Last Cigarette

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Last Cigarette" by Dramarama from their 1989 album Stuck in Wonderamaland, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this college rock anthem. One juicy piece of trivia comes from the song’s recording: frontman John Easdale arrived at the studio with enough material for nearly three albums, but their label, Chameleon Records, insisted on a standard-length release. This led to the creation of a pseudonymous album under the name The Bent Backed Tulips, which included outtakes from the Wonderamaland sessions, released years later in 1994 on Eggbert Records. Fans still hunt for the limited 20-track CD called Looking Through..., which captures the band’s raw energy from that era.

Another cool tidbit about "Last Cigarette" is its dedication to Willie "Loco" Alexander, as noted in the liner notes of the Stuck in Wonderamaland vinyl release. The song’s driving rhythm and gritty lyrics, peaking at #13 on the US Modern Rock chart, made it a standout in the late '80s, a time when the music scene was shifting toward grunge. A special live version was recorded for a 500-pressing vinyl album, Anything Anything with Rich Russo, where the band swapped the lyric "Johnny Carson" for "Rich Russo" as a nod to the free-form DJ. This version is a collector’s gem for diehard fans.

Dramarama formed in 1982 in the basement of Looney Tunez Records, a record store in Wayne, New Jersey, owned by founding member Chris Carter. Initially a trio with John Easdale on vocals, Mark Englert (aka Mr. E Boy) on guitar, and Carter on bass, they later added Peter Wood on guitar and Ron Machuga on drums. The band’s early days were steeped in the North Jersey music scene, playing alongside acts like The Smithereens at venues like The Stone Pony. Their first single, "You Drive Me," released in 1982, caught some national attention, but it was their 1985 album Cinéma Vérité on France’s New Rose Records that put them on the map, thanks to airplay from KROQ’s Rodney Bingenheimer, who initially thought they were a French band.

The band’s big break came when Bingenheimer’s spins of "Anything, Anything (I’ll Give You)" on KROQ prompted a move to Los Angeles, where they became darlings of the alternative scene. Despite critical praise, Dramarama struggled with mainstream success, often caught between the raw edge of grunge and the polished pop of the MTV era. They disbanded in 1994 but reunited in 2003 after a VH1 Bands Reunited appearance, fueled by renewed fan interest and a massive KROQ Inland Invasion festival performance attended by over 78,000 people. Since then, they’ve remained active, releasing Everybody Dies in 2005 and playing shows across the US.

You can keep up with Dramarama on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather on the Dramarama Fan Group on Facebook, a lively spot for Zoo Freaks and others to share memories, rare tracks, and concert updates. While there aren’t many dedicated fan websites, the band’s cult following thrives in these online spaces, keeping the spirit of their music alive.