Disco Zombies

Originally formed as a melodic punk outfit in Leicester, England, Disco Zombies featured bassist Geoff Dodimead, drummer Andy Fullerton, guitarist Johnny “Guitar” Hawkins, and vocalist/guitarist Andy Ross. Dave Henderson, previously responsible for costume design on Derek Jarman’s film Jubilee, joined later as an additional vocalist. The resulting five-piece cut a four-track EP that remained shelved for an extended period after the mastering and pressing plant contracted to their label ceased operations. Without Hawkins, the group relocated to London and auditioned several guitarists before Mark Sutherland settled the configuration. This lineup issued “Drums Over London” (1979) on Ross’s South Circular imprint; BBC DJ John Peel championed the A-side and clarified to Rock Against Racism that the track represented, as Henderson phrased it, “an ironic stab at people’s hostility to the arrival of other cultures.” The Invisible EP, the band’s actual debut record, finally appeared later that same year. After Fullerton departed, a drum machine eventually took his place. Henderson then used his Dining Out label to issue the group’s last vinyl outing, “Here Come the Buts” (1980). Additional recordings were completed, yet none reached release. Henderson and Ross subsequently collaborated with 23 Skidoo’s Alex Turnbull under the name Club Tango. Ross later teamed with David Balfe to run the latter’s Food label, which housed Jesus Jones, Blur, and Idlewild, while Henderson moved into magazine editing and a managing-director role at British media firm Emap. In 2010, prompted by Acute’s intention to reissue the band’s three original vinyl releases together with previously unheard and concert material, the members regrouped for a single performance. The following September, Acute issued Drums Over London on both vinyl and digital-download formats.