Bad Thing

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Bad Thing" by Cry of Love from their debut album Brother, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its raw, bluesy swagger. This track, a standout from the 1993 album, hit No. 60 on the UK Singles Chart and captures the band’s unpolished, classic rock grit. According to a review on Martin Leedham’s blog, "Bad Thing" channels the spirit of Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd, with its radio-friendly hard rock edge. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted its similarity to Grand Funk’s "Some Kind of Wonderful" mixed with Bad Company’s vibe, calling it derivative yet undeniably catchy. Though no direct interviews or social media posts from the band specifically about "Bad Thing" have surfaced recently, the song’s infectious riff, penned by guitarist Audley Freed, and Kelly Holland’s soulful vocals make it a staple for fans of Southern rock revival.

Cry of Love formed in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1989, a time when grunge was king, but these guys were all about resurrecting the sounds of the ’70s. As detailed on Wikipedia, the band—frontman Kelly Holland, guitarist Audley Freed, bassist Robert Kearns, and drummer Jason Patterson—came together with a shared love for Free, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. They honed their craft in Southern clubs for a couple of years before landing a deal with Columbia Records. Their debut album Brother, produced by John Custer at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, dropped in 1993 and sold over 200,000 copies, driven by hits like "Peace Pipe" and "Bad Thing." Despite their success, Holland left after the grueling 1993–94 tour, unable to handle the road’s demands, and the band later recruited Robert Mason before splitting after their 1997 album Diamonds & Debris.

For those wanting to dive deeper, Cry of Love doesn’t have an active official website, but their music lives on through platforms like Apple Music. The band’s social media presence is sparse, with no verified Facebook, Instagram, or X accounts currently active under their name. However, fans keep the flame alive on Facebook groups like Cry of Love Fan Community, where Zoo Freaks and others share memories, rare tracks, and concert stories. No dedicated fan websites seem to be active, but the band’s legacy endures through reviews and retrospectives on sites like AllMusic, which praises their authentic nod to classic rock’s golden era.