It’s taken 50 years to get the Zombies recorded back catalogue back into their own hands and lead singer Colin Blunstone couldn’t be more happier…
By Ian Woolley
“It’s very exciting and we were really fortunate with the company that handled our masters and I think overall they’ve done a really good job”, Colin tells me.
The Zombies
“We wanted to really take a different direction and get it back fully owned in our hands so we can be in charge of our own destiny so to speak. It’s no real reflection on the company that had it before but it’s really exciting that we can now go forward in a way that we feel is right for the band”.
And a lot of important songs that mean so much to the Zombies as Blunstone explains, “and they’re used a lot in what they call sync. They are in films and commercials a lot and it’s amazing. Songs like “She’s Not There”, “Time Of The Season”, “This Will Be Our Year” and “The Way I Feel Inside” are constantly being used all the time and they become a very valuable asset. We are very grateful to have this recognition of our catalogue that these songs are used so much today. They do have a sort of timeless aspect to them and I think people would be surprised at how many times they are used in sometimes really big films. It’s quite ironic that you might earn less from having a hit record than you do from having a song in a commercial advertising something obscure. It is kind of strange but that’s how the business works”.
Formed in 1961 in St.Albans, the initial Zombies quintet consisted of Rod Argent, Paul Atkinson, Hugh Grundy, Paul Arnold and Blunstone. Local Bluetones bassist Jim Rodford was asked to initially join the band that he would eventually join decades later. With Argent and Blunstone still performing today, their respect for each other is evident on stage.
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“Rod and I have worked together off and on now for over 60 years but pretty constant though for over 20 years”, Colin tells me. “I think that as we were working together through our formative years we’ve got a special relationship when we are recording. Even when with the Zombies Rod is doing most of the writing and when we are performing. There’s something you got when you have grown up with someone that it makes it a special relationship. I’m comfortable working with Rod on whatever project we are on or whatever stage we are on and I always feel secure knowing he’s there”.
Anyone who has seen the Zombies perform can testify that they still love performing for their fans. “I think that’s true for anyone like us who has been in the business all these years. I love all aspects of what we do with the Zombies. I like to write and love recording and the whole process that goes along with that. And of course, playing with wonderful musicians like this, I love to perform as well”.
With the recent album release of “Different Game”, they’ve won over a new and younger audience. “In the sales chart before streaming comes into account, it actually charted both here and in the US which is really exciting for us. At this time of our lives, we weren’t expecting that. There are some great songs on there mostly written by Rod”.
And you put St.Albans on the musical map as it were? “Well hopefully we did but St.Albans was the capital of the country in Roman times. It’s a wonderful city and a very beautiful place and so much history there”.
Part one of the exclusive interview will be published in the February issue of the Beat out shortly. In it, Colin Blunstone talks about his long friendship and respect with Rod Argent, conserving that amazing voice and the inevitable split of the Zombies. Part two will be published later this year.