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Parmaviolet
(c’89-94) Scott Lawrence (drums), Elliott Forge (guitar), Ben Corbett (bass / vocals) and Paul Bolton (keyboards).
Camberley’s Parmaviolet started out on Christmas Eve 1989 and played their first gig 5 months later, on 30 May ’90, at The Fox & Hounds, Fleet. Then Corbett left, going on to form Phobia! The three remaining band members released the “And Then…There Were Three” demo shortly after the bands “demise” in June of that year.

Sleeve of “And Then…There Were Three!” demo cassette. Picture courtesy of Sid Stovold Lawrence, Forge and Bolton kept the fire burning for a while. In June ’91 they competed in day two of the Buzz Club’s Midsummer Madness local band competition against Frayed Edge, Who Moved the Ground?, Cesspit Rebels, and Big Sun. In ’92 their track “Sky” appeared on Farnborough Groove Vol.2 (aka Son of Farnborough Groove).
Adam Wolters (vocals / rhythm guitar) joined in Summer ’92. But Bolton had left, and Forge and Lawrence were the only original members left. By November ’92, after some more shuffling, that reportedly included bassist Chris Wareham – who’d been convinced to first pick up a bass after hearing Rob Le Breton’s ‘massive’ bass playing for Explodehead! – joining before he moved on to Flowers of Sacrifice, a ‘new’ 4-piece Parmaviolet eventually emerged with Nigel Firth on Guitar. We know that the band, in one form or another, played at Camberley Town Football Club on 30 June ’93 and on 14 July, supported by Summersalt, and the 20 August. The next year Parmaviolet competed, but lost to Headnoise, at the Battle for the Limelight held at Princes Hall, Aldershot in May – Head Noise also surpassed Who Moved the Ground?, Strange World, Blind, Punching Judy, and Redefining Beautiful! The band continued until September ’94, when Forge, Lawrence and Firth formed Riser with a female vocalist. After the rise of Riser, Parmaviolet’s “Holy Rover” was included on Farnborough Groove Strikes Back Vol.5 in ’95.
Nigel continues in Vienna Ditto, Wolters was last seen in The Charlie Farley Sunday Four, prior to which he’d joined Backlash for their final gig as bassist before joining Vis The Spoon and Matt Alexander in Brad Obscure, playing 2 gigs before dropping the curtain. In fact all the members have played in various bands over the years since Parmaviolet. Wareham went on to play in a number of gothic and industrial bands: Cathedral Lung, Complicity, Killing Miranda, and The Faces of Sarah. He ended up in a Joy Division tribute band Shadowplay, portraying Peter Hook and more recently plays in, female fronted, X Ray Love.
Tracks:
Gallery:

18 May 1994: Flyer for Battle for the Limelight at Princes Hall, Aldershot. Head Noise beat Who Moved the Ground?, Strange World, Parmaviolet, Blind, Punching Judy, and Redefining Beautiful! Source: Who Moved The Ground? 
Picture courtesy of http://www.chewtonia.com 
Picture courtesy of http://www.chewtonia.com 
Parmaviolet’s “Sky” appeared on Son of Farnborough Groove; Vol.2 in 1992. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole 
Side 2 of June 1990’s “And Then…There Were Three!” demo cassette. Picture courtesy of Sid Stovold 
13 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 
Parmaviolet played Camberley Town Football Club on 30 June 1993 according to this gig list. They also played the venue on 14 July, supported by Summersalt and on 20 August. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter 
The Gossville Arsonist fanzine’s one-line review of Parmaviolet track from The Son of Farnborough Groove Vol.2 
Parmaviolet’s “Holy Rover” was included on Farnborough Groove Strikes Back Vol.5 in 1995. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole Adam Wolters, Aldershot, Backlash, Ben Corbett, Big Sun, Blind, Brad Obscure, Buzz Club, Camberley, Camberley Town Football Club, Cathedral Lung, Cesspit Rebels, Chris Wareham, Complicity, Elliott Forge, Explodehead, Farnborough Groove, Fleet, Flowers of Sacrifice, Fox & Hounds, Frayed Edge, Headnoise, Joy Division, Killing Miranda, Matt Alexander, Nigel Firth, Parmaviolet, Paul Bolton, Peter Hook, Phobia, Princes Hall, Punching Judy, Redefining Beautiful, Riser, Rob Le Breton, Scott Lawrence, Shadowplay, Strange World, Summersault, THe Charlie Farley Sunday Four, The Faces of Sarah, Vienna Ditto, Vis The Spoon, X Ray Love -
Holy Durex
(c’85-86) – Jeff Nash (vocal), Ringo Ognir (drums), Colin ‘The FishPerson’ Robb (bass) and John Roberts (guitar)

