(c’78-’82) Dylan Cole (lead guitar / vocals), Dave “Fish” Mikhail (bass / vocals), and Mark/y Charles (drums).
A shot of Umpty’s Balcony (aka UBz) graffiti. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes.
UBz’s, who were formerly known as Umpty’s Balcony – graffiti for whom became ‘notorious’ around Guildford c’79; much of it was allegedly done by ex-Etonian punk Nick Embiricos – first gig was in Brighton in early ’79, under the arches near the aquarium (probably The Alhambra); where they had to get ‘forceful’ with the manager to get paid. This was back in the day when Angie ? was on vocals. The band practiced in their own rehearsal room in a house, owned by Mark Charles’ parents, in Llanaway Road, Godalming.
They were quite a prolific live band around Guildford, appearing at The Royal, The Wooden Bridge, Stoke Hotel, or anywhere that would have them; including Bunters a couple of times! They also played the Stonehenge Free festival in ’79, sometime between 15 and 27 June, belting out the likes of “I Won’t Be Your Hunchback No More” and “Nigel’s Dead”. In September ’79 the band spent a day at Chestnut Studios, Churt, leaving with a master tape.
UBz’s master tape from a recording session at Chestnut Studios on 26 September 1979. Picture courtesy of Mark Charles.
12 November ’79 saw the band supporting at Bunters, with Rockola headlining. UBz were at The Wooden Bridge on 9 February ’80 for a Barbed Wire benefit that saw Noit Otni & the Pits and UBz support The Vapors, who were too famous by the second run of posters to put on the bill so were listed as The Japanese Prisoners.
They came 3rd in a Surrey / Hants Music Competition in early 1980 at The Maltings, Farnham, where they competed against Impulse, Lynx, Stripes, and Phantom Zone, missing out on a 500 quid recording contract with Ray Dorset’s Satellite label. UBz, supported by The Grenades, were at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford on 4 October ’80. On 29 November ’80 UBz headlined at The Royal, supported by The Rams and Zero Time. The next month, on 9 December, UBz were up in town supporting Kidz Next Door at the Pied Bull, Islington.
In addition to supporting The Vapors, Nips and Dolly Mixtures locally and in London (notably with The Vapors at the Marquee, London on 17 Feb ’80 and Music Machine, London on 12 April ’80), UBz supported Toyah on her College Tour at Guildford’s Civic Hall (15 January 1981) when the promoter called Bonaparte’s record shop looking for a local band and Dylan happened to be standing there.
Support band, UBz, backstage at Toyah’s Civic Hall, Guildford gig on 15 January ’81. Picture courtesy of Sharon Pilling
A few days prior to supporting Toyah, UBz made their debut appearance in Woking at The Cricketers, Westfield on 9 January ’81. They would at times be joined by Neil “Not Nice” Pyzer (Sax), but were always followed by members of the fan base known as the ‘Fish Army’. At some point Charles was replaced by Guy ? on drums. The band worked on an EP carrying “Yesterday’s Fun”, “I Know You Like Me” and “Anita Blood”, recording at Chestnut Studios again, but it’s unclear if it made the light of day.
Charles and Dylan reconnected with Steve Smith of The Vapors in ’83, forming Shoot! Dispute. Charles and Pyzer were in Microdot together producing two acid house tracks in ’87 and Charles is currently recording with Natalya KD, in a new band: PerFect C#nTs. Pyzer went on to tour with Howard Devoto and Case before joining Spear of Destiny. He was a founder member of The Kick Horns and has recently worked with Eddie Floyd, Jimmie James and The Foundations. He has also worked with Pauline Black, Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band and Blue Zoo; and is currently in The Selector.
Gallery:
17 Feb 1980: UBz when supporting The Vapors, at the Marquee, London. Source: Neil Pyzer17 Feb 1980: UBz when supporting The Vapors, at the Marquee, London. Source: Neil Pyzer17 Feb 1980: UBz (possibly during soundcheck), when supporting The Vapors, at the Marquee, London. Source: Neil Pyzer17 Feb 1980: UBz (possibly during soundcheck), when supporting The Vapors, at the Marquee, London. Picture courtesy of Mark Charles.29 November 1980: UBz, supported by The Rams and Zero Time, played The Royal, Guildford. Picture courtesy of David Norgrove9 January 1981: UBz appeared at The Cricketers, Westfield. Clipping from Soundscene column 15 January 1981. Source: Mark Nesbit.UBz, when called Umpty’s Balcony, at Surrey University. Picture courtesy of Mark Charles.9 December 1980: Flyer for Kidz Next Door supported by UBz at the Pied Bull, Islington.Sometime between 15 and 27 June 1979: Umptys Balcony on stage at Stonehenge Free Festival, with Angie ? on vocals. Picture courtesy of Mark Charles.UBz supporting The Vapors at the Music Machine on the 3rd or 26th October 1979. Source: Mark Charles4 Oct 1980: UBz, supported by The Grenades, were at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Source: Mark CharlesIt’s Malcolm Wyatt’s old badge collection, including example/s from UBz. Picture courtesy of Malcolm WyattAt the corner of Tunsgate and Sydenham Rd. is pictured one of Umpty’s Balcony’s ‘notorious’ Guildford graffiti, circa ’79. Much of it was allegedly done by ex-Etonian punk Nick Embiricos. Umpty’s Balcony later became known as The UBz. Picture courtesy of Alan Fred Pipes12 November 1980: Set list for UBz’s gig at Bunters, GuildfordUBz were interviewed for Shout! fanzine writer Pedro for Issue #1 in 1981. Picture courtesy of Still UnusualInterview with Shout! fanzine writer Pedro for Issue #1 in 1981. Picture courtesy of Still UnusualMark Charles of UBz at The Woodenbridge, Guildford in ’79. Picture courtesy of Fred PipesDylan and Fish of the UBz at the Wooden Bridge, Guildford, c 1979. Photo by Katie Law, courtesy of Fred PipesUp in the Army & Navy roof garden in 1982/3 it’s UBz. Picture courtesy of Mark Charles.28 March 1980: The Vapors Ed Bazalgette watching UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: The Vapors Ed Bazalgette watching UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford; with Alan Neve on cardboard/air guitar. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford; with Alan Neve on cardboard/air guitar. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford; with Alan Neve on cardboard/air guitar. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford; with Alan Neve on cardboard/air guitar. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford; with Alan Neve on cardboard/air guitar. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford; with Alan Neve on cardboard/air guitar. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesU28 March 1980: UBz at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesUBz badge in black, found in attic. Source: Martin Choularton via Guildford Town Past & Present
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