(c’80-’81) Dave Norgrove (guitar), Ian Smith (bass), and Andy Parker (drums).

Zero Time, who were described as “fast pop” by Soundscene writer Jon Harlow, once supported The Vapors, and also supported UBz.

Smith recalls, after leaving Panther, seeing and responding to an advert in the NME looking for a bassist, and Zero Time were formed. The original drummer was replaced by Parker and they played their first gig at The Royal, Guildford, followed by others at the Cricketers in Westfield, and the Wooden Bridge amongst others.

When UBz headlined at The Royal on 29 November 1980 they were supported by Zero Time and The Rams. Zero Time were also once booked to support Nashville Teens at The Royal, Guildford, but the Teens never turned up – Zero Time still got paid. On 3 February ’81 The Wooden Bridge, Guildford presented Zero Time with Consenting Adults. An 18 year old Norgrove wrote “Red Badge”, after watching ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’; it is still in his future band, The Body Politic’s set list.

After one of the band’s appearances at The Wooden Bridge, they were approached by a promoter who set up a gig in Staines, with UBz and a couple of other bands, laying on a coach for supporters and transport for the bands and their gear. Hazel O’Connor reportedly performed at the venue, but when they arrived the place was deserted, and the promoter was nowhere to be found. It is still a mystery…

Norgrove is currently in The 4 Marys and is also solo-ing and still releasing new music, recently working on a track titled “Baby” produced by Chris Potter, who has produced/engineered such bands as The Verve, U2, and The Rolling Stones and more recently releasing April Sky.

Gallery:

Norgrove in Zero Time. Picture courtesy of Body Politic