Zilch

Zilch was formed in early 1980 when Peter Bond (guit/vox) and Vic Stone (keyboards) left local cover band Reporter to team up with ex-Mungo Jerry and Boy Bastin drummer Jimmy Jewell. Gary Wilton left renowned Norwich circuit band System to complete the line-up on bass & backing vocal. John "Frenchie" French replaced Jimmy Jewell on drums later that summer. Bond's original and quirky New Wave-Pop songwriting style caught the attention of Steve Harley, who chose to produce the band at Morgan Studios in London.

A support UK tour with Harley and Cockney Rebel followed, as did a number of prestigious London circuit dates, including support gigs with Simple Minds and charting acts such as The Passions, The Revillos and The Look. There was a further change of drummer; Paul Meek coming in to replace Frenchie during the summer of 1981. The band relocated to Germany in September 1982 and was briefly produced by Tony Monn in Munich.

Zilch was disbanded in May 1984, when Bond and Wilton reconciled with Frenchie, who joined them to continue with other musical projects in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Thanks to Gary for the info!

A-Z of Norwich bands - back to the big list


Last updated: Tue, July 5th, 2011