Babylon Zoo raised expectations to astronomical heights when
their first record, "Spaceman," debuted at number one in England in
1996. It became the fastest-selling single in
U.K. history, moving 250,000 copies in one week. However, it was a
short-lived romance. Babylon Zoo was the brainchild of Jas Mann
(vocals, producer). Born in Dudley, West Midlands, England, on
April 24, 1971, Mann was a science fiction fan, and his original
group, the Sandkings, was named after a sci-fi short story by
George R.R. Martin. The Sandkings opened for the Happy Mondays and
the Stone Roses in the early '90s, but Mann left the band because
of creative differences. In 1993, a three-track demo from Mann's
next project Babylon Zoo earned him a contract from Phonogram
Records. Two years later, Levi's used "Spaceman" for a TV ad after
hearing the tune on a Manchester, England, radio station. However,
the huge success of "Spaceman" turned Babylon Zoo into of the
biggest one-hit wonders. When Babylon Zoo released an album, 1996's
The Boy With the X-Ray Eyes, there was disappointingly mild
interest; it was a flop, and Babylon Zoo became largely forgotten.
~ Michael Sutton, All Music Guide
