Asylum

(c’74-’76) Sev Lewkowicz (keyboards / vocals), Greg Terry-Short (drums), Gary Deeves (guitar), Andy Stewart (bass), and Howard “Polley” Paul (vocals).

Originally called Percy, the band used to appear at the Bottleneck Club held at The Star, Guildford and at The Plaza, Guildford, in ’74. They band recorded and produced, along with Martin Adams and singer-songwriter Richard Ashworth, a 7″ single at T.W. Studios, Fulham in September ’74, releasing “(It’s My) Destiny” on the Wax Records label [FR2073] later that year. The A-side was written by Deaves and Burton, although we don’t have any information on Burton to date, while the B-side carried two tracks: “Lazy Love” (Paul & Lewkowicz) and “Suzy’s Back” (Burton & Lewkowicz).

Front of sleeve for Asylum’s 1974 “(Its My) Destiny” single.

It was around this time that the band were photographed by Brian Duffy (no, not Jet Black of The Stranglers), who was also working with David Bowie and Black Sabbath around the same time. In December ’74, Asylum supported Greenslade at the Technical College, Farnborough, then Caravan at the Civic Hall, Guildford in February ’75 and Budgie, a few days later, on 20 February ’75, back at Farnborough Tech. On 31 April ’75 the band played at the Marquee, London.

There was also reportedly a studio recording session with Tony Visconti. Managed by Ashworth, Guildford based Asylum secured a month-long residency at the Marquee, at which Backhurst supported, in early ’76. Terry-Short, along with Lewkowicz, would join Backhurst for a couple of tracks. This included appearances 14 February and 7, 14, 21, and 28 March ’74. At the end of the Marquee residency Asylum dissolved and out of the ashes, along with members of Backhurst, folk rock band House formed in May ’76.

In 2009, “Suzy’s Back” from the B-side of the bands single was included on, bootleg / semi-official label, Past & Present Records’ [PAPRCD2093] CD release: “Various ‎– The Electric Asylum Volume 1 (Rare British Acid Freakrock)”; describing Asylum as ‘sublimely bonkers’.

Lewkowicz, who’d previously been in Running Dry with Deeves, went on to perform in Headwaiter and Soho, both with Terry-Short, who also joined the Jackie Lynton Happy Days Band. Deaves and Stewart have both sadly passed, while Paul has vanished.

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