From prison to pandemic, Dale and the ZDubs aka “Snail and the Zebras” are back in full force. Inspired by Dale’s 2017 to 2020 incarceration for a non-violent drug crime, DZD’s most recent full length, “Off The Rip,” dropped in mid 2023. Blending groovy reggae influences with a hard hitting rock style, DZD is here to tell raw, ridiculous, and vulnerable stories while thrilling audiences across the country. As Snail describes the genre-bending quartet, “We are storytellers. And when we tell these stories, there are no click tracks, no vocal processing, and no backing tracks. WE PLAY LIVE!”
After the 3 year hiatus, DZD went to work putting instrumentation and melody behind the lyrics Dale wrote on the inside. Dale also hit up some old friends to be part of the comeback. The result is the current stream of dope-ass singles including “This Time” feat. The Elovaters, “Pathological” feat. Bumpin Uglies, and of course, “Her Melody” feat. HIRIE. In addition, ska-punk-fan-favorite, “Neighbors,” featuring BALLYHOO! was also finally released on the new 12-song LP, “Off The Rip.”
In early 2024 a seismic lineup shift occurred. A new DZD formed, combining some of the original cast of the ZDubs with some new and prolific musicians. Among those players is Tyler “T. Nasty” Vickery (bass and vocals), formerly of Sun-Dried Vibes, and Nekoro “Neko” Williams (bass and vocals), formerly of People’s Blues of Richmond. These two additions, along with OG DZD member and Berklee grad, Pat “Sheen” Shine on lead guitar, have invigorated DZD’s classic sound with renewed energy and spirit. The lineup: a “Snail,” a “Sheen,” a “T. Nasty”, and a “Neko” has manifested a “sauce” (as Mellodose says) on top of the live show that may possibly be too spicy for some.
DZD’s obsession with performing live keeps the wheels on the tour van turning continuously across the country. DZD has recently shared the stage with the likes of Sublime with Rome, Passafire, Andy Frasco, Bumpin Uglies, Little Stranger, Kash’d Out, Long Beach Dub Allstars, and Artikal Sound System. High-energy live shows feature multi-part vocal harmonies, along with thick guitar driven melodies. Sometimes Snail and the Zebras get a little fucken crazy on stage too.
Snail
Gorilla tape enthusiast, exhibitionist, surrealist, and distance crawling world record attempter, Dale aka “Snail” is not the only member of the band who does not engage in monogamy. The Department of Corrections approved his vasectomy in early 2020, right before his departure from Indian Creek Correctional Center.
Neko
Nekoro “Neko” Williams was born and raised in Richmond, VA, where he made a name for himself as the raucous-showman-drummer for the prolific psychedelic-blues-3-piece, People’s Blues of Richmond. Loquacious, charismatic, and extroverted as your most outgoing friend rolling on molly for the first time, the only thing Neko is afraid of is losing his 6-pack.
T. Nasty
You might recognize Tyler aka “T. Nasty” from his previous Charlotte, NC based projects, where he founded and fronted the reggae 3-piece, Lovely Buds, and held down bass, keys, and harmonies for the nationally touring Sun-Dried Vibes. At 16, T. Nasty cursed out his teacher mid-class, dropped out that day, and has been on the road ever since. Apparently, that English teacher didn’t (and still doesn’t) know what skanking is.
Sheen
Somewhere deep in the cut of rural Virginia, Sheen and his wife care for 7 horses, 4 donkeys, 2 alpacas, and more chickens than you can count. Oftentimes, Sheen and his wife can be seen riding their horses together in slow motion. Sometimes you’ll catch Sheen on the back of the horse, sitting behind his wifey as he clutches her waist shouting, “AHHHH SLOW THIS FUCKING BEAST DOWN!!!”
Bobby Dub (mgmt.)
His roots are in Newport News, VA, but he currently resides in Delray Beach, FL. “Bobby Dub” is a sexier, more “bro’d-out,” modern-day version of (the young) Jonathan Taylor Thomas. Bobby quit his restaurant job and dropped out of college in late 2023 to manage the band full time. Bobby Dub’s favorite life mantra is, “Fuck ’em, we ball” …which he actually made up himself. Bobby loves to surf and cook.
