Nerve 16 - The Return of the Zeb

The Return of the Zeb

Summer 2010 promises to provide some beautiful moments to savour for those of us who remember, a generation ago, the part a band called Zeb played in uniting a community in struggle, dance and merriment. Through political struggles from the Poll Tax to the Dockers, from Anti-Fascist Action to Class War, Zeb played their musical part in providing good spirits and belief. One of the best 'lost' bands of the city, it became obvious to all who saw their reunion gig at the Haigh in Spring, that they MUST play again….

Ten years ago, one punch led to a young Dingle man, Mick Ennis, losing his life, aged just 28, a tragic shock and loss to all his family and friends. A special 10th anniversary night, called 'COSMIC JAM', organised to honour his life and memory, featured the long-awaited return by the 'Mighty' Zeb. They were renowned for their unique Scouse dub stylings, and for creating dancefloors that regularly reached fever-pitch. Driven by bass, brass and beats, with long-time collaborator DJ Sonny, and 3 members of The Wizards of Twiddly, these sons of the city inspired a devoted following from Glastonbury to Paris and all stops in between. But they stopped playing around 10 years ago, when life got in the way.

Fast forward to 2010, and a memorable evening brought together a wonderful gathering of people, some of whom hadn't seen each other for the best part of a decade. Aside from the laugh lines, spare tyres and kids running round the place, it was just like old times.

Under the guardianship of the MC, Tommy Calderbank, the night was full of quality music and visual delights (thanks to Andy Teasdale).

Mark Jones was first to engage the audience with his amazing vocal range and diversity of styles, a plethora of songs for all ages.

Roots Uprise followed, featuring Joey Zeb on drums with Sloane on bass, Benji on lead guitar and vocals and Clifton on rhythm guitar. Superb stuff. DJ's Bernie Connor and Sonny selected some delicious sounds. Bernie's podcasts 'The Sound of Music', incidentally, are one of the cultural gems in Liverpool at the moment (judge for yourself at http://bernieworld.podomatic.com/). He read out a warm and enlightening tribute to Mick which considered the social context that Mick and many of us grew up in (sample line: 'The South End was a scary place - like Deliverance on Incapacity Benefit…'). Bernie is a treasure of a human being, who really does love us all, and we are truly blessed he tickles our ears.

Then it was time for the moment we'd all waited for. The Zeb (to us, they'll always be the definite article), with the original line-up! Joey! Marty! Canty! Des! Mark! Together with Martin! (Simon and Andy couldn't make it, sadly.) What can we say? They played a great set which everyone really enjoyed, especially themselves. The surprise appearance of Ste Fungi on stage with his uniquely mesmerizing dance style… accompanying the band and the widely loved Martin Smith on trumpet…then some young L8 rappers (ART) jumped up and freestyled some amazing stuff over 'Intifada Timebomb'. There was a feeling like in the old days, that ANYTHING could happen. They followed it up with 'Heed the Call', 'Spirit of Streams' and then another and then…they were gone! No encore: just like that. The ecstatic crowd were left to ponder just how good that was, and if we'd ever see its like again. Just when you thought it couldn't get better, it did, The Mojave Collective, with a topless Jay Murphy, were all in great form. Lee Harris' new band The Rioters brought the night to a raucous and insurrectionary end, providing some marmalising rapscallion rock and roll. Mick would have loved it. The night raised over £1000 for Mick's two kids, Imogen and Michael. But it did a whole lot more, in reuniting a community….

…and how happy we are to report that they were back again, with the full, original line-up, at a gig in The Picket in July! We will report how this Picket gig went on the NERVE website.

Zeb and The Hat Band are booked to play the Rebel Soul tent at this year's Shambala Festival, somewhere in Northamptonshire (27th-30th August). It's bound to be a sell-out, so get your tickets early to avoid disappointment! See www.shambalafestival.org for further details.

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