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Something Religious
(c’91-93) – Ben Martyn (guitar/vocals), Dominic Coles (drums), Ray Goodsall (guitar), Wayne Arnold (bass).
This Bagshot based band played 100% original guitar indie, that showed influence from The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays and The Charletons. Coles had just departed Sugar Mountain, but by March ’91 was with the band appearing at The Old Trout, Windsor, returning on 17 April with The Ha Ha Men and Big Wednesday.
17 April 1991. Picture courtesy of Nathan Argonaut A couple of months later, across the 12 to 15 June ’91 the West End Centre, Aldershot hosted 18 bands for the first rounds of the Buzz Club’s MidSummer Madness Local Indie/Rock Band Competition. The first night saw Hung Inverted, Big Wednesday, My Blue Heaven, Not Just a Pretty Face, and Something Religious battle it out. Emile Martyn (keyboards) joined in late ’91 / early ’92. Then sometime in ’92 Emilie Martyn pick up the bass from Arnold, Drew ‘Chalkey’ Sayer took over his keyboard duties, Simon Pulling (drums) replaced Coles, and James Collins (guitar) did the same with Goodsall.
Gallery:
Something Religious get a mention in 1991 in review, from the 2nd Jan 1992 Soundscene column. 
1991. Picture courtesy of Nathan 
Something Religious at The Cricketeres, Westfield. Picture courtesy of Emma Casey 
Ben Martyn-Godfrey of Something Religious playing his 1964 Gretch Chet Atkins Country Gent, with gold plated Bigsby tremolo at the Cricketers, Westfield. Picture taken by Emma Casey, courtesy of Ben Martyn-Godfrey. 
Something Religious at The Cricketeres, Westfield. Picture courtesy of Emma Casey 
Ben Martyn in Something Religious around ’92. Picture courtesy of Emma Cassy (nee Booker) via Ben Martyn-Godfrey 
Ben and Emile Martyn in Something Religious around ’92. Picture courtesy of Emma Cassy (nee Booker) via Ben Martyn-Godfrey 
Ben and Emile Martyn, with Drew ‘Chalkey’ Sayer on keyboards in Something Religious around ’92. Picture courtesy of Emma Cassy (nee Booker) via Ben Martyn-Godfrey 
James Collins and Emilie Martyn in Something Religious around ’92. Picture courtesy of Emma Cassy (nee Booker) via Ben Martyn-Godfrey 
Wednesday 17th April ’93 and Something Religious are at The Old Trout, Windsor; supported by Big Wednesday. Picture courtesy of Nathan Argonaut 
12 June 1991: West End Centre info sheet covering the first rounds of the Buzz Club’s MidSummer Madness local band competition. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter -
The Nonkey Brothers
(c’86-’87 & ’89-’00) Pete Marshall (bass), and Steve Mann (vocals/guitar)
This Yateley / Sandhurst band was formed from the ashes of X-pressure by Marshall and Mann in ’86, performing at The Rose and Crown, Sandhurst on 22 November ’86. A gig that was recorded and released on cassette as ‘Let’s Be Salad’. A month later, on 27 December they were supporting Split Into at Frogmore School, Yateley with the addition of Paul Rance on drums, and Graham ? on bass who the duo had know from early incarnations of Shoot The Moon.
The initial duo began writing songs, often with explicit comedic lyrics and approachable chord progessions; such as “Dateline” about a guy with a penchant for woman with big breasts, “The Birds and the Bees” and “Stickle”, developing a set perfect for foot-tapping sing-alongs. By ’87 the duo had written and recorded in Marshall’s bedroom, on a Tascam 4-track cassette portastudio with the aid of a Boss ‘Doctor Rhythm’ drum machine, 62 songs. These, in addition to ‘Let’s Be Salad’, were released over three cassettes: ‘Wind Ya Neck In’, ‘No Sleep ’til Chipping Norton’, and ‘Nightmare on Darby Green Lane’. This was followed by a best of cassette titled ‘The Second Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle’, which carried 29 tracks.
The band’s third and final gig was at the Sandhurst Carnival 1987. Andy Smith, formerly of “Which One’s Maurice?”, took over the sticks from Rance while Simon Leppard grabbed the bass. The band reportedly folded thanks to a girlfriend and religion, and Marshall moved onto to play with Night Train to Memphis.
Marshall met Nigel Groves, in ’89, who had an Amiga and some MIDI music software. Together they wrote a new set of explicit comedic tracks. The embryo of The [New] Nonkey Brothers was formed. They were joined by classically trained pianist Mike Auld (keyboards) who became the third Nonkey Brother. Later that year the band released 26 tracks as the ‘Now That’s What We Call Crap Too’ cassette LP. The following year The Nonkey Brother’s ‘Something’ hit the streets, packed with 23 tracks.
’91 was also the year the band decided to continue playing live. Leppard was back on bass and Richard “Dickie” Aitken, a work colleague of Groves, joined on drums. Cassette LP ‘Lionel Blair’ was released sometime during that same year followed by ‘Squat Diddley Poke’ in ’92 and ‘Stickerly On Garfield’ and ‘Santa Comes But Once A Year’ in ’93. We are also aware of an appearance on 17 July ’93 at Mr Bumbles, Blackwater.
