The Zamora's star shone brightly but briefly between 2000 and 2001. Named after Brighton & Hove Albion's then star-striker Bobby Zamora, the band started out as Jaded before a name-change took them to surprising new heights.
With a sound that took after groups like Trail Of Dead, Sonic Youth, and Smashing Pumpkins, plus a live show with hints of Bowie and Iggy Pop, the Brighton boys tucked a couple of EP recordings under their belt and switched names.
This got picked up on by the national press, who arranged a meeting between the band and the footballer. Although he didn't really dig their tunes, the goal scorer was still pleased to have a band named after himself. This gave The Zamora a run of publicity in The Sun, The Telegraph and The Guardian, plus appearances on BBC Radio Five and BBC1's 'Football Focus'.
Ultimately, it was too much too soon, and the attention broke the band in unexpected ways. The recordings were later released on the SPR anthology CD 'Pigeon Souvenirs', and are given away for download here.
