The Fox & Hounds in Church Crookham, near Fleet, has staged live bands for years, and still does with their Friday Live Band night – no backing tracks & no karaoke! – with bands like England’s Dreaming on the bill. It was also a previous Venue of the Week on Lemonrock.
In the 70’s the back room hosted a folk club with a mix of contemporary and traditional folkies. Over September ’80, Controls had a three-week residency at the Fox and Hounds; during which they recorded the “Late Night Love Songs” album to four track. A couple of those tracks were later used on the X-Cassettes of Reading label’s release “Anything Could Happen in the Next Half Hour”.
Sometime in ’85, This Breed of Heroes had their debut gig at the pub. Then on 23 January ’86, The Fox & Hounds opened their doors to the friends, family and fans of West One. Christ! began their annual pilgrimage to The Fox & Hounds in ’89, which ran for three years to ’91. On 4 November ’89, Who Moved the Ground? played (and recorded – see below) their debut gig there, as did Parmaviolet a few months later on 30 May ’90; but not before a well-received Frantic played the venue on 27 January, Country Hazard appeared on 16 April, and Who Moved the Ground? had returned to give the punters a second dose on 28 April ’90.
In fact, Who Moved the Ground? were to play the venue a further three time: 27 Oct ’90 with The Cloudwatchers, 27 April ’91 with Pretty Green and Backlash. Blue Velvet took to the pubs floor on 25 April ’92, and that 4 September, Backlash appeared supported by Peachrazor and Pretty Green. Another band to debut at The Fox & Hounds was J.C. Regulator who appeared on 4 December ’92. We are also aware that Phobia appeared at this Church Crookham spot. On 19 February ’93 The Fox & Hounds hosted Pretty Green once again, this time with Jonah’s Pram in support.
Following the passing of Frank Press, the remaining members of Canticle held reunion gigs at Press’ local in Bawburgh, Norfolk and The Fox & Hounds in August 2000.
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