The Astro Zombies

Started in 1996, the french psychobilly band, The Astro Zombies, crawled out of the vineyards of the Burgundy area to conquer the R'n'R scene. They started out as an opening band but soon developed a name for themselves. Playing gigs with big bands like The Meteors, GuanaBatz, Misfits, only to name a few, and playing big European Festivals, The Astro Zombies grew and the fans followed. They’ve toured through nearly all of Europe, from Spain to Finland, Sweden, USA, Russia, Mexico and Brazil. Their first album, “The Astro Zombies are Coming” was recorded “In Heaven”, Paul P. Fenech (godfather of Psychobilly) recording studio. The album was originally released in 1997 by Banana Juice label (France) and re-released in 2000 by popular demand, on Crazy Love Records. The album was a good mix of pure rock n’ roll and psychobilly which ultimately opened the doors to the psychobilly world. From that meeting, between 2000 and 2002, Bobby (guitar/vocals) and Gaybeul (drums) will participate in Paul P. Fenech side project The 10th Key Screamers. They’ll play on two albums "screaming on the 10th key” and "fenechophobia" and will tour twice with him. In 2000, The Astro Zombies recorded their second album, “Control your Minds” for the German label, Crazy Love Records. After a couple years of solid touring, The Astro Zombies went back to the studio and recorded their third and heavier album, “Mutilate, Torture, and Kill” at the legendary Kaiser Studio. This album was released in 2003 on the UK label, Raucous Records. In 2004, the line-up changed and the band welcomed the arrival of the new bass player, Fantomas, of the US band The Kings of Nuthin’ and formerly of Frantic Flintstones. After the 2007 release of the much acclaimed live platter "Burgundy Livers" out on Raucous Records, the band saw the departure of Gaybeul and the arrival of Markus on drums. In 2008, the 1st EP and 1st album was re-released with extra tracks on Crazy Love Records and a best of "Lo mejor de los Astro Zombies - exitos del espacio exterior" was released on the mexican label Bam Bam records. Then the three-headed undead unleash their fourth studio album in 2009. "Convince Or Confuse" delivers all the motley goods these international rockers thrive on, from old-time psychobilly to surfin' sleaze, greasy instrumentals, punked-up gems and a whole lot more sonic glory. Among those standout tracks is "Hey Gyp", featuring magnificent vocals of Sarah Blackwood from punkabilly prowlers The Creepshow, while a lethal rendition of the classic "Bang Bang" will send Cher and Nancy Sinatra on a coffin shopping spree. "Margarita" even puts a psycho spin on spanish folk styles, enriched by gloomy string arrangements and accelerating fiddles. "Convince Or Confuse" also marks the last Astro Zombies recordings of standup bass player Thomas Frenchy. His successor is none other than Long Tall Texans and Hotknives main man Mark Carew. More solid proof the Astro Zombies keep going from strength to strength. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.