Uncle Ned

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Uncle Ned" by Point Blank from their 1977 album Second Season, and the Zoo Freaks are totally digging it. This track is a high-energy rock 'n' roll anthem, packed with the raw, bluesy edge that defines Point Blank’s southern rock roots. According to a 2002 review by John Molet on Rtjwebzine, "Uncle Ned" is a standout for its infectious rhythm and gritty guitar riffs, capturing the band’s live-wire energy that made them a killer act in the '70s. Fans on YouTube have echoed this, with one commenter noting how the song’s driving beat “feels like a road trip through the Texas plains.” Though no direct interviews about "Uncle Ned" surface, the band’s frontman Rusty Burns once shared in a Rtjwebzine piece that Second Season was recorded with “fire and emotion,” aiming to bottle their live show’s intensity, which "Uncle Ned" nails perfectly.

Not much trivia exists specifically for "Uncle Ned," but the album Second Season is often hailed as Point Blank’s masterpiece by southern rock diehards. A post on the Southern Rock Fans Facebook group called it “the pinnacle of their discography,” with "Uncle Ned" frequently cited for its raw, unpolished vibe. The song clocks in at 3:49, as noted on Apple Music, making it a tight, no-nonsense rocker that fits right into the Zoo Crew’s eclectic playlist. Some fans speculate the song’s title might be a nod to a quirky character or inside joke from the band’s Texas roots, but without concrete quotes from the band, it remains a fun mystery for Zoo Freaks to ponder while they groove to the track.

Point Blank kicked off their journey in 1974 in Irving, Texas, when guitarist Rusty Burns, fresh from working as a guitar tech for ZZ Top, decided to form his own band. As detailed on Wikipedia, Burns teamed up with Kim Davis (guitar), John O’Daniel (vocals), Phillip Petty (bass), and Buzzy Gruen (drums), creating a lineup that blended southern rock, boogie, and blues. Managed by Bill Ham’s Lone Wolf Productions, the same crew behind ZZ Top, they quickly built a rep as a ferocious live act, opening for heavyweights like Bob Seger and Aerosmith. Their debut album in 1976, recorded in Memphis with producer Terry Manning, set the stage for their gritty sound, which evolved into the hard rock leanings of Second Season by 1977. Though they never hit the mainstream big time, their 1981 single “Nicole” climbed to #20 on Billboard’s Rock Tracks, proving their staying power before they disbanded in 1983.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, Point Blank’s official presence is sparse but alive. Check out their official website at pointblankmusic.com for updates, though it’s more focused on their modern incarnation. Their Facebook page keeps the southern rock spirit burning with posts about gigs and throwback pics. On Instagram, they share snippets of live shows and fan love, while their X account is quieter but still active with occasional retweets from fans. For community vibes, the Southern Rock Fans Facebook group is a hotspot where Point Blank devotees swap stories and rare vinyl finds. There’s also a fan-run site, southernrockbands.com, with a dedicated Point Blank section for discographies and history, perfect for any Zoo Freak looking to geek out over "Uncle Ned" and beyond.