(c’70-’77) Pat Martin (bass / vocals), Ken Baker (guitar / keyboards/ vocals), Pete Perryer (vocals / drums) and Trevor Mee (guitar / vocals)
Unicorn, against the wall of Pat Martin’s father’s house in Heath Drive, Send. Source: Pat Martin via Unicorn – The English Band
As The Late they recorded several acetates, demos and private recordings, some recorded in Bob Potters studio in Mytchett, Surrey on the Ampex 4 and many are now included on Wooden Hill Records compilation “Songs From The Family Tree” [WHCD021]. A demo was cut and the Transatlantic label offered a one album deal and “Uphill all the Way” was released in May ’71, along with the “P.F Sloan” single, under the band’s new name, Unicorn. Shortly before the release they opened for Lindesfarne at the Royal Festival Hall, London (May 10) and toured with Stefan Grossman in late May, including a gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford and appearing on his “Wow” album.
Mee left in ’72, some time after his child was born in May, the year they supported Blackfoot Sue at the Civic, and was replaced by Kevin Smith (ex-Working). Arisdon Records licensed the Transatlantic catalogue in Italy and invited Unicorn to play at the Venice Song Festival, which was broadcast live across Europe. A brief tour of Italy, then Sweden and many tours in the Netherlands followed. It led to a Dutch T.V. show supporting the Flying Burrito Brothers. In early ’73 they played at the wedding reception of Transatlatic labels record plugger, Ricky Hopper at which David Gilmour was a guest and who got on stage with them; leading to the first of many visits to his studio in Essex.
Unicorn in studio with Dave Gilmour. Photograph by Dave Williamson courtesy of Pat Martin
Unicorn signed with Pink Floyd’s manager Steve O’Rouke’s EMKA organization as a result and Ricky Hopper (who later discovered Kate Bush) became their tour manager, recording the “Blue Pine Trees” and part of the “Too Many Crooks” albums at Olympic Studios, Barnes and mixing at George Martins’ Air Studios, London. O’Rourke cut deals with Charisma Records in the U.K, Capitol Records in the U.S. and EMI International for the rest of the world. A third album “One More Tomorrow” was produced again by Gilmour, with another four tracks produced by Muff Winwood.
A tour of the US was also organized and Norman Whapshott and Frank Windsor became the bands permanent roadies. August ’74 saw Unicorn release the Gilmour produced single “Ooh Mother”, on Charisma. In November that year they hit the US to find “Blue Pine Trees” at #1 in the F.M. Action (airplay) chart and played their first US gig at the Whiskey a Go Go supported by Patti Smith, then three consecutive nights in Salt Lake City, Bozeman and Missoula supporting Fleetwood Mac. Other gigs on the tours saw then on the bill with Manfred Mann’s Earthband, Climax Chicago Blues Band, Camel, Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel (at the Cellar Door Club,Washington DC), Linda Ronstadt and Styx.
1975 was spent recording “Too Many Crooks” (released in the US as “Unicorn 2”) which included “No Way Out of Here”; later recorded by Gilmour for his solo album. In March ’76 the band released the “Disco Dancer” 7″ single and supported Hawkwind on a short seven date UK tour. By ’77 they had played nearly every university and supported 10CC, Chapman Whitney, Linda Lewis, Nils Lofgren, Steeleye Span, Ox, Slim Chance, and The Groundhogs. Their final album, “One More Tomorrow” was also released that year. In June ’77 the band undertook a short UK Tour to mark the release of “Too Many Crooks Tour” with Dr. Hook; but shortly after the bands farewell and very last gig, in mid 77, was at the Music Machine, Camden.
From ’73 to ’77 Norman Whapshott, Martin’s oldest school buddy was sound engineer and head road manager with Unicorn, he also went to secondary school with Baker and Perryer. In 2002 a collection of tracks recorded across ’77 and ’78 was released as “Shed No Tear, The Shed Studio Sessions” on the Mad Dog Records label [MDR 1001]. Tracks 1-14 were recorded in 1977/78. Six bonus tracks (numbers 15-20 on the album) were respectively from a demo recorded at David Gilmour’s home studio in Oxfordshire, c.’79/’80; a demo cassette recorded at Easy Street Studio, London, c.,77; an outtake from “Blue Pine Trees”; an outtake from “Too Many Crooks”; recorded for the BBC’s Bob Harris show c.’74/’75; and the b-side of the “Ooh Mother” from ’74. Two Unicorn tracks were included on the 2007 compilation “Goodbye Nashville Hello Camden Town – A Pub Rock Anthology’ on Castle Music [CMEDD1451] label.
