Apeman

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious grooves of Apeman by The Kinks, a standout track from their 1970 concept album Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its quirky, satirical edge. One juicy piece of trivia about Apeman is its lyrical controversy. The line “the air pollution is a-foggin’ up my eyes” caused a stir because some radio stations thought “a-foggin’” sounded suspiciously like a certain f-word. To appease the censors, Ray Davies, the band’s frontman, flew from New York to London to re-record the vocal, ensuring a clearer “a-foggin’” for the single release, delaying its U.S. rollout. This tale of transatlantic trouble underscores the band’s knack for pushing boundaries, even unintentionally.

Another fascinating tidbit ties Apeman to its cultural impact. The song’s playful reggae-inflected sound and its yearning for a simpler, primal life resonated beyond the album, landing in films like Mondovino (2004) and Club Paradise (1986). Its music video, featuring keyboardist John Gosling in a full ape costume, added to its whimsical charm, with Gosling’s ape antics filmed just a day before The Kinks performed the song on Top of the Pops in November 1970. Fans on platforms like Discogs rave about the track’s punchy mono mix, suggesting that cranking it with a mono button reveals its raw energy, a tip the Zoo Crew might share with their listeners.

Apeman also showcases The Kinks’ experimental streak. An alternate version, accidentally released on a Danish pressing, offers a harder-rocking take with Dave Davies’ enthusiastic guitar work, while a zydeco-flavored unplugged rendition highlights their versatility. Ray Davies himself has reflected on the song’s themes, noting in a 2020 interview that it captures a universal desire to escape modern life’s chaos, a sentiment that still hits home for Zoo Freaks grooving to its rhythm. The song peaked at number five in the UK and Germany, cementing its status as a beloved Kinks classic alongside the album’s other hit, Lola.

The Kinks, formed in Muswell Hill, North London, in 1963, began as a raw, rebellious act rooted in the British Invasion. Brothers Ray and Dave Davies, alongside drummer Mick Avory and bassist Pete Quaife, started playing skiffle and R&B covers in local pubs, with their early name, The Ravens, reflecting their gritty origins. Ray’s songwriting quickly set them apart, blending sharp social commentary with catchy melodies. Their 1964 breakthrough, You Really Got Me, with its iconic distorted guitar riff, became a proto-punk anthem and launched them to stardom. Despite a four-year U.S. touring ban from 1965 to 1969 due to a clash with the American Federation of Musicians, The Kinks honed their craft, evolving into a band known for concept albums and satirical wit, as seen in Lola Versus Powerman.

Ray Davies, the creative force behind Apeman, drew from personal experiences and London’s vibrant scene, including Soho’s nightlife, which inspired the album’s themes. The addition of keyboardist John Gosling in 1970, just before Lola Versus Powerman, expanded their sound, with his contributions shining on tracks like Apeman. The Kinks’ resilience through lawsuits, management woes, and industry pressures shaped their satirical edge, making them a voice for the underdog. Their influence endures, with fans on Reddit and Facebook groups like The Kinks Fan Club celebrating their legacy.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, The Kinks’ official website offers news, merch, and a discography dive. Connect with the band on Facebook, where they boast 1.3 million likes, or follow their Instagram for rare photos and updates (57.4k followers). On X, their posts, like one celebrating Apeman’s Top of the Pops performance, keep the vibe alive. Fan hubs like Kinks.info and the Kinks Fan Club on Facebook provide spaces for devotees to share stories, vinyl finds, and concert memories, keeping the spirit of The Kinks’ music roaring for the Zoo Crew and beyond.