Just as The Who, Genesis, and Pink Floyd before them, The Nonkey Brothers then wrote ‘Geek’ a rock opera / musical that was released in ’96; but it never made it to stage or film. After ‘Geek’, which took the band three years to write, they took a break, releasing the double cassette compilation LPs ‘Toilet Volume 1 (The First 10 Years)’ and ‘Toilet Volume 2 (The First 10 Years)’ in the interim. After a two year break they were back in ’98 with ‘Barsebuffknutt’, that included tracks recorded at No Machine Studios, Wokingham with the current line-up of Marshall, Auld, Dominic Brown on bass, and Andy Rowney on drums. The complete No Machine Sessions were released later that year as the ‘Pick a Finger’ demo on CD.
Late in ’98 the band recorded most of their 6 December appearance at Glen Events Comedy Night, Glen Eyre Halls of Residence, University of Southampton. This live recording was subsequently released as ‘Rooteetoot’. The last we know of The Nonkey Brothers is the year 2000’s 17 track ‘Large Tough Chicken’ CD.
Gallery:
Andy Rowney, Andy Smith, Blackwater, Dominic Brown, Frogmore School, Glen Events Comedy Night, Glen Eyre Halls of Residence, Mike Auld, Mr Bumbles, Nigel Groves, Night Train to Memphis, No Machine Studios, Paul Rance, Pete Marshall, Richard Aitken, Sandhurst, Sandhurst Carnival, Shoot The Moon, Simon Leppard, Split Into, The Nonkey Brothers, The Rose and Crown, University of Southampton, Which One's Maurice, Wokingham, X-pressure, Yateley -
Empyre
(c’85-’86) Steve Arnold (vocals), Dean Balchin (guitar), Mark Randon (guitar), Ian “Wez” Westley (bass), and Paul Stevens (drums)
Heavy metalers, Empyre played many a local gig, including The Queen’s Head, Horsham on 21 September ’85 and Chiddingfold Club on 17 January ’86. The band also ventured up into London, supporting Dumpy’s Rusty Nuts at the Marquee in 22 March ’86.
Early in ’86 the band released “Hidden Powers”, a single-sided demo cassette; recorded at the 16- track Abbeydale Studios, London. The production run was so limited, but over 100, they were able to hand-number each cassette. Later in the year Empyre took the the first two tracks from “Hidden Powers” and self released, on the Monterrez label [EMP1], a 7″ double-A side single that carried “World’s Apart” and “Swordplay”. Engineered by Jeremy Freedman and privately pressed by SRT record company [SRT6KS774], this is currently the last information we have on the band.
Westley joined Trashqueen in ’88, although he is referenced as an ex-member of Monterey – a possible mix up with the Monterrez label. Towards the end of ’88, ex-Kyoto Rose / Trashqueen guitarist Phil Brookes pulled Calamity Sax together and roped in Westley. He went on to become General Manager of Mushroom Records where Garbage, Muse, Ash, Zero 7 and Paul Oakenfeld were launched and is now Hassle Records label manager and manages a number of bands. He is co-owner of Full Time Hobby (the holding company for Hassle) whose first release was Portland, Oregon based duo Viva Voce’s EP “Alive With Pleasure”.
Gallery:
Abbeydale Studios, Ash, Calamity Sax, Chiddignfold Club, Chiddingfold, Dean Balchin, Dumpy's Rusty Nuts, Empyre, Full Time Hobby, Garbage, Hassle Records, Horsham, Ian Westley, Jeremy Freedman, Kyoto Rose, London, Mark Randon, Marquee, Monterrez, Muse, Mushroom Records, Paul Oakenfeld, Paul Stevens, Phil Brookes, SRT, Steve Arnold, The Queen's Head, Trashqueen, Viva Voce, Zero 7 -
The 1985 Gig List
What follows is a list of gigs, with images of tickets, adverts and flyers where possible, either at GU postcode venues or featuring bands, listed in bold, we like to claim are part of the Woking/GU Soundscene in 1985:
January 3
The Royal, Guildford: Tokyo BladeJanuary 4
The Royal, Guildford: Slow Motion w/ F-File, The Bar Flies and Dance on GlassJanuary 10
The Royal, Guildford: Chain Reaction w/ Tour De ForceJanuary 11
Emmanuael Chapel, Woking: Salt SolutionJanuary 12
The Royal, Guildford: IcemenJanuary 17
The Royal, Guildford: Jackie LyntonJanuary 18
Keyhole Club, St. John’s: Salt Solution
The Royal, Guildford: Eddie & The HotrodsJanuary 24
Woking College, Woking: Salt SolutionJanuary 25
University of Surrey, Guildford: Clint Eastwood and General SaintFebruary 1
The Royal, Guildford: Flow Motion w/ by Siere Novar
Poster for Flow Motion supported by Siere Novar at The Royal, 1 Februsry 1985. Picture courtesy of Du Kane February 9
The Old Schoolhouse, Woking: Dark Paradise w/ F-FileFebruary 14
The Royal, Guildford: Dumpy’s Rusty Nuts
The Talbot, Ripley: Collective SoundFebruary 15
The Royal, Guildford: Private Patients
Hand and Spear, Weybridge: Nick Dow
The Blue Anchor, Staines: The TeaseFebruary 16
The Blue Anchor, Byfleet: Milky Bar Kids w/ FEG
The Royal, Guildford: KrewmenFebruary 18
The Royal, Guildford: Seconds OutFebruary 20
The Royal, Guildford: Here and NowFebruary 21
The Royal, Guildford: Backstage Pass
The West End Centre, Aldershot: Spliff Riff w/ African Connexion
Englefield Green Social Hall: Geneva w/ Blank GenerationFebruary 22
The Royal, Guildford: Press Any Key
Hand and Spear, Weybridge: Allan TaylorFebruary 23
South Hill Park, Bracknell: Bryony
The Royal, Guildford: Joker’s WildFebruary 26
Southill Park, Bracknell: The Bill Brunskill Band
The Royal, Guildford: IcemenFebruary 27
The Royal, Guildford: SiegeFebruary 28
The Royal, Guildford: Jackie LyntonMarch 1
Hand and Spear, Weybridge: Sarah Morgan And Mary Eagle?
