Zior

Formed by Keith Bonsor with Pete Brewer, John Truba and Barry Skeels beginning in 1968, Zior pursued a heavy blues/psychedelic rock approach with multimedia live shows. Signed to Nephanta, they released a self-titled album in 1971 and Every Inch a Man, characterized by fuzz, wah, distorted keyboards and occult theatrical imagery.

The band began around 1968; members included Keith Bonsor, Pete Brewer, John Truba and Barry Skeels. They signed to Nephanta and released a self-titled album (1971) and Every Inch a Man. After further recordings under the name Monument the members moved into other activities: Brewer sold musical instruments, Skeels made hippie crafts, and Bonsor worked as a sound engineer and producer (53rd & 3rd Records).

Reviews portray Zior as a heavy blues/psychedelic rock group led by Keith Bonsor. Their work (notably Every Inch a Man and a 1971 self-titled album) mixes fuzz, wah, distorted keyboards and theatrical occult imagery. Reviewers admire the variety, production and stagecraft while noting less cohesion than contemporaries like Black Sabbath.

For:Fans of heavy blues, psychedelic and proto-metal from the late 1960s/early 1970s; collectors of obscure 70s rock.