Our Soundscene

For anyone who vaguely recalls the Woking / GU postcode area music scene.

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  • Luvaduc

    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.

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  • Human Beings

    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.

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  • Village Hall, Cranleigh

    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“…

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  • Choker

    Choker

    (c’95-’96) Geoff Hawkes (guitar / vocals); Richie Sime (bass / vocals); Ian Beauchamp (drums); Paul Humphrey (guitar / vocals) and Fran Beauchamp (vocals / keyboards).

    After the demise of The Innocent, the quartet of Hawkes, Sime and the Beauchamp’s teamed up with Humphrey to form the quintet that was Choker. This Guildford band were not signed and self-released the “Crawl” LP in ’96, with help from Holier Than Thou Records. This carried 15 songs recorded at The Outhouse, Reading.

    The next year, Choker’s ‘Conspiracy’ was remastered by Ade Lunn at Lunar Recording Studios, Cranleigh for Pete Cole’s Farnborough Groove Vol.7 (Geography Sucks)’, as they joined 18 ‘new’ bands / artists to the compilation. The West End Centre, Aldershot was the venue for Vol. 7’s Launch Night on 20 September 1997 which featured Kilter, but we do not know if Choker performed.

    Choker are known to have played at The White Hart, Frimley.

    Hawkes had previously been in Giant Arc and X13, after which he co-formed Industrial dance band Splinter Faction; then Clam, a rather melodic and tuneful combo, and helped reignite Buzzwagon for a while. Ian Beauchamp had spent time in Horsell based punk band The Contaminated. Fran Beauchamp is currently active in punk, new wave & ska covers band England’s Dreaming.

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  • Lawmen

    Lawmen

    (c’56) Daphne Maddocks (washboard), Alan Smith (guitar) Paul Muddell (guitar), Mick O’Rourke (guitar), Bob Jacombs (guitar), ? (drums), and ? (tea chest bass).

    This Farnham based skiffle group are known to have performed at the Old Gostrey Club, Farnham in 1956; and were, before or after this, also known as The Mick O’Rourke Seven. The Mick O’Rourke Seven used to play regularly in Farnham Institute a.k.a The Central Club, when it was run/managed by “Podge” Harrington.

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  • Tempus Fugit

    Tempus Fugit

    (c’71-’73) Rendle Francis (guitar), Haydn Betchley (keyboards), Eric ‘Ferric’ Gosling (vocals), Gordon Travis (bass), and Steve Purton (drums).

    Forming in mid-’71, this 5-piece Godalming / Haselmere band rehearsed in the hall at the back of St Mark’s, Ockford Ridge, Godalming, where they helped out with lighting and effects for some of the youth group presentations, such as “Passiontide” and “Where to Go”.

    Tempus Fugit band card. Source: Haydn Betchley

    On 25 March ’72 the band, mistakenly listed as Tempest Fuget on tickets and accompanied at times by dancers Susan Blackledge and Kink Bura, played for three hours at the Village Hall, Chiddingfold to a crowd approximately 300 teenagers. This performance secured the band a monthly booking at the Chiddingfold hall. They were certainly there on 1 July ’72 as part of the Chiddingfold Carnival.

    Tempus Fugit business card. Source: Haydn Betchley

    The band continued as a 4-piece after Betchley left. Gosling, who was known for a growling vocal style, later played with Manhole, The Riff Power Blues Band and is still gigging around Godalming in Cryin’ Out Loud. Purton moved away.

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  • 57 Beans

    57 Beans

    (c’78-’80) Ann Morrison (vocals), Pete “Will” Williams (drums), and ?.

    57 Beans started at Winston Churchill School, St. John’s. Morrison left sometime in late ’79 / early ’80, joining The Mighty Strypes. They released a retrospective demo in late 1980 that carried “Yesterday’s Dream“, written by Morrison, and “Lead Trigger” amongst others. As the band folded, Williams went on to join City.

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  • The Skeleton Skiffle Group

    The Skeleton Skiffle Group

    (c’57-’62) Peter Roberts (tea chest bass) George Robson (guitar), Tony Robson (guitar/vocals), John Bryan (guitar), Mick Hammond (washboard/drums), and Mick Betts (?).

    This Aldershot skiffle band were known for their strong stage presence and good vocals – three of the members sang in church choirs and the band spent a lot of time singing in the local pubs, at venues such as Memorial Hall, Farnham; and local jazz clubs, encouraging people to sing along.