Holy Durex, (L to R: Robb, Jones, Nash, Ognir and Roberts. Picture courtesy of Kaz Jones This University of Surrey, Guildford based four-piece often performed dressed as clergy and on at least one occasion roped in Casual Sax, thanks to Robb of Steel Bill and The Buffalos, for whom the sax’y trio also provided horn. In May ’85, Holy Durex entered the University of Surrey Student Band Competition along with Fantasy Lies, but lost out to Swivel Corps, before the evening was headlined by the Geisha Girls. They went on to appear at the University’s Blues All-Dayer and they headlined the University of Surrey Rugby Club’s Drag Disco on 31 January ’86. Later that year they performed at the University’s Royal Charter Disco, supporting Bad Manners along with Inspector Tuppence & the Sexy Firemen; with the event starting at 8:00pm and ending at 6:30 the following morning. Their farewell gig was Guildford Live Aid at the Civic Hall, Guildford, but this was followed by a reunion gig at the University, involving the four mail members, on 3 July ’86.
Gallery:

Bare Facts – Jan 24th 1986 
Bare Facts, May 31st, 1985 
Bare Facts, June 26th 1986 
Bare Facts, June 26th 1986 
Bare Facts – June 20th 1986 
Bare Facts – Feb 14th 1986 
Holy Durex taking Guildford Civic Hall by storm back in ’86, as part of Guildford Live Aid. Picture courtesy of Colin Robb -
The Hype
(c’89-91) – Toby Hounsham (keyboard), Tom Attah (drums), Paul Flannery (bass) and Rupert Middleton, aka Richard Douglas (vocals/guitar).
Woking based The Hype released “The Disco Revolution” demo cassette in ’89, which carried six tracks: the quirkily spelt “Foetus and Chips”, “Television Girl”, “Time”, “Hey Girl”, “Disco Revolution”, and “Wine and Roses”. Prior to The Hype, Douglas had recorded a number of solo songs; some of these, notably “Time” and “Television Girl”, were assimilated into The Hype’s material.
The band made regular appearance locally, notably at The George, Ash Vale. They also secured a slot in the ABC Music sponsored Showcase ’89 at the Civic Hall, Guildford with The Extremes, Calamity Sax, Wise Child, The Ha Ha Men, Forrest and The Choppers; Bitter Sweet, and Screw Loose.
Their track “Wasting Time”, which didn’t appear on “The Disco Revolution” was included on Flat Records’ “Get This!” compilation LP released in ’89. Hype opened the Ballroom Blitz and were once described as a ‘poor man’s Doors’. The band split in January 1991. Post demise, The Farnborough Groove Vol.1 compilation cassette released in ’91, closing out Side 1 with the band’s “Wasting Time”.
In around ’91 or ’92, after The Hype, Hounsham and Douglas formed an electronic duo called Soft Watches. Hounsham became the keyboard player with The Stranglers in 2021, and has worked with Rialto (c’97-’00) and Mungo Jerry (c’98 onwards). He is also a qualified music therapist.
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Gallery:



The Hype’s “The Disco Revolution” courtesy of Tom Pugh 
The Hype’s “The Disco Revolution” courtesy of Tom Pugh 
Another copy of The Hype’s “The Disco Revolution” has been discovered. Picture courtesy of Andy Mabbutt 
Front cover of Flat Records’ 1989 release “Get This!” compilation LP which featured The Hype 
Back cover of Flat Records’ 1989 release “Get This!” listing The Hype on side-A with “Wasting Time” 
Side-A of Flat Records 1989 release “Get This!” compilation LP featuring The Hype’s “Wasting Time” 
The Hype’s “Wasting Time” was included on The Farnborough Groove Vol.1 compilation cassette. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole ABC Music, Ash Vale, Ballroom Blitz, Bitter Sweet, Calamity Sax, Civic hall, Farnborough Groove, Flat Records, Forrest & The Choppers, Guildford, Mungo Jerry, Paul Flannery, Rialto, Richard Douglas, Rupert Middleton, Screw Loose, Showcase '89, Soft Watches, The Extremes, The George, The Ha Ha Men, The Hype, The Stranglers, Toby Hounsham, Tom Attah, Wise Child, Woking -
Longpig
(c’82-85) Andy “D. Pig” Davis (bass, vocals), Gary “Gary Pig” Jackson (drums), Andy “R. Pig” Robertson (sax) and Michael “Ickabod Long” Ackroyd (vocals, synth).
Guildford born LongPig (often listed as Long Pig) gigged extensively in the Woking and Guildford area, including nights at the University of Surrey, and notably opening The Old Schoolhouse’s “The Jailhouse” club night. The band ventured further afield to the likes of The Batcave, at Heaven, London. James “Coco” Essua, a bouncer at Bunters, Guildford, would sometimes join them on stage playing the bongos.
Longpig played the May Bug Ball at University of Surrey on 7 May ’83, along with Creatures of Darkness, La Maison Du Chants, and Freedom Dance. The next month, on 6 June ’83, the band, along with Alien Sex Fiend and Sex Beat, supported Specimen at The Bat Cave, Heaven, London. At some point in ’83 they released their first vinyl; the self-released “Down To The Bone”, a 12″ featuring “The Batsong” on the A-side and “Darkboy” and “Primitive Sensibility” on the B.