Horse, Slough: GenevaMarch 2
Hand and Spear, Weybridge: Sheila March and Alison Muir
Village Hall, Hambledon: Cabina Telefonica w/ WhyMarch 5
Hand and Spear, Weybridge: George Melly w/ John Chilson’s FeetwarmersMarch 12
100 Club, London: Annie Anxiety, Current 93, D&V, and Death In JuneMarch 14
La Sébale, Paris, France: Death In JuneMarch 20
Club Royal, The Royal, Guildford: The Plague w/ 16 GunsMarch 22
Youth Club, Virginia Water: Salt Solution
Club Royal, The Royal, Guildford: Page ThreeApril 1
The Old Schoolhouse, Woking: Miss Woking Pop CabaretApril 4
Fashion, Trieste, Italy: Death In JuneApril 5
The Royal, Guildford: Suspect Tomorrow w/ Runestaff, and Page Three
Unknown venue, Venice, Italy: Death In JuneApril 6
The Royal, Guildford: Function w/ Capricorn
Suburbia, Perugia, Italy: Death In JuneApril 7
Salt Peanuts, Florence, Italy: Death In JuneApril 8
Church Hall, Walton: The Tease
Unknown venue, Bologna, Italy: Death In JuneApril 11
Wilfred Noyce Youth Centre, Godalming: Cabina Telefonica w/ Technik
The Royal, Guildford: Geneva w/ ChaserApril 12
Squash Club, West Byfleet: Mike Allen
The Royal, Guildford: Dirty Strangers w/ Neptune’s Oceans
Blue Anchor, Byfleet: Milky Bar Kids w/ Juniper TunesApril 13
The Royal, Guildford: Jackie Lynton w/ Lazy TrainApril 14
The Maltings, Farnham: The 4th Farnham Folk Day – Alistair Anderson, The Blades, The Boothill Foot-Tappers, Cluster Of Nuts Band, Eric, Dick Gaughan, Maggoe Holland & Chris Coe, Sarah & Dave Horne, Dave Hunt, Joe Hutton with Willie Taylor & Will Atkinson, Flaco Jimenez Tex-Mex Band featuring Peter Rowan, Debby McClatchy, The Oyster Band, Rogue Morros, The Seven Champions, Kathryn Tickell, Trubshaw’s Hawaiians, Eddie Upton, and Bob Walton.April 17
The Royal, Guildford: The PlagueApril 18
The Royal, Guildford: Man & BuzzardApril 19
Club Royal, The Royal, Guildford: F-File
The Old Schoolhouse, Woking: LongPig w/ Joy of LifeApril 20
The Royal, Guildford: Mammoth w/ SuspectApril 23
The Royal, Guildford: Robin George
Unknown venue, Perugia, Italy: Death In JuneApril 24
The Royal, Guildford: The Magic Mushroom Band
Stoke Hotel, Guildford: Clark Tracey’s CT3+2April 25
Club Royal, The Royal, Guildford: Joker’s Wild w/ Siere Novar
South Hill Park, Bracknell: What The CurtainsApril 27
Club Royal, The Royal, Guildford: Kolors Band
Pilgrim’s Wine Bar, Alton: Indigo SwingMay 1
Jazz Club, The Old Schoolhouse, Woking: Humphrey Lyttleton and the Mike Peters Famous Jazz Band
Club Royal, The Royal, Guildford: FungusMay 2
Club Royal, The Royal, Guildford: John Coghlan’s Diesel Band
Kavern Club, The Old Schoolhouse, Woking: Sang Froid w/ KURRU and 20 Flight Rockers
KURRU supported Sang Froid at the first Kavern Club night at the Old Schoolhouse, Woking on 2 May 1985, with 20 Flight Rockers. Picture courtesy of Sharon Pilling May 9
The Old Schoolhouse: Dark ParadiseMay 10
Blue Anchor, Staines: The TeaseMay 20
The Bull and Gate, Kentish Town: The Self w/ XL and Five O’Clock HighMay 22
Civic Hall, Guildford: The AlarmMay 25
Brookwood Church, Brookwood: God in Action w/ Salt SolutionJune 10
Tramshead Thearte, Woolwich: Five O’Clock HighJune 21
Blue Anchor, Byfleet: The 68 FloodsJune 28
Keyhole Club, St. John’s: Salt SolutionJuly 19
Frogmore Community College, Yateley: Split Into w/ Which One’s Maurice?, and X-pressure
July 20
Community Centre, Frimley: Sons Of Pride w/ Zad Turned Blue and Spike TeamAugust 17
Private Party, Camberley: Spike Team w/ The CharlesAugust 19
Westborough United Reform Church: Salt SolutionAugust 26
Greenbelt Fringe, Stage 1: Salt SolutionAugust 31
Lentheric Morny Social Club, Camberley: Spike TeamOctober 5
