Since they started, the Zatopeks have played shows all across Europe, including the UK, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and Italy. Along the way they have played with such bands as the Groovie Ghoulies, Tuuli, the Spazzys, the Turbo AC’s, The Apers, Roger Miret and The Disasters, The Real McKenzies, the Backwood Creatures, the Sonic Dolls, the Peawees, and the Foamers.
The first Zatopeks release came out in 2003 on New York based label Whoa Oh Records. It was a split CD with four different bands from across Europe contributing four songs each. That release gave the band some good publicity, and they followed it up in 2004 with a split 7” with the 20belows from Denmark on Sebby’s label All-Nite Records. This is a limited edition 7” on white vinyl with artwork by Dutch graphic designer Stefan Tijs, who also runs Stardumb Records.
The band have also been featured on compilations released by Stardumb Records (NL), Punktastic Recordings (UK) and AMP Magazine (US). They are also being included on a compilation being organised by Interpunk for a release in 2005.
The first Zatopeks full-length album was released in March 2005 on Stardumb Records. It was recorded at Excess Studios in Rotterdam by Dennis Leidelmeyer, and mastered by V. Koremans of Dutch pop-punk band the Travoltas. It has been very well received, and was supported by a European tour in the summer of 2005.
2006 sees a Dutch tour in May, followed by a UK tour for the first time. There are also 2 7" releases planned on It's Alive Records (USA).
Quality Footwear
Zatopeks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said goodbye to that women, she said 'You'll sink boy, you ain't gonna swim'
Well that's a nice pair of shoes but would they walk you all the way to Berlin?
Got a girl down in Rotterdam, damn rotten to the core
I'm gonna walk my way out, lord, I won't be coming back there no more
Man, I nearly went crazy for them girls down in gay Paris
Yeah, I thought I could charm them with 'Je t'adore, ma cherie'
I got one hand in my pocket, the other on the waitress' knee
Said goodbye to my woman, 'You'll sink boy, you ain't gonna swim'
Said goodbye to that woman, 'You'll sink boy, you ain't gonna swim'
Well this is quality footwear, and it walked me all the way to Berlin
The opening lines of the song "Quality Footwear" by Zatopeks describe the singer bidding farewell to a woman who has warned him about his future prospects. The repetition of the phrase "Said goodbye to my woman, 'You'll sink boy, you ain't gonna swim'" reinforces the sense of finality and resignation. The next verse introduces a new character, a woman from Rotterdam who is described as "damn rotten to the core". The singer decides to leave her behind, declaring that he will not be coming back. This pattern of seeking and discarding women in different cities continues in the final verse, with a reference to a failed attempt to impress women in Paris.
Line by Line Meaning
Said goodbye to my woman, 'You'll sink boy, you ain't gonna swim'
He parted ways with his woman who told him he won't be successful.
Well that's a nice pair of shoes but would they walk you all the way to Berlin?
A pair of shoes may look good, but are they reliable for long distance?
Got a girl down in Rotterdam, damn rotten to the core
He has a girl in Rotterdam who is wicked and immoral.
I'm gonna walk my way out, lord, I won't be coming back there no more
He's determined to leave the place, and never return again.
Man, I nearly went crazy for them girls down in gay Paris
He almost lost his sense over the girls he encountered in Paris.
Yeah, I thought I could charm them with 'Je t'adore, ma cherie'
He believed that he could charm the girls with romantic French words.
I got one hand in my pocket, the other on the waitress' knee
He has his hand in his pocket while flirting with a waitress by touching her knee.
Said goodbye to my woman, 'You'll sink boy, you ain't gonna swim'
He again says goodbye to his woman who discouraged him from success.
Well this is quality footwear, and it walked me all the way to Berlin
The shoes he's wearing are of good quality that took him to Berlin without any issues.
Contributed by Gabriel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.