The self released “Down To The Bone” cover art 
The self released “Down To The Bone” cover art (reverse) On 2 March ’84 they released the James T. Pursey – aka Jimmy Pursey, the Sham 69 frontman – produced nine track vinyl LP “Of Love and Addiction” on Anagram Record [GRAM 11] which featured the Venomettes on “Batsong” playing violin. This same year saw the single “Why Do People Find Each Other Strange?” backed by “Darkboy” hit the shelves. This was also on the Anagram label and could be found in 7″ (ANA 21) and 12″ (12 ANA 21) versions. On the 19 April ’84, Longpig performed at the opening of the Jailhouse Club, held at The Old Schoolhouse, Woking. Exactly a year after the May Bug Ball, on 7 May 1984, the band headlined the bill for a University of Surrey New Wave Society event supported by La Maison Du Chants, Freedom Dance, Funtime for Phillip and Dark Trio. This event got the band featured in The Werewolf fanzine. They were back at the University of Surrey for the June Jitterbug with Dark Paradise, D Fabulous, No Joy, Betrayed, and Asylum Sounds on 9 June ’84.

9 June 1984: Ticket for the June Jitterbug at University of Surrey with Longpig, D Fabulous, Dark Paradise, No Joy, Betrayed, and Asylum Sounds In ’85 the band were part of Guildford Live Aid along with Steel Bill & The Buffalos and other bands. They were also to be found at the Sea Cadet Unit, Guildford on 13 April ’85 with Massacre Dive and Billy Gs.
LongPig’s “Earthrobbers” appeared on the “Give Me Some Cherry” compilation vinyl LP produced by Fabelsound for the Music-Box (RED 56) and Cherry Red (B RED 86) labels. This also featured the likes of Alien Sex Fiend, Vice Squad and The Monochrome Set. Anagram still owns all the rights to Longpig’s catalog and they reissued “Of Love and Addiction” in 2006.
Davis and Robertson also performed as Plan A
Video:
Gallery:

A brief mention of LongPig in this gig listing. 




Pop Scene clipping from Feb’84 
Cover art for the The “Give Me Some Cherry” compilation featuring LongPig 
Back cover art for the The “Give Me Some Cherry” compilation featuring LongPig 



Longpig…Thanks to Andy Davis for the pic. 

LongPig were featured in this issue of The Werewolf fanzine. Picture courtesy of Sharon Pilling. 
LongPig are first on the bill for this Surrey University New Wave Society event. Picture courtesy of Sharon Pilling. 
7th May 1984: LongPig, La Maison du Chants, Freedom Dance and Funtime for Philip are at Surrey University. Picture courtesy of Alan and Jackie Wallis 
According to this Record Business article from 31 January ’83 Longpig released an EP titled “The BAt Song”… 
13 April 1985: LongPig with Massacre Dive and Billy Gs played at the Sea Cadet Unit, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford. 
19 April 1985: Longpig, supported by Joy of Life, played The Jailhouse Alternative Night at The Old Schoolhouse, Woking. 
7 May 1983: Ticket for The May Bug Ball at University of Surrey, Guildford with LongPig, Freedom Dance, Creatures of Darkness, and La Maison Du Chante. 
6 June 1983: LongPig supported Specimen along with Alien Sex Fiend and Sex Beat at The Bat Cave, Heaven, London. 
Promo Flyer for LongPig’s “Down To The Bone” EP. Picture courtesy of Gary Jackson Alien Sex Fiend, Anagram Record, Andy Davis, Andy Robertson, Asylum Sounds, Billy Gs, Bunters, Cherry Red, Creatures of Darkness, D Fabulous, Dark Paradise, Fabelsound, Freedom Dance, Funtime for Phillip, Gary Jackson, Guildford, Guildford Live Aid, Heaven, Jailhouse Club, James Essua, James T. Pursey, Jimmy Pursey, June Jitterbug, La Maison Du Chants, London, LongPig, Massacre Dive, May Bug Ball, Michael Ackroyd, Music-Box, New Wave Society, No Joy, Plan A, Sea Cadet Hall, Sex Beat, Sham 69, Specimen, Steel Bill & the Buffalos, The Batcave, The Dark Trio, The Monochrome Set, The Old Schoolhouse, The Werewolf, University of Surrey, Venomettes, Vice Squad, Woking




































































































































































































































































Human beings takes me back to 1981. Followed them all over the Surrey reading area for a year a great band and 3 good guys playing well written songs of the era. I wish john Tim and steve well what ever they are doing now. Should reform for a few shows just like Oasis but do the wooden bridge.
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