Following The Zombies‘ triumphant reunion at Shepherds Bush Empire, UMTV release ‘The Zombies and Beyond,’ a 20 track album that features songs previously released by The Zombies or subsequently recorded by band members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent.

Nine timeless Zombies songs from their eponymous 1964 album and 1968’s Odessey & Oracle (including “She’s Not There”, “Tell Her No”, “The Time Of The Season” and “A Rose For Emily”) nestle comfortably alongside songs from Colin Blunstone’s solo albums (including “I Don’t Believe In Miracles” and his beautiful signature solo song “Say You Don’t Mind”), the rockier Argent songs (including “God Gave Rock & Roll To You” and “Hold Your Head Up”), the 1981 Blunstone / Dave Stewart recording of “What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted” and the 1982 Alan Parsons Project ballad “Old and Wise” sung by Colin.

In March 2008, 40 years since the release of the Zombies’ swansong Odessey & Oracle, the original members of The Zombies reunited to perform three special live concerts at The Shepherds Bush Empire in London. A super-group of musicians, including Paul Weller, Robert Plant, Robyn Hitchcock, Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody and members of Garbage queued to witness the premiere performance of the 1968 album, that has inspired so many and has become a cult classic.

At the time of the release of Odessey & Oracle, the Zombies had already split up. In the 70s Rod Argent enjoyed international success as Argent (with “Hold Your Head Up” reaching the top 5 in America and Britain) whilst Colin Blunstone’s first solo album ‘One Year’ which housed the songs “Say You Don’t Mind” and “Caroline”, and was produced by Rod Argent and Zombies bass player Chris White, was released in 1971. His sophomore album ‘Ennismore’ saw Colin writing more material including “I Don’t Believe In Miracles” which is also included on this new collection.

In 2004 Colin and Rod reunited to record the album ‘As Far As I Can See’ – with the songs “I Want To Fly” and “Southside of The Street” – and to tour together. Throughout May and June the “touring Zombies” will play a run of 30 UK dates supported by The Yardbirds.

Reviews of the Shepherds Bush Empire gigs:

“As their voices soar in the middle of “Hung Up On A Dream”, it’s real shivers-down-the-spine stuff…timeless” – The Independent

“‘You could hardly credit it had taken 40 years to reach this seminal moment, which deserves to be ranked beside Brian Wilson’s remarkable comeback for its impeccable artistry and uplifting power” – The Scotsman

“Odessey and Oracle sounds fantastic. Some of it even gains in translation. Live the surging harmonies of Care Of Cell 44 knock you sideways…As Time Of The Season draws to a close, they get a standing ovation. It is the triumphant reception Odessey And Oracle always deserved, 40 years after the event.” – The Guardian

The Zombies – a brief biography:

Many current stars have professed admiration of The Zombies. BADLY DRAWN BOY cited the band in NME’s poll of the most influential artists of all time; TOM PETTY said: “If a group like The Zombies appeared now, they would own the world”. THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH, recorded “This Will Be Our Year” for their current ‘Golddiggers’ CD. Even BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN turned up at a New York concert a couple of years ago.

In their heyday the band enjoyed massive hits such as the Argent-penned ‘She’s Not There’ (a major hit several years later for SANTANA) and ‘Time of the Season’. Indeed, America took them even more to their hearts than Britain; ‘Time of the Season’ is one of only a handful of UK hits to have been certified as receiving 4 MILLION plays on US radio, while the LA Times named them as one of the all time top ten British bands. ‘Vanity Fair’ magazine in 2002 chose the bands’ second album ‘Odessey and Oracle’ as being the defining pop album of the sixties! Even ELVIS had Zombies singles on his juke box at Gracelands, while their cds still sell a cool 100,000 a year.

When the group split in 1968, ROD went on to form his eponymous band – former Verve frontman RICHARD ASHCROFT declared himself a major fan – and score hits with such rock anthems as “Hold Your Head Up” and “God Gave Rock n Roll To You” (covered by KISS, amongst others), and has since achieved huge success in the fields of record production, television and stage musicals. Along with drummer PETER VAN HOOKE (MIKE & THE MECHANICS), Rod produced three albums for TANITA TIKARAM, including the massive ‘Ancient Heart’ album which included the world-wide hit singles, “Twist in My Sobriety” and “New Tradition”.

COLIN, meanwhile, remained a familiar chart presence through hits like “Say You Don’t Mind”, a cover of the Motown hit “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” with Dave Stewart and highly rated solo albums such as ‘One Year’ and ‘Ennismore’. He also achieved huge success as featured vocalist on a string of albums by the ALAN PARSONS PROJECT – brainchild of the former PINK FLOYD engineer.

The Zombies on amazon.co.uk