Rab Harron has joined Control Zone. The former front man of punk band Barney has fantastic energy and passion for everything punk. He has been working with the band to update and change their original songs and add some new ones to the repertoire. Building on the 2 previously released albums planning is underway for the new Control Zone vinyl album. The full line up is Rab Harron Lead Singer, Graeme Millar Lead Guitar, Gary Castles Bass Guitar, and Alan Clarke Drums.
As well as updating existing songs there are new ones in the pipeline. Their goal is to record and produce a 12” vinyl album in Autumn 2023.
HISTORY
When punk rock exploded in Northern Ireland in 1977, Control Zone were one of the many punk rock bands formed. Based in Monkstown, 8 miles north of Belfast 4 teenagers, Alan Clarke, Stephen Craig, Stephen Stewart and Keith Barry, bought second hand gear and practiced in the local Community School. The rallying point for all Belfast punks was Good Vibrations record shop on the first floor in Great Victoria Street Belfast owned by Terri Hooley and the punk bands played in 2 well known venues, the Pound and the Harp Bar.
Northern Ireland was in middle of “The Troubles” a euphemism for the civil war that impacted the daily lives of everyone there. Punk rock gave the young generation a way out from the protestant, roman catholic sectarian violence. It didn’t matter what religion you were, all that mattered was that you liked punk rock! Joe Strummer front man of The Clash summed it up, “When punk rock ruled over Ulster, nobody ever had more excitement and fun. Between the bombings and shootings, the religious hatred and the settling of old scores, punk gave everybody a chance to LIVE for one glorious burning moment.”
Over the years there has been break ups, reunions and changes in personnel. However there were two key line ups after the original and that was:- Alan Clarke drums, Sam Craig, rhythm guitar, Stephen Craig bass guitar & vocals & Graeme Millar lead guitar; and Alan Clarke drums, Gary Castles bass guitar and Johnnie Grattan lead guitar and vocals. It was the latter who released 2 albums, The Killing Fields 2011 and Drowning in Myself Again 2013. These albums were about key issues of the day and the legacy of growing up in Northern Ireland as Terri Hooley stated “New York had the bands, London had the fashion, Belfast had the reason.”
in 2012 Control Zone released their Debut Album the Killing fields comprising six original songs and three covers. It received great reviews from critics and fans alike.
The Killing Fields
The Most Hated Man in America
The Killing Fields
One Track Mind
23 Times
Walking in My Shoes
Rockin' in the Free World
Something Strange
The Last Broadcast
Blitzkrieg Bop
This was followed up in 2013 by their second album Drowning in myself again. This time with 9 originals and 1 cover
Drowning in Myself Again
Drowning in Myself Again
Sonic Revolution
A Hill in the Distance
Spirits Within Me
Fire
Someone Else's War
Loserville
Waterboarding
Crash and Burn
Taking Back the Streets
These are available from iTunes and on Spotify and amazon music.
Stephen Craig, nicknamed "Gus," was the founding bass player of Control Zone. After Control Zone Split in 1982 Keith Barry and Gus went on to form The Scream with Declan Wells, and later formed Paradise Lost with Colin Woods and Stephen McKenna.
In 2008, Control Zone reunited to play at Gus's daughter Caitlin's 18th birthday party, where he was joined by his brother Sam on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Alan Clarke on drums and Keith Barry on lead guitar. Gus and his brother went on to form a new punk band, The Organ Grinders, with Brian Beattie and Roy Crooks. Gus passed away on 4th June 2022, however his musical legacy lives on.
Sign up to hear about upcoming shows, albums, and events.
Copyright © 2023 controlzone - All Rights Reserved.
Developed by talentatwork.org