Toxic

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins "Toxic" by John Diva & The Rockets of Love! This track, featured on their debut album Mama Said Rock Is Dead released in February 2019, is a sleazy, high-energy glam metal anthem that perfectly captures the band's mission to revive the spirit of '80s rock. According to a post on their Facebook page from early 2019, the band described the recording process for the album, including "Toxic," as an "exhausting but exciting pregnancy," with sessions split between Germany and Spain. The song itself is a cheeky nod to the over-the-top, hedonistic vibe of the era, with lyrics that playfully warn against indulgence while embracing the chaos of rock 'n' roll excess. In an interview with Metal Temple Magazine, John Diva hinted that tracks like "Toxic" were born from a desire to keep the band's "spirits high" and deliver a "big smile" to fans, blending raw energy with a tongue-in-cheek attitude.

Another tidbit from their Instagram reveals that "Toxic" was part of the band's explosive live set during their 2019 tour, where they shared stages with German rock veterans like Mad Max. Fans on the official JDATROL Diva Lovers Fan Club Facebook group have raved about the song's infectious guitar riffs and sing-along chorus, with one member calling it "the ultimate party starter" at their Wacken Open Air performances. The band’s commitment to fun is evident in a 2019 The Rockpit review, which praised the album’s ability to channel influences like Van Halen and Whitesnake while making tracks like "Toxic" feel fresh and distinctly their own. The song’s production, handled by Michael Voss with creative oversight from Chris von Rohr of Krokus fame, gives it that polished yet gritty edge, perfect for The Zoo Crew’s vinyl-spinning vibe.

John Diva & The Rockets of Love kicked off their journey in 2009, founded by the flamboyant frontman John Diva, whose larger-than-life persona draws heavily from the '80s glam metal scene. According to the band’s bio on their official website, John Diva grew up in San Diego, California, raised by a single mother deeply embedded in the local rock scene. His early exposure to bands like AC/DC, fueled by a diet of "cherry pop tarts and Cheetos," sparked his love for music. A pivotal moment came during high school when he met guitarist J.J. Love, a Tijuana native who introduced him to the Scorpions, shaping his musical direction. After high school, while working at a German restaurant in San Diego, Diva had a chance encounter with Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil. Impressed by a song Diva sang for him, Neil connected him with industry contacts, launching his early career as a songwriter for artists like Jon Bon Jovi.

By the late 2000s, with grunge overshadowing the rock 'n' roll Diva loved, he formed the Rockets of Love with J.J. Love, guitarist Snake Rocket, bassist Remmie Martin, and drummer Lee Stingray Jr. Struggling to break through in the U.S., they shifted focus to Europe, where they built a cult following starting in 2013 with electrifying live shows, including three appearances at Wacken Open Air. Their X account often shares throwbacks to these early gigs, highlighting their over-the-top costumes and hair-metal swagger. Today, they’re a staple in the European glam metal scene, with a dedicated fanbase. Beyond their official Facebook and Instagram, fans connect through the JDATROL Diva Lovers Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can join discussions and share their love for tracks like "Toxic." So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep the glam metal party rolling!