“I picked it because it’s a word you see all over the place, when you drive around the city – there’s this service and that service, plumbing, painting, electrical… our theme was that we are going to provide you a service of music.” – Gary Zasuwa, guitarist of Service
Before the band hit the stage formally as Service, brothers Gary and Lou Zasuwa started working out songs and playing in a dance studio on Detroit’s west side. Once the Bookie’s scene developed, Service found a stage to play was able to release some music rather quickly thanks to connections to Cinecyde and Gary Reichel’s Tremor Records label. The band was featured on the compilations “Deface the 80s” (1980) & “Mandatory Music” (1982) as well as a self-titled 7-inch single “Time Release” b/w “Don’t Be Sad” (1980) on Tremor Records.
From a sound standpoint, Zasuwa said he bought a Rickenbacker 620, the type of guitar played by Tom Petty at the time. He remembers the sound of the band being influenced by a mix of sounds including punk and power pop as well as reggae. During the Bookie’s era, Service often played shows with Cinecyde, The 27, and various other bands connected to Tremor Records as well as the various Tremor revue shows.
Service reformed in 2017 featuring all original members except keyboardist Dan Gostomski, who had passed away. Service has been sharing the stage around Detroit with friendly bands from the Bookie’s era such as Cinecyde at venues such as the Outer Limits Lounge, PJ’s Lager House, and The Old Miami.
More information about Service is available at gzasuwa.com/service.html
Service can also be found at facebook.com/service1980/
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