(c’81-82) Kaz Jones (vocals), Alan “Archie” Bishop (bass) Ian Patterson (drums), and Nigel Spaughton (guitar).

Early, Just So Stories, with Binns on vocals and Bishop on bass, at University of Surrey SU Bar in June 81. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes

In June ’81, Just So Stories appeared at the Student Union Bar at the University of Surrey, Guildford. Jones, who’d been in Matrix, replaced Simon Binns on vocals, sometime in the later half of ’81. While this Guildford band gigged locally they also journeyed up into London. They practiced in their own rehearsal room in a house, owned by Mark Charles’ parents, in Llanaway Road, Godalming; with his band, UBz, rehearsing in the next room.

On 12 November 1881, Godalming was the first place to have both private and public electrical supply. As part of the centennial celebrations, Just So Stories performed at the Borough Hall, Godalming in November 1981; the band also appeared at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford that month. Another venue that hosted the band was West Surrey College of Art and Design, Farnham. Also in ’81 the band released a five track demo cassette titled “Catch 44”. Just So Stories appeared at the Starlight Room at The Railway Tavern, West Hampstead on 3 Feb ’82; were they deployed a PA supplied by Ray “Bonza” Bradman.

3 Feb 1982: Just So Stories at Starlight Room, Hampstead. Picture courtesy of Kaz Jones

Jones would later played sax and piano in Funtime and subsequently Casual Sax, performing with Holy Durex and Steel Bill & The Buffalos. Patterson and Spaughton were among the musicians who’d join Funtime to flesh-out the sound when performing live.

Tracks:

Gallery:

Early, Just So Stories, with Binns on vocals, at University of Surrey SU Bar in June 81. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes
Early, Just So Stories, with Binns on vocals and Bishop on bass, at University of Surrey SU Bar in June 81. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes
Image courtesy of Alan Bishop
Image courtesy of Alan Bishop
Nov 81: Just So Stories at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. (LtoR) Bishop, Jones, Patterson, and Spaughton. Picture courtesy of Kaz Jones
Image courtesy of Alan Bishop
Image courtesy of Alan Bishop
Image courtesy of Alan Bishop
Image courtesy of Alan Bishop
3 Feb 1982: Just So Stories’ Patterson at Starlight Room, Hampstead. Picture courtesy of Kaz Jones
3 Feb 1982: Just So Stories’ Spaughton at Starlight Room, Hampstead. Picture courtesy of Kaz Jones
3 Feb 1982: Just So Stories at Starlight Room, Hampstead. Picture courtesy of Kaz Jones
3 Feb 1982: Just So Stories’ Jones at Starlight Room, Hampstead. Picture courtesy of Kaz Jones