Xero (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Founder | Irena Luckus |
| Defunct | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Xero (alternatively spelled Zero or Xiro) was a punk and new wave group originating from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, established in 1978. The ensemble was led by Irena Luckus, who handled vocals, keyboards, and guitar duties. The band ceased activities in 1983.
History
The band initially formed in Brisbane in 1977 with members Peter Adams (guitar, vocals), Chris Anderson (guitar, vocals), Jude Clarkin (bongos), Barbara Hart (saxophone, flute), John Hunt (bass), Irena Luckus (vocals, keyboards, guitar), and Debbie Penny (drums). By the following year, the lineup expanded to include Vic Allen, Deborah Thomas, and Lindy Morrison as they toured New South Wales, performing in locations such as Canberra and Newcastle. In 1979, the group consolidated into a quartet featuring Luckus, Morrison, John Willsteed, and Michael O'Connell. They gained recognition for opening shows for The Cure during the Seventeen Seconds tour. Robert Forster from The Go-Betweens occasionally joined them as a guest musician. After Morrison departed in 1980 to collaborate with Forster and Grant McLennan, O'Connell relocated to Sydney. Subsequently, the band rebranded as Xiro and incorporated a Roland DR-55 drum machine into their sound.
During mid-1980, Xiro issued two cassette EPs containing four tracks each: Half the Profits and Religious Wars. They again supported The Cure in 1981 with future Xero drummer Steven Pritchard on board. The core of Luckus and Willsteed was supplemented by Clare McKenna on drums, which led to increased songwriting efforts and performances across Brisbane venues. In 1982, Xero laid down the six-track EP Lust in the Dust at Basement Studios with a lineup comprising Luckus; Tony Childs on bass; Willsteed contributing bass, guitar, Casio keyboards, and vocals; and Pritchard on drums.
The dissolution of Xero came in 1983 when Luckus moved to France. Following this, Morrison and Willsteed became members of the Go-Betweens, while O'Connell and Willsteed joined the Apartments. The band has reunited sporadically since 1986 for live shows.
Members
- Irena Luckus – vocals, keyboards, guitar (1978–84)
- Chris Anderson – guitar, vocals (1978)
- Peter Adams – guitar, vocals (1978)
- Debbie Penny – drums (1978)
- John Hunt – bass guitar (1978)
- Barbara Hart – saxophone, flute (1978)
- Jude Clarkin – bongos (1978)
- Vic Allen (also known as Nicki Nought) – guitar (1979)
- Deborah Thomas (also known as Debbie Zero) – guitar (1979)
- John Willsteed (also known as John e) – bass guitar (1979–84), vocals (1980–84), guitar and keyboards (1981–84)
- Lindy Morrison – drums (1979–80)
- Robert Forster – guitar, vocals (1979)
- Michael O'Connell – guitar, vocals (1979–1980)
- Clare McKenna – drums, bass guitar, vocals (1980–1981)
- Mal Skewis – auxiliary live vocalist (1980–1981)
- Gary Warner – vocals and soprano saxophone (live auxiliary musician) (1980–1981)
- Colin Bloxsom – auxiliary live guitarist (1980–1981)
- Steven Pritchard – drums (1981–1982)
- Tony Childs – bass guitar (1982)
- Tony Milner – guitar (1983)
Discography
- Half the Profits (under the name Xiro) cassette EP (self-released, July 1980)
- Religious Wars (under the name Xiro) cassette EP (self-released, July 1980)
- Lust in the Dust (under the name Xero) 12" EP (M-Squared, 1982)
- Xiro Live at the Cement Box Theatre CD (Ten of Cups, 1998)
References
- General
- Note: The archived online version may have restricted features.
External links
- Contributors to Project BNE – archive documenting Brisbane's independent electronic music scene from 1979 to 2014
- Band profile on Inner City Sound
- Playlist dated 15 December 2005 from Brisbane’s 4ZZZ radio station