From Creep to Classics: Zombo’s Echo in The Alley
- Moose Nicholson
- Oct 1
- 6 min read
Zombo
The weather apps played coy all week—never promising clear skies, but never flashing the kind of warnings that would call things off either. The morning started calm enough, but by mid-afternoon the signs crept in, and every refresh of the radar told a different story. I gave up and stuck with the one app that agreed with me. It said we were fine, and I decided that was the truth. The regulars seemed to share the same conviction. Around here, a passing storm just means ducking into one of The Alley’s restaurants or bars for a cold Bud Light and a little patience. We’ve started late before, but the show always finds a way.
Zombo came out swinging, rolling through a set list stacked with songs that make you remember why live music is worth the sweat. Shawn Woodward led the charge on guitar and vocals, the hat on his head as much a trademark as the tone of his Les Paul. Steve Ball drove the bass lines with that mix of muscle and melody that makes a band move, while Steve Davis—married to Tasha of Downtown Hydration—anchored the kit. Ian Woodward added the depth on keys, filling in the spaces and stretching the sound wider than the stage itself.
But the real curveball came when John Ball, Michael's eleven-year-old son, slid behind the drums for Jessie’s Girl. I was walking back from down The Alley grabbing some crowd shots when Kenny leaned over and said, “Man, he’s really got feel.” I nodded, assuming he meant Steve Davis—Zombo’s seasoned drummer that we all know. It wasn’t until I turned around that I realized it wasn’t the veteran with decades of experience, but the kid. Eleven years old, and already holding down Rick Springfield like it was nothing.
That was the kind of night it was. The set list carried everything from John Mellencamp’s Pink Houses to Def Leppard’s Hysteria, from Summer of ’69 to Mary Jane’s Last Dance. They pulled in classics, but played them with a freshness that comes from the years of history between Shawn and Steve Davis, who’ve been playing together off and on since their Anybody’s Guess days. And now, with keys in the mix, the songs don’t just fill The Alley—they hit harder, brighter, with the kind of punch that sets up moments you don’t see coming.
Which is exactly what happened when Ian Woodward took his moment on Creep. It’s one of
the most unforgiving songs in the modern rock canon, the kind of track most bands should steer clear of because it exposes every weakness. Ian went straight at it. When the chorus climbed into the stratosphere, his voice met Shawn’s and locked into harmonies so sharp and powerful they turned a song most people expect to hear butchered into one of the best versions I’ve ever heard. The release was instant: the band firing on all cylinders, the audience erupting with a force that matched the crescendo itself.
The energy didn’t stop when the amps powered down—it carried straight into the comments that started stacking up online. “They were awesome!” wrote Belinda Brown-Byars, capturing the simplest truth of the night. Karen Bunney called it “such an awesome show,” noting how special it was to see not just one, but two pairs of fathers and sons sharing the stage together. Christine Willard tied the performance to the setting itself: “Hope to see them again. Love the atmosphere of The Alley.” Tony Montenes chimed in with, “Great music y’all!!!!!!” Laurie Neely added her own stamp with, “Totally enjoyed them”—short, sure, but proof that the show left enough of an impression to make her speak up. And Becca O’Hurley laughed at her own photos, pointing out that the evidence showed she was enjoying herself even more than she realized in the moment.
I’ve seen Zombo enough times to know they always deliver, but this night left me reflecting on something I hadn’t caught before. What stood out wasn’t just the tight playing or the set list stacked with classics—it was watching generations overlap on stage. Ian has become a fixture in the band, trading harmonies with his father and giving the songs a reach they wouldn’t have otherwise. John isn’t there every night, but when he climbed behind the drums, he showed he already has the feel to carry the music forward. That kind of passing down isn’t limited to the band—it’s the same way downtown grows, with businesses, sponsors, and neighbors handing forward what they’ve built so the next layer can take shape. It makes me as proud of our city as I imagine Michael and Shawn are of their boys. Zombo reminded us that talent isn’t learned, it’s lived, and when it’s shared, it keeps both the music and the city alive.
The Alley
Finding the Root Cause with Downtown Hydration
Fatigue, brain fog, weight stalls, even hair thinning—most of us treat these things with guesswork. A new vitamin here, a supplement there. But Downtown Hydration reminds us that real solutions start with testing, not trial and error.
Low B-12 or Vitamin D can mimic depression. Hormonal changes can disguise themselves as sleep issues. Metabolic shifts can make a healthy lifestyle feel like it isn’t working at all. The science is clear: if you don’t know your root cause, you’re only managing symptoms.
That’s why Downtown Hydration has become such a cornerstone in our community. They give people access to the kind of answers that change lives—without months of waiting or red tape. It’s wellness grounded in precision, built for people who want their energy, balance, and confidence back.
Sundays Belong to Electric Eats
Electric Eats decided Sundays shouldn’t be quiet—they should be fun. That’s why they turned what could be a sleepy afternoon into a full-day Happy Hour that runs from noon to eight.
The deals are worth talking about: a dollar off drafts and house liquor, fifty cents off bottles and cans, wings for a buck each, and half-off apps when you double up. Throw in beer buckets, margarita pitchers, and football on the screens, and suddenly Sunday feels like the best day of the week.
For downtown, it means one more place where friends can gather, wind down, and still feel like the weekend has something left to give. Electric Eats makes sure of it.
The Bud Light Stage
Reft Equipment — Power When You Need It
A year out from Hurricane Helene, it’s hard not to remember the outages and the scramble to stay connected. Power failures don’t just darken a room—they disrupt everything.
That’s why Reft Equipment has stocked up on generators ranging from 3,600 watts to over 11,000, in brands people trust: Powerhorse, Westinghouse, and Briggs & Stratton. Whether it’s to keep a family safe, a business open, or a community event running, having power in reserve changes everything.
Reft’s approach is simple: be prepared before the storm. Around here, that kind of foresight isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Rhumba Rum & Cigar Lounge — A New Kind of Wednesday
Rhumba has always been about turning ordinary nights into occasions, and their new “Girl Dinner” menu proves it. Every Wednesday, they’re offering grilled salmon topped with pineapple pico, cilantro rice, and a fresh side salad—paired with a glass of red, white, or cava.
Add in live music starting at 6:30, and suddenly a Wednesday night feels more like a holiday. It’s stylish without being stuffy, approachable but still elegant. Exactly the balance that makes Rhumba one of downtown’s most distinct gathering spots.
📍 Rhumba, 321 Richland Ave W
📞 803.226.0014 | 📧 rhumbaaiken@gmail.com
Tomorrow: Whiskey Run
Last year, Whiskey Run stepped in at the eleventh hour and turned a canceled night into one of the wildest, most unforgettable shows of the season. They ripped through everything from Bon Jovi to Daft Punk, country hits to pop anthems, proving why they’re one of the most sought-after bands in the area.
This Thursday, they’re back on the Bud Light Stage—and if history is any guide, we’re in for another powerhouse set that’ll have the whole Alley singing along.
Don’t miss it.
Thanks for the video Moose !