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Pineapple Tribe
(c’94-present) Colin Davies, Ben ?, G. Armitage, and Chris Jackson.
Out of the free party scene of the early 90’s came the Woking / Guildford area electronic / trance crew Pineapple Tribe. The crew’s first outing was to a boarded-up property in Colgate, near Horsham, in ’94, after which they began DJ’ing at The Britannia Inn, Guildford and The Abinger Arms, Abinger, and on 6 October ’95 they also appeared at The Stoke Hotel, Guildford.
18 May 1994: Pineapple Tribe’s Chris Jackson at The Brittania Inn, Guildford. Source: Pineappletribe They would subsequently become a regular feature at Notting Hill Carnival and had a presence at the Glastonbury Festival. They self-released a number of records on the Pineapple label. The 12″ ‘The Pineapple Tribe EP‘ [PINEAPPLE 001] carried “Anxiety” on the A-side, with “Supersonic Rainbow” on flip. There was a second 12″ [Pineapple 002] ‘Pineapple Tribe Vs. Pushanco – Untitled‘ that lent further into breakbeat / progressive house. The three tracks – “Shank“, and two versions of “Pfp” – were all written by Armitage, recorded at Path Studios, and mastered at Keith “Jah Tubby” Swan’s mastering studios, JTS Studios.
Pineapple Tribe’s New Year Eve bash at Francis Corner. Source: Pineappletribe Along a section of the North Downs Way, Francis Corner sits above the village of Shere. On 31 December in ’95 or ’96 party goers travelled the tracks built by the Canadian Pioneer Corps during WWII, for Pineapple Tribe’s New Years Eve ‘rave’. On 15 February ’97, The Farnham Fusion Festival, at The Maltings, Farnham, featured Pineapple Tribe in The Coalition Dance Emporium along with Fish Pig, Seed, and The Bridge.
We can neither confirm nor deny if Pineapple Tribe were involved in an all-night rave in August ’97 at the chalk pits off White Down Lane. After keeping local villagers awake with “some sort of demonic festival”, it was broken up when police served the organisers a notice under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act at 8:30am. The Crew, well Ben at least, were on The Coalition Dance Stage at Ambient Green Picnic ’98, held in Guildford, between sets by Kava Kava and Glow on the itinerary.
The last we heard is that the Pineapple Crew appeared at Notting Hill Carnival in 2024 and will likely be back again.
Gallery:
Pineapple Tribe first outing c’94, Colgate nr Horsham. Source: Pineappletribe 
Pineapple Tribe first outing c’94, Colgate nr Horsham. Source: Pineappletribe 
Pineapple Tribe first outing c’94, Colgate nr Horsham. Source: Pineappletribe 
6 October ‘1995: The Pineapple Tribe Sound System blew The Stoke Hotel, Guildford. Source: Pineappletribe 
15 February 1997: The Farnham Fusion Festival featured Pineapple Tribe in The Coalition dance Emporium 
Clipping from 15 August 1997 copy of The Surrey Advertiser. We can neither confirm or deny in Pineapple Tribe were involved! Source: Pineappletribe 
Pineapple Tribe’s DJ Ben appeared at Ambient Green Picnic 1998, in Guildford. Picture courtesy of The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene 
Pineapple Tribe’s DJ Ben appeared at Ambient Green Picnic 1998, in Guildford. Picture courtesy of The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene 
Pineapple Tribe’s DJ Ben appeared at Ambient Green Picnic 1998, in Guildford. Picture courtesy of The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene 
The A-side of the “Pineapple Tribe Vs. Pushanco – Untitled” [Pineapple 002] 12″ 
The B-side of the “Pineapple Tribe Vs. Pushanco – Untitled” [Pineapple 002] 12″ 
The 12″ “The Pineapple Tribe EP” [PINEAPPLE 001] carried “Anxiety” on the A-sde, with “Supersonic Rainbow” on flip. 
