Zipper - Life Of Riley (1979)

b/w Treat Me Pretty

Zipper was a five piece band from Cardiff, Wales (1976-83)

Jon Calvin-Thomas (Voc)
Ray Sinclair (Guitar Voc) Replaced by Steve Wilson after the recording
Mike Gale (Guitar Voc)
Andy Brice (Bass)
Chris Brazier (Drums) Replaced by John Turner after the recording

The Record (Recorded/Engineered by the BBC's Des Bennett at the Stacey Road Studios Cardiff) had 2 outings.

03/1079 on Spanking Records S/79/CUS268 (SPANK 1) [500 Copies]
08/1979 on Virgin Records VS-283

The story goes Howard Marks "a record plugger" had heard the 45 on the John Peel Show so got in touch with the band & asked if he could promote it for them. He took it to Virgin Records which secured them a deal & also played it to Andy Peebles which led to it being Record Of The Week for his Radio1 Breakfast Show.

Zipper released a 2nd 45 in 1982 Tin Soldiers/Cuckoo In The Nest - Spanking Records (SPANK 2)

Useless Info 1 The bald headed man sat next to Jon Calvin-Thomas is the man that sat at the top of the stairs to the entrance of The Moon Club, The Hayes, Cardiff. where the band had a residency.

Useless info 2 Chris Brazier later played on the Spitfire Boys 7'' Funtime

Sounds & Scans

Thanks to Cardiff Music History for the band pic