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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.
Gallery:

Cover of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996. 
Back cover of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996. 
Printed side of Choker’s “Crawl” CD LP, released in 1996. 
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996. 
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996. 
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996. 
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996. 
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996. 
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996. 
Page from the insert of Choker’s “Crawl” LP, released in 1996. Ade Lunn, Aldershot, Buzzwagon, Choker, Clam, Cranleigh, England’s Dreaming, Farnborough Groove, Fran Beauchamp, Frimley, Geoff Hawkes, Giant Arc, Guildford, Holier Than Thou Records, Horsell, Ian Beauchamp, Kilter, Lunar Recording Studios, Paul Humphrey, Pete Cole, Reading, Rich Sime, Richie Sime, Splinter Faction, The Contaminated, The Innocent, The Outhouse, The White Hart, West End Centre, X13 -
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.
Gallery:

The Lawmen at the Old Gostrey Club in 1956. (L:R: Smith, Muddell, ?, Maddocks, ?, O’Rourke, and Jacombs. Source: Maureen Covey via Historic Farnham Town and Surrounding Villages -
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.
Gallery:

Jon Harlow reviews 57 Beans demo cassette for Soundscene, 15 January 1981. Source: Mark Nesbit -
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.
Gallery:

Press clipping from 1957 of The Skeletons winning a skiffle competition at the Hippodrome. Aldershot. Source: Josephine Kerry via Historic Aldershot Military Town 
Enlarged picture of band from 1957 press clipping. Source: Tony Robson via Historic Aldershot Military Town 
The Freight Train Boys, Chas McDevitt and his Skiffle Group, Johnny Parker and his Band, and The Skeleton Skiffle Group played at the Hippodrome. Aldershot. Source: Tony Robson via Historic Aldershot Military Town 
The Skeletons in the audience at Central Ballroom, Aldershot. Source: Sheila Brooks via Historic Aldershot Military Town Aldershot, Allan Smith, Brian Allender, Chas McDevitt, Chas McDevitt and his Skiffle Group, Emille Ford and the Checkmates, Farnham, Frankie Vaughan, George Robson, he Freight Train Boys, Hippodrome, John Bryan, Johnny Parker and his Band, Macari’s Cafe, Memorial Hall, Mick Betts, Mick Hammond, Nancy Whiskey, New Central Ballroom, Palais Ballroom, Peter Roberts, Silvia Stallard, Sky, Sound of Time, Southampton, The Bandits, The Mickey Kennedy Band, The Skeleton Skiffle Group, The Skeletons, Tony Angelo, Tony Robson -
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.
Gallery:


Article on Revolt from ‘Down In The Street’ fanzine No.4. Picture courtesy of John Hudson 
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The Fallen Angels
(c’80-’81) Mark Nisbet (guitar), Stephen Bishop (drums), Mark “Midge” Mitchell (bass), and Mark Applin (vocals).
Heavy rock focused, The Fallen Angels was the first band for these 15- to 16-year-old rockers from West End. They covered the likes of Deep Purple, Gillian and J.J. Cale as well as playing their own material. The band played the Village Hall, Chobham on 10 January 1981, supported by Omayyad and Camberley’s Ruf Justice, with Tim Hawes and Lloyd Newman of Hipgnosiz making a surprise appearance.
Applin would later join Stillbrook.Gallery:

10 January 1981: John Harlow introduces The Fallen Angels in the Soundscene column of 15 Jan 1981. Source: Mark Nesbit 
10 January 1981: Review of The Fallen Angels gig at Chobham Village Hall, supported by Ruf Justice, Hipgnosiz, and Omayyad. Source: Mark Nesbit 
The Fallen Angels (c’81). Picture courtesy of Skylephant 
The Fallen Angels (c’81). Picture courtesy of Skylephant -
White as White (and Twice as Dirty)
(c’72-’77) Paul Trew (bass), Ian Mckean (guitar), Richard Houghton (drums), and ‘Paz’ Mansoni (keyboards).
Trew and Mckean had a combo called Illyidre in ’72. When Houghton and Mansoni joined these 16-year-olds formed White as White (and Twice as Dirty) in ’73; playing mostly in the Farnborough, Aldershot, and Basingstoke area.

17 December 1973. White as WhPicture courtesy of Paul Trew They debuted at St Patrick’s Hall, North Camp on 14 December ’73, with a gig poster created by a 15-year-old John Bently. They also appeared at the Windsor Free Festival in ’74 – where Graham Parker was working a food stand – and Watchfield Free Festival in ’75. Trew and Houghton traveled to the Windsor Free Festival, 3-up, on Ray Everett’s moped. While at the Watchfield Festival, Mckean lent Joe Strummer, who was playing with the 101ers, his guitar for part of their set. They found themselves supporting Savoy Brown and Babe Ruth.