Pineapple Tribe at Notting Hill Carnival in 199?. Source: Pineappletribe 
Pineapple Tribe’s Colin. Source: Pineappletribe 
Pineapple Tribe at Notting Hill Carnival in 199?. Source: Pineappletribe 
Pineapple Tribe presence at Glastonbury. Source: Pineappletribe 
Pineapple Tribe in a field! Source: Pineappletribe 
Pineapple Tribe in a field! Source: Pineappletribe 
Pineapple Tribe’s emblem. Source: Pineappletribe Abinger, Ambient Green Picnic, Chris Jackson, Colgate, Colin Davies, Farnham, Farnham Fusion Festival, Fish Pig, Francis Corner, Glastonbury, Glastonbury Festival, Glow, Guildford, Horsham, Jah Tubby, JTS Studios, Kava Kava, Keith Swan, North Downs Way, Notting Hill, Notting Hill Carnival, Path Studios, Pineapple, Pineapple Tribe, Seed, Shere, The Abinger Arms, The Bridge, The Brittania Inn, The Maltings, The Stoke Hotel, Woking -
The Absolute
(c’77-78) Peter Hart (drums), Clive Cook (vocals), Brian Kavanagh (guitar), and Eric Stanway (bass).
The Absolute were formed, the Summer of ’77, by Kavanagh and Cook after a few pints in The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Bassist Stanway was subsequently added, as was, the band’s drummer Hart. On 12 March ’78, The Absolute were billed to perform, along with Strange Cult and The Ellory Bops, with future members of The Vapors, Ed Bazalgette on guitar and Howard Smith on drums, at the Memorial Village Hall, Worplesdon, but didn’t.
The Absolute at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, with Ed “Who’s This?” Bazalgette in the audience. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel In the Spring of ’78, punk inspired The Absolute, who were “more than thrashy two-chord wonders having a pop sensibility pulled from a wide variety of influences including The Who, The Byrds, and Motown, but also with some axes to grind lyrically” were scheduled to support Crisis at the Wooden Bridge. Hart however was banned from the venue. As a result, bass player Steve Smith, who had shown an interest in drumming, was drafted temporarily to replace the band’s banned basher. Smith’s drumming created a much tighter band and temporary became more permanent. Later in the year the band played Guildford Tech or University, where the drummer was reportedly so inebriated he fell off his stool! They also appeared at most of the popular Guildford venues, often accompanied by The Ellory Bop.
The Absolute fell apart after a disastrous Guildford Free Festival gig, with the Guildford band playing their very last gig at The Royal, Guildford. In addition to playing at The Royal, Kavanagh could also be seen ‘doing the sound’ for others at the pub. Smith would later join The Vapors, and several other local bands.
Gallery:
The Absolute at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
The Absolute at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Note the Starship poster behind drummer. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
The Absolute t-shirt. Picture courtesy of Steve Smith 
Band pic of The Absolute c’78. Note the Crisis poster top right. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel -
Natural Gass
(c’71-’72) David Sheppard (guitar), Chuck Pengilly (drums), Graham Cooke (guitar), and Terry Warriner (bass)
Not to be confused with several other bands of the same name, including Coventry based Natural Gass (c’69-’70) or Joey Molland and Jerry Shirley’s mid 70’s Natural Gas; this local rock/pop band played Fleet Country Club, Fleet; Samantha’s Club, Camberley, Tumbledown Dick, Farnborough; Lakeside Country Club, Frimley and many other local venues.
Natural Gass on stage Pengilly replaced Mike Riley in Threewheel sometime around ’74; then more recently got together with ex-Crescendos guitarist Mick Douglas and fellow Threewheeler Richard Hodgins to form a Bill Haley tribute band called Razzle Dazzle. Sheppard went onto join Lady Jayne.
Gallery:
Natural Gass band pic 
Image courtesy of David Sheppard 
Image courtesy of David Sheppard 
Image courtesy of David Sheppard 
Image courtesy of David Sheppard 
Image courtesy of David Sheppard 
Image courtesy of David Sheppard 
Image courtesy of David Sheppard 
Image courtesy of David Sheppard 
Natural Gass band pic Bill Haley, Camberley, Chuck Pengilly, Crescendos, David Sheppard, Farnborough, Fleet, Fleet Country Club, Frimley, Graham Cooke, Jerry Shirley, Joey Molland, Lady Jayne, Lakeside Country Club, Mick Douglas, Mike Riley, Natural Gass, Razzle Dazzle, Richard Hodgins, Samantha's Club, Terry Warriner, Threewheel, Tumbledown Dick -
The Albion, Woking
The original Albion was built by Reuben Percy in 1856, demolished and rebuilt in the 1890’s, and again in the mid 60’s. It is now the Woking One, Albion House office building.
In the 70’s however it was a promising local venue. 14-year-old Paul Weller and Steve Brookes played a short gig at The Albion, which sat opposite Woking Station, on 26 February ’72. The following month The Jam formed. In ’77, The Vulgar Bros. appeared at The Albion, and in ’78 Ribs signed a recording contract with Woking based Aerco Records following a gig at The Albion; subsequently releasing their one and only single.
