From Canvey Island in Essex, WILCO JOHNSON played in several local groups before moving to the University of Newcastle upon Tyne to study English. Returning to Essex, he played with the Pigboy Charlie Band, which evolved into Dr. Feelgood. Wilco developed his own unique style, coupling a choppy guitar style with a novel dress sense (he favoured a black suit and a 'pudding bowl' haircut) and jerky movements. In 1977, he was a founder member of the Solid Senders, and a couple of years later joined Ian Dury’s band, The Blockheads. He then formed the Wilko Johnson Band, joined by Blockhead bassist Norman Watt- Roy and drummer Steve Monti (former Curve and The Jesus and Mary Chain).

Website: www.wilcojohnson.com

Every now and then the live circuit spawns an original band with enough self belief, energy and a batch of songs worthy of the name. THE ZEDS are just such a band. A band to make you believe that there is still life outside of Simon Cowell, tribute bands and tiresome boy/girl bands.

Check out The Zeds MySpace page