(c’80-’82) Robert Selway (bass), Stuart Barnett (drums), David Maskrey (guitar) and Chris Try (vocals / rhythm guitar).

16 July 1980: Blank Expression played the Wonersh Memorial Village Hall. Picture courtesy of Stuart Barnett.

Maskrey and Try were both at Broadwater School and their first band together was Blank Expression. The band’s debut gig was at Wonersh Memorial Hall on 16 July ’80. They released a 3-track demo, produced by Phil Collins; with Barnett using the same drum kit Phil Collins used on ‘In the Air Tonight“. The next year they appeared at Broadwater County Secondary School, in concert, in aid of Buses for the Disabled on 23 July ’81. On 12 September ’81, Blank Expression were at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, in fact the band became a regular booking for The Wooden Bridge and we know they were back there on 1 December ’81.

A few months later, on 15 March ’82, they supported The Jam, for one gig, on the Trans-Global Express Tour, along with Urban Shakedown, at Fair Deal, Brixton. Then returned, on 29 May ’82, to the Wooden Bridge once again.

Selway and Barnett started Pied Piper and The Rats after they split from Blank Expression, and Selway went onto play in Big Belief after Kamaleon. Maskrey, who is currently in The Shakespearos, and Try formed Wild Lettuce.

31 October 2020: Blank Expression (L-R front: Selway, Maskrey, Try, and Barnett; L-R back: Clare Barnett ex-Pied Piper and The Rats and Lynsey Ann Newman). Picture courtesy of Stuart Barnett.

All four members talked about getting Blank Expression back together in 2021 and doing some gigs. Try and Barnett, with Krzysztof Dudzinski on Bass and Ian Clarke on lead guitar did just that with an initial appearance at the Ivy Leaf Club, Cove on 25 March 2022. Sadly, in 2023, Try sustained severe injuries in a road incident, and passed away. The band continued, even after Clarke left, and remained in the contract with RS Promotions Band Management; adding Darron Edwards on bass, while Dudzinski moved to guitar.

Tracks:

Gallery:

12 September 1981: Blank Expression were at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Chris Try
1 December 1981: Blank Expression, with support, played The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Chris Try
23 July 1981: Broadwater County Secondary School presented Blank Expression, in concert, in aid of Buses for the Disabled. Picture courtesy of Chris Try
15 March 1982: Blank Expression were ‘Special Guests’…
Blank Expression drummer Stuart Barnett, playing at the Sea Cadet Unit, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Stuart Barnett