Zones (band)

Zones were a Scottish power pop and new wave band founded in late 1977,^[1] following the demise of PVC2 (formerly the bubbleglam and soft rock band Slik).

Career

PVC2 consisted of Midge Ure (future Ultravox frontman) on guitar and vocals, Russell Webb on bass, Billy McIsaac on keyboards and Kenny Hyslop on drums. In late 1977, Ure left PVC2 to join Rich Kids with Glen Matlock. Then, Webb, Hyslop and McIsaac called in Alex Harvey's cousin Willie Gardner to replace Ure on guitar and vocals, and Zones was formed.

In February 1978, Zones released a single "Stuck with You",^[2] which attracted the attention of BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, leading to the band recording a session for his show.^[3] It also drew the attention of Arista Records, who signed them and would release the rest of their discography.

Their next single, "Sign of the Times", released in July.^[4] Zones also toured with Magazine and recorded a further session for John Peel.^[5] On 1 June 1979, Zones released Under Influence,^[6][7][8] an album of post-punk power pop.

Shortly afterwards, they released a 7" single called "Mourning Star",^[9][8] whose eponymous song (a shorter version of the album song) was backed with "Under Influence" (which did not appear on the album, despite the name being the same). They also had a song that was featured in the movie That Summer! entitled "New Life." Shortly afterwards, the band decided to split up, as the album did not reach expectations.

Gardner joined Endgames, with Simple Minds' original drummer Brian McGee. McIsaac and Hyslop continued with a project called Science, a band considered as a continuation of Zones, but only McIsaac was the supposedly remaining member.^[10][11] Webb and Hyslop joined Skids.

In 1990, McIsaac moved to study piano performance college at the Royal Academy of Music in Glasgow, and later formed a self-titled wedding band, which he played in until retiring in 2012.^[12][13]

Webb collaborated with Richard Jobson (Skids singer) until 1988, and Hyslop, after collaborating with Skids album, Joy, moved to Simple Minds (1981–1982) and later Set the Tone (1982–1983).

Discography

Albums

• 1979 – Under Influence (Arista, 1 June 1979) (released in four various album covers)

Singles

• 1978 – "Stuck with You" b/w "No Angel" (Zoom, 17 February 1978)^[14]
• 1978 – "Sign of the Times" b/w "Away from It All" (Arista, July 1978)
• 1979 – "Looking to the Future" b/w "Do It All Again" (Arista, 24 May 1979)
• 1979 – "Mourning Star" b/w "Under Influence" (Arista, 20 July 1979)^[15]
• 1980 – "Look Don't Touch" b/w "Scalectrik" (Rialto, June 1980)^[16] (as "Science")
• 1981 – "Tokyo" b/w "Tokyo (instrumental)" (Rialto, January 1981)^[17] (as "Science")

Compilation appearances

• 1979 – That Summer! soundtrack (various artists) – "New Life" (Arista)

See also

• List of Peel sessions
• List of British punk bands

References

This page was last edited on 8 March 2024, at 04:53