(c’75-08) Dominic “Ireno Funes” O’Brien (electric piano), Paul Venables (guitar), Paul “Doppa” MacKenzie (drums), Tim Comley (bass), and Keith Burchett (synth / piano).
This Guildford prog rock band formed in ’75 and last performed in 2008. In the early days of the band Gary Maidment was a roadie for them. One gig at Jacobs Well’s Village Hall saw them perform to a largely unenthused punk audience, resulting in a brawl outside the hall – members of Brandenburg took it on the chin, literally. In ’76, the manager of Godalming band Tax Free booked the Civic Hall, Guildford and had Trident and Brandenburg support.
The Student Union Common Room at the Technical College, Guildford hosted a disco on 29 April, in what is believed to be ’76, at which Brandenburg provided an injection of live music. Graham Clutterbuck had booked them but made a loss. On 14 April ’78 the band supported Jasmine Pie at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford
O’Brien was last reported to be in Dorset. A Paul Mackenzie would also crop up in J.C. Regulator in ’99, but it is unclear if they are one and the same. Regrettably, we have learnt that Comley passed in early 2025.
Gallery:
Our Soundscene 
Hi there – in I think 1976 the manager of Tax Free – can’t remember his name, might have been Colin, he had a Red Jaguar (!) booked the Civic Hall, Guildford and put on a show of three local Godalming-based bands – Tax Free – Nigel White Guitar, Russell Morgan Drums. Lawrence Shipstone Bass – plus Keyboards player (name sadly gone from my memory) Brandenburg – per your article Trident – three piece playing Hendrix covers and others – Robin Walters Bass (still out there, leading the Bluescasters – check them out); Paul Hearsum Guitar, ran "H’s" wine bar in Godalming; Dickie Knight Drums – still playing in Funk/Soul bands.  Entry fee for the gig was 75p and from memory we had a few hundred people in attendance.  Dickie  Â
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, We had both Trident and Tax Free in our A-Z: Band A-Z – Our Soundscene but only bits of names for each.; you’ve helped enormously – any other info? Also, where was H’s Wine Bar in Godalming?
LikeLike