Blue Zoo

Blue Zoo are an English new wave band, active between 1980 and 1985, and again since 2010.

This article is about the new wave band. For the computer animation studio, see Blue-Zoo. For the American restaurant, see BlueZoo. For the Australian children's reality television series, see Blue Zoo (TV series).

Blue Zoo
OriginEngland
GenresNew wave, synthpop
Years active1980–1985, 2010–present
LabelsMagnet Records
MembersAndy O
Mike Ansell
Mickey Sparrow
Tom Morrison
Past membersTim Parry
Matthew Flowers
Pete Lancaster
Steve Pond

Career

Formed in 1980, their original band name was Modern Jazz, and they released two singles titled "In My Sleep (I Shoot Sheep)"[1] and "Ivory Towers" in 1981.

The nucleus of the band were Andy O (Overall) on vocals, Tim Parry on guitar, David Woolfson (keyboards/saxophone), Mike Ansell on bass and Mickey Sparrow on drums.[1] 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 No. 55 in June 1982 and in October 1982, "Cry Boy Cry" reached the top 20, peaking at No. 13,[2] 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 No. 60 in May 1983.

Although failing to chart, "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.[1] Cherry Red Records reissued an expanded edition of Two by Two with bonus tracks on 4 November 2013.[3]

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

Albums
Title Album details
Two by Two
Somewhere in the World
  • Released: 1984
  • Label: Magnet
  • Formats: LP, MC
  • Released in Yugoslavia as For All I Really Care
In Love & in Life
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: N/A
  • Formats: CD
  • Promotional compilation

Singles
Title Year Peak chart positions
UK
[5][6]		 IRE
[7]
"Love Moves in Strange Ways" 1981 — —
"I'm Your Man" 1982 55 —
"Cry Boy Cry" 13 25
"Loved One's an Angel" 1983 76 —
"(I Just Can't) Forgive and Forget" 60 —
"Somewhere in the World There's a Cowboy Smiling" 119 —
"Funganista"[8] 2016 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 40. ISBN 0-85112-579-4.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 66. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. "2 By 2: Expanded Edition - Cherry Red Records". Cherryred.co.uk. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  4. "New Albums" (PDF). Music Week. 19 November 1983. p. 25. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  5. "BLUE ZOO | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  6. "UK Singles Charts: 1983 (including chart panel sales)". UKMIX Forums. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  7. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 3 May 2022.
  8. "Funganista by Blue Zoo on Spotify". Open.spotify.com. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
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