The Zombies Invade Stern Grove
The Zombies, the '60s psych-pop band—not the undead—closed the 77th Stern Grove Festival on Sunday with a free concert for music fans of all ages. This season’s lineup included the S.F. Symphony, Rufus Wainwright, Darlene Love, and Sergio Mendes.
A crowd of about 12,000 concertgoers brought picnic lunches and sat on the lawn and benches. Others looked for quiet and found spots among the eucalyptus and redwoods that line the park’s hillside. The music sounded great no matter where you were.
The Zombies formed in 1961 and were led by Rod Argent on piano and Colin Blunstone on vocals. During the mid-1960s British Invasion era, they scored worldwide hits with “Time of the Season,” “She’s Not There,” and “Tell Her No.” Even a San Jose band called People! hit big in 1968 with a Zombies’ cover called “I Love You.” After decades apart, Blunstone and Argent reunited in 1999, and eventually promoters began billing them as The Zombies.
San Francisco’s Vetiver kicked off the afternoon concert. The indie folk band formed in 2002 and released their first album two years later. In case you were wondering, their name refers to an Asian relative of lemongrass used in perfume making.
The Zombies at Stern Grove. Photo: Steve Roby
The Zombies took the stage at 3:10 pm and performed nonstop for 95 minutes. Their 21-song set featured popular hits, but there was also a medley of tunes from Odessey & Oracle, which ranks high in Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list.
The combination of Argent’s psychedelic jazz-influenced keyboard riffs and Blunstone’s smooth, whispery vocals defines The Zombies’ signature sound. Between songs, Argent reminded the audience of the band’s popularity over the past 50 years, even if they didn’t realize it. Tom Petty covered “I Want You Back Again,” the TV show Mad Men featured "This Will Be Our Year" in an episode, and KISS covered “God Gave Rock and Roll to You,” originally by Argent in 1973.
The Zombies‘ current U.S. tour concluded today, and the band will be recording its next studio album soon. They have launched a PledgeMusic crowdfunding campaign that allows participating fans to listen to audio of some of the new songs and watch videos of the band members in the studio. A video posted on PledgeMusic.com features Blunstone and Argent sharing details about the initiative.
Program Notes
The Zombies w/Vetiver
August 24, 2014
Stern Grove, San Francisco, California
The Zombies: Colin Blunstone (lead vocals), Rod Argent (keyboards), Jim Rodford (bass), Steve Rodford (drums), Tim Toomey (guitar)
Set List: I Love You | Can’t Nobody Love You | Breath Out, Breath In | I Want You Back Again | She’s Coming Home | I Don’t Believe In Miracles | Any Other Way| A Rose For Emily | Care Of Cell 44 | This Will Be Our Year |I Want Her, She Wants Me | Time Of The Season | A Moment In Time | Tell Her No | You Really Go A Hold On Me/Bring It On Home To Me | Old And Wise | Hold Your Up | She’s Not There | God Gave Rock An Roll To You | The Way I Feel Inside (only Argent and Blunstone)
Vetiver: Andy Cabic (guitar, vocals), Otto Hauser (drums), Sarah Versprille (vocals), Daniel Hindman (guitar), Bob Parins (bass)
Set List: Rolling Sea | Everyday | Strictly Rule | Hard To Break | Wonder Why| Down At El Rio | Wishing Well | Swimming Song | You May Be Blue | More Of This
Photos: Steve Roby
