This is an attempt to tell the real story of Dreadzone….

Part 1- Two’s company…

Some may suggest that if you want to start at the beginning you have to go right back to 1984 when Greg Roberts met Leo Williams at an audition for Mick Jones’s new group.. But the story is more complicated than that… more relevant to this tale is when Tim Bran met Greg at a Screaming Target session at Island Records studios in the spring of 1990. Leo was also there, but as I said, it is complex; this after all is a group that was built in layers, like an extended family. Tim and Greg struck up a strong friendship following that meeting that proved a vital foundation for a working relationship.

In 1992, when Greg decided to work up some new ideas after the demise of Screaming Target he did so with a certain agenda. With the choice elements from his previous groups fused with the energy of the growing house/techno scene in the UK he linked up with Tim to shape a new sound. This sound was to be called Dreadzone, a name that was considered for the previous group. This was a suggestion by Don Letts ,the dreadlocked B.A.D. filmmaker. Originally thought to be one of the founders of Dreadzone, he provided a crucial element of dread input without actually being a member of the group.

The original demos were The Warning, House of Dread and The Good the Bad and the Dread. These were heard by a certain Luc Vergier, a close friend who worked for Sony, originally working in France with B.A.D. His enthusiasm for the tunes spurred the whole thing into life. He put Greg in contact with Leeds wideboy Bernie Dolman who worked for a Japanese publishing company in Notting Hill Gate ,who in turn put him in touch with fellow Yorkshireman Adam Morris who ran the WAU Mr Modo label , home of The Orb. Enough interest was raised to send Tim and Greg into a studio in December of 92 to record The Warning and A Chinese Ghost Story. It was during this session that Dan Donovan, former BAD keyboard player and part of the Target line up came in to help with a club mix of The Warning. But things were not going to plan for Modo’s finances and there was doubt over the payment for the sessions. The year ended with Greg heading off to Malaysia with wife and child for a break.

Whilst he was away something happened that would set the Dread ball well and truly rolling. Luc Vergier was in Japan with Alan Mcgee to see a Primal Scream show. It was on the way to this gig that the quick thinking Vergier slipped in a cassette of the new improved Dread demos into the limos sound system. Mcgee loved the sound and decided to sign them there and then. So when Greg returned in January a deal was waiting for Dreadzone. With this foundation they entered a friends studio in Queens Park to create 360°. It was March 93 and the fresh spring vibes went with the feeling. To put the record straight Greg and Tim made this album having signed as a duo to Creation. The only other input was from Melanie Blatt on vocals (later to join All Saints) and Dan Donovan (additional keyboard on Dream On). With the album complete and a single chosen, things started to gain momentum.

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Greg and Tim 1993 by Chris Floyd. You wouldn’t get that close these days
Backstage at Glastonbury 1994 by Daniele Roberts. L to R: Dan Donovan, Leo Williams, Tim and Greg. Just about to go on at 11am. First time at Glasto and first band on
Dreadzone on Virgin by Phil Knott. Flying high, great pic of a band on a roll
Ever changing Dread by Heather Favell L to R: Chris Bran, Leo, Greg and Dan, Musicians only please
The logo of the night by Dillan, Greg, Photoshop and some beer. Check out the small print.
The extended family 2001 by Daniele Roberts. Backstage at the Essential festival. The only time we have had seven onstage. L to R: Earl16, Rob Marche, Leo Williams, Ben Balafonic, MC Spee, Tim and Greg.
Funnily enough this is at the Essential festival a year later in Bristol. About to go on, taken by some local journo. L to R: MC Spee Earl16, Leo Williams, Ben Balafonic, and Greg.