ZEBRA's RANDY JACKSON Says Second TRUMP Presidency Has Been 'A Nightmare': 'I'm Voting Blue, Straight Up And Down', In The Midterm Election

During an appearance on the October 25 episode of "The Card King Sports And Variety Show", which airs on the ABC news affiliate KMET 1490 AM, ZEBRA guitarist/vocalist Randy Jackson was asked what has kept the band's original lineup — consisting of Jackson, bassist/keyboardist Felix Hanemann and drummer Guy Gelso — collaborating so well for five decades. The 71-year-old musician said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, we get along. We're like family at this point. We played for eight years beating around the clubs before we ever got a record deal, and I think that, developing a fanbase that was that close to us, really has helped. We've got a lot of loyal fans who've kept coming to see the band no matter what, and just kept us going. We love playing, we love performing on stage, and we just have a good time. We don't try to take it too seriously, and the fans love it. And you kind of get to hang out with them. So, they can call up songs, because we're a three-piece band, just call up a song and, and we'll switch in the middle of a set, change the setlist. We're pretty spontaneous, and our personalities, as far as our political views, they're pretty much the same, the three of us. And those things go a long way to keeping the thing together. And I would just say at this point, we're just family, and that's just keeping it together. And I don't see any end in sight, unless somebody gets sick. And knock on wood, we've been so fortunate that we're all three still here."

Asked for his opinion of the today's divisive political climate, Jackson — who was born and raised in New Orleans before moving, along with his ZEBRA bandmates, to Long Island, New York, in 1977 — said: "It's horrible that it's become what it is, and for some people it's almost become religious. And I just think, in the midterms, I can tell you I'm voting blue, straight up and down. I just think that there's too much craziness going on, especially at the highest levels in the government. And that's my take on it."

Randy continued: "You lose half your fans when you start talking politics. But I think there's a lot of people that have kind of changed their minds about the White House and the cabinet, the way they're operating. And we can make a change in November, and make some big changes, hopefully, because it just seems like [U.S. president Donald] Trump has been just running the country roughshod since he's been in office this time."

Asked if he thinks it's possible that Democrats can flip both chambers of Congress in November, Randy said: "I think anything's possible. I mean, we've seen polls in the past that were just so wrong, though. It could go either way. So, I'm not counting on anything. That's why I'm getting out, and I'm gonna vote. Matter of fact, I think I'm gonna vote right after we get off the phone here. This is the first day at the polls in New York. Yeah, I think it is possible to take both [chambers of Congress], and I think at this point it's really important. I can't even imagine what's gonna happen in the next two years after all the promises that Trump made to his followers and didn't come through. I mean, the whole thing, the Iran war, just everything is just... It's so different than anything I figured I'd see in my lifetime. Coddling [Russian president Vladimir] Putin and rejecting Ukraine. I'm scratching my head over the whole thing. For me, it's like a nightmare. But I keep an eye on it every day, and we move on and we vote. And so I urge everybody, regardless of what you think, just go out there and vote. Let's try to get this to be the biggest election, biggest turnout of people to vote in history. I think that could happen, 'cause I think it's that important, and people are so aware of it. For a midterm election, I think there might have been more money spent on this election than any other election in history. I'm curious to see what's going on, 'cause the [political] commercials are just they... They're endless, here in New York anyway."

ZEBRA's highly anticipated fifth studio album, "Zebra V", will arrive on November 13, marking the band's first new studio album in more than two decades.

ZEBRA's new album, which was recorded at Jackson and Gelso's home studios, was partially helmed by producer Jack Douglas, who previously produced the band's 1983 self-titled debut and 1984 sophomore effort, "No Tellin' Lies".

The LP's lead single, "Walk With You", was co-written by Jackson and KISS's Paul Stanley.

ZEBRA will be touring in support of "Zebra V", with dates already on sale and more to be announced in the future.

ZEBRA holds the distinction of being the longest-running American rock band still touring with all original members. The trio of musicians have performed together every year for 51 consecutive years since the band's inception in 1975.