Welcome to the official website of the band Zoopsia from Leeds. Zoopsia were likened to 'all bands with 'god' in the title' - namely Godflesh and The God Machine. Although there are similarities, Zoopsia had a more off kilter approach re Shellac and Slint. They were also compared to the Cocteau Twins, which were a significant influence on guitarist and founder member Nick Tonge.
Zoopsia was formed in about 1992 by Nick Tonge (guitar) in Leeds, Yorkshire, UK. He recruited Emlyn Jones (bass), formerly of Cockpit of Death, second guitarist Chris Goulden, who was living with Tonge at the time and drummer Harry Bannister. Zoopsia's lineup was completed by a 'poet' (name unknown). Zoopsia played a handful of gigs at Leeds Uni and various pubs in the Leeds 6 area. The singer soon left, and Emlyn took over on vocals.
More gigs followed, but eventually around 1993 Harry Bannister left and joined another two local bands Gimp and QUANGO. There then followed a series of Spinal Tap-style replacements (no bizarre gardening accident deaths though). The first replacement was Dale Crover soundalike Jamie (surname unknown). Zoopsia recorded a demo in Woodhouse studios around this time, but Jamie left to move to America with his partner.
Briefly jazz drooler Andy (surname unknown) was draughted in and a few Camden/Kentish town gigs followed.
In 1994 Andy was replaced by Wayne Evans, who had become a fan Zoopsia after seeing them at a Leeds University Sociology Soc party(!) where he had also been on the bill playing with another band.
Zoopsia eventually recieved some record company interest from a small independent lable called Jackass Records who agreed to put out a 7" (double A side Assisi/Madagascar) after seeing Zoopsia play in the Camden Monarch. Around this time they became involved with other Jackass bands, namely Oilseed Rape, Nub and The Puskins.
Over the next couple of years Zoopsia recorded a few sessions in London and played with such bands as Guapo, Penthouse, Bob Tilton, Polaris, Headcleaner, etc.Unfortunately, the sessions were never to be released as Jackass ran out of funding. The whereabouts of these recordings is unknown.
Zoopsia eventually split in 1996-7, but most of the members are still musically active in other bands (see links section)