Community Centre, Frimley: Spike Team w/ Shadow Gallery, New Outrage, The Charles and Dear DepartedOctober 12
Mission, Emmanuel Chapel, Surbiton: Salt SolutionOctober 18
Emmanuel Church, Woking: Salt SolutionOctober 25
Civic Hall, Guildford: Everything But The Girl w/ The Apartments
23 October 1985: Everything But The Girl with The Apartments. Source: Diana Constantine via Guildford Town Past & Present November 1
Main Hall, University of Surrey, Guildford: Eek-A-Mouse w/ Spliff RiffNovember 2
The Room at The Top, Haverstock Hill: The Housemartins w/ Go! ServiceNovember 3
Lower Bar, University of Surrey, Guildford: Namoza
November 5
Lower Bar, University of Surrey, Guildford: Dave Walters Band
November 15
University of Surrey, Guildford: Miller Family w/ Function
November 20
University of Surrey, Guildford: Captain SensibleDecember 6
Keyhole Club, St. John’s: Salt Solution
Farnborough Tech, Farnborough: West OneDecember 7
University of Surrey, Guildford: The PoguesDecember 13
Westborough United Reform Church: Salt SolutionDecember 20
Richard Barnes 21st Party: Salt SolutionDecember 21
– “Gig for Africa”, The Dorking Halls, Dorking: N.B.T., Screen Gems, Paint the Clown Red, 3rd Spiritual Foundation, Great Garden, Endless Party, Body Politic, Ob Jay Da, Line Design, The Rapids, Banned from Uncle, Best Behaviour, Hohokam, Shoot! Dispute, Hoorah! Boys Hoorah!, Cardiacs
The official programme and poster for “Gig For Africa” at Dorking Halls on 21 December 1985 100 Club, 16 Guns, 1985, 20 Flight Rockers, 3rd Spiritual Foundation, African Connexion, Alison Muir, Allan Taylor, Alton, Annie Anxiety, Backstage Pass, Banned from Uncle, Best Behaviour, Blank Generation, Blue Anchor, Bob Walton, Body Politic, Bologna, Bracknell, Brookwood, Brookwood Church, Bryony, Byfleet, Cabina Telefonica, Capricorn, Captain Sensible, Cardiacs, Chain Reaction, Chaser, Church Hall, Civic hall, Clark Tracey's CT3+2, Clint Eastwood and General Saint, Collective Sound, Current 93, D&V, Dance on Glass, Dark Paradise, Dave Walters Band, Dear Departed, Death in June, Dirty Strangers, Dumpy's Rusty Nuts, Eddie & The Hotrods, Eddie Upton, Eek-A-Mouse, Emmanuael Chapel, Emmanuel Chapel, Emmanuel Church, Endless Party, Englefield Green, Everything But The Girl, F-File, Farnborough, Farnborough Tech, Farnham, Farnham Folk Day, Fashion, FEG, Five O'Clock High, Flow Motion, France, Frimley, Frogmore Community College, Function, Geneva, George Melly, Gigs, Go! Service, God in Action, Godalming, Great Garden, Greenbelt, Guildford, Hambledon, Hand and Spear, Haverstock Hill, Here and Now, Hohokam, Hoorah! Boys Hoorah!, Horse, Humphrey Lyttleton, Icemen, Indigo Swing, Italy, Jackie Lynton, John Chilson's Feetwarmers, John Coghlan's Diesel Band, Joker's Wild, Joy of Life, Juniper Times, Kavern Club, Keyhole Club, Kolors Band, KURRU, Lazy Train, Le Sebale, Lentheric Morny Social Club, Line Design, London, LongPig, Lower Bar, Main Hall, Mammoth, Man & Buzzard, Mary Eagle, Mike Allen, Mike Peters Famous Jazz Band, Milky Bar Kids, Miller Family, Miss Woking, Mission, N.B.T., Namoza, Neptune's Ocean, New Outrage, Nick Dow, Ob Jay Da, Page Three, Paint the Clown Red, Paris, Perugia, Pilgrim's Wine Bar, Press Any Key, Private Patients, Ripley, Robin George, Runestaff, Salt Solution, Sang Froid, Sarah Morgan, Screen Gems, Seconds Out, Shadow Gallery, Sheila March, Shoot! Dispute, Siege, Siere Novar, Slough, Slow Motion, Social Hall, Sons of Pride, South Hill Park, Spike Team, Spliff Riff, Split Into, Squash Club, St. John's, Staines, Stoke Hotel, Suburbia, Surbiton, Suspect, Suspect Tomorrow, Technik, The Apartments, The Bar Flies, The Bill Brunskill Band, The Blue Anchor, The Charles, The Housemartins, The Magic Mushroom Band, The Maltings, The Old Schoolhouse, The Plague, The Pogues, The Rapids, The Room at The Top, The Royal, The Talbot, The Tease, The Tramshed, Tokyo Blade, Tour De Force, Trieste, University of Surrey, Venice, Village hall, Virginia Water, Walton, West Byfleet, West One, Weybridge, What The Curtains, Which One's Maurice?, Why, Wilfred Noyce Centre, Woking, Woking College, Woolwich, X-pressure, Yateley, Zad Turned Blue -
