Zodiac Mindwarp (real name Mark Manning) is an erstwhile bus conductor and 'Zap the dog' comic strip artist who received an enormous advance from Phonogram Records and quickly became notorious for allegedly spending it all on comic books and presents for friends before even recording a note!

The original line-up of the group, the full title of which was ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION, comprised Mindwarp, drummer Boom Boom Kaboomsky, bassist Kid Chaos and guitarist Cobalt Stargazer. They would debut with the mini-album, 'High Priest Of Love', on Food Records in 1986 and were snapped up by the Mercury label, an imprint of Phonogram Records.

The group's major label debut, 'Tattooed Beat Messiah', underwent lengthy and costly delays as various big name producers tried to get to grips with the project and failed. Among their number included producers Steve Brown and Peter Collins. The album was finally produced by band manager Dave Balfe and Bill Drummond as well as being entirely remixed by DEF LEPPARD engineer Nigel Green. Many thought the single 'Prime Mover' had blatantly lifted the riff from JUDAS PRIEST's 'Living After Midnight' hit.

Having added ex-MAX & THE BROADWAY METAL CHOIR guitarist JAN CYRKA (a.k.a 'Flash Bastard') the band toured America briefly in 1988 including support dates to GUNS N' ROSES. THE LOVE REACTION disintegrated around the main-man, stories circulating that the group had actually sacked the increasingly erratic frontman, Kid Chaos later adopting the new nom-de-plume of Haggis and joining THE CULT.

1991 witnessed an abortive project with Youth of KILLING JOKE billed as ZODIAC YOUTH. Although tracks for a proposed single 'Fast Forward The Future' were recorded the release was shelved.

By 1992 Zodiac's star was waning. Having lost his Phonogram deal and rejected by numerous other record companies eventually settled with indie Musidisc to record 'Hoodlum Thunder', an album which included the track 'Feed My Frankenstein' co-written with ALICE COOPER. By this point the group comprised of Mindwarp, Stargazer, bassist Suzy X and drummer Slam Thunderhide. However, the 1992 British tour proved a mere shadow of former glories, although ZODIAC MINDWARP remained a force to be reckoned with in Europe. In October 1995 the group got to tour the continent once again as it hitched a ride on the heavyweight METAL CHURCH, VICIOUS RUMORS and KILLERS package.

Mindwarp would be back in quite spectacular style during 2001, not with a new record but a book 'Fucked By Rock- The Unspeakable Confessions Of Zodiac Mindwarp'. This high profile expose would include a free CD taster of a new track 'Fucked By Rock' from a forthcoming album. ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION made a return in mid 2002 brandishing a brand new studio album 'I Am Rock'. The new band's initial gig would be a co-headliner with PAUL DIANNO in London.

A ZODIAC MINDWARP gig on 24th July 2004 at the Camden Underworld was cancelled just beforehand when Manning was rushed to hospital to undergo emergency surgery on a ruptured blood vessel in his brain. The singer's operation was successful. Cobalt Stargazer returned to the London live scene in 2007 as a member of covers collective RȪCKWORKZ.