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Stillbrook
(c’81-’84) Mark Applin (vocals), Fred Tarling (keyboards), Tim Hawes (bass), Lloyd Newman (guitar) and Kevin Arthur (drums).
This Lightwater / Bagshot prog rock band originally went by Still Brook. By the time Tony McPhee accepted the Wooden Bridge Rock Clubs invitation, and payment, to appear on 21 April ’83, it had been catenated and Stillbrook warmed up the crowd at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford for the founder of the British blues and rock band the Groundhogs. They also played the Community Centre, Cranford later that year on 22 July ’83, then supported Nashville Teens at The Old Schoolhouse, Woking on 27 August, that same year. They dropped Tarling in ’84 and became Fra Angelico; but not before, purportedly, Craig Logan, later of Bros, played bass in Stillbrook.
Early Still Brook (still two words) patch and poster blank. Source: Skylephant Applin, who’d been in The Fallen Angels before Stillbrook, hopped to Lifespan in ’84, then went on to join Isle of Wight based 9th Street Heroes with Level 42’s Mark King’s brother Nathan on bass. This evolved into 9th Street who signed to A&M Records and released one album: “The Prayer”. Arthur and Hawes both went on to be founding members of Elephant Talk. Hawes is now a songwriter, record producer and music publisher with more than ten million record sales, and five number one singles having worked with Spice Girls, Five, Hear’Say, and Sugababes, amongst many others. He has also received of the Ivor Novello award for songwriting. Hawes is currently the CEO of Zebra1 and has been collaborating on the Skylephant project with Applin.
Gallery:
Stillbrook (l-r: Arthur, Tarling, Applin, Newman, and Hawes). Picture courtesy of Mark Applin 
Advert for The Wooden Bridge Rock Club from Sounds 9 April ’83 issue. Image courtesy of Pete Cole 9th Street, 9th Street Heroes, A&M Records, Bagshot, Bros, Community Centre, Craig Logan, Cranford, Elephant Talk, Five, Fra Angelico, Fred Tarling, Groundhogs, Guildford, Hear’Say, Isle of Wight, Ivor Novello Award, Kevin Arthur, Level 42, Lifespan, Lightwater, Lloyd Newman, Mark Applin, Mark King, Nashville Teens, Nathan King, Rock Club, Skylephant, Spice Girls, Stillbrook, Sugababes, The Fallen Angels, The Old Schoolhouse, Tim Hawes, Tony McPhee, Woking, Wooden Bridge, Zebra1 -
Desolation
(c’95-2008) Rich Marchant (guitar), Stuart Norman (vocals / guitar) Simon Hilton (bass), and Ed Harrison (drums)
While the band was born in Guildford in ’95, the four tracks on Desolation’s first demo, “Nemesis”, didn’t hit the streets until 2001, but provided a full 25 minutes of melodic / atmospheric black metal. This was quickly followed that same year by the EP “Witching Moon”, carrying seven brand new tunes.
2002’s SOD Records “Blood in the Water” compilation CD ROM front In 2002 the band’s “The Bright Sun” was included on SOD Records “Blood in the Water” compilation CD, which carried tracks from 83 other bands and was included with SOD Magazine #19, Summer 2002. Three years later Metal Hammer added “Blindsight” to 2005’s ‘Razor: Music from the Cutting Edge’ [MHR140CD1/06/05].
2005’s Metal Hammer ‘Razor: Music from the Cutting Edge’ compilation front “Blindsight” was the opening track to the bands CD LP “The Stone Oracles” [SFP003], recorded at Night of Day Studios and produced / engineered by Stuart Norman [SFP003] released on the Shadowflame Productions label the prior year, which included an 8-page booklet. 2004 was also the year that Liquefied Skeleton guitarist Ben Ash joined the band.
The band reverted to self-releasing for their next CD LP, released in 2007, titled “Lexicon V”. Whether this was before or after Ash left the band is unclear.
Ash went on to play in Pig Iron and Carcass.
Gallery:
2001’s “Nemesis” demo 
2002’s SOD Records “Blood in the Water” compilation CD ROM back 
2004’s “The Stone Oracles” 
2004’s “The Stone Oracles” back 
2005’s Metal Hammer ‘Razor: Music from the Cutting Edge’ compilation back 
2007’s “Lexicon V” 
Desolation promo image -
The Kingpins
(c’57) Ron Percy (?) Mick Darling (?), Tony Chappel (?), Mick Collins (?), Albert “Eggy” Norris (?), and Keith Barnard (drums).
This skiffle group formed at the General Post Office, Aldershot; a few of the lads were ‘telegram boys’ which they delivered on red BSA Bantams. They competed in the battle of the bands at the Hippodrome, Aldershot in ’57.
Barnard went on to be in Mike Raynor and The Condors.Gallery:
The Kingpins at the Hippodrome, Aldershot in 1957. Source: Keith Barnard via Historic Aldershot Military Town -
Which One’s Maurice?
(c’84-‘86) – Daren Allder (bass), David Gates (guitar / vocals), Alex Forryan (guitar / sax), John Goodwin (trumpet), Alison Cheale (vocals); and Andy Q Smith (drums).
Named after a Paul Hogan line from a 1984 Fosters lager advert; Which One’s Maurice? performed a few gigs in the area, including a support slot with X-pressure, for Split Into at Frogmore Community College, Yateley on 19 July ’85, and competed in a Battle of the Bands at Kings College, London.
Allder, Smith, Forryan, and Gates would go on to form The Word Merchants together, with Gates being the main songwriter in both bands. Gates subsequently formed Salt Tank while Allder and Smith found themselves in 33AD.
Gallery:
19 July 1985: X-pressure supported Split Into, along with Which One’s Maurice?, at Frogmore Community College. Picture courtesy of Daren Allder -
Haslemere Town Band
Formed in the early 1800’s, Haslemere Town Band is believed to be one of the oldest brass bands