(c’85-88) Colin “The Fishperson” Robb (bass), Steve Griffiths (vocal / guitar), Mick Highgate, Kaz Jones, Chris McIndoe (keyboards) and Bev Chadwick (sax).

In ’85 the band were part of Guildford Live Aid along with LongPig and other bands. On 18 July ’86 the band supported Phoney American Accents at The Crypt, Deptford along with The Unknown Colours. Ten days later, on 28 July ’86, Steel Bill and The Buffalos were at the The Old Schoolhouse, Woking, with The Lost Prophets (not Pontypridd’s pride and joy – they arrived 11 years too late). Teaming up with Ozric Tentacles promoters in late ’86 saw the Bill’s on the bill for a couple of gigs on the Stoned Out of Our Heads tour, including The Crypt, at the Recreation Centre, Farnborough where they co-supported with Phoney American Accents and The Magic Mushroom Band. This was followed by supporting Voodoo Child (psychedelic rock group who released one album: “Acid Tales And Mermaids” in 1986 on Aftermath) at University of Surrey on 31 October. In November that year Steel Bill and The Buffaloes headlined a Buzz Club at the West End Centre. Aldershot, with West One, FRA, and Second Balcony Jump in support. They were also definitely supporting the Cardiacs at the very last concert at The Old Schoolhouse; along with The Body Politic, and Five O’Clock High.

In ’87 the 7″ Four Fleas on the Dark Dog of Night four track EP was released on the Space Pig label and featured ‘Louis the Buffalo’, ‘Laura’s Secret Garden’, ‘Cardboard Church’ and ‘Concrete Necklace’.

Their July ’88 gig at the University of Surrey Students Union (Dave Guerin did the sound) was hailed as the gig of the year. September that year saw them headline and win at “Showcase ’88” held at Centre Halls, Woking, and back at Surrey University later in October for their farewell gig. In Soundscene’s New Years Honors, a PG Tips tradition, three awards went to Steel Bill & the Buffalos: “Travel Scholarship Award” for Griffiths, “Memorial Award” (shared) and the “Golden Dentures Trophy”. The following year they picked up ‘The Andrew Lloyd Webber’ award in Soundscene’s Phil Gibby farewell honors.

Griffiths left for Australia and later became lead singer with Australian Doors, where he is still active in Sydney. Steel Bill later morphed into Jim Morrison. Robb died of oesophageal cancer in 2010, shortly after he gave me the okay to use his pictures below. Chadwick is a traveling saxophonist. A few years back Poodle was gigging around the World with F1’s Eddie Jordan at various billionaires parties.

Louis the Buffalo:


Laura’s Secret Garden:


Cardboard Church:


Concrete Necklace:

Gallery

15 November 1986: Flyer for Steel Bill and The Buffaloes supported by West One, FRA, and Second Balcony Jump at West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: West One
Steel Bill and the Buffalos were the last band on at Showcase ’88, held at Centre Halls, Woking in September; which they won. Picture courtesy of Daniel Hiscocks
Aug ’89 and Steel Bill pick up ‘The Andrew Lloyd Webber’ award in the Phil Gibby farewell honors. Picture courtesy of Daniel Hiscocks
Steel Billl clipping from Soundscene (date unknown, but probably 1988). Picture courtesy of Daniel Hiscocks
Three awards for Steel Bill & the Buffalos in the PG Tips December ’88 honors: “Travel Scholarship Award” for Griffiths, Memorial Award (shared) and the “Golden Dentures Trophy”…Picture courtesy of Daniel Hiscocks
Is ‘the man’ Griffiths? PG Tips – date unknown, possibly 1988/89. Picture courtesy of Daniel Hiscocks
Colin “The Fishperson” Robb of Steel Bill and the Buffaloes. Picture courtesy of Kaz Jones
Griffiths and Jones of Steel Bill and the Buffaloes at a University of Surrey Students Union gig in 1988. Picture courtesy of Kaz Jones
Steel Bill and the Buffaloes live. Picture courtesy of Kaz Jones
Robb and Griffiths up front at a Steel Bill and the Buffaloes gig. Picture courtesy of Kaz Jones
Steel Bill and the Buffaloes at a University of Surrey Students Union gig in 1988. Picture courtesy of Kaz Jones
Surrey University’s Barefacts mag hype’s Steel Bill’s final gig – Oct 21st 1988
22 Nov ’86 gig ad
18 Oct ’86 gig poster
Steel Bill’s support of Phoney American Accents, Ozric Tentacles and The Magic Mushroom Band at The Crypt reviewed by Tim Garrard in Bare Facts…
Steel Bill and The Buffalos supported Voodoo Child at Surrey University on October 31st. Tim Garrard wrote this review for the November 7th issue of the SUSU Bare Facts Magazine.

Voodoo Child were a psychedelic rock group who released one album: Acid Tales And Mermaids in 1986 on Aftermath.
22 Nov’ 86 gig flyer
Steel Bill gets the very briefest of mentions in this clipping from the Nov 28 ’86 issue of the University of Surrey Student Union Bare Facts
It’s Steel Bill’s last gig – October 29th, 1988 at the Student Union, Surrey University.
The “Brain Sweat!” Album Cover for live recording 0f Surrey University gig.
18 July 1986
Flyer for the last concert at The Old Schoolhouse. Source: Mark Kettett