The Student Union at West Surrey College of Art and Design (WSCAD), aka Farnham Art College, like many in the 70s and 80’s put on gigs for their student body; and these activities bleed into the early 90’s. WSCAD was formed when Farnham School of Art merged with the Guildford School of Art in ’69, and it continued as such until ’95, when the Surrey Institute of Art & Design was created following the merer of WSCAD and the Epsom School of Art and Design in ’94.
On 27 April ’72, Skin Alley, the first non-American act to be signed to Stax, were paid to visit West Surrey Art College. The Grade-II listed Hatch Mill house and hall were occupied by the college for a while, and it was here that Fleet based Ebling Mis performed on 25 October ’73. Over a decade later Erasure included WSCAD on their BPM Tour, performing there on 1 October ’86. The following year The Larks turned up on 12 February ’87 and Cat & Mouse were there on 17 December. Many may recall The Grooveyard’s appearance at the college on 11 February ’88. Valentine’s Day ’89 was marked by a gig from Shark Taboo and ATG took to the ‘stage’ on 2 November that same year.
Jazz musician Courtney Pine, having played sax on the closing portion of the Pet Shop Boys “Nothing Has Been Proved” single the previous year, performed there on 10 May ’90. The Fat Ladys Sing were with the Gutter Brothers on 5 December ’90. We are also aware of an appearance by the James Taylor Quartet at the college in ’90, and that Beautiful People played the Wonderful World event at Farnham Art College on 8 December ’90. On 31 January ’91 the Art College, Farnham hosted the Signet Rings supported by Peachrazor – This was Peachrazor’s debut gig! On 22 November ’91, Thieves of Dreams supported Who Moved the Ground? at the College. There was also a charity gig at the college on 15 May ’93 at which J.C. Regulator played, their last before disbanding.
As with most Art Colleges, WSCAD also produced musicians and bands if its own. Farnham Art College student Bob McGarth was the nucleus of Hogsnort Rupurt for example.
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