Z.O.U.

Zön Orchestra Unlimited (Z.O.U.) was a French post-psych band comprised of the Hervé brotherhood with singer Maria Popkiewicz. Their one album appeared in 1975 on Polydor.

Members: Maria Popkiewicz (vocals), André Hervé (keyboards, xylophone, synthesizer, guitar, vocals), Joël Hervé (guitar, vocals), Michel Hervé (bass, vocals), Stéphan Hervé (drums)

Background

Z.O.U. formed in 1974 when two ex-members of brass-rockers Zoo, bassist Michel Hervé and keyboardist André Hervé, teamed with their eldest and youngest of kin, drummer Stéphane Hervé and guitarist Joël Hervé. They became a quintet with British singer Maria Isabella Popkiewicz. 

Michel Hervé emerged first in the New Strangers, which morphed into the nine-piece Zoo with André Hervé. Zoo made three albums through 1972 on Riviera. Joël Hervé played lead with the Rennes group Johan et Clara and appeared on their 1971 Neuilly album On the Way. He cut a subsequent single with Ulysse. 

Popkiewicz was born November 21, 1946, in Edinburgh, Scotland, and sang with the Holladay Sisters. By 1972, she situated in Paris as a backing vocalist for Cane & Able.

The Hervé brothers played the Gibus in Paris as an unnamed family group around the October 1972 breakup of Zoo. By 1974, Z.O.U. established the named lineup across Hennebont and Paris. André Hervé and Popkiewicz shared credits on four pieces prepared for the first LP, including “She’s a Girl” and “Puzzle Head.” In 1975, Z.O.U. entered the Polydor album cycle for the self-titled album.

Discography:

• Z.o.u (1975)

Sources:

• Discogs: Z.O.U.

References:

• France Heavy Rock — Z.O.U./Johan et Clara. This chronology dates Z.O.U. to 1974–76 and places the group between Hennebont and Paris. It also documents Joël Hervé in Johan et Clara, the 1971 On the Way album, and his subsequent Ulysse session. (France Heavy Rock)
• Bibliothèque nationale de France — Maria Popkiewicz. The BnF authority record gives the full name Maria Isabella Popkiewicz, the November 21, 1946 Edinburgh birth, membership in the Holladay Sisters and Z.O.U., and the 1975 Polydor recording. Separate BnF records identify Popkiewicz as lyricist and André Hervé as composer on “She’s a Girl,” “Pick Up Pull,” “Puzzle Head,” and “Bouggy Zouggy.” (BnF Catalogue)
• Museum of Canadian Music — Cane & Able. The recording history places Popkiewicz among the backing singers on the Paris sessions for Relating a Message to You in June and October 1972. (Museum of Canadian Music)