Zones – Sign Of The Times [7''] (1978, Arista)

'Sign of the Times' is a 1978 single by the Scottish band Zones, a group that emerged from the late-1970s punk and new-wave scene. Zones were formed from the remains of PVC2, a band that once featured Midge Ure before he moved on to Rich Kids and later Ultravox. By the time this single was released, Zones were developing a sound that mixed punk urgency with melodic power pop and early new-wave influences.

 
The single came out in 1978 on Arista Records in the UK as a 7-inch vinyl release, with "Sign of the Times" on the A-side and "Away from It All" on the B-side. It followed their earlier single 'Stuck with You', which had gained them attention on BBC Radio 1 thanks to support from John Peel. That exposure helped the band secure their deal with Arista and brought them a bit more visibility within the UK underground scene. 

Although 'Sign of the Times' didn’t chart or achieve mainstream success, it’s often seen as a solid example of the band’s transition from raw punk toward a tighter, more polished new-wave style. Around this period, Zones recorded sessions for John Peel and built a modest reputation as a strong live act, even if wider commercial success remained elusive. 

Zones would go on to release their only album, 'Under Influence', in 1979, along with a few more singles, before splitting up later that year. Today, 'Sign of the Times' is remembered mainly by collectors and fans of late-1970s punk and new wave as a small but interesting snapshot of that era’s restless, fast-moving music scene. 

 

Label: Arista – Arist 205, Arista – ARIST 205 

Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single 

Country: UK 

Released: 1978 

Style: New Wave, Power Pop 

 

Tracklist: 

A Sign Of The Times 3:12 

B Away From It All 2:28 

 

Other Versions: 

'Sign Of The Times' (7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo) Arista, EMI Electrola [1C 006-61 598] (Germany, 1978)

'Sign Of The Times' (7", Single, 45 RPM) Arista [5C 006-61598] (Netherlands, 1978)

 

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