Zedisforzebra

Zedisforzebra were a British Christian punk band from Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. Active in the early 2000s, the band were part of a small but energetic UK Christian punk scene alongside groups such as Cephas and Decapolis. Their music was described by Cross Rhythms as hook-laden punk rock and was compared to bands such as MxPx and Dogwood.

The band released the independent demo Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas in 2002 and the five-track single or EP True Romance in 2003. Zedisforzebra disbanded in December 2003, playing their final concert at The Pack Horse in Leeds.

History

Zedisforzebra were based in Halifax and consisted of Adam Robinson on guitar and vocals, Pete Green on bass and vocals, and Chris Smith on drums. Cross Rhythms reported in 2003 that the members were all in their late teens and had formed as friends with the right mix of musical skills to start a band. The same article noted that the band’s name came from looking through a children’s alphabet book.

The band became associated with the growing British Christian punk scene of the early 2000s. In a Cross Rhythms feature on British Christian punk, Zedisforzebra were grouped with other UK acts such as Cephas and Decapolis. Their sound was described as an infectious and hook-driven form of punk rock, with comparisons made to MxPx and Dogwood.

In 2002, Zedisforzebra released the independent demo Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas. Cross Rhythms listed the release as a hard music EP and gave it an 8 out of 10 review rating in its artist profile database.

The band followed this with True Romance in 2003. Cross Rhythms reviewed the release positively, describing it as a five-song independent CD single or EP and praising the band’s tuneful hooks and punk energy. The review listed the tracks as “Chester”, “Timeless Classic”, “Billberina”, “Last Night” and “The First Rule”.

In 2003, Adam Zebra of Zedisforzebra was involved in organising Skankfest 2003: Sweet ‘n’ Stourbridge, a benefit mini-festival at the Rock Cafe in Stourbridge in support of Cross Rhythms. The event included Zedisforzebra, Gen and Fire Fly.

Zedisforzebra broke up in December 2003. Cross Rhythms reported that their final concert took place at The Pack Horse in Leeds on 9 December 2003. Lead singer Adam reflected positively on his time in the band, saying that the experience had brought him new friendships and memories he would not have swapped.

After the band had disbanded, Zedisforzebra were included on the UK Christian punk compilation Bulldogs & Safety Pins, released by Zero Airplay Promotions. Cross Rhythms reported that the compilation featured unsigned and disbanded British Christian punk bands, including Cheddleton, Subonyx, Standing Room Only, Cephas, Zedisforzebra and Decapolis. ZAP Records later reissued the compilation digitally, with Zedisforzebra represented by the track “Timeless Classic”.

Musical style

Zedisforzebra played Christian punk, skate punk and pop punk. Cross Rhythms described them as part of a new wave of British Christian punk bands bringing energy to youth music, and compared their hook-driven punk rock sound to MxPx and Dogwood.

Members

• Adam Robinson – guitar, vocals
• Pete Green – bass, vocals
• Chris Smith – drums