8 March 1975: Pallantine, Odd-Sox, and White as White (and Twice as Dirty) were at Farnborough Recreation Centre. Picture courtesy of Paul Trew Pallantine, Johnny Odd-Sox, and White as White (and Twice as Dirty) were booked and performed at a ‘Triple Band Spectacular’ put on by The Hard Rock Club on 8 March ’75 at the Recreation Centre, Farnborough. Five months later, Johnny Odd-Sox, and White as White were back on 8 August ’75, along with Wooden Lion, Palantir and Narziss for a five-hour long gig to raise funds to perform at Windsor Free Festival Benefit from 28 August that year for nine days, but we do not know if any of the bands made it to Windsor. The band said farewell to all after a gig at Mister Kipps, Farnham in ’77.
Mckean went on to play and record with Thirteen, Twenty Flight Rockers and Balaam and the Angels; and also played with Judy Tzuke. He is currently the rock band teacher at Wetherby School, guitar teacher at Loughton Music Academy and St Bonaventure’s RC School, and is performing in London regularly as part of Bones and the Aft with Bently, who is now a London based artist and teacher. Manson was in T. T. Transmission, with Houghton; who also played in Blimus with Trew and appeared at Guilfest, Guildford and Weyfest. Trew played with many local bands including the The Vulgars Bros, The Torpedoes, The Vandals, The Virgin Daze, and Out of Order.Gallery:

White as White band info sheet featuring photos of the band at Farnborough Town Hall in July 1975. Picture courtesy of Paul Trew 
8 August 1975: Flyer for a Windsor Festival Benefit gig at Farnborough Recreation Centre, for White as White, Johnny Odd-Sox and Wooden Lion; also featuring Palantir and Narziss. Picture courtesy of Paul Trew 101ers, Aldershot, Babe Ruth, Balaam and the Angels, Basingstoke, Blimus, Bones and the Aft, Farnborough, Farnham, Graham Parker, Guildford, GuilFest, Ian Mckean, Illyidre, Joe Strummer, John Bently, Johnny Odd-Sox, Judy Tzuke, Loughton Music Academy, Mister Kipps, Narziss, North Camp, Out of Order, Palantir, Pallantine, Paul Trew, Ray Everett, Recreation Centre, Richard Houghton, Savoy Brown, St Bonaventure’s RC School, St. Patrick's Hall, T. T. Transmission, The Hard Rock Club, The Torpedoes, The Vandals, The Virgin Daze, The Vulgar Bros, Thirteen, Twenty Flight Rockers, Watchfield Free Festival, Wetherby School, Weyfest, White As White, White as White (and Twice as Dirty), Windsor Free Festival, Wooden Lion -
The Larry Miller Band
(c’75-date) Larry Miller (guitar / vocals), Andy Allen (bass) and Simon Baker (drums).
The Larry Miller Band amalgamated around Claygate born Miller who’d grown up in Esher, moved to Guildford, then Chiddingfold, and then Bowlhead Green – the Surrey Delta as it’s been labeled. He played violin from the age of seven to his mid-teens before switching to guitar after picking up his brother’s axe. Inspired by catching Rory Gallagher’s “Live! In Europe” and then live in Brighton, he formed The Larry Miller Band. His band struggled to find gigs in the early years, but rehearsed endlessly, often in Allen’s bedroom in a house he shared with David Morgan who was involved with The Vulgar Bros.
Jon Bicknell joined the band on bass in late ’79, which also had a new drummer in Calvin Brewer. They rehearsed at the Village Hall, Witley and played a number of gigs locally, including Bunters, Guildford. A visit to Chestnut Studios, Churt resulted in the recording of a 4-song demo cassette which Bicknell sent to Melody Maker, who gave it a positive review. The 17-year-old Bicknell was let go after getting his hair cut short, a crime to which Miller reportedly said, ‘No room for shorthairs in my band’. This was in ’80, a time when the band got involved with the Stonehenge Festival Farnborough Benefit to fund local band’s appearance at the event. The Larry Miller Band went ahead and joined those other local bands: Vixen, Lynx, The Vulgar Bros., Human Beings, Blue Unction, Roosta Boots, The Torpedoes, Animal, and Magic Pictures to play the Stonehenge Festival in ’80. When Rory Gallagher played the Civic Hall, Guildford in ’80 Miller was at the front, meanwhile his own band, on 18 October ’80, started a regular slot at Magnums, Basingstoke, returning on 8 November and 26 December, and where they played again on 16 and 31 January ’81.