Nikki Papas / Nicky Pappas
(c’58 – 14) Nikki Papas (guitar / vocals)
Papas was part of the Nicky Papas Trio who played Opportunity Knocks in 1974, competing against Lena Zavaroni. But let’s roll back to ’59 when he released “49th State Rock”, on Red Parlophone 7″ [R4590] with “Try Again” on the b-side. The A-side was also to appeared 56 years later on Smith & Co’s 2015 compilation album “Wide Skirts, Drape Coats & Brothel Creepers, Vol. 5”. This first single was co-written with Morgan ‘Thunderclap’ Jones and Bill Crompton, and Papas recorded songs with Jones in the 50’s and 60’s.
1959 and the 1960’s “49th State Rock” In May the next year he released the 7″ single “By The River”, again on Parlophone [R4652] which carried “Don’t Leave Me Alone” on the B-side. As a solo performer he could be seen in many of the local pubs and clubs, as well as the odd wedding. Sing-a-long’s with Nikki were an almost nightly occurrence starting in about ’71 through the late ’80s, by which time his name was being written Nicky. The Red Lion, Chobham; Castle, Upper Hale; Crimea, Aldershot; Golden Fleece, Elstead; New Forest Inn, Holt Pound; and Claremont, West Byfleet all hosted Papas; along with many others.
In December ’87 he ended a 16 year weekly residency at the Golden Fleece, Elstead. In ’89 the Joe Methuselah Award in the Phil Gibby farewell honors was his. Most recently, on 14 February 2012, he appeared on Dell Richardson’s Good Rocking Tonight on Radio Caroline and in 2014 released “The Pitch and Toss (And The Doublecross) 7” on Fury UK [F1000] with The Fireballs UK taking the B-side with “Cherokee War Dance”. “The Pitch and Toss” was recorded by Papas in ’59 and written by Crompton and Jones, and featured Jones on piano. Sadly, Nicky Papas pass away in 2017.
Tracks:
Gallery:
1st page of manuscript for an unpublished song written by Papas, Crompton and Jones 
Soundscene Gig List, 1st Oct ’87 
Soundscene, 22nd October 1987 
Soundscene, 15th October 1987 
Soundscene’s Gig List from 1 October 1987 
18 August 1988 Gigs Column from Soundscene 
2014’s “The Pitch and Toss (And The Doublecross) 7” on Fury UK [F1000] 
2014’s “The Pitch and Toss (And The Doublecross) 7” on Fury UK [F1000] 
Dell Richardson (L) with Nikki Papas in 2012 
Soundscene Gigs column, August 4th, 1988. 
Nicky ends a 16 year residency at the Golden Fleece, Elstead – Soundscene 17 Dec 1987. 
In 1989 Nikki Papas was award the Joe Methuselah Award in the Phil Gibby farewell honors. Picture courtesy of Dan Hiscocks 
Nikki Papas “By The River” Aldershot, Bill Crompton, Castle, Chobham, Claremont, Crimea, Dell Richardson, Elstead, Fury UK, Golden Fleece, Good Rocking Tonight, Holt Pound, Lena Zavoroni, Morgan Jones, New Forest Inn, Nicky Papas, Nicky Papas Trio, Nikki Papas, Opportunity Knocks, Parlophone, Radio Caroline, Smith & Co's, THe Fireballs UK, The Red Lion, Thunderclap Jones, Upper Hale, West Byfleet -
The Charles
(c’85-88) Chris “Charles Remix / Count Five” Carter (vocals), Ben “Benedik Charles” Williams (guitar), Ian “Jacob” Merrick (bass) and Shawn “Tarquin Experiment” Parlour (drums).
