About Zerra 1
Zerra One (or Zerra 1) were an eighties new wave/rock band formed in 1982 by Paul Bell (ex Lookalikes), Andreas Grimminger, Adrian Wyatt, and Mike Mesbur. They gained early exposure supporting The Cure and U2, and released their first singles in 1983, with The Banner of Love reaching No. 33 on the UK Independent Chart.
In 1984, they signed to Mercury, releasing their Todd Rundgren–produced debut album Zerra One (later retitled Mountains and Water in Canada), but it failed commercially. Line-up changes followed, with Wyatt and Mesbur departing during sessions for their second album.
Their 1986 album The Domino Effect produced the minor UK hit Rescue Me (No. 82), but neither the album nor subsequent singles found success. After supporting Ultravox in 1986 and attempting to break into the US market in 1987, Zerra One disbanded later that year.
Steve Huey wrote in All Music Guide about Zerra 1:
The Irish quartet Zerra 1 had enough soaring harmonies and ringing guitars to follow in the footsteps of compatriots U2. And while commercial success never happened, Zerra 1 possessed too much talent to be written off as failed U2 impersonators. Formed in the early '80s by Paul Bell (vocals, keyboards), Andreas Grimminger (guitar), Adrian Wyatt (bass), and Korda Marshall (drums), Zerra 1 had the spiky haircuts and dour vocals common to British new wave artists from that period; their cool looks and stylish sound should've gotten them played on MTV, but America remained indifferent. Zerra 1 didn't catch on in the U.K. either, although the band's 1983 single "The Banner of Love" hit number 33 on the English indie charts. Drummer Mike Mesbur replaced Marshall in 1984. Their self-titled debut LP was released on Mercury Records that year. Owing much to U2 and Simple Minds, Zerra 1 featured dark, epic rock that may have been too moody or weird for commercial radio. However, Zerra 1's second album, 1986's Domino Effect, had the pop hooks needed to catapult the group into stardom. The band opened for acts such as U2 and the Cure. Sadly lack of major success meant the end for Zerra 1. Marshall later became the head of Infectious Records.
Video
Zerra One - Heaven
Zerra 1 - Ten Thousand Voices
Comments
petecole@hotmail.com wrote on 2025-10-11 00:00:00:2025 finally saw Zerra One added to major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and other available services. Just Google them :)
jorge-luis_1111@hotmail.com wrote on 2020-05-04 00:00:00:
buenazaaaa
Cyberhugoxx wrote on 2011-05-04 00:00:00:
Excelente banda, lamentablemente no tuvo la difusión que se merecia
vazenique wrote on 2007-09-28 00:00:00:
me agrada mucho la musica de zerra one, aunque no puedo encontrar la letra de "ten thousand voices",donde lo podria ubicar?
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