The Zips

THE ZIPS Pacing the floor at Punk?s birth in the 70s, releasing 2 singles, splitting up as it was overtaken by Ska and New Romantics in the 80s, and re-forming due to European bootleg interest in 2002, The Zips are determined to make up for lost time. With 5 CD EPs on their own Tenement Toons label, The Zips released their debut album, Guitars4Hire, in 2006 ? 27 years after their debut single, The Zips ep, which was a fave of the late John Peel, and copies of which, now fetch up to $427 on eBay! Since then, The Zips have released 4 other albums ,19 Forevva, Down With The Zips, HUH!?, and the band retrospective, Archive Fever (Now-2002 / 1980-1978). Along with regular appearances at Rebellion Festival, they have also played throughout Europe, including, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, and Portugal. As 2025 unfolds, The Zips continue with promotion of Archive Fever, including yet again, Rebellion Festival in Blackpool in August, and the Hope and Anchor in London in October. The band have a reputation for rip-roaring performances, and are always in demand on the live circuit, both in the UK, and throughout Europe. 4guys3chords2minutebuzzbombs1helluvvanite ? guaranteed. FAST CARS Fast Cars were formed in 1978 by brothers Steven and Stuart Murray in Swinton, Manchester. They quickly became part of the Manchester scene playing within the Manchester Musicians Collective at Band on the Wall, also playing at legendary venues such as The Factory, Rafters, Manchester Polytechnic, and The Apollo theatre. The also played the Marquee club in London in 1980. Bands they played with along the way included; The Jam, Buzzcocks, The Fall, The Rezillos, XTC, The Chords, Joy Division etc al. They released 2 songs on the collective album A Manchester Collection and also a single, the kids just wanna dance on Streets Ahead Records. After failing to gain a major deal with Polydor they split at the end of 1980 at the grand old age of 20! Following interest on the internet in 2000 Fast Cars discovered that their single had become popular around the world, in particular Japan, they reformed in 2001 and were immediately asked to play in Tokyo and were offered a recording deal by Detour Records. They followed that with a 4 City tour of Japan in 2008 including 2 sell out nights in Tokyo (one of which was recorded and will shortly be released as a live album). They have since released 3 albums for Detour, several singles in Japan, Italy, Germany, been included in many compilation albums and continued playing live. The current lineup is still Stuart and Steve with Rick Hilton on drums (his Dad being the lead guitarist for over 40 years until he passed in 2021). As a 3 piece they still continue with the high energy stage act that is their trade mark and look forward to entertaining for many more years. SOCIAL SECURITY After seeing The Damned perform in late 76, Social Security left their jobs and signed on. They recruited 'Spy' a Damned roadie so named because the Damned were convinced he was a spy for the Pistols. With 'Spy' on board as their new singer, The Socials became major players in the Bristol and West Country's burgeoning punk scene. Signed by Heartbeat Records They went on to record their first single on Bristol's newly formed Heartbeat record label. The single, a four track E.P. Was critically acclaimed by the legendary John Peel. Over the years the single has been re-released appearing on many highly regarded Punk anthology albums. After a lot of arm twisting by their former management and due to public pressure Social Security relented and have now reformed playing extensively and showcasing their unique wit and song writing abilities. Social Security are true originals, Don't miss them!!