(c’77-79) – Richard Houghton (drums), Mark Terry (guitar/vocals), Paul Bennett (bass), and Stuart Manson (keyboards/vocals).

This Fleet / Aldershot based band formed in April ’77, after Manson returned from teaching English in Spain, from the remnants of Scavenger and White as White; and were managed by Church Crookham resident Mike Utting.

26 hours straight in a studio – this may have been Chestnut Studios, Churt which the band used at some point – on 23 April ’77 saw “Man from Down Under“, “Living is Loving“, and “Womanizer” written and laid down. Utting and the band built a strong local fan base with gigs at Fleet Country Club, Fleet (which became a regular haunt); Technical College, Farnborough Tech; Town Hall, Farnham (with Farnham’s Human Beings); and other local venues. They badgered the labels with calls and a demo cassette until they got five to promise attendance at a London gig.

23 Nov 1977: T. T. Transmission appeared Upstairs at Ronnies. Picture courtesy of Mark Terry

That gig saw a coach trip for fans from Farnborough 6th Form College to Upstairs at Ronnie’s to see them play on 23 November ’77. This was attended by the record company’s A&R reps and agencies. RCA remained keen and a second audition was held at the Agincourt, Camberley on 7 January ’78, supported by The Vandals, where they probably included “The Goblin Party” and “Leaving You in the Lurch” in their set. It’s possible that Radio 210 recorded the gig too. In June ’78 they supported Strife, along with Chou Pahrot, at the Technical College, Basingstoke; a venue T.T. played again on the 18 March that year, for the Rag Ball. In ’79 they were headlining the local college’s, including Farnborough Tech. We lose track of the band after this date.

23 June 1978: Basingstoke Technical College hosted Strife, supported by T. T. Transmission and Chou Pahrot. Picture courtesy of Mark Terry

Terry was in a number of local bands after T.T., including Spliff Riff and Undercurrents with fellow T. T.’er Manson. Terry and Manson had also been in Crosswinds.

This jazz/rock fusion band recently reformed, and after rehearsals in North Wales, performed their first gig for 47 years at the West End Centre, Aldershot on 12 October 2024, a venue that was three of the members old school in the 60’s. More gigs are planned for 2025.

Tracks:

Gallery:

23 December 1977 Pop Scene areticle on T. T. Transmission. Picture courtesy of Mark Terry
1977 Pop Scene column clipping of David Reading’s piece of T. T. Transmission. Picture courtesy of Mark Terry
7 January 1978: Rock at The Agincourt featured T. T. Transmission supported by The Vandels. Picture courtesy of Mark Terry
18 March 1978: Clipping from March ’78 issue of the Basingstoke Gazette puts T. T. Transmission at Basingstoke Tech. Picture courtesy of Raz Razzle
19 May 1979: T. T. Transmission, supported by The Planets, headlined Farnborough College of Technology. Picture courtesy of Mark Terry
T. T. Transmission, outside Chestnut Studios, Frensham. Picture courtesy of Mark Terry
T. T. Transmission. Picture courtesy of Mark Terry