(c’77-80) Chris Benyon (bass), Pete Luck (vocals), Dominic O’Riley (guitar), and Carl Schieder (drums).
Formed by ex-Salesian College students as Stealer, changing the band name after their first gig, in late ’77, this Farnborough played the local venues such as the Town Hall, Farnborough (supported by Midnight Circus), Fleet Country Club (supported by Zenith), and Agincourt, Camberley during their tenure.
On 23 April 1977, for the princely sum of 40p, you could have heard Straightshooter play at the Queen of Heaven Church Hall, Frimley. Mervin George organized the Charity Rock Christmas ’77’ event at the Agincourt on 17 December ’77 and booked Straightshooter to headline with Eclipse and Midnight Circus in support. Monday nights were the rock nights at the Tumbledown Dick, Farnborough, and it was a Monday that Straightshooter appeared at Tumbledown in ’78. Late in ’78 the band split, reforming in early ’79 with Tony Ecclestone (bass) and Mike O’Riley (drums) joining; influenced by Elvis Costello.
The band returned to the Tumbledown Dick on 12 March ’79. Later in ’79, they released one 7″ single, the eponymous “Straightshooter” backed by “She’s So Fine” on the Strolling Bone label [SB 001]. This had been recorded at Airport Studios on 20 April ’79 and was sold in Star Records, opposite Tumbledown Dick. They also entered the Melody Maker band contest held at the University of Surrey, Guildford in May ’79.
We do know that Colin Rae was a member at some point, performing with the band at Agincourt, Camberley. O’Riley went on to join Blind Date.
In 2010 the New York based Sing Sing label re-released the 7″ single. Then O’Riley and Ecclestone got the band back together in 2012, shortening the name to Shooter, publishing several e-releases and an e-album: “Recycled Teenagers”; and playing gigs until 2016. In 2017 the B-side of their single “She’s So Fine” was included on “Gary Crowley’s Punk and New Wave” compilation.
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