Zolar X

__________Infobox musical artist
Name = Zolar X


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Background = group_or_band
Origin = California, United States
Genre = punk rock, glam rock, outsider music, space rock, psychedelic rock, protopunk
Years_active = 1973 – 1981, 2004 – present
Label = Alternative Tentacles
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.geocities.com/zolarx1 Zolar X website]
[http://www.myspace.com/zolarx Zolar X myspace]
Current_members = Ygarr Ygarrist
Zany Zatovian
Zory Zenith
Qazar Quantor
Eon Flash
Ufoian Ufar
Romm Eclipse
Associated_acts = The Spys

Zolar X is an early punk rock band, established in 1973, recently staging a comeback.

From 1973 to 1981 Zolar X became legendary on the west coast USA for dressing and acting like space-aliens 24 hours a day. They spoke ceaselessly in an "alien language" of their own invention, which would amuse, but often infuriate the public at large. They are referred to as "Los Angeles' first glam rock band" in the 1998 book "Glam" by Barney Hoskyns. Zolar X's origin is included in author Marc Spitz and Brendan Mullen's quintessential 2001 book on the Los Angeles punk scene "We Got The Neutron Bomb".

In the 1970s, Zolar X's outlandish image was matched by over the top performances, otherworldly stage sets, and their unique brand of glitter-space-rock. They were the house band at famed Los Angeles nightclub Rodney Bingenheimer's English Disco, which was recently immortalized in George Hickenlooper's 2004 documentary "Mayor Of The Sunset Strip". Zolar X played historic gigs with Iggy Pop, Michael Des Barres, Jobriath, New York Dolls, among others. Ace Frehley of Kiss was a Zolar X fan and early supporter.

History

Coming to Earth: 1973 - 1975

In their first incarnation, Zolar X enjoyed regional success as a live act - and national exposure via Lenny Kaye's Rock Scene Magazine, but commercial success eluded them. In the pre-punk-DIY (do it yourself) era, Zolar X recorded, but waited and waited to get signed. They eventually released one independent record, the posthumous collection of well produced demos "Timeless" (1982 Pyramid Records) which has become a highly sought out, expensive collectors item.

Zolar X's "mastermind," was vocalist, composer, pianist Stephen Della Bosca who later rechristened himself "Ygarr Ygarrist" (pronounced WHY-GARR WHY-GARR-IST) upon forming Zolar X. Della Bosca aka Ygarr played in a few local San Francisco bands (The Hedge, Bosca) before heading to Los Angeles in 1972 with his friend Bruce Courtois (Zany Zatovian).

Ygarr and Zany found their perfect foil, with frontman Zory Zenith whom they met at famed rock star hangout Rodney Bingenheimer's English Disco. Zory was the former drummer of LA rock band Shady Lady, who had a reissue LP in 2005 on Italy's Rave Up Records. Zory, inspired by David Bowie, cut his hair in the trademark Zolar X "pointed" fashion. He was shocked to walk into Rodney's, to find Ygarr and Zany (whom he had never met before) with the same pointed haircuts! They hit it off. Zory's untrained vocal delivery could be described as "pre-punk." Zory would end up handling about 40% of the lead vocals, while Ygarr handled about 60%. Zory spent large amounts of stage time performing intricate mime routines. The lineup was complete when they found drummer Craig Rhinehart (Eon Flash), a former member of San Francisco hard rock band Legs Diamond.

Zolar X were for a time the "house band" at Rodney Bingenheimer's English Disco. They shared stages with Iggy Pop, The New York Dolls, Ray Manzarek, Jobriath, Berlin Brats, and Silverhead (among others). Zolar X's week long stint at The Palladium with Jobriath was televised locally in Los Angeles. Zolar X were interviewed on one of the very first episodes of Tom Snyder's The Tomorrow Show in '74, along with Rodney Bingenheimer, and legendary scenesters Sable Starr and Chuck E. Starr. George Clayton Johnson was a fan, and would introduce them on occasion. Kiss would check them out and Zolar X slugged it out against all odds in the pre-DIY rock scene.

In 1974, Zolar X recorded a 2 song demo Space Age Love b/w Energize Me, at Crystal Studios. They pressed appx. 10 vinyl singles of these tracks, and they were given to various record companies. Ygarr's sister thankfully kept one of them - and it was used to press a limited edition '45 of this rare artifact in 2005.

Zolar X, Phase Two: 1976-1977

Zany and Eon Flash's departure in 1975 resulted in Ygarr recruiting bass player Ufoian Ufar (Tom Lee) and drummer Romm Eclipse (Ron Eiseman). Zory left to pursue religious studies. Ygarr, Ufoian, and Romm briefly played out and recorded as The Spacers. Zory soon rejoined and Zolar X recorded with famed producer/engineer Jim Dickenson at Memphis' Arden Studios. Romm left, and Eon rejoined in 1977.

The Downfall: 1978-1981

While Zolar X were on hiatus, Ygarr formed a LA punk band "The Spys" with Rock Bottom. The two of them would write a whole collection of new songs in one night, which they released (DIY) as the single Rich Girl b/w No Good, Deathtrap. Around this time, Ygarr began to spiral into excessive drug/alcohol abuse. Zolar X regrouped in 1979, but Zory Zenith was promptly fired for having an affair with their manager's girlfriend, and dancing on top of the manager's limousine. Zolar X recorded as a 3 piece, with Ygarr handling all the lead vocals. Zory was quickly asked to rejoin, and in 1980, Zolar X recorded one last time at Army St. Studios in San Francisco.

