The Zombies

Resurrected for the third time since their 1960s beginnings, the Zombies embark on a 50th Anniversary tour, visiting the Caves to showcase their new album Breathe in, Breathe Out. Bad leather jackets donned and dentures in, the elderly rockers eagerly await the arrival of the band, filling the venue with an excited chatter. Original band members Colin Blunstone and Ron Argent sweep on stage with their fellow performers shuffling in behind. With a winning smile and well-practiced flick of still lustrous hair, Blunstone embarks on a two hour set charged with the cool energy of his former 60s self. Surprisingly, his voice maintains most of its original haunting quality throughout the first set, especially during the harmonically evocative 1965 hit I Love You. Unfortunately the adolescent hysteria that Argent and Blunstone clearly thrived on in their youth is not present tonight. As is the risk in performing to a senior audience, the atmosphere is a little dead.

Nonetheless, like the old pros they are, The Zombies persevere, and spanning their fifty year career, they mash together old hits, Tell Her No, She’s Not There and Time of the Season with covers of popular songs. The charisma of Blunstone and the creative force of Argent are clear as they push through the gig. A little rivalry can be sensed as Argent vies for attention with a brilliant, but over-extended, keyboard riff during Time of the Season. Blunstone’s face sets into a grimace as the limelight-thief gives cheeky eyes to the front row.

This British Invasion group should perhaps call off the raid. The new material is at best formulaic, with highlights from the talented guitarist and new addition Tom Toomey, but the rest is essentially mediocre soft rock. Although their biggest tunes are popular and melodically sophisticated, much of what characterised their success depended on more than fine and pretty voices. Now those pleasant tones are encased in aging bodies, and sadly those slinky (and maybe false) hips just don’t cut it on this stage any more.