Mindwire

(c’94-04) Elijah Crawley (Vocals), Ali Morrow (Guitar), Matt Nice (Guitar), Ian Meek (Drums) and Sam Goodchild (bass)

The five original members formed Bleed the Stone in Guildford sometime in ’94, but Goodchild was soon replaced by Jim Lee (bass). Later that year Morrow and Meek approached a busking Simon Morton on Guildford High Street to come and try out as singer for the band. After running through Pearl Jam’s ‘Animal’ an impressed ‘band’ ejected Crawley (although he was never officially told). In the spring of ’95 the band recorded its first demo the “Gin Palace EP” at Trinity Studios, Woking. Before the cassette was released the band changed name to Mindwire.

As Mindwire they played all over Surrey, Hampshire and up into London; often at Splatch!, at Guildford’s Civic Hall and later Woking’s H.G. Wells Suite, or local festivals such as the Big Day at The Maltings, Farnham. During this time they supported the likes of Athlete, Straw, Abdoujaparov, Biffy Clyro, Oceansize, Hugh Cornwall, River, Jolt and Earthtone9. In ’95 Lee had the job of telling Morrow he was out of the band, the first of several changes over the coming years, that put Goodchild on vocals and guitar. ’96’s “Drown Me Out” demo featured re-recorded versions of “Touch the Other Side” and “Skullcap” from the “Gin Palace EP” along with “Dilemma” and “Ten Feet High”. The band were gigging in London more and more, including The Kings Head, Fulham; where a group of Americans walked in thinking Bush were playing thanks to the bands cover of “Machine Head”. Nice chose a vacation over a gig in late ’96 and was replaced by Mike Goodman (guitar), who was a teacher at Woking College and later, Guildford’s Academy of Contemporary Music.

On 12 July ’97, Mindwire played the Ambient Green Picnic, Millmead Island, Guildford. A couple of months later at Mutley C’s Homegrown at The Agincourt, Camberley on 19 September Lacuna, Leith and Mindwire supported headliners Orphic Soop. In late ’97 and early ’98 Mindwire recorded tracks at studios in Liverpool and South Hill Park, Bracknell including “Daywaster”, “Overide”, “Stuck in Reverse”, “Antidote”, “Beales Kitchen” and “Finger”. In early ’98 the band released the ‘Mindwire’ demo cassette which carried four of the tracks recorded and was available from Heaven Sent Records, Guildford.

Flyer from Barney Jeavons‘ 20 March ’98 gig at The Agincourt, Camberley Picture courtesy of The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene

As the bell tolled for The Blues Tavern, Heath End; Mindwire and Chesney Hawkes were among artists that played at the Save The Blues Tavern Festival on 18 January ’98. The band’s first London gig of the year saw them at The Half Moon, Putney, with Giant, on 3 March; then a string of home turf appearances at Agincourt, Camberley on 20 March with Jetpack, Floor, and Vex Red; Ice Cold Beer Company (I.C.B.C.), Woking the next night with Catching Flys and Puskas; Carpenters Arms, Camberley for an acoustic set on 26 March; and a support slot with Big Planet Love two days after at Tumbledown Dick, Farnborough. They were back at Carpenter’s Arms on 4 April with The Simon Bell Band. They were back in Liverpool on 6 April ’98 to finish off recording and lay down some newer tracks. Goodman however appeared to want to go a different direction and left on 4 May ’98. Mindwire were now a three-piece managed and produced by Redwood/Lazydog guitarist, Rob Blackham.

On 17 July ’98, HG Wells Suite, Woking hosted Splatch! at which, the now 3-piece, Mindwire appeared with The Jellys, Jolt, and Jetpak. Later in ’98, the Acoustic Stage at the Ambient Green Picnic, Guildford in 1998 hosted the band sandwiched between Bloom and Dick Savage.

After recording another demo of songs, including “Bottled Sunshine”, “Bed Head” and “Control” (which was included on the Farnborough Groove Vol 9) and a heap more gigs another member left. Meek broke the news in early 2001. This may have been after Bojanglez, Guildford’s last live music listing that featured Mindwire, Dolls Head, and No Mosquito on 8 March 2001. At Meek’s last gig former Skunk Anansie drummer Mark Richardson offered his services but touring commitments got in the way. Chris Hughes (Redwood/Lazydog drummer) joined the band instead. This refreshed 3-piece recorded “Pretty”, “Autopilot” and “Bentley”, which were videoed, at London’s Dublin Castle, and broadcast on MTV2. In early 2002 they supported Tetra Splendour and Biffy Clyro at the West End Centre, Aldershot. At the end of 2003, on 12 December, the band played the Dublin Castle, Camden.

On 9 July ’04 Mindwire announced that they were calling it a day with a final gig at The West End Centre, on 21 July. Then on 5 March ’05 the band performed a reunion show at Farnborough’s Tumbledown Dick supporting Wherewithal and Without Grace; along with Lemonade Wage and Opus.