School’s Out / Another Brick in the Wall

The Zoo Crew is spinning the rebellious anthem "School’s Out / Another Brick in the Wall" by The Hollywood Vampires from their self-titled debut album, and the Zoo Freaks are surely loving this star-studded track. This song is a mashup of Alice Cooper’s 1972 classic "School’s Out" and Pink Floyd’s 1979 hit "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2," combining two iconic anthems of youthful defiance. The track features a powerhouse lineup, with vocals from Alice Cooper and Brian Johnson of AC/DC, guitars by Slash, Joe Perry, Johnny Depp, Tommy Henriksen, and Bruce Witkin, drums by Neal Smith, bass by Dennis Dunaway, and background vocals by Kip Winger and Bob Ezrin. According to a post on the fan site Fridays With Alice, Alice Cooper has long celebrated the end of the school year as one of life’s greatest joys, alongside Christmas morning, which inspired the inclusion of "School’s Out" in this tribute to rock’s fallen heroes. The song’s recording was a celebratory affair, with the artists reportedly having a blast merging these anthems, though some critics, like a reviewer on hitparade.ch, felt the "Another Brick in the Wall" segment seemed slightly forced.

One juicy piece of trivia comes from the album’s context: The Hollywood Vampires project was born out of a desire to honor rock stars who died from excess in the 1970s, tying back to the original Hollywood Vampires, a drinking club led by Alice Cooper that included legends like Keith Moon and Harry Nilsson. The song’s recording was a reunion of sorts, as original Alice Cooper band members Neal Smith and Dennis Dunaway returned to play drums and bass, respectively, marking a rare collaboration since their split in 1974. A quote from Alice Cooper eChive highlights the fun atmosphere: the album was like a “hermetically sealed dome of fun,” with no intention to merely copy the originals but to infuse them with a sleazy, humorous vibe. Social media buzz on The Hollywood Vampires’ Facebook page at the time of release hyped the track as a “party hard rock” anthem, with fans on the Fridays With Alice Facebook group praising its nostalgic energy and star power.

The Hollywood Vampires started as a passion project in 2012, spearheaded by Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, and later Joe Perry of Aerosmith. The band’s name comes from the 1970s celebrity drinking club founded by Cooper, which was notorious for epic nights at places like the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Los Angeles, where members had to outdrink each other to join. As Cooper shared in a documentary, *Prime Cuts*, the club was a haven for rock’s wildest characters. The band formed to pay tribute to those lost to the era’s excesses, like Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix, by covering their songs. Johnny Depp, a longtime friend of Cooper and a skilled guitarist, was a driving force, with the project evolving from a one-off album into a full-fledged band after their 2015 debut. Joe Perry joined as a core member for live performances, solidifying the trio. Their first album, released on September 11, 2015, via Republic Records, featured guest stars like Paul McCartney and Dave Grohl, and was produced by Bob Ezrin, a longtime Cooper collaborator.

The band’s mission, as stated on their official website, is to celebrate their “dead, drunk friends” through riotous performances, which have included sold-out shows at venues like the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Fans can follow their updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where they share tour news and behind-the-scenes glimpses. For deeper dives, fan sites like Alice Cooper eChive offer extensive archives of the band’s history, while the Fridays With Alice Facebook group is a lively community where Zoo Freaks can connect with other devotees. The group’s second album, *Rise* (2019), and their live album, *Live in Rio* (2023), show their commitment to keeping the spirit of classic rock alive, making them a perfect fit for the Zoo Crew’s vinyl-spinning vibe.