Paul Simms currently plays in Eibon La Furies
See also:
Eibon La Furies
Other Members throughout EZ’s life:
Julian Copley (Bass), Lee Hutchinson (Drums), Andy Thomas (Guitar), Neil Armstrong (Guitar), Ian Simpson (Bass), Gary Bow (Drums), Nathan Fairweather (Drums)
Brief Band History:
Originally formed by Paul Sims and Julian Copley whilst still at school. Lee Hutchinson and Andy Thomas joined shortly after replying to an advert for musicians.
The name ‘Erich Zann’ came from a H.P. Lovecraft story ‘The Music Of Erich Zann’ about an old German violinist who played strange music in other dimensions!
At this point Erich Zann were a thrash band playing fast covers of Iron Maiden and Metallica amongst their own compositions.
Their first gigs were in the Lincoln Rock Band Competition (First gig 18th March 1989 – Croft St
Community Centre). They came 6th in the whole competition (out of about 70 bands) and if rumours are to be believed were not put in the finals as people were scared of the moshing the band incited!
This first lineup played a handful of gigs around Lincoln including the (legendary?!) Cornhill Vaults.
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In the summer of 1989 the band split with Paul Sims taking the band into a more Death/ Black Metal direction with an eye on the theatrical (The other three carried on under the name ‘Unleashed’ for a short time).
During the summer of ‘89 Paul put together a new line-up. Neil Armstrong came in on guitar with Ian Simpson on bass (when he left his brother Alec took up bass duties). Lee Hutchinson rejoined.
At this time the band shared practice rooms with Tayma at the Whisby Road lock-ups (anyone who practiced down there will remember the place with fondness / horror!)
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In the early 90’s Neil and Lee left and were replaced by Jake Lee and Paul Drayton (Both Gary Bow and Nathan Fairweather sat behind the drums temporarily until Paul was recruited as full time drummer). It was this line-up that started to pick up interest around the UK.
A demo, ‘…In Theory And Practice’ was recorded. The focus of all the band’s songs was now pretty much on H.P. Lovecraft or Edgar Allan Poe stories. The stage show became more theatrical, incorporated pyros, tons of smoke and intense strobes – so much so many venues wouldn’t allow the band to play! This helped garner more interest in the band; in fact some people came to gigs just to see what the band would blow up next!
During the early 90’s Erich Zann supported a lot of the upcoming metal bands in the UK including Xentrix, Toranaga and Seventh Angel. They also quite bizarrely supported Sink (ex-Stupids).
A lot of ‘great’ things were discussed at this time including a festival appearance with Iron Maiden, label interest from Peaceville and Earache Records and further ranging gig swaps with bands around the UK. We were also getting mentioned more in the national magazines such as Kerrang (although like many journalists they spelt the name wrong!).
The last Erich Zann gig was on home turf in Lincoln at The Falcon, July 6th 1993.
The band ended as real life started to get in the way more and more! Paul Drayton left Lincoln for University, Alec Simpson played in a couple of other projects before moving to Nottingham. Jake Lee carried on with Paul Sims in a few other projects.
Some of the old Erich Zann songs can be heard (revamped) in Paul Sims’ Avant Garde Black Metal project ‘Eibon la Furies’ – www.eibonlafuries.co.uk |