Gallery:
On the left is The Albion Hotel, Woking pre-mid-60’s. Source: Richard Knotek via WOKING when we were young 
The Vulgar Bros. Paul Trew and Bernie Austin at The Albion, Woking in 1977. Picture courtesy of Paul Trew -
Brandenburg
(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:
29 April 1976?: Brandenburg performed at this Guildford Tech event. Picture courtesy of John Hudson. 
14 April 1978: Jasmine Pie, supported by Brandenburg, were at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Gerald Eyton-Jones -
Ill At Ease
(c’81-’82) Jamie Legg (drums), John Hudson (bass), Sandra Bennigsen (keyboards), ? “Mac” ? (guitar) and Sheila ? (vocals).
After a year together the band only performed one gig, on 10 December 1982 at The Mariners, Frensham.
Hudson and Legg had both been in Strange Cult, Golden Age of Metro, Luxury Glass Town before Ill at Ease; while Legg had spent a spell in Matrix too. They stuck together after Ill at Ease and were later in Innocent Bystanders, with Legg breaking away once more to join Eat the Sofa.
Gallery:
10 December 1982 – Ill At Ease were at The Mariners, Frensham. Picture courtesy of John Hudson -
Cut the Mustard
(c’86) Dave Clarke (guitar / vocals), ? (guitar / vocals), Nick Gates (bass / vocals), Dave Gates (keyboards / vocals), and ? (drums).
Brothers Nick and Dave Gates along with Dave Clarke are the only band members we know, and we are not 100 percent about the Gates brothers.
Clarke had been in Lakesiders prior to Cut the Mustard.
Gallery:
Cut the Mustard with Dave Clarke far right. -
Luvaduc
(c’71-’73) Steve Fardoe (sax/clarinet), Bill Bath (bass), Mike Puckett (vocals), John Mansfield (drums), Grant Clifton (guitar) and Robin Foster (sax/clarinet).
Luvaduc were a rebranded Grant’s Tomb, when joined by members of Cryptic Evil, and hit the news in ’72 as well as appearing on TV. They were also signed to the Bob Potter International Entertainment Agency.
The band became famous, or rather infamous, in ’71 thanks to an incident at The Reading Beer Festival – although it is not clear if they were still going by Grant’s Tomb or their new moniker at the time. Sir Helenus Patrick Joseph Milmo, the Supreme Justice of the Peace at the time was in session at Reading Law Courts for a hit and run case. The band were told to stop playing until Milmo went to lunch, but the festival organizers, believing this had happened, instructed Luvaduc to start again. They had observed the wrong judge and Milmo was not amused, sending the police to ‘restore the peace’; a fact recorded in The Times – making Luvaduc the first ‘pop band’ to be headline news at The Times. Over the coming days all the tabloids followed The Times’ lead.
Luvaduc agency card Jerry Lee Lewis was still drawing crowds when a street cleaner from St Albans rushed onto the stage at the Palladium, London on 23 April ’72. Lewis waved security away and allowed “Cuddles” Osborn to duet with him. Cuddles renown grew from there and he signed a deal with Pye Records for just one single. The band tagged to back Cuddles was Luvaduc, who were rehearsing in Farnborough when they got the call to get to Thames Television studios pronto. The Woking based six-piece were there a matter of two or three hours later and appeared on the “Today” program hosted by Eamonn Andrews behind the stage invader. The show is now most commonly remembered for Bill Grundy’s interview with The Sex Pistols a few years later. Sadly, there was nary a mention of Luvaduc on the show or the 45 that was released in the UK, The Netherlands, and Spain.
At some point bassist Joe Breitenfeld, who’d been in Feast and Grant’s Tomb, was in the band. We later found Breitenfeld in Redwood and Lakesiders. Drummer Mansfield, who’d previously been in Cactus Incorporate, was not the same John Mansfield that co-promoted the Ricky Tick, Guildford.
Gallery:
1972: Luvaduc from Woking News & Mail 
1972: Woking News & Mail clipping 
1972; Luvaduc clipping from unknown paper 
A different version of the Luvaduc agency card Bill Bath, Bill Grundy, Bob Potter, Cactus Incorporate, Cryptic Evil, Cuddles, Eamonn Andrews, Farnborough, Feast, Grant Clifton, Grant’s Tomb, Guildford, Jerry Lee Lewis, Joe Breitenfeld, John Mansfield, Lakesiders, London, Luvaduc, Mike Puckett, Palladium, Pye Records, Reading Beer Festival, Reading Law Courts, Redwood, Ricky Tick Club, Robin Foster, Sir Helenus Patrick Joseph Milmo, Steve Fardoe, Supreme Justice of the Peace, Thames Television, The Sex Pistols, The Times, Woking -
Human Beings
(c’77-’83) John Bush (guitar/vocals), Mark Parratt (bass/vocals), and Steve Everett (drums).
