Long Stick Goes Boom

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as the Zoo Crew spins "Long Stick Goes Boom" by Krokus from their 1982 album One Vice at a Time! This hard rock anthem is a fist-pumping, headbanging classic that’s been a fan favorite for decades. One juicy tidbit about the song comes from bassist Chris von Rohr, who once said, "The first chords of this track are so powerful and bombastic that every time we played it, it felt like our guts were hitting the stage!" That raw energy is no accident—producer Tony Platt, who worked with AC/DC on albums like Highway to Hell, shaped the song’s massive, gritty sound. Fans on Swiss music forums have noted its AC/DC-inspired rhythm, with one calling it "a rock sledgehammer that could’ve been written by Angus Young himself!"

Another cool story about "Long Stick Goes Boom" is its live performance legacy. At a 2013 hometown gig in Solothurn, Switzerland, Krokus opened with the song, weaving in bits of The Who’s "Pinball Wizard" for a wild crowd-pleaser, as noted in a review by Eclipsed Rock Magazin. The track’s cheeky lyrics and driving beat made it a staple in their setlists, and it even found a spot in pop culture, blasting through the fictional V-Rock radio station in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. On Reddit’s hair metal community, fans reminisce about seeing Krokus perform it in ’82, with one user recalling how the band outshined headliners Cheap Trick at a show in Omaha.

Krokus kicked off their journey in Solothurn, Switzerland, in 1975, founded by bassist Chris von Rohr and guitarist Tommy Kiefer. Starting as a progressive rock outfit, they quickly leaned into hard rock, drawing inspiration from bands like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. Their early days were gritty, playing local gigs and building a cult following with their raw energy. The band’s big break came when vocalist Marc Storace joined in 1980 for the album Metal Rendez-vous, which skyrocketed them to international fame, especially in Europe and North America. By the time One Vice at a Time dropped in 1982, featuring new guitarist Mark Kohler, Krokus had honed their sound into a polished yet rebellious hard rock force, touring with heavyweights like Rush and Motörhead.

Want to dive deeper into the Krokus world? Check out their official website at krokusonline.com for tour dates and merch. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots and updates. Their X account is a great spot for real-time fan chatter and band news. For Zoo Freaks looking to connect with fellow fans, join the Krokus Fan Club on Facebook, a lively group sharing memories and rare photos. You can also explore fan-driven content at sites like Metal Archives, where diehards catalog every detail of the band’s discography.