Z E R O
Bioiography
By Mark Robinson
'Wink' had just split up and guitarist John
Pomfrett and bass player Alan
Ashburn were looking for a new band. They teamed up with
drummer Mark Robinson from 'Sky',
and guitarist / vocalist Howard Barnden
from 'Pagan'.
Straight away the band started playing John and Howards originals plus
a mixture of covers around the 'Aerosmith style of rock'. The rehearsals
began in a church hall in Church Street then we managed to practice
at Watt Street where we got the hall for free, what Alan our bass player
forgot to tell us was that we had to practice in front of an audience,
you guessed it the 'loonies'.
Gigs included the Lakes and Ocean Hotel at Forster, the Beaches Hotel
Watt Street Newcastle (now the Mercury), The Mawson Hotel Caves Beach,
The Poplas Hotel Taree. And Monday Tuesday and Wednesday once a month
at Tillys Tavern (formerly known as Zorbas).
Band meetings where held at the Bel-air Hotel where our Drummer Mark
was taking out one of the bar maids, we always managed to get our drinks
for free.
Our P A at the time was probably one of the biggest in Newcastle. I
still remember lugging them around, we all needed a convoy of wagons
to carry the assortment of blue j bins and horns around even at rehearsal
!!!
Although great mates, due to lack of gigs and bad management (or no
management), 'Zero' eventually folded.
The last gig was on the 13-4-78 at Tillys Tavern. The 3 white HQ panel
vans and white Kombi had to be sold, and most of the guys went on to
carve out their respective music careers in other formats, as you'll
see if you continue browsing this site.
Mark
Robinson
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