Pat Martin & Pete Perryer played bass and drums on Kate Bush’s first recording session at David Gilmour’s home studio before she was signed to EMI. Years later she used one of the tracks ‘Passing Through Air’ as the b-side to her big hit ‘Army Dreamers’ and sent them both a session fee as they had done it for free to help her out. When Unicorn split in ’77, The Volunteers were formed with the addition of guitarist / song writer Rob Jacob. The David Gilmour produced albums Blue Pine Trees, Too Many Crooks & One More Tomorrow were remastered in ’17 and released, with lots of bonus tracks, on Esoteric Recordings part of Cherry Red Records. An album of all the demos recorded at David Gilmour’s home studio was released in December ’18 on CD, vinyl and hi res download by Omnivore Recordings.
In ’19, Unicorn appear on disc one of the 3 CD box set “Across The Great Divide Getting It Together In The Country 1968-74”, and page 11 of the accompanying booklet, on Grapefruit Records [CRSEGBOX061]. Unicorn’s “Going Back Home” was included on Disc 1 of the 3 Disc “Peephole In My Brain – The British Progressive Pop Sounds Of 1971” compilation released by Cherry Red [CRSEG076T] on 21 August ’20. In ’21 Esoteric Recordings released a new 4 CD clamshell boxed set that gathered together three albums and an additional disc of previously unreleased archive material titled “Unicorn: “Slow Dancing – The Recordings 1974 – 1979”.
Pat Martin still lives locally, in Shalford, and plays in the Tamla Tigers amongst others; Ken Baker is also still local and still song writing. Pete Perryer unfortunately passed away in 2005.
Tracks:
Gallery:
Unicorn signing to support Lunar Two…of whom we can find no trace.“Outstanding in their field” – Members and roadies of Unicorn in a field! [front to back: Mike Proctor (roadie), Pete Perryer, Pat Martin, and Alec Hawkins (roadie)]. Source: Michael Hood via Unicorn – The English BandClipped from the 3rd June 1976 issue of NME, Hawkwind’s short UK featured ‘fast rising’ Unicorn. Source: Chris Knight via Unicorn – The English BandUnicorn appear on disc one of the 3 CD box set “Across The Great Divide Getting It Together In The Country 1968-74” – disc one back cover pictured – on Grapefruit Records [CRSEGBOX061] released in 2019Unicorn appear on disc one of the 3 CD box set “Across The Great Divide Getting It Together In The Country 1968-74” – booklet page 11 pictured – on Grapefruit Records [CRSEGBOX061] released in 2019. Source: Matt Allen via Unicorn – The English BandUnicorn appear on disc one of the 3 CD box set “Across The Great Divide Getting It Together In The Country 1968-74” – disc one back cover pictured – on Grapefruit Records [CRSEGBOX061] released in 2019Unicorn appear on disc one of the 3 CD box set “Across The Great Divide Getting It Together In The Country 1968-74” – disc one back cover pictured – on Grapefruit Records [CRSEGBOX061] released in 2019Advert for Unicorn’s, Dave Gilmour produced single “Ooh Mother”, released on Charisma from NME’s 3 August 1974 issue. Source: Chris Knight via Unicorn – The English BandAdvert from NME, 6 March 1976, listing Unicorn’s tour dates with Hawkwind and Steeleye Span. Source: Chris Knight via Unicorn – The English BandClipping from the 28 February ’76 issue of NME, outlining Hawkwind’s 7 date tour supported by Unicorn. Source: Chris Knight via Unicorn – The English BandKen Baker hand wrote the lyrics of Unicorn’s “I Saw You” for Rebecca Turner, who does a version of the song. Picture courtesy of Pat MartinThe front cover of Castle Music’s 2007 release “Goodbye Nashville Hello Camden Town – A Pub Rock Anthology’ [CMEDD1451] which carried two Unicorn tracks.The back cover of Castle Music’s 2007 release “Goodbye Nashville Hello Camden Town – A Pub Rock Anthology’ [CMEDD1451] which carried two Unicorn tracks.3 May 1974: Unicorn supported John Martyn a with Danny Thompson at London Polytechnic.Unicorn’s “Slow Dancing: The Recordings 1976-1979”, released on Esoteric, got a 4-star review in the August 2020 issue of Shindig Magazine. Source: Pat Martin via Unicorn – The English BandUnicorn’s “Going Back Home” is included on Disc 1 of the 3 Disc “Peephole In My Brain – The British Progressive Pop Sounds Of 1971” compilation released by Cherry Red [CRSEG076T] on 21 Aug 2020.Side-A of UK test pressing of Unicorn’s “One More Tomorrow” from 1978. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsSide-B of UK test pressing of Unicorn’s “One More Tomorrow” from 1978. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsJanuary 1975: Melody Maker advert listing Unicorn as supporting John Entwistle’s OX. Source: Patrick Martin via Unicorn – The English BandDavid Rose looks back at Woking’s Pink Bears and their development, via The Late, into Unicorn in this Woking News & Mail article from 2 November 2017. