(c’85-’86) Tim Petzold (guitar), Derry Hall (vocals), Steve Cussons (drums), and Bruno Skrastins (bass).
Following the demise of their previous outfit, The Innocence; Petzold, Cussons and Skrastins teamed up with Hall in January ’85 to form This Breed of Heroes, rehearsing at Village Hall, Tilford. They played original melodic guitar-based rock, with a set that contained just enough covers to ensure they could get bookings in local pubs. The Fox & Hounds, Fleet, sometime in ’85, was the venue for the band’s debut gig.
Early in ’85, they recorded a 2-track demo at Catch 44 Studios, Godalming. This secured them regular monthly gigs at the Prince of Wales, Lower Froyle; The Lion Brewery, Ash, The Kings Head, Ash; and The Golden Fleece, Elstead. The trio of ex-Innocents had previously used The Village Hall, Albury to rehearse in ’83/’84, and in December ’85, This Breed of Heroes hired the venue for their “Christmas Party” gig.
As regular performers at and weekly patrons of the Lion Brewery, This Breed of Heroes became involved with other bands in assisting landlord Mike Armitage and a team of pub regulars in organizing and putting on the first ever Ash Music Festival. This event, in aid of The Red Cross, took place on Saturday 26 July ’86 in Harpers Rec, right next to the pub. This Breed of Heroes were first band on, playing to an enthusiastic audience.
The band folded towards the end of ’86. Hall went on to complete numerous musical projects and is still active, working out of Estonia. Skrastins, who’d also been in The Little Winkies/Press Gang and Cheap Thrills, went on to play in The F1-11s and J.C. Regulator.
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