22 August ’87: The Charles & MMATT’s joint encore at Heatherside. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic Formed by, ex-members of The Activities, Williams and Merrick, in early ’85 they were joined by Parlour shortly after, followed by former Lethal Dose and Panzer Korps vocalist Carter in August ’85. Over the next two years three demo cassettes were released and a collobrative release with Magic Moment at Twilight Time.The first was ‘A View From A Boiler’ in May ’86, the 6 track (including “Knob”. Ides of March” and “Helter Skelter”). Then, released on 6 May ’87, ‘The Charles with Magic Moments A.T.T.’ carried the track “Mick & Chris On Acid”, the first collaboration MMATT did with The Charles. The Community Centre, Frimley hosted the band and MMATT on 27 June ’87 and a month later ‘The Whirligig Cassette’ came along. On 22 August that year The Charles and Magic Moment at Twilight Time were at Heatherside Community Centre, with The Charles hitting The Bridge House, Bracknell seven days later. The collaboration known as The Grain, of which The Charles were a part, organized an outdoor festival at Highlands Farm, Frimley Green on 20 September to raise funds for Greenpeace. Along with The Charles, MMATT, Slack Bladder; Momentum Morae and At Twilight Time appeared. Then in November ’87 the 8 track cassette album ‘As Far As The Eye Can See’ hit the streets. Three of the bands tracks were feature on “Mick & Chris On Acid…The Album!” and a live set was released, on cassette and given away free to compensate fans for a cancelled gig, called ‘Live…and Sorry’.
They gigged at venues around Camberley and up into London, including The Agincourt and Dingwalls. Some interest was show in the band by the Screaming Marionettes with a possible slot on their tour and The Stringrays manager also reportedly sniffed around. The band’s last gig was at The Crypt, Deptford, supporting The Magic Mushroom Band, in December ’87, officially breaking up a few months later and pulling out of a second headlining gig at The Crypt on 18 March ’88 with MMATT supporting; MMATT still got the support slot, but for The Pink Fairies instead. The poster artwork for this cancelled gig was created by the award winning “H Is For Hawk” author, Helen MacDonald; who was dating Parlour at the time. A number of factors lead to the demise of The Charles: The theft of Parlourn’s drum kit before Christmas and the departure of Williams, who was replaced by an ill-fitting Jason Grey, amongst them.
Poster, designed by Helen MacDonald, for The Charles, 18 March ’88h gig at The Crypt, that never happened…. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic In July 2015 a “Live At The Grain Festival” MP3 was released, carrying 4 tracks over 18 minutes of the band on the only surviving recording from The Grain Festival, staged at Highland Farm in Frimley Green on 20th Sept ’87.
Tracks:
Gallery:
Flyer for The Crypt, listing a 18 March ’88 gig for The Charles with Magic Moments At Twilight Time. The Charles spilt before this gig, being replaced by The Pink Fairies. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic 
Review of The Charles from Aldershot News, 21 August 1987. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic 
Picture courtesy of Mick Magic 
This demo, released on 6 May ’87, carried the track “Mick & Chris On Acid” – The first collaboration MMATT did with The Charles. “Live..and Sorry” was a live set released and given away free to compensate fans for a cancelled gig. 
Picture courtesy of Mick Magic 
Gig poster from 1987 
Inner sleeve of The Charles’ Whirligig Cassette, released in ’87 
Outer sleeve of The Charles’ Whirligig Cassette, released in ’87 
22 August 1987: The Charles and Magic Moment at Twilight Time were at Heatherside Community Centre. Picture courtesy of The Grain Agincourt, Ben Williams, Benedick Charles, Bracknell, Bridge House, Camberley, Charles Remix, Chris Carter, Community Centre, Count Five, Deptford, Dingwalls, Frimley, Frimley Green, Greenpeace, H is for Hawk, Heatherside Community Centre, Helen MacDonald, Highland Farm, Highlands Farm, Ian Merrick, Jason Grey, Lethal Dose, London, Magic Moments at Twilight Time, MMATT, Momentum Morae, Panzer Korp, Screaming Marionettes, Shawn Parlour, Slack Bladder, Tarquin Experiment, The Activities, The Charles, The Crypt, The Grain, The Magic Mushroom Band, The Pink Fairies, The Stringrays -
Ribs
(c’77-78) Ian Balchin (guitar / vocals), Butch Beagley (guitar / lead vocals), Richard “Taff” Evans (drums) and Duncan Redpath (bass)
All the members of this four piece attended Woking Grammer School. They released one 7″ on Woking based Aerco Records (AERS 101) in ’78, featuring the Ribs logo designed by Jeremy Evans and carrying “Man With No Brain” on the A-Side and “Long Time Coming” on the flipside, with both tracks produced by Steve C. Smith and engineered by John Reddie; who are both better known for their engineering and production work for classical and medieval music. Smith attended the Tonmeister course at the University of Surrey, and it is believed that Ribs’ single was recorded at the university’s studios.
Ribs had signed the recording contract following a gig in The Albion, Woking. The Albion was one of the many local venues they played, a list that included the Centre Halls, Woking (on 1 December ’77 supported by Outpatients). Unfortunately, Sounds and Melody Maker were not particularly positive about “Man With No Brain”.
