Zones (band)

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Zones
OriginGlasgow, Scotland
GenresPunk rock, post-punk, power pop, new wave
Years active1977–1979
LabelsZoom Records, Arista Records
SpinoffsRich Kids, Endgames, Ultravox, The Skids, Set the Tone
Spinoff ofSlik, PVC2
MembersBilly 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[edit]

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[edit]

Albums[edit]

Singles[edit]

  • 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[edit]

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

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "All The Acts / Bands Who Played The Kinema Ballroom Dunfermline - 'Z'". Kinemagigz.com. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Zones - Stuck With You / No Angels - Zoom - UK - ZUM 4". 45cat.com. 26 January 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 17/05/1978 Zones". BBC. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Zones - Sign Of The Times / Away From It All - Arista - UK - ARIST 205". 45cat.com. 4 August 1978. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 13/09/1978 Zones". BBC. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  6. ^ "Zones (2) - Under Influence". Discogs.com. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  7. ^ Dave Thompson. "Under Influence - Zones | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  8. ^ a b George Gimarc (2005). Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock, 1970-1982. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. Front cover. ISBN 9780879308483. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Zones - Mourning Star / Under Influence - Arista - UK - ARIST 286". 45cat.com. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Science (5) Discography". Discogs.com. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  11. ^ "ZONES - under influence". Retrieved 31 March 2009.
  12. ^ "Band Directory". Band Directory. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Home Page - Billy McIsaac Band - Scotland's No.1 Wedding Band". 5 May 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  14. ^ "The Post Punk Progressive Pop Party: The Zones - Stuck With You". Thep5.blogspot.com. 17 February 2008. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  15. ^ "The Post Punk Progressive Pop Party: The Zones - Mourning Star". Thep5.blogspot.com. 17 July 2007. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  16. ^ "Science - Look Don't Touch / Scalectrik - Rialto - UK - TREB 117". 45cat.com. 27 June 1980. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  17. ^ "Science - Tokyo / Tokyo (instrumental) - Rialto - UK - TREB 124". 45cat.com. 30 January 1981. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
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