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsA post ’67 Unicorn: (L-R) Ken Baker, Pete Perryer, Pat Martin, and Trevor Mee.Front sleeve of Unicorn 2. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsBack sleeve of Unicorn 2. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsUS pressing of “One More Tomorrow”. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsBack of US pressing of “One More Tomorrow”. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsUK Too Many Crooks Tour dates advert from ’77. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsStefan Grossman was touring to promotes his ‘Those Pleasant Days’ album in 1971 and was supported by UnicornAlong with Gillian McPherson, Unicorn supported Lindisfarne at RFH in ’71Unicorn 45 produced by Dave Gilmour. Unicorn Shindig Magazine May 2017 Article 4. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsPages 7 and 8 of Unicorn article in Shindig Magazine, May 2017. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsPages 5 and 6 of Unicorn article in Shindig Magazine, May 2017. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsPages 3 and 4 of Unicorn article in Shindig Magazine, May 2017. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsPages 1 and 2 of Unicorn article in Shindig Magazine, May 2017. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsCover of Shindig Magazine, May 2017 featuring Unicorn. Source issuu.comCover letter for payment for Kate Bush sessions. Source David Godden’s via Guildford Town Past & PresentB-side of Unicorn’s Blue Pine Trees LP of 1974. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsA-side of Unicorn’s Blue Pine Trees LP of 1974. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsCover of Unicorn’s Blue Pine Trees LP of 1974. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsShed No Tears CD cover front. Picture coutest of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsShed No Tears CD cover front. Picture coutest of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsA c’71 Unicorn press clipping from somewhere. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsFront of Unicorn promo for first album in ’71. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsBack of Unicorn promo for first album in ’71. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsThe Portuguese front sleeve of Unicorn’s first single “P.F. Sloan” from ’71The Portuguese back sleeve of Unicorn’s first single “P.F. Sloan” from ’71Unicorn’s touring band on 1976. Picture courtesy of Patrick MartinUnicorn’s Peter Perryer and Pat Martin at Dingwalls c’75. Picture courtesy of Patrick MartinUnicorn’s Ken Baker and Pat Martin at Dingwalls c’75. Photographed by Dave Williamson and posted here courtesy of Patrick MartinUnicorn’s May 1972 schedule advertised by the Nemisis Agency.Agency sheet for UnicornSound’s press clipping. Picture courtesy of Patrick Martin2 October 1971: Unicorn supported Chicken Shack and Gypsy at the Great Hall, University of Surrey.New Unicorn items. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s RecordsPicture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s Records15 November 1974: Itinerary “Day Sheet” for Unicorn supporting Fleetwood Mac at Utah State Center in Logan, Utah. Picture courtesy of Patrick Martin.In 1972, Unicorn were included on “A Stereo Introduction To The Exciting World Of Transatlantic” on the Contour [2870 315] label. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s Records10 May 71: The Unicorn pages inside of the programme from the Lindisfarne gig at Royal Festival Hall, London, when supported by Gillian McPherson and Unicorn. Source: Nigel Hitchcock via https://www.facebook.com/groups/1389777017926471/10 May 71: Cover of programme from the Lindisfarne gig at Royal Festival Hall, London, when supported by Gillian McPherson and Unicorn. Source: Nigel Hitchcock via https://www.facebook.com/groups/1389777017926471/Unicorn’s Pete Perryer at Dingwalls, Camden c’75. Photographed by Dave Williamson. Picture courtesy of Patrick Martin8 August 1970: Poster for night Unicorn, supported by Blast, played the Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk22 July 1972: Poster for night Unicorn supported The Soft Machine at Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk22 July 1972: Ticket for night Unicorn supported The Soft Machine at Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.ukUnicorn in around 1976. Picture courtesy of Patrick Martin2 June 1975: Unicorn payed Dingwalls. Source: David DiSanzo via Unicorn – The English Band25 August 1975: Unicorn played the Hope & Anchor, Islington. Source: Ulrich Wegener via Keep It Out Of Sight
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