Owter Zeds / Band
We've been Owter Zeds for thirty years and it's time you came to see us! We play regularly round and about in West Yorkshire and beyond. There are eight of us, and we only ever play tunes that we've written ourselves - no covers! Madness, The Specials, UB40 never played any of our tunes, so why should we play any of theirs?
In the early eighties a loose bunch of musicians based around the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge played together in various combinations, mainly playing R&B and rock covers to raise funds for local causes and things like nuclear disarmament, anti-whaling etc.
When the miners’ strikes began, a few of these players decided to have a go at playing some reggae covers and ‘Citizen Reg (Mike Shillabear) and the Reggieburgers’ was formed. The band lasted about a year, playing six or seven gigs before a few members decided to take it a little further and write some original tunes in the Ska/Reggae vein with the aim of making people dance.
John Armstrong (keys & vocals), Jim Gault (bass), Steve Grey (vocals), Duncan Smethurst (guitar), Mo Lindley (drums), Willy (clarinet) and Danny Fishel (trombone) formed the original lineup playing their first gig at the Ground Floor project in 1984. (although Willy walked out half way through the second or third gig and was never seen again.)
In the early years the band would often set off in a hire van sleeping on the floor at the venue after the gig and travelling to the next gig seated on the amps in the back of the van.
Later on they were a popular act at the famous Hill Inn at Ingleton where the bands started to play in the barn after the pub had closed at 11pm (there was a bar in the barn.) The audiences were cavers and climbers and other wild outdoor types and it wasn’t unusual for the Zeds to be playing the fourth set at 4am.
Since then the band has seen the following members: one lead vocalist & one backing singer, one bass player, one clarinetist, two keyboard players, three trumpeters (one of whom, Colin Alker, has sadly died), four saxophonists, five trombonists, seven guitarists and nine drummers. Several members have left and rejoined the band and one (Steve Andrews) has played both guitar and drums at different stages.
Despite pressure to play covers at different times in its history, the band has stuck to its original principle of playing only original material with many of the members contributing tunes over the years.
In the mid 90s, 00s & 2024, the band visited France to play at various festivals and toured the Charente region. This became a regular event and, although they don’t go every year, they are still popular in South Central France and are likely to be seen there in years to come.
Meanwhile the band are alive and well , playing regularly around the North West and occasionally further afield and hoping to make inroads to the festival circuit.
Music
Blown Away
No Instructions
Red Hot Day
Reviews
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Practical information
- Number of members
- 10
- Plays
- Only original songs
- Maximum duration
- 100 minutes
- Minimum requirements on stage
- Mains Electric Weather cover
- Other notes
Owter Zeds is an 10-piece ska band hailing from Hebden Bridge in the Calder Valley, Yorkshire, England. They’re known for their original ska and rock compositions, which are typically upbeat, catchy, and designed to get people dancing.
10-piece Ska/reggae original songs incl. full 3-piece brass - no covers!
Highly talented musicians with a very tight big full sound incl. full 3-piece brass section.
Lots of dancing expected & if not highly interesting & engaging to watch.Often described as local “ska legends,” they’ve been performing live gigs for years, including festivals and venues around the UK and even abroad, like a show in Aubeterre, France, in 2024.
Their music draws from classic ska influences but features their own twists, and they’ve shared performances online, such as at the Trades Club during the Hebden Bridge Folk Roots Festival in 2022, where they played tracks like a Ukrainian ska tune.
You can find them on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and even an old MySpace page, where they post about upcoming shows and share videos.
If you’re into energetic, feel-good ska, they’re worth checking out for a live set.
Owter Zeds Facebook Page https://facebook.com/owterzeds
LIVE gig videos
Hebden Bridge Trades Club 40th Anniversary https://youtu.be/P817nW8IV9Qhttps://www.facebook.com/share/v/17pLb69qwh/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CftAnApRB/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1714qmK6X7/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ASAX4AMmt/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17aw758MGQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Contact
Send a message if you're interested - Gary
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Gigstarter about Owter Zeds
Owter Zeds is a band from Hebden Bridge. Owter Zeds plays Ska, Reggae & Rock music. Owter Zeds has had no verified bookings through Gigstarter since signing up on 20/02/2018.
The music of Owter Zeds is influenced by famous acts such as Original songs Ska, Reggae, Rock, jazz, sound like The Specials, Madness, UB40. The repetoire of Owter Zeds consists of only original songs.
Owter Zeds has a price indication of £300 - £1500 for gigs. Keep in mind that things like sound equipment, travelling distance and play time typically influence the definitive price. Don't hesitate to contact the artist!
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