Zones were a Scottish power pop and new wave band founded in late 1977, following the demise of PVC2 (formerly the bubbleglam and soft rock band Slik). PVC2 comprised Midge Ure (future Ultravox frontman) on guitar, 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 were formed. The group released several singles, one album and a contribution to the That Summer! film soundtrack before splitting up in 1979, due to album failing commercially.
Bassist Webb later joined The Skids (playing on their final session for Peel), as did drummer Hyslop (d.2024) who also went on to record with Simple Minds.
Links To Peel[]
In February 1978 Zones released a single "Stuck with You", which attracted the attention of BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, leading to the band recording a session for his show, and Arista Records, who signed them. Peel also featured their second single Sign of the Times, their first on the label, released in the summer of 1978. The group all together did two sessions for Peel's show in 1978 before splitting up the following year.
Sessions[]
Zones - Peel Session 1978
1. Recorded: 1978-05-17. Only broadcast: 23 May 1978
- Sign Of The Times / Away From It All / No Sense Of Humour / Tough At The Bottom
2. Recorded: 1978-09-13. First Broadcast: 22 September 1978. Repeated: 26 October 1978
- Anything Goes / Deadly Dolls / The End / It's Only Fashion
Other Shows Played[]
1978
- PM068: Stuck With You (7") Zoom ZOOM 4 separate play to below
- 02 March 1978: Stuck With You (7") Zoom ZOOM 4
- 31 July 1978: Sign Of The Times (7")
- 04 August 1978: Sign Of The Times (7")
- 29 August 1978: Sign Of The Times (7")