Zona A
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Zona A is a Slovak band.
The band was formed in 1984 by the lead vocalist Koňýk and the guitarist Leďo (former members of PARADOX, a punkband established in 1980), the drummer Ozi, guitarist Sveťo (former members of EXTIP, another punkband established in 1980) and with the bassist Braňo Alex. Under the communist regime there were very limited possibilities to play concerts inside or outside Czechoslovakia. The shows had to be organized secretly or under a different name, because many concerts were cancelled by the secret police. They had 4 demo tapes. In 1985 the first TV movie about the band was made, but it was never broadcast because communist TV leaders labeled it as "unsuitable for socialist youth." In 1986, the secret police took away the passports of the band in order to avoid their appearance at the Polish festival JAROCIN. At the start of 1988 SVETO left the band to reform EXTIP. He was replaced by a semipermanent member ELVIS, who played the accordion. Since 1988, because of “perestroika”, the situation began improving - there were first legal appearances on official festivals, interviews in national newspapers etc. The state record company OPUS offered to put out a single. However, in the end it did not happen because band refused to change the lyrics to songs. Anyway, in summer 1989, they were first punk band to appear in TV “Top of the pops”. Also another TV film was made, but again, it hit the air only after velvet revolution in fall of 1989.Band played big celebration festivals at the end of 1989, also in Prague in a front of 20 000 people, Vaclav Havel included. In a start of 1990 BRANO and OZI left, to form SLOBODNA EUROPA, together with Sveto. They were temporarily replaced by MIKI-bass and TIBOR CECH - drums, both EXTIP members, guested for one year, until Lump, Ledos brother, returns from army service. In spring 1990 was LP ”POTOPA” recorded for the state record company, because indie record companies still didn't exist in those days. It was in biggest record studio in Czechoslovakia, (before us, there was a classical orchestra with 60 members included!). There were first appearances on compilations and also first concerts in Western Europe: Italy, Switzerland, Austria, supporting UK Subs. In January the line up was complete with LUMP CUPE-bass (former guitarist in punk bands KRACH and LORD ALEX) and MIKKO-drums (ex LORD ALEX too). In 1993 was second album released and band started to be included in numerous punk and oi! compilations in west. Since 1996 is band under label EMI-Slovakia. This “major label” employs 2 people-chief and secretary. In start of 2002 LEDO left the band to continue in OI!punk band BRICKFIELD, together with Ozi, exdrummer of the band. He was replaced by REVO, who is ex-EXTIP again.
They played in: France, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, Germany, Austria, Poland and Hungary.
They played with: Sham 69, Major Accident, Red Alert, Vibrators, Anti-nowhere League, UK Subs, Drones, Peter&Test Tube Babies, One Way System, Special Duties, Guttersnipes, TV Smith, Splodgenessabounds, Menace, Boots&Braces, Los Fastidios, Twinkles, Vice Squad, ...
[edit] Members
Vocals: Koňýk
Guitar: Revo
Bass: Lump Čupe
Drums: Miko
[edit] Discography
1990 - Potopa (first album, reissue in 2000)
1993 - Nie je to tak zlé (second album)
1994 - Útok na špicu hitparády (this compilation, contains old songs from two movies about the band "Zóna A","Nezmením sa!" )
1996 - V životnej forme (third album, contains the best song Ľudia v pohybe)
1999 - Nech žijeme (second compilation, contains old demotapes songs)
2000 - Nikto nevie jak to dopadne (fourth album)
2004 - Na predaj (the newest album, contains megahit Chleba)