Balchin, of Byfleet, was known to News & Mail staff as one of five Woking Grammer boys who came to the paper’s offices to complain about the schools “get your hair cut” ultimatum.
Tracks:
Gallery:
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Noit Otni & The Pits
(c’79-80) – Robert “Noit” Jacob (guitar), Bev Lillywhite (keyboards), “Valentine Orson” (bass), and Charles “Lofty” Lawton (drums).
Managed by the spurious Sydney Arbor-Bridge – it’s unclear if all the band member names above are real – the band could be seen regularly gigging in Woking and Guildford. Noit Otni released the “A Heart Can Only Be Broken Once” double A-side single in December of ’79 on Automotive Records (AERS 107) with “Moving Target” on the “B-side”.
Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes Automotive was a one-off DIY label; Aerco Records, of Woking, were responsible for the recording, from where it gets its catalog series. Under the slogan ‘Rock Against Rock’ on the 18 December ’79 there was a launch party for the record at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. The band were back at The Wooden Bridge on 9 February ’80 for a Barbed Wire benefit that saw Noit Otni & the Pits and UBz support The Vapors, who were too famous to put on the bill so were listed as The Japanese Prisoners.
In 1980, the Barbed Wire fanzine Issue #5, Vol.3 No.1 featured the band who later changed their name to Square One. Jacob went on to join The Alligators and had his Aquamass production featured on Granada television in 2000:
You could catch Jacob every Thursday at Griffin Bar’s jazz night at HG Wells Suite or with his partner Beverly Chadwick, of Casual Sax fame, at Hugo’s. Jacob died suddenly on April 11, 2005 following a stroke.
Tracks:
Gallery:
18 December 1979: Noit Otni and The Pits appeared at The Wooden Bridge. Guildford. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Barbed Wire benefit gig poster, Wooden Bridge, Guildford 9 February 1980 – Featured Noit Otni & the Pits with UBz and The Vapors. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Noit Otni released the “A Heart Can Only Be Broken Once” single in ’79 on Automative Records (AERS 107). This is the B-side cover in the rare white. 
Noit Otni released the “A Heart Can Only Be Broken Once” single in ’79 on Automative Records (AERS 107). This is the B-side cover in red. 
Noit Otni released the “A Heart Can Only Be Broken Once” single in ’79 on Automative Records (AERS 107). This is the A-side cover in red. 
Taken from the Barbed Wire fanzine (issue #5 – vol 3 no 1 – 1980) “Fragments of Volunteers” introduces Noit Otni’s manager Sydney Arbor-Bridge… Image courtesy of Still Unusual Aerco Records, Aquamass, Automotive Records, Barbed Wire, Bev Chadwick, Bev Lillywhite, Casual Sax, Charles Lawton, Granada, Griffin Bar, Guildford, H.G. Wells Suite, Hugo's, Noit Otni & The Pits, Noit Otni and The Pits, Robert Jacob, Square One, Sydney Arbor-Bridge, The Alligators, The Vapors, UBz, Velentin Orson, Woking -
Cutting Edge
(c’81-82) Steve Baker (guitar), Al Dick (vocals), Nick Hudson (drums), Keith Renton (bass) and David Raphael (keyboard/harmonica).
Picture courtesy of Steve Baker Managed by Steve Riley and Marcus Reynolds, who already had one top 40 band on their resume, they gigged extensively in the local area and up into London; including Starlight Club, Hampstead; Laker’s Hotel, Redhill; Reading University supporting The Darts; and Farnborough Tech.
Formed from ex-Squire / Panther / Bo and the Generals guitarist Baker, Panther vocalist Dick, Infra Red Helicopters’ Hudson on drums, ex-MI5 / Crisis member Renton on guitar, and ex-Panther keyboardist / harpist Raphael they recorded “Wheels in Motion” at Shepperton Studios. In ’82 Renton left when Dick and Baker “tid[ied] Keith’s words up a bit”. Drummer Hudson, also left around the same time, leaving Cutting Edge with the ex-Panther core of Dick, Baker and Raphael.
Tracks:
Gallery:
Cutting Edge live. Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Cutting Edge live. Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Cutting Edge live. Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Cutting Edge live. Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Cutting Edge live. Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Cutting Edge live. Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Cutting Edge live. Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Cutting Edge live. Photo by and courtesy of Keith Knowles 
Cutting Edge live. Photo by and courtesy of Keith Knowles 
Cutting Edge live. Photo by and courtesy of Keith Knowles 
Cutting Edge live. Photo by and courtesy of Keith Knowles 
Cutting Edge live. Photo by and courtesy of Keith Knowles 
Cutting Edge live. Photo by and courtesy of Keith Knowles 
Cutting Edge live. Photo by and courtesy of Keith Knowles 
Cutting Edge live. Photo by and courtesy of Keith Knowles 
Cutting Edge live. Photo by and courtesy of Keith Knowles 
Cutting Edge live. Photo by and courtesy of Keith Knowles 
Cutting Edge live. Photo by and courtesy of Keith Knowles 
Soundscene clipping from 23 December 1981 featuring Cutting Edge. Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Picture courtesy of Steve Baker 
Soundscene (date unknown). Picture courtesy of William de Kock Al Dick, Bo and the Generals, Crisis, Cutting Edge, David Raphael, Farnborough, Farnborough Tech, Hampstead, Infra Red Helicopters, Keith Renton, Laker's Hotel, Marcus Reynolds, MI5, Nick Hudson, Panther, Reading, Reading University, Redhill, Shepperton Studio, Squire, Starlight Club, Steve Baker, Steve Riley, The Darts -
Panther
(c’78-81) – David Raphael (keyboards / harmonica), Malcolm Dewhurst (drums), Ian Steward (bass), Al Dick (vocal / harmonica) and Steve Baker (lead & rhythm guitar).
