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ZORCH were England's first totally electronic band, pioneering integrated performances of synthesizers and lightshow. By 1975 Zorch (originally a four piece band) were performing as a duo, Basil Brooks and Gwyo Zepix, playing three EMS analogue synthesizers, accompanied by Silver the dancer and a full psychedelic lightshow. With their electronic melodies and sequencer bass lines, they created a unique musical style. In the days before digital synthesizers and personal computers, Zorch took their music, visuals and audience into uncharted territory.
Zorch played at a number of 70's Free Festivals: Windsor '74, Meagan Fayre '75 and Stonehenge '74 & '75.
Zorch were the only band to record in Peter Zinovieff's EMS studio. In 1975 they used the Putney studio along with its EMS Synthi 100 to record the Ouroboros Suite. Some of this music was used as the sound track for the "Mother Earth" film with visuals created using the Spectron Video Synthesizer. Material from these sessions has now been remastered for CD release.
Zorch parted company in 1976. Basil went on to join the Steve Hillage Band and provided the live sound effects for The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy stage shows. Gwyo joined Skywhale and later moved to Germany to pursue his musical career with a number of bands. Gwyo returned to the UK in 2000 to join the reformed Gong line-up on keyboards and synthesizers.
In 2000 Zorch reformed and have since played a number of UK gigs including The Garage with Daevid Allen, Hackney Empire with Gong and Tribe of Frog in Bristol. In 2001 they played at Glastonbury Assembly Rooms and recorded a live album "Glastonbury Live" which is now available on CD.
In November 2006 Zorch played live at the Gong Unconvention in Amsterdam. More info at www.planetgong.co.uk.
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