Back to Zero============

By Philip Hall.

Back to Zero are probably the hardest mod band to categories. They have an unusual style, which makes them one of my favourite bands at the moment.

On vocals 18 year old Brian B. whose small figure moves nervously round the stage, sings his heart and smiles consciously a special frontman: 17 year old bespectacled guitarist Sam Burnett who’s been playing guitar since he was six, moves tautly back and forwards , turning out scratchy , distinctive riff. The even younger rhythm section. Andy Moor (16) drums and Matt (17) bass fit out the sound with a basic underplayed beat.

The band formed in North London in March this year, Sam , Matt and Andy all went to the same school , and Brian met them at a mod gig last year."We’ve done about 30 gigs so far and most have them have been supporting bands like Secret Affair. That way we’ve got the experience without getting hyped. We’ve had to work hard to build up our fans" Brian tells me.

The band have a series of persistent songs which brings back audiences to see Back To Zero again and again. One song "Modern Boys" has one of the best hooks I’ve heard in a long time. "Releasing "Modern Boys" as a single could pigeonhole us it could easily become a mod anthem. Then everyone would expect us to release another anthem as follow up.. We’ve signed to Fiction Records and are bringing out "Wrong Side Of Heaven" / "Back to Back" as a single" says Brian.

Mal and Andy are still at school and have no plans to leave yet. As Brian says "It’s lucky this tour is in the summer holidays otherwise we probably wouldn’t be on it" In many ways Back To Zero give off an odd amateurish air which makes them easy to relate to. "We don’t think we’re representatives when we’re on stage, We’re playing what we like and what the crowd like" says Brian. "When the crowd get going they are part of us".

Brian has always been totally into the mod scene. "I’ve been brought up on the sixties soul stuff. My brother was an original mod, I think our set is a liberal mixture of sixties sounds with New Wave influences. We are just mod fans playing in a mod band. If we got Number one single I’d still be dancing at the front at mod gigs. I don’t care if they’re 1000’s of mods or if I’m the only mod, I just love the whole idea of what mod is. I do get worried at times about the press blowing up what is happening but really I’m just to busy enjoying myself at the moment to really care".

Back To Zero could be the surprise band of the mod movement.