Zeitgeist

Zeitgeist were a post-punk group originally from Cornwall, UK then based in London. Formed in 1979, the group featured two lead vocalists and a dark but funky sound, all attributes which brought comparisons to contemporary bands as wide ranging as A Certain Ratio and B-52s. Their first single issue "Sniper / Shake-Rake" was self-released in true indie tradition and secured them a deal with Human records (home also to Au Pairs, The Slits, Mo-Dettes among others) who re-released 'Shake' and second single 'Touch' in 1981. A year later they moved on to Jamming! records and released a further single, a cover of 'Ball of Confusion' spread over two sides of the 7", and played on several occasions across the Radio One board. The group disbanded after two more single releases in 1982.

Links to Peel
It's unknown how Peel would have got hold of the original independent release of 'Sniper' in 1980, although interest in the re-release would probably have come through being on the Human label. Ball of Confusion may have caught his attention as a cover version, although by 1982 the group had moved over to Kid Jensen's playlist (see Karl's Tape - June 1982).

Festive Fifty entries

 * none

Sessions

 * none

Other shows played

 * 13 August 1980: Sniper (7") Enchaine ENC 1


 * 17 March 1981: 'Shake-Rake' (7") Human HUM 5


 * 08 April 1981: 'Shake-Rake' (7") Human HUM 5


 * 15 December 1981: Ball Of Confusion (7") Jamming! CREATE 2