Blue Zoo
Blue Zoo | |
---|---|
Origin | England |
Genres | New wave, synthpop |
Years active | 1980–1985, 2010–present |
Labels | Magnet Records |
Members |
Andy O Mike Ansell Mickey Sparrow Tom Morrison |
Past members |
Tim Parry Matthew Flowers Pete Lancaster Steve Pond |
Blue Zoo are a British new wave band, active between 1980 and 1985, and again since 2010.
Career
Formed in 1980, their original band name was Modern Jazz, and they released two singles entitled "In My Sleep (I Shoot Sheep)" and "Ivory Towers" in 1981.
The nucleus of the band were Andy O (Overall) on vocals, Tim Parry on guitar, Mike Ansell on bass and Mickey Sparrow on drums.
Matthew Flowers (formerly of new wave band Sore Throat) accompanied the band live on keyboards, with Pete Lancaster occasionally on trumpet and Steve Pond from Inner City Unit playing occasional synthesizer.
Tim Parry later went on to become a record producer and work in artist management.
Blue Zoo had three hit singles which charted in the UK. "I'm Your Man" reached #55 in June 1982 and in October 1982, "Cry Boy Cry" reached the Top 20, peaking at #13,[1] becoming the band's biggest hit. It stayed on the UK Singles Chart's Top 40 for eight weeks. "(I Just Can't) Forgive And Forget" reached #60 in May 1983.
Although failing to chart, the much acclaimed single, "Love Moves In Strange Ways" was a single of the week in NME.
They released an album, Two By Two (sometimes written as 2x2 or 2By2) in 1983. Cherry Red Records are set to re-issue an extended version of 2x2 on Oct 21, 2013.
Blue Zoo played their first concert in 28 years at the Ginglik in Shepherd's Bush Green on 22 July 2010. In February 2013, the band successfully completed a short tour of the Philippines.
Members
Current lineup
- Andy O (vocals)
- Mike Ansell (bass)
- Mickey Sparrow (drums)
- Tom E Morrison (guitar)
The band also performs with guest keyboard players.
Discography
All singles and albums released on Magnet, distributed by Polydor.
Albums
- Two By Two (1983)
- For All I Really Care (1984)
- In Love & In Life (compilation album) (2013)
Singles
- "Love Moves In Strange Ways" (7") & (12") (1981)
- "I'm Your Man" (7") & (12") (1982) - UK No. 55
- "Cry Boy Cry" (7") & (12") (1982) - UK No. 13
- "Loved One's An Angel" (7") & (12") (1983) - UK No. 76
- "(I Just Can't) Forgive And Forget" (7") & (12") (1983) - UK No. 60
- "Somewhere In The World (There's A Cowboy Smiling)" (7") & (12") (1983)[1]