(c. ’82-’87) – Jon Brown (bass), Andrew Brown (vocals / guitar), Richard Baker (guitar) and Andy “Boo” Green (drums).
Great Garden band shoot. Picture courtesy of Andrew Neil Brown
By ’84 the band were playing the likes of Mayfair’s Embassy Club, where they got a bit of stick for sounding like the Cure (10:15 Saturday Night was in their set). Great Garden sound was described as ‘anthemic pop’ by The Riverside Club, Fetcham organizers for their 6 December ’85 support slot for The Skiff Scats. Their final gig of ’85 was the “Gig For Africa” at The Dorking Halls on 21 December, with a plethora of other local bands including headliners Cardiacs, Shoot! Dispute, and The Body Politic.
On 9 February ’86, the band were at back at the Riverside Club; supporting The Body Politic. They played The Riverside Club regularly, supporting or headlining with the likes of The Geisha Girls, Skiff Scats, Roaring Boys, Endless Party, The Lucy Show, Irish Moss Peat, and Shoot the Joker. On 14 June ’86 the band supported, along with Endless Party, The Dogs D’Amour at Bourne Hall, Ewell.
But they also played up in London. In April ’87 they were at the Mean Fiddler. A few months later (July ’87) they support Cardiacs at The Marquee. Regular appearance partners The Body Politic split in November ’87 after a mini UK tour, which concluded in Hastings with Great Garden in support and a punch-up that put several of the audience in hospital. Great Garden followed suit in December ’87 and split after six years together; playing their last gig back at Bourne Hall on 17 December supported by Shoot The Joker and Irish Moss Peat.
The band released at least three demo cassettes and came 5th (posthumously) in the Soundscene Demo Review of ’88. In mid ’88 a rumour started that had Great Garden joining Napalm Groove Squad, The Body Politic, and Dance Factor for Woking Live Aid later that year. These were all denied, but members of The Body Politic did confirm that they had been songwriting with a couple of members of Great Garden; although one had departed and they were going to continue as a trio…
Gallery:
The official programme has Great Garden on the bill for “Gig For Africa” at Dorking Halls – Dec 21st 1985. Source: Andrew Neil BrownThe official programme has Great Garden on the bill for “Gig For Africa” at Dorking Halls – Dec 21st 1985. Source: Andrew Neil BrownAndrew Brown of Great Garden… Source: Andrew Neil BrownGreat Garden band shoot… Source: Andrew Neil BrownGreat Garden at The Riverside Club, Fetcham, possibly December 1986. Source: Andrew Neil Brown via The Riverside Club Fetcham Leatherhead Surrey in the 80’sFeb 9th 1986 and The Body Politic are at the Riverside Club, Fetcham; with Great Garden in support. Picture “borrowed” from Christopher ShortNaplam Groove Squad, Body Politic, Great Garden, & Dance Factory possibly in Woking Live Aid line-up (Soundscene – August 4th 1988)Soundscene – July 28th 1988Soundscene – 10th December 1987The official programme has Great Garden on the bill for “Gig For Africa” at Dorking Halls – Dec 21st 1985Official band picture, taken at The Embassy Club, London, from the official programme for “Gig For Africa” at Dorking Halls – Dec 21st 1985The official poster has Great Garden on the bill for “Gig For Africa” at Dorking Halls – Dec 21st 1985Great Garden supported Taste The Good Life on Fri 21st March (checking year)Great Garden supported Cardiacs on Sept 5th (not sure the year)Great Garden supported The Skiff Skats, with their “anthemic pop” on 6th Dec ’85 at the Riverside Club, Fetcham24 July 1987: Great Garden supported Cardiacs at The Marquee. London. Source: Jon Brown via The Riverside Club Fetcham Leatherhead Surrey in the 80’s9 Feb 1986: Great Garden headlined with The Body Politic in support at The Riverside Club, Fetcham. Source: Jon Brown via The Riverside Club Fetcham Leatherhead Surrey in the 80’s29 August 1985: Great Garden supported The Lucy Show at The Riverside Club, Fetcham. Source: Jonathan Brown via The Riverside Club Fetcham Leatherhead Surrey in the 80’s6 April 1987: Great Garden played the Mean Fiddler, Harlesden. Source: Andrew Brown via The Riverside Club Fetcham Leatherhead Surrey in the 80’s
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