Formed in mid-’77, Human Beings began life as a punk band, migrating into ‘soft rock’ as they rehearsed in the cellar of a house in Farnham. They played all over West Surrey, East Hampshire and into Sussex (The Grange Centre, Midhurst) and supported T. T. Transmission at the Town Hall, Farnham, The Vapors in Guildford – who were reportedly not amused by the meaning behind “Hit Pick” – and The Suspects at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford.
Human Beings at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture courtesy of James Perrett We do know that in October ’77 they supported Trapeze at Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke. We lose track over the next couple of years until they got involved with the Stonehenge Festival Farnborough Benefit in ’80 to fund local bands appearance at the event. The Human Beings went ahead and joined those other local bands: Vixen, Lynx, The Larry Miller Band, The Vulgar Bros., Blue Unction, Roosta Boots, The Torpedoes, Animal, and Magic Pictures to play the Stonehenge Festival that year. On 29 August ’80 they were at The Royal Oak, Passfield,.
The Royal, Guildford hosted the band on 8 February ’81, and they climbed onto the stage at the Technical College, Farnborough on 27 March ’81 with Deadlock in support. A return visit to Basingstoke on 6 June ’81 saw them perform at Bass House. Also, in ’81, they released one single on Bognor Regis based Airship Records [AP 159] titled “Amnesia“. Pitched as a double B-side single, it carried “Amnesia” and “New Song” on one side and “Mrs. Marshall” on the flipside. This was recorded at the University of Surrey, Guildford studio by John Groves, and whether they also laid down the likes of “Dance ’til You Vomit“, “The Hollow Life“, or “Rock Dreams” is unknown.
“Amnesia” single front cover. Image courtesy of James Perrett The band also competed in the “Rock and Pop Contest” at the Top Rank Suite, Reading and performed on a roof at one (possibly in ’81) of the Free Fest Guildford events at the University of Surrey. Human Beings kicked off a ‘local’ tour on 22 August ’81 at the Sussex Hotel, Bognor Regis; followed by August 23
The White Hart, Purbrook (23 August), Robin Hood, Standford (24 August) and Passfield’s Royal Oak, which they visited twice on 25 August and 16 October ’81. But before that second visit to Passfield they also hit Target, Reading (28 August), and Jethroe’s Wine Bar, Windsor (29 August). Following a few days break Rocky’s Nite Spot, Farnborough was visited on 19 September, then they graced the carpet of The Cricketers, Westfield on 25 September ’81. This was their last gig before what was billed as a special gig at Gossips, on Dean Street, London on 28 September ’81.On 3 October, the band included an outing to The Wooden Bridge on the ‘tour’ followed by The Adur, Brighton on 10 October ’81. After Passfield, and towards the end of the month, they returned once more to The Robin Hood, Standford on 29 October and on 30 October ’81 they also returned to Farnborough Tech, seven months after their first appearance. The Frotteurs supported the Human Beings at their Christmas Party, held at The Wooden Bridge on the 23 December ’81.
5 September 1982: The Human Beings supported Alexei Sayle at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Steve Everett The busy band supported Alexei Sayle at the West End Centre, Aldershot on 5 September ’82 and may have made another appearance at the Stonehenge Festival in ’83 or ’84.
Tracks:
Gallery:
October 1977: Human Beings supported Trapeze at Queen Mary’s College Basingstoke. Clipping from the Basingstoke Gazette. Picture courtesy of Steve Everett. 
Human Beings clipping from unknown source. Picture courtesy of Steve Everett. 
Human Beings clipping from 1 August 1980 issue of ? News. Picture courtesy of Steve Everett. 
27 March 1981: Deadlock – Flyer ’81 
Human Beings gig list for August through October 1981. Picture courtesy of Steve Everett. 
Human Beings at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture courtesy of James Perrett 
Human Beings at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture courtesy of James Perrett 
Human Beings at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture courtesy of James Perrett 
Human Beings at The Rock Garden. Picture courtesy of Steve Everett. 
Human Beings at The Rock Garden. Picture courtesy of Steve Everett. 
Human Beings clipping from David Reading’s Pop Scene column. Picture courtesy of Steve Everett. 
Side B of the “Amnesia” single 
Side B of the “Amnesia” single 
Inner sleeve of the “Amnesia” single 
“Amnesia” single back cover. Image courtesy of James Perrett Airship Records, Aldershot, Alexei Sayle, Animal, Basingstoke, Bass House, Blue Unction, Bognor Regis, Brighton, Deadlock, Farnborough, Farnham, Free Fest, Gossips, Guildford, Human Beings, Jethroe's Wine Bar, John Bush, John Groves, London, Lynx, Magic Pictures, Mark Parratt, Midhurst, Passfield, Purbrook, Queen Mary’s College, Reading, Robin Hood, Rocky’s Nite Spot, Roosta Boots, Standford, Steve Everett, Stonehenge Festival, Sussex Hotel, T. T. Transmission, Target, Technical College, The Adur, The Cricketers, The Frotteurs, The Grange Centre, The Larry Miller Band, The Royal, The Royal Oak, The Suspects, The Torpedoes, The Vapors, The Vulgar Bros, The White Hart, Top Rank Suite, Town Hall, Trapeze, University of Surrey, Vixen, West End Centre, Westfield, Windsor, Wooden Bridge -
Village Hall, Cranleigh
Built in 1933, Cranleigh Village Hall occupies a prominent spot on Cranleigh High Street. With a main hall that can seat 250 people it is an ideal venue for live music that can draw a bit of a crowd. In ’59 Terry Ward, the future lead singer for the Bumblies, debuted his vocal skills with The Rhythmics at the venue.
Terry Ward’s first solo vocal with The Rythmics, at Cranleigh Village Hall in 1959. On 16 February ’63, Cranleigh’s Village Hall hosted a four-hour beat show, featuring rock ‘n’ rollers, Brian Howard and the Silhouettes that included ex Johnny Kidd and the Pirates guitarist Johnny Patto, Phil Childs on bass, and Barry Gilford on drums; letting the Kossacs rev up the dancers.
Eric Clapton, who was more used to arenas and stadiums, played the hall at least twice, the first was opened by Chas n’ Dave. That night, the 11 February ’77, Clapton’s band – formed by Ronnie Lane (guitar), Bruce Rowlands (drums), Charlie Hart (piano), and Brian Belsham (bass) – performed for over two hours, all of which was initiated by Roger Swallow of the village’s Swallow Tiles. Adam Russel recalls a few, who couldn’t get tickets, climbing onto the roof of a local garage from where a view of the stage could be gained. 30 minutes before the end of the show the doors were opened and they piled in with others, and Eric’s uncle got Russel backstage where he hung for a while.
7 September 1979: Eric Clapton appeared at Cranleigh Village Hall. Clapton – who’d cut his US tour short a little earlier in the year for a perforated ulcer – returned on 7 September ’79, this time with Albert Lee on guitar, as did Russel. Stuart Reffold’s band Poker were the support, and the hall was packed and crowded around Clapton who stood in the middle of them all. Poker paused between songs, and Clapton was heard to shout “Come on get on with it … it’s show business“…
Gallery:
Cranleigh Village Hall in the mid to late 1930s. 
16 February 1963: Cranleigh Village Hall hosted a four-hour beat show, featuring Brian Howard and the Silhouttes, and Kossacs, with Caroline on vocals. Picture courtesy of Ben Darnton. 
11 February 1977: Eric Clapton & Friends appearance at Cranleigh Village Hall. Courtesy of Ben Darnton and originally posted by Gary Prior in Cranleigh,Ewhurst & Surrounding Areas History. 
11 February 1977: Eric Clapton guitars picks commemorating the gig at Cranleigh Village Hall. 
A letter to Record Mirror, published in the 26 February 1977 issue, thanking Eric Clapton for the gig at Cranleigh Village Hall. 
11 February 1977: The sleeve for Eric Clapton’s “Timepieces Vol.II”, released in 1985, includes an image of the gig at Cranleigh Village Hall. 
Cranleigh Village Hall. Adam Russel, Albert Lee, Barry Gilford, Brian Belsham, Brian Howard and the Silhouettes, Bruce Rowlands, Bumblies, Charlie Hart, Chas n’ Dave, Cranleigh, Eric Clapton, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, Johnny Patto, Kossacs, Phil Childs, Poker, Roger Swallow, Ronnie Lane, Stuart Reffold, Swallow Tiles, Terry Ward, The Rhythmics, Village hall
Our Soundscene 
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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