Zones (band) explained

Zones
Background:group_or_band
Origin:Glasgow, Scotland
Genre:Punk rock, post-punk, power pop, new wave
Years Active:1977 - 1979
Label:Zoom Records, Arista Records
Spinoff Of:Slik, PVC2
Spinoffs:Rich Kids, Endgames, Ultravox, The Skids, Set the Tone
Current Members:Billy McIsaac
Kenny Hyslop
Russell Webb
Willie Gardner

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] 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

Singles

Compilation appearances

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: All The Acts / Bands Who Played The Kinema Ballroom Dunfermline - 'Z' . Kinemagigz.com . 2016-10-13.
  2. Web site: Zones - Stuck With You / No Angels - Zoom - UK - ZUM 4 . 45cat.com . 2014-01-26 . 2016-10-13.
  3. Web site: Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 17/05/1978 Zones . . 2016-10-13.
  4. Web site: Zones - Sign Of The Times / Away From It All - Arista - UK - ARIST 205 . 45cat.com . 1978-08-04 . 2016-10-13.
  5. Web site: Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 13/09/1978 Zones . . 2016-10-13.
  6. Web site: Zones (2) - Under Influence . Discogs.com . 2016-10-13.
  7. Web site: Dave Thompson . Under Influence - Zones | Songs, Reviews, Credits . . 2016-10-13.
  8. Book: Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock, 1970-1982 . George Gimarc . 2005 . Front cover . Hal Leonard Corporation . 9780879308483 . 2016-10-13.
  9. Web site: Zones - Mourning Star / Under Influence - Arista - UK - ARIST 286 . 45cat.com . 2016-10-13.
  10. Web site: Science (5) Discography . Discogs.com . 2016-10-13.
  11. Web site: ZONES - under influence. 31 March 2009.
  12. Web site: Band Directory. 2020-12-23. Band Directory.
  13. Web site: 2009-05-05. Home Page - Billy McIsaac Band - Scotland's No.1 Wedding Band. 2020-12-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20090505204745/http://www.billymcisaacband.co.uk/. 2009-05-05.
  14. Web site: The Post Punk Progressive Pop Party: The Zones - Stuck With You . Thep5.blogspot.com . 2008-02-17 . 2016-10-13.
  15. Web site: The Post Punk Progressive Pop Party: The Zones - Mourning Star . Thep5.blogspot.com . 2007-07-17 . 2016-10-13.
  16. Web site: Science - Look Don't Touch / Scalectrik - Rialto - UK - TREB 117 . 45cat.com . 1980-06-27 . 2016-10-13.
  17. Web site: Science - Tokyo / Tokyo (instrumental) - Rialto - UK - TREB 124 . 45cat.com . 1981-01-30 . 2016-10-13.