Sleeve front for Larry Miller’s “Right Chaps!” LP from 1983. Miller used to work at Alan Paine, Godalming – the same firm at which Jean-Jacques Burnel of The Stranglers worked – and colleagues there recall him composing songs, many of which made up ‘Right Chaps‘ in between packing jumpers. Eventually after selling a bunch of kit, they got a van and phoned the pubs and clubs across the south still hosting blues rock bands. The constant gigging led to ’83’s LP “Right Chaps” on new label Matinee Music [MATSIC007]. Miller used to work at Alan Paine, Godalming – the same firm at which Jean-Jacques Burnel of The Stranglers worked – and colleagues there recall him composing songs, many of which made up “Right Chaps” in between packing jumpers. Unfortynately, Baker had to leave the band after “Right Chaps” as he focused on starting a family, while the band was touring heavily. That touring included the Marquee, London opening for the Climax Blues Band on 3 April ’83, The Royal, Guildford on 16 April ’83, The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, supported by Genghis Khan, on 12 May ’83, back to the Marquee on 9 September, and The Red Lion, Brentford on 8 December ’83.

10 August ’84: The Wooden Bridge audience for The Larry Miller Band. Picture courtesy of Kevin Procter On 1 April ’84, the band hit the stage at the Marquee again and then on 21 April had Addlestone’s Seducer warm up the audience at The Old Schoolhouse, Woking. They were back at the Marquee on 24 May ’84. The Wooden Bridge hosted The Larry Miller band again on 10 August and 13 October ’84. The earlier date saw the band supported by Kalibre whose guitarist and vocalist John Rice, who had been part of the road crew for The Larry Miller Band for some years – there is a credit to him on the back of Larry’s first album, ‘Right, Chaps’ – managed to secure Kalibre the slot. Sandwiched between those appearances at The Wooden Bridge was the Marquee on 29 September ’84, were they returned to play on 10 January ’85. They also returned to The Royal two days later and again on 17 May ’85. We are also aware of an appearance at St. Johns Hall, Farnborough. The follow-up EP “Red Italian Boots” was recorded, we understand at Matinee Studios, Reading, but never released due to managerial problems.
Early in ’86, The Larry Miller Band performed at Sheffield University on 22 January ’86. That year, Miller also did guitar and vocals on a charity single with Scott Hunter and Nigel Tomsett. A few months later, the Larry Miller Band was the second act for the first day of The Reading Festival, on 22 August ’86. The band has since released several albums and done a number of UK and European tours. On New Years Eve ’96, they were at The Blues Tavern, Heath End (aka The Halfway House). In 2009, Miller played an amazing seven encores at the Cambridge Rock Festival and a declaration was made of a “National Larry Miller day”.
Baker rejoined the band before work began on “Unfinished Business” and bassist Derek White joined around the same time. The band added keyboardist Ian Salisbury a little later and “Unfinished Business” was released in 2010. A year after Miller released his ninth album “Soldier of the Line” a stroke in 2015 put him in rehab with a long-term prognosis that was unclear according to his management. An event that led to a benefit concert in 2019 featuring Bernie Marsden of Whitesnake and Del Bromham of Stray.
When Miller met Bicknell 25 years after booting him out, Miller apologized. Bicknell had joined Squire, a few months after departing The Larry Miller Band, where his trim was perfect.
Gallery:

Sleeve back for Larry Miller’s “Right Chaps!” LP from 1983. 
Inner sleeve for Larry Miller’s “Right Chaps!” LP from 1983. 
Advert for The Wooden Bridge from Sounds 14 May 1983 edition. Image courtesy of Pete Cole 
Advert for The Royal, Guildford from Sounds,12 January 1985. Image courtesy of Pete Cole 
May 1985: The Royal, Guildford, Sounds Advert. Source: Alan Thomas via Randy California Tribute 
Larry Miller 
Larry Miller Addlestone, Alan Paine, Andy Allen, Animal, Basingstoke, Bernie Marsden, Blue Unction, Bowlhead Green, Brentford, Brighton, Bunters, Calvin Brewer, Cambridge Rock Festival, Chestnut Studios, Chiddingfold, Churt, Civic hall, Claygate, Climax Blues Band, David Morgan, Del Bromham, Derek White, Esher, Farnborough, Farnham, Genghis Khan, Godalming, Guildford, Heath End, Human Beings, Ian Salisbury, Jean-Jacques Burnel, John Rice, Jon Bicknell, Kalibre, Larry Miller, Larry Miller Band, London, Lynx, Magic Pictures, Magnums, Marquee, Matinee Music, Matinee Studios, Melody Maker, Nigel Tomsett, Reading, Reading Festival, Roosta Boots, Rory Gallagher, Scott Hunter, Seducer, Sheffield, Sheffield University, Simon Baker, Squire, St. Johns Hall, Stonehenge Festival, Stray, The Blues Tavern, The Halfway House, The Larry Miller Band, The Old Schoolhouse, The Red Lion, The Royal, The Stranglers, The Torpedoes, The Vulgar Bros, Village hall, Vixen, Whitesnake, Witley, Woking, Wooden Bridge


























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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