(c’81-85) Andrew Fawcett (drums), David Hailes (guitar / backing vocal), Ian Lucas (vocals / guitar), and Martin Smith (guitar).

In ’77, 3 of the members were originally in Go while still at Mill Chase School, they were then joined by Smith (not the Martin Smith of Life Limited / Vox Pop fame) and the new band were named after an aircraft part.

Although from the Midhurst area – the Midhurst Detours scooter ‘gang’ would often travel to their gigs, not to mention fill The Grange in Midhurst – this early 80s band were popular on the Woking Mod scene and often played at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Fans would organize double decker buses to travel to the far flung gigs in Putney and other London venues. On 27 November ’82 the band were supporting New Rays of Radiance at Barbados House, Bordon, along with Flapp and Columbia.

“DANGER Government Health WARNING This Recording MUST Be Played Loud”. 1983’s The Beat Collection cassette.

In ’83 they released “The Beat Collection” demo cassette, recorded at Satellite Recordings, Grayshott and engineered by Ken Marshall, featuring “Sitting Pretty”, “Forever & Ever”, “Children Of Tomorrow”, “Looks Like Rain”, and “Secrets” and the spine message “DANGER Government Health WARNING This Recording MUST Be Played Loud”. We know they played at The Robin Hood, Stanford that year too.

The following year the now very collectable “The Optimist” [STA360] 7″ was independently released, with “Stars” and “Companies” on the b-side. Station 360 were listed as one of the ‘future attractions’ on the reopening of the revamped West End Centre Aldershot on 13 January ’84. On 17 March ’84, Station 360 were at The Royal, Guildford, supported by Kalibre. 1984 also saw them play at the Brighton Mod run / rally and support Squire in Aldershot with The Dansette.

Limited edition ‘A Sound of Today – Best of Station 360’ CD. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records

In 2000, James Perrett put together a best of CD for the band of which maybe a handful were produced.

Tracks:

Gallery:

Live at the Robin Hood, Standford in 1983. Picture courtesy of James Perrett
Live at the Robin Hood, Standford in 1983. Picture courtesy of James Perrett
Live at the Robin Hood, Standford in 1983. Picture courtesy of James Perrett
Live at the Robin Hood, Standford in 1983. Picture courtesy of James Perrett
Picture courtesy of James Perrett
17th March 1984 and Station 360 are at The Royal, Guildford
Sleeve (front) of ‘The Optimist’. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
Sleeve (back) of ‘The Optimist’. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
A-side of ‘The Optimist’. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
B-side of ‘The Optimist’. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
Station 360 get a mention in this article on the Woking Mod scene, written b John Atkinson and Stuart Roe, from the ‘Angry Voices’ #2 fanzine. Picture courtesy of Col Bird
News & Times article 23th April 1983