all the friends we've made and the ones we've yet to meet around the country.
Oh, and to Elena's mom - Thanks for modeling the new Zygo T-shirt like a Rock Star! (check the pics to see what the hell I'm talking about)
Stay Tuned, Fuel Change, and Let it be Perpetual!
Harold Joyce
Minister of Propaganda
posted by: Harold | Jan 3 2006 | 4 comments.
Theme Magazine preached the gospel of the Regime
And they put it in writing. Thank you so much to John Lee and everyone at Theme Magazine. It's one of the most beautiful magazines I've seen in a long time. In the words of the publisher:
"Theme magazine is the modern lens into the Asian avant-garde. It's the definitive document and style guide for an era where Asians are increasingly in the forefront of global culture."
check out where to get it on their site
Theme Magazine
posted by: Harold | Dec 13 2005 | 2 comments.
Bear vs Shark @ Knitting Factory
I know it's a little late. Bear vs. Shark played Knitting Factory a few weeks ago, but the shit is worth putting up here. They packed out the venue and blew the shit up. People were singing every damn word with the band and it got so out of hand that security was scared. They tried to drag the singer off stage mistaking him for a rowdy fan (real observant idiot just looking to start shit).....overall they were intense and I feel privelaged to know them. The people at the show were just so involved. They treated every song like an anthem....Oh and not to mention the few bottles of Zygo that were snuck into the dressing room......guys were drinking it on stage and giving shout outs to Zygo. It was a proud moment, as well as having empty bottles decorating the backstage. We invade all spaces! Long Live Bear Vs. Shark.....I've
posted by: Harold | Dec 12 2005 | 2 comments.
Some Pics from the Last two weeks
Got to see Lady Sovereign last week on her stop in NYC........part of the multifaceted birthday gift for the Portable Liver Elena. She deserves more for coming home with me, but we do live in a cave.
And then there's a few pics from the weekend...Elena, M, and me hit up the relaunch of Misshapes to see Junior ....had a blast, so thanks to everyone there. Headed over to Michael T's party at Scenic . Spent a minute there but they sold out of Zygo. The venue has plenty of history - formerly the house of Save the Robots and most recently Guernica. I'm happy to see them digging Zygo. What happened after that I really don't remember, except my boy Patrick wearing lipstick walking around Julep drunk out of his skull and Leo from Astor walking around the East Village in shorts while it was snowing.
Well until next time.......I'll have pics up from out night out to see Candis Cane at Brite Bar soon. Just trying to get them all in one place on the computer.
The Minister
HCJ
posted by: Harold | Dec 12 2005 | 2 comments.
The Mighty Brew Town....I will name a child after you Milwaukee
the soundtrack of my flight to the Midwest was Bill Hicks ranting about....well everything. God bless him....Rest his soul, he would have loved Milwaukee cause you can still smoke in the goddamn bars.
This is my first of many trips out to Wisco.....Ron and Ken have been telling me about this drinkers heaven for years. They always come back rechaged and ready to spread the gospel of the 70 Proof Regime.
I have to say, some of the coolest people out there! No pretension fun is all Milwaukee wants and we got a dose of it for three days straight. Hail to our distributor - Edison Liquors.....they're animals and love Zygo....So may the Liquor Gods bless you all. We had a tough time walking into a bar out there without our alchoholic love child being front, center, and half empty.
So thanks to all, check the picks, and get on a plane and fly your ass out there to party....it ain't just football and cheese. When it gets too cold outside they go inside and play hard at the bar!
posted by: Harold | Dec 11 2005 | 8 comments.
Been Gone but the Updates begin with Machine Punks party @ Pink
Tali...you're insane in the best way possible. Check out all the pics from the night.......girl puts together some memorable events around the city.
posted by: Harold | Dec 10 2005 | 2 comments.
Amy moved to California and became a Rock God - aka Dirtie Blonde
She was always kind of a Rock Star, even here in NY.....but then Jive Records
came along, signed her to a record deal, and she's been recording in California ever since. Luckily, she's touring around the East Coast and hit the Lower East Side last week. What can I say but she Rocked the shit out of Mercury Lounge and had the place packed....On her first stop to New York Dirtie Blonde filled the venue way over capacity. She's got a crazy live sound that's somewhere between Kate Bush and Jeff Buckley but still all her own. Whatever it is she really moved the people there.
Thanks for the gesture of love Jeremy...we must say thank you to Jeremy for hooking Zygo into the new Sushi Samba spot on Park Ave called Barbounia.. We love you Jeremy!
I digress...After the show me and the portable liver hit little giant to eat. We got to see our one of our favorite bartenders, the one and only "Man in a Little Shirt" Zack who proceeded to describe his "member" with a bottle of zygo . I was impressed.
Oh and that's Julie with Elena ...she only makes the greatest food on the planet!
After dinner we made sure to catch up with Amy and crew at Julep...you have to love the old dependable East Village Bars with a good pool table and cheap drinks......I think the entire staff of Butter was there to show love to Amy (she was formerly a bartender there).
That is the Man...the "Mighty" Mike Dolloway who can always be counted on to support the Zygo cause where ever he goes.
Oh and who can forget Ross1 below with Elena, stay tuned for him.....he's been the personal DJ for Prince and he's putting together some underground shit we will all be talking about.
We really caused a lot of trouble at Julep from what I remember, and it sucked that last call came so soon. I guess we'll catch Dirtie Blonde when Amy's back in town.
Check out the music at her website..."Stay" is my pick
Dirtie Blonde
Stay Tuned....
HCJ
MOP
posted by: Harold | Nov 8 2005 | 3 comments.