Pin Cushion

The Zoo Crew is spinning the gritty blues-rock track "Pincushion" by ZZ Top from their 1994 album Antenna, a song that perfectly captures the band’s raw energy and sly humor. This track, which hit number one on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart for four weeks, marked a return to the band’s roots after their synth-heavy '80s era. According to a 1994 interview with Billy Gibbons, the band deliberately wrote "Pincushion" as a three-piece, stripping away the synthesizers used in hits like "Legs" to focus on a grittier, guitar-driven sound. The song’s lyrics, packed with cheeky double entendres, reflect ZZ Top’s signature playful style, with lines like “I’m a pincushion, gotta face the facts.” Fun fact: the recording sessions for Antenna, including "Pincushion," took place at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, a location chosen to channel a raw, Southern vibe. Fans on ZZ Top’s official Facebook page have shared stories of hearing "Pincushion" live during the 1994 Antenna World Tour, describing the song’s infectious groove as a highlight of the band’s high-energy performances.

Another piece of trivia comes from a 2019 post on ZZ Top’s X account, where the band celebrated the 25th anniversary of Antenna, calling "Pincushion" a track that “shook our soul and stole our dough.” The song’s music video, though less iconic than their '80s MTV staples, featured the band’s classic car imagery and bearded swagger, a nod to their enduring Texas aesthetic. In a 1995 Kerrang! interview, bassist Dusty Hill noted that "Pincushion" set the tone for the album’s direction after they struck upon the raw energy of another track, "Cover Your Rig," during early sessions. Fans on the ZZ Top Fans Facebook group often cite "Pincushion" as an underrated gem, praising its thunderous bass lines and Billy Gibbons’ biting guitar riffs. The song’s unpolished edge, compared to their glossier '80s hits, resonated with longtime Zoo Freaks who loved ZZ Top’s earlier bluesy albums like Tres Hombres.

ZZ Top got their start in Houston, Texas, in 1969, when guitarist-vocalist Billy Gibbons, fresh from the breakup of his psychedelic band Moving Sidewalks, teamed up with drummer Frank Beard and bassist-vocalist Dusty Hill. Gibbons’ love for blues, inspired by legends like B.B. King, drove the band’s early sound, while Hill and Beard’s tight rhythm section gave it a boogie-rock punch. They signed with London Records in 1970 and released ZZ Top’s First Album in 1971, a raw debut that laid the groundwork for their gritty style. By 1973, their breakthrough album Tres Hombres, featuring the hit "La Grange," made them stars, blending Texas blues with catchy hooks. The band’s sly humor, wild live shows, and eventual bearded, sunglassed image cemented their legend status. Their 1983 album Eliminator, with MTV-friendly hits like "Sharp Dressed Man," propelled them to global fame, but they never strayed far from their blues roots, as evidenced by tracks like "Pincushion."

For more on ZZ Top, check out their official website for tour dates, merch, and news. Follow them on Facebook, where they have over 5 million likes and share updates about performances and releases like their 2019 documentary That Little Ol’ Band From Texas. Their Instagram offers behind-the-scenes photos and vintage shots, while their X account posts about milestones and new projects, like their Tres Hombres bourbon whiskey. Fans can connect on the ZZ Top Fans Facebook group, a lively community sharing concert memories and rare photos. Another fan hub, ZZ Top’s official fan club, offers exclusive content and early ticket access for Zoo Freaks eager to keep the boogie going.