Rock quartet Poison Zoomak to mark album release with Black Prince gig

The album was released at the end of last month and the band will be playing it in full when they head to the Northampton venue on Friday, June 5.

Poison Zoomak are singer and guitarist Ashley Alexander, drummer Wayne Roberts, guitarist Charlie Hayes and bassist Brendan O'Neill.

Talking about their debut release, Ashley said there was a sense of “relief” the record was finally out.

“We finished the album last July and since then we have been working on the artwork and design, photography, videos and finally getting the physical records pressed,” he explains.

“Everything down to what kind of vinyl inner sleeve needed a decision. It's been a labour of love. So, it will be nice to finally have it out there.”

New Machines was recorded and mixed in three batches between July 2023 and July 2025 at Far Heath – a studio near Brixworth.

It was picked by the band when Wayne was producing a documentary about the film Get Carter which he and Ashley worked on and it is also where the band recorded their first demos.

“Working on that film music with Angus Wallace was such a smooth process we decided that was the only place to record the album,” explains Ashley.

“The process was so easy, with no rushing or deadlines to meet. Just recording songs we wanted, how we wanted.”

The origins of Poison Zoomak date back to the early 2000s. Brothers Ashley and Wayne were playing in a different band together and after seeing an advert at rehearsal studio Big Noise they teamed up with Charlie. Other members came and went before Brendan joined in 2022.

“The three of us were playing in another band called the Death Alley Drivers for a time,” explains Ashley so when Zoomak had a gig to do, we called Brendan.

“He was the perfect fit. We've gone through periods of gigging a lot, all over the country.

“And then we'd stop and focus on recording. Anything we put out before were essentially demos.

“But even the times when the outside world thought we were done, we never stopped playing, writing or recording. Every week.

“We play for the love of it. No other reason. Anything else that comes out of this is a bonus.”

The 10-track album begins with Build The Fire, which Ashley explains was always destined to open the album.

“It so perfectly represents the attitude we went into this recording with, we viewed it as starting again,” he explains.

“It wasn't until we had the finished album I thought about how many of my lyrics had positive messages of hope and strength running through them.

“Build The Fire, Rise Above, Riding With The Angels - all about belief and being who you want to be.

“Then there's a song like Noose, which deals with obsession and someone trying to give their life to another.

“A contrast with the title track, New Machines, which is about the ongoing cycle of technology throughout history being used to spread propaganda and lies.

“It says ‘kill their new machines’ until the end punch-line, ‘build a new machine’ - the idea that this time it might be different.

“The only things that change in life are fashion and technology. And fashions tend to come back around.

When it comes to influences which shaped their sound, Wayne and Ashley grew up on 70s rock such as Kiss, Alice Cooper and Aerosmith – with the Beatles and David Bowie also among their influences.

“There was also a big soul and funk influence,” explains Ashley.

“Our dad knew members of James Brown's band, so I grew up with Maceo Parker staying at the house.

“My first time on stage was with the JBs when I was about five. Maceo also introduced me to George Clinton at Brixton Academy, holding court in a cloud of smoke.

“It's interesting when people tell us who we sound like because it's always a different answer.

“We have never wanted to sound like anyone else. We just play and that collective experience and mix of influences is what you hear.”

New Machines is available on the band’s Bandcamp on CD and on limited edition yellow vinyl.

It is also available on streaming platforms.

Support at the Northampton venue this week is by Moon Haze. Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets cost £5.

For more information, visit https://linktr.ee/poisonzoomak