(c’78-80) Sophie “Sis” Montague (vocals), Jamie Legg (drums), John Hudson (bass), and Alan Clutterbuck (guitar).
The Golden Age of Metro: (LtoR) Montague, Legg, Hudson, and Clutterbuck pose in the new underpass to York Road, Guildford 1978. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes.
Formed from the remnants of punk band Strange Cult they were managed by a guy called Mac ?, and were once described as playing psychedelic new wave – The Golden Age of Metro really combined old and new.
On 18 February ’79 the band played at The Royal, Guildford and connections with the New Wave Society at the University of Surrey, Guildford secured them a gig at the University Hall Bar on 26 February ’79. Golden Age of Metro also auditioned to perform at the Cockneyland Club, London; which was near Tower Bridge.
Golden Age Of Metro auditioning at Cockneyland Club, London. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
At some point Steve Crawford (guitar) joined the band, bringing their number to five. There were also mentions in Barbed Wire of Victoria ?, from Crewe, joining on keyboard and sax, buts her parents intervened. The band’s van was often borrowed by The Vapors.
After The Golden Age of Metro, Montegue and Legg – having picked up the nickname “Breezeblock” – joined others to form Matrix. Legg also joined Hudson in Luxury Glass Town and Ill At Ease; after which he would go on to be a member of Innocent Bystander, again with Legg; who would appear in Eat the Sofa a few years later and has since joined forces with others to form The True Deceivers. A few years after Golden Age of Metro, Clutterbuck would be found in Piccadilly Mudmen.
Gallery:
Band interview from Barbed Wire Vol 2 No.1 Feb/March 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age of Metro photo shoot in the construction site of the “new” underpass for York Road, Guildford c’78. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age Of Metro auditioning at Cockneyland Club, London. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age Of Metro auditioning at Cockneyland Club, London. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred PipesGolden Age Of Metro auditioning at Cockneyland Club, London. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes18 February 1979: Advert for gigs at The Royal, Guildford from Barbed Wire’s Feb/Mar ’79 issue; featuring Golden Age of Metro. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes
Our Soundscene 