(c’84-’90) Noel Jones (vocals), Simon Pengilly (guitars), Gerald Goff (bass), and Jeff Ward (drums)

The initial nuclei of White Lightning – yes, without the ‘e’ – were two ex-Iron Pig bandmates, guitarist Pengilly and bassist Goff. They were joined by ex-Static vocalist Jones and then Ward, the drummer from Iron Pig.

On 1 November ’84, Sweeny Todd headlined at the Ad Lib Club, held at The Kensington, Russell Gardens, with White Lightning in support. Later in the month this NWOBHM band self-released the single “This Poison Fountain / Hypocrite” on their Wild Party Record [PP 1000] label. Shortly after which, in late ’84, White Lightning appeared at The Royal, Guildford receiving a positive review from Steffan Chirazi, published in the 9 December issue of Sounds.

White Lightning from Bushy Park photo shoot. Image courtesy of Noel Jones

A number of gigs down the road, including The Wellington, Shepherds Bush on 29 July ’87, and a burgeoning repute stalled, then disintegrated, when Ward left and joined Mournblade. But Ward’s mother had sent a tape to Metal Hammer as the band crumbled. The band reformed to perform in Metal Hammer’s ‘Find a Band’ competition, with new bassist Richard Goddard. They didn’t win but garnered the support of Tommy Vance. They began recording again and compiled and pressed a run of no more than 500 LPs titled ‘…As Midnight Approaches‘. Tommy Vance played the record in full on his Friday Rock Show.

White Lightning at King George V Bowl, Douglas on 6 June 1990. Image courtesy of Noel Jones

Pengilly decided he never wanted to play live, leading to the recruitment of John Storey. About the same time Workshop Records sought a second White Lightning LP and the necessary the tracks were laid down at Jason Ducker (ex-The Enid) and Max Read’s Lodge Recording Studio, Northampton. Meanwhile, on 6 June ’90, the band supported Meat Loaf at the King George V Bowl, Douglas, on the Isle of Man during the T.T. Races. That second LP however never got released by Workshop and following a final gig at the Corn Exchange, Dorchester the band called it a day.

In 2010, Angel Air Records released both LPs and extra demo and live recordings. Jones sadly passed on 16 April 2019. In addition to Mournblade in the mid-’80s, Ward also performed in Ragged Boys, The Barrelhouse Brothers, and The Hollow. Of Pengilly and Goff we are currently uncertain.

Gallery:

1 November 1984: White Lightning at Ad Lib, The Kensington, Russell Gardens. Image courtesy of Noel Jones
1 November 1984: White Lightning at Ad Lib, The Kensington, Russell Gardens. Image courtesy of Noel Jones
Test pressing of White Lightning’s “This Poison Fountain / Hypocrite“. Image courtesy of Noel Jones
White Lightning’s self-released single “This Poison Fountain / Hypocrite“. Image courtesy of Noel Jones
Review from Brazilian magazine ‘Rock Brigade’. Image courtesy of Noel Jones
Review of White Lightning at The Royal in Sounds, 9 December 1984. edition. Image courtesy of Pete Cole
29 July 1987: White Lightning wee at The Wellington, Shepherds Bush. Image courtesy of Noel Jones
29 July 1987: White Lightning wee at The Wellington, Shepherds Bush. Image courtesy of Noel Jones
20 March 198?: White Lightning play the Marquee. Image courtesy of Noel Jones
Jones of White Lightning in Lodge Recording Studio, Northampton in 1990. Image courtesy of Noel Jones
White Lightning article from Riff Raff magazine, mid-1990. Image courtesy of Noel Jones