The now clichéd factors of substance abuse, mental illness, bad management, and intolerant girlfriends derailed their career. A 1982 posthumous LP (Timeless) became a holy grail for record collectors. It was a clear LP in a clear plastic sleeve released on Pyramid Records. Timeless sealed Zolar X's legacy, and as of 2006, typically fetches between $300 - $400 on the collectors market.

Return of Zolar X: 2004 - now

Longtime fan Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys) released a deluxe edition of "Timeless" in late 2004. Inspired, Zolar X reformed in 2005. Zolar X have been critically re-evaluated, with praise from the worldwide press. Zolar X articles appeared in the UK's top selling rock magazine MOJO (October 2004) and popular USA rock magazine Blender (September 2006). "Timeless" and demos of newly recorded Zolar X material are receiving frequent airplay on Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols radio show Jonesy's Jukebox, and on Rodney Bingenheimer's KROQ radio show.

The band reunited in 2005, and played for the first time since 1981. Zory Zenith was unable to participate because he received a 10 year sentence in Oregon for repeated instances of domestic violence. Ygarr (sober since 1989) and Eon Flash were joined by new bass player Jett Starsystems, formerly Jet Black, a former DJ at Rodney's English Disco, and founding member of goth forerunners Voodoo Church. Zolar X still play with metallic amp casings, silver platforms and backdrops, antennae headgear, and ever-changing outfits faithful to the 70's glam era.

Zolar X showcased at the world renowned SXSW (South By Southwest) Music Festival in March 2006. They were introduced by Jello Biafra, and Canadian TV personality Nardwuar. Shortly after SXSW, Zolar X appeared on Canadian TV show MuchMusic, subject of a full length feature, interviewed by Nardwuar. On April 30th 2006, at The Avalon in Hollywood, Zolar X received a "lifetime achievement award" at the first annual LARPY (live action role playing) AWARDS, for their dedication to role playing, both on-stage and off. Presenters included José Canseco, and Deborah Gibson.

They toured nationally in the United States in 2005-2006. They plan to tour again in the USA, and journey overseas for their 2007 release X Marks The Spot. In June of '07, Zolar X self-released a limited edition [500 only] CD compilation entitled ZAP! You're Zolarized, which previews 4 songs from the upcoming Alternative Tentacles release, and contains unreleased vintage Zolar X music, as well as soundtrack music from the upcoming Zolar X documentary.

Zolar X's saga is the subject of the documentary currently in production titled "Starmen On Sunset". The film is scheduled for completion in 2008, and is directed by Chuck Nolan, produced/edited by Rhaine Hessinger. To date, interviewees for the documentary include Jane Wiedlin (Go-Gos/Surreal Life), Rodney Bingenheimer (Mayor Of The Sunset Strip), Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), Stan Lee (The Dickies), Don Bolles (The Germs), Brendan Mullen (We Got The Neutron Bomb), Geza X (producer/musician/social engineer), Jeff Poole (Legs Diamond), Danny Benair (The Quick), Lisa Fancher (Frontier Records), Rick Maymi (Brian Jonestown Massacre)

Zolar X were featured on a 2007 episode of The Next Great American Band reality show. The judges tore them apart.

A new album, called "X marks the spot", was recently released.

Discography

* Timeless [clear vinyl LP] (1982) Pyramid Records
* Timeless [CD/LP] (2004) Alternative Tentacles
* Space Age Love '74/Energize Me '74 [45] (2006) Deliar Spacer Corporation (500 only)
* ZAP! You're Zolarized! [CD] (2007) Deliar Spacer Corporation (500 only)
* X Marks The Spot (2007) [CD/LP] Alternative Tentacles

References

* Spitz, Marc/Mullen, Brendan (2001) "We Got The Neutron Bomb: The Untold Story of LA Punk". Publisher: Three Rivers Press ISBN-10: 0609807749 and ISBN-13: 978-0609807743 [pg. 6-10, 17]

* Hoskyns, Barney (1998) "Glam: Bowie, Bolan and the Glitter Rock Revolution". Publisher: Pocket Books ISBN-10: 0671034405 and ISBN-13: 978-0671034405 [pg. 79-80]

* Nolan, Chuck. "Lost In Space: The Space Rock, Hard Knock Tale Of Zolar X." MOJO November 2004. [pg. 32-33] .

* Harrison, Ian. The Vinyl Countdown: Space Age Love/Energize Me. MOJO August 2006. [pg. 114]

* Kapelovitz, Dan. "Weird Band Alert." Blender September 2006 [pg. 36]

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/zolarx1 Original Zolar X fansite]
* [http://www.epix1.com Zolar X documentary official site]
* [http://www.alternativetentacles.com Zolar X's record label Alternative Tentacles]
* [http://www.zolarx.com Zolar X official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/zolarx Zolar X myspace]
* [http://www.myspace.com/zolarxtimelessthemovie Zolar X documentary myspace]
* [http://www.geocities.com/zolarx1/Image24.jpgZolar X on Tom Snyder (photo)]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:2vvyxdfb4ols~T1 Zolar X on AllMusic.com]
* [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp?pid=627779&cr=artist&or=ASCENDING&sf=length&kw=zolar%20x Zolar X at Billboard.com]
* [http://www.slamrocks.com/zolarx.htm Slam Rocks (Italy) interview]
* [http://www.victimoftime.com/articles/zolar-x-tour-part-our-planet/ Victim of Time tour article]
* [http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0744,smith,78197,22.html The Village Voice review of X Marks the Spot]
* [http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=667511573 Starmen on Sunset (Zolar X documentary) on Facebook]