Panther at the bar of their regular practice venue. Picture courtesy of William de Kock The original ’78 line-up included Ian Smith (bass), and Erik Gibbons (?); Smith being replaced by Steward and for a few months Jim Homersham of Dr JJ’s Blues Band replaced Dick on vocals, until he left and Dick returned. Steve Busby (guitar) joined the band at around this time. Peter Cripps picked up the roadie / manager duties securing gigs at top flight venues, and when Busby didn’t return to the band after his vacation stood in on guitar for about 3 months. The band entered Chestnut Studios, Farnham for their first studio recording session, with Cripps undertaking production, in ’79. Cripps was still on guitar when Upstairs at Ronnie Scotts’, London hosted Panther on 28th August ’79, with a number of fans receiving tickets for free entry. Oft seen playing live at The Cricketers, Westfield, they supported The Jam at The Guildford Civic on 11 December 1980.
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. Jon Harlow’s Tapeworm project’s first release was of Panther live at The Cricketer’s on 11 February ’81. Ray Mitchell’s Ebony Mobile Studio rolled up to the pub and run the wires through the bay window and recorded almost 50 minutes of live performance on their four-track system, putting 8 songs on each side. We also know that Panther supported The Alligators at The Junction, on the top floor of Bunters, Guildford on 10 July ’81. When David Raphael auditioned for Panther there was Ruth Gibbons (bass) Erik Gibbons (guitar), Dewhurst and Jane ? (lead guitar) and Homersham. Raphael replaced Dick on vocals / harmonica. At some point Pete Steadman, also joined the band.
Original Panther members Raphael, Dewhurst, and Busby along with Nigel Turner played a reunion gig at the Apulstock Festival, Bosham on 19 July 2014. Dewhurst and Steward reportedly teamed up with Brian ? of The Fix after Panther folded in October ’81. Dick, Baker and Rapheal formed Cutting Edge with Nick Hudson (drums), Keith Renton (bass) in ’81. By ’85 Dewhurst was in China Heart with fellow Panther Raphael along with Brian Hanlon (vocals / guitar), and Nigel Turner (bass). Original members Raphael, and Dewhurst, along with Busby and Turner played a reunion gig at the Apulstock Festival, Bosham on 19th July 2014. Horsell resident Baker, who’d been in Squire prior to Panther, emigrated to Australia and played in The Beatlegs, regrettably died on New Years Day 2019. Steward and Homersham are also no longer with us. Dick, who may have changed his last name to Grant, has disappeared.
Tracks:
Gallery:
10 July 1981: The Alligators supported by Panther played Junction (top floor of Bunters), Guildford. Picture courtesy of John Hudson 
Jim Homersham and Al Dick of Panther. Picture courtesy of Malcolm Dewhurst 
Free ticket for Upstairs at Ronnie’s to see Panther on 28th August 1979. Picture courtesy of Keith Knowles 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Panther, at the Guildford Civic Hall, 11 December ’80, supporting The Jam. Picture by Keith Knowles courtesy of Steve Baker. 
Jon Harlow reviews the Panther Tapeworm for the 20 February ’81 Soundscene. Picture courtesy of Steve Baker. 
The cover of Jon Harlow’s Tapeworm project’s first release: Panther live at The Cricketers, Westfield 11 February ’81. Picture courtesy of Steve Baker. 
A little piece on post-Panther developments from Soundscene, 1 October 1981 
Panther c ’77/78 L-R: David Raphael, Ian Smith , Erik Gibbons, Steve Busby, Malcolm Dewhurst, and Al Dick. Picture Courtesy of Malcolm Dewhurst Al Dick, Apulstock Festival, Bosham, Brian Hanlon, Bunters, Chestnut Studios, China Heart, Civic hall, Cricketers, David Raphael, Dr JJ's Blues Band, Ebony Mobile Studio, Erik Gibbons, Farnham, Guildford, Ian Smith, Ian Steward, Jim Homersham, Jon Harlow, London, Malcolm Dewhurst, Nigel Turner, Panther, Pete Steadman, Peter Cripps, Ray Mitchell, Ruth Gibbons, Squire, Steve Baker, Steve Busby, Tapeworm, The Alligators, The Beatlegs, The Fix, The Jam, The Junction, Upstairs at Ronnie Scott's, Westfield
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