    The Skeleton Skiffle Group on stage at Ritz Cinema, Aldershot. Source: Mike Luck via Historic Aldershot Military Town

    The Skeleton Skiffle Group also played the Summer Fete at the Recreation Ground near to Ash Football Club and won a lot of competitions. At one in Southampton, judged by Frankie Vaughan and a female jazz singer (TBID’d), most of the band went to the pub after playing, while Hammond stayed with Tony Robson who was only 15 (he was 14 when they started). They were pronounced the winners and Hammond had to find the band and get them back for an encore, where they were presented with a cup that was kept at the youth club.

    They also played at the Hippodrome, Aldershot with many of the top groups at the time, including The Freight Train Boys, Chas McDevitt and his Skiffle Group, and Johnny Parker and his Band on 24 November ’57. One of these acts was the duo of Chas McDevitt and Nancy Whiskey, who wanted the Skeletons to go on tour with them. This was declined due to a member’s apprenticeship commitment, and they went back to playing the interval at the New Cental Ballroom, Aldershot for other bands, such as The Mickey Kennedy Band.

    The Skeletons at New Central Ballroom, Aldershot playing the interval between Mickey Kennedy Band sets. Source: Tony Robson via Historic Aldershot Military Town

    Roberts introduction and joining of the Skeletons was very much happenstance: He was sitting in Macari’s Cafe, Aldershot sipping coffee and the band were to play the Hippodrome that night, but Allan Smith the tea chest bassist (a tea chest with one string) failed to appear. George Robson came running into Macari’s, grabbed Roberts and said “Come with me Pete, we want you to play the bass” – that was the start of Roberts time with the band. The band were auditioned for a TV appearance at one point and they also played at the odd event, including Silvia Stallard’s wedding in ’57.

    By ’60 the skiffle morphed into R&R and Tony Robson started to use the stage name Tony Angelo and took on lead vocals. Hammond progressed from washboard to snare, then drums. By this point the band were known as just The Skeletons, but were still supporting around Aldershot. In early ’62, Emille Ford and the Checkmates played The Palais Ballroom, Aldershot and The Skeletons opened.

    The Skeletons c’62 at The Palais, Aldershot. Source: Carol Daniels via Historic Aldershot Military Town

    Unfortunately, National Service disseminated the group all over and the group fell apart. Tony Angelo went on to form The Bandits, with Brian Allender. Mike Betts became Sky’s roadie, doing the same part time for Sound of Time. He ended up playing the bagpipes.

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  • Hippodrome, Aldershot

    Hippodrome, Aldershot

    The Hippodrome operated as a venue from ’13 to ’61 and was located on the corner of Station Road and Birchett Road, Aldershot. Designed by Bertie Crewe and built for Clarence Sounes, it opened on 3 February ’13.

    Hippodrome, Aldershot. Source: Paul Arkins via Historic Aldershot Military Town

    The theatre was the largest for miles; seating about 1,000 people. Taken over by Kingshot Theatres in ’30, there was a “Grand Re-Opening” on 6 April ’31. In the late 40’s a band, such as Rex Gordon & His Orchestra, were often only seen, or heard as the audience sought refreshment, in the interval. By ’53, in addition to the twice-nightly variety shows the Hippodrome also staged pantomimes, circus acts, plays and musical comedies, not forgetting the Raymond Revue, and other nude presentations.

    24 November 1957: The Skeleton Skiffle Group amongst the acts that played at the Hippodrome. Aldershot. Source: Tony Robson via Historic Aldershot Military Town

    The Hippodrome played host to many famous bands and musical artists including Humphrey Lyttelton, Acker Bilk, Eric Delaney, Nancy Whiskey, Joe Loss and his Orchestra, Lonnie Donegan, Chris Barber and his Jazz Band, Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine, and Primo Scala and His Accordion Band. In the late ’50s, there were also local bands on the stage like The Kingpins, who competed in a battle of the bands at the Hippodrome in ’57, and The Skeleton Skiffle Group, who joined the Freight Train Boys, Chas McDevitt and his Skiffle Group, and Johnny Parker and his Band, on the venue’s stage on 24 November ’57.

    Hippodrome, Aldershot being demolished. Source: Keith Bean via Historic Aldershot Military Town

    The Hippodrome was demolished in ’61/’62. A retail and office block, called Hippodrome House, now occupies the site.

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  • Down in the Street

    Down in the Street

    The Down in the Street fanzine was written by Stewart Home, of Basic Essentials and other local bands, who also co-produced Bitch Bitch, and was his first punk ‘zine. The first came out in ’79 and it ran to seven editions by the time he stopped publishing it in ’80.

    Issue No.4, the June/July ’80 issue, covered the likes of Actifed, Crisis, Matrix, and Revolt.

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One thought on “Home

  1. 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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