NFV Song Spotlight: John Errol's Unbelievable

Heading to Zebulon for a Super Bowl after party has become my three year tradition: a time to see singers again for who-knows-how-many-times-this-particular-night makes it. In 2023, Ryan Pollie played the after party. I first came across Ryan Pollie in 2017 via a band called Los Angeles Police Department. In 2024, it was Sally Spitz. I first came across Sally Spitz in 2016 via a band called French Vanilla. Come 2025, it was Mercedes Kilmer playing the after party. I first came across her in 2023. Now this blog post isn't focused on Mercedes Kilmer. If interested, you can read my recent review of her set at El Cid with Gold Star here.

John Errol at Zebulon

Instead, this post is focused on John Errol who opened up the night. I missed about half a song. My Super Bowl travels were just a couple minutes too long. My Super Bowl viewing was rather unique. My friend was having a birthday party and she booked a party bus. We picked up the bus in Woodland Hills and then travelled out to Zuma Beach. The only issue with that destination was that our Super Bowl watching was interrupted while traveling through a canyon pass. We ended up missing the Eagles pick-six. It was nice watching the Super Bowl next to the Pacific Ocean. Since the game was basically over by the start of the fourth quarter, we had the party bus driver head back to Woodland Hills and then off I went to go home, grab my camera, and head over to Zebulon. 

John Errol at Zebulon

The set was dedicated to showcasing songs that will be on an upcoming album. (In fact, Mercedes Kilmer's set was also dedicated to songs that she was recording for her debut album.) His vocals were heartfelt. When not playing the guitar, his hands were conveying the emotions contained in those lyrics. I loved how the stage was set up. The drummer was up front on stage left. The lead guitarist was stage right. The bassist was in the back, taking the spot generally assigned to the drummer. 

John Errol at Zebulon

Moment of the set had to be at the start of the song "Loser." It had to be one of the worst openings I'd heard from the Zebulon stage. The tuning was just horrid. Errol gave a big grimace and did the hand across the throat motion. He looked over at his guitarist and asked, "We're good?" His guitarist responded, "Oh, for f*ck's sake." Classic.

Comment of the set. When announcing that he had only one more song left, someone yelled out, "Yeah." The response, "I took that yeah as a, 'Thank God, it's over.'" 

John Errol at Zebulon

The song "Unbelievable" was not part of the set, but it is released so I just want to highlight it. It has a tinge of Tears for Fears to it. I interpret the lyrics as someone wanting to live a life that isn't his, someone living a fraud of a life. 

'Cause I lied my age, I stole my name
My head keeps spinning
And I can't seem to stop
A million lies, I can't rewind

Setlist: Float, Simon Says, Allison, Shifting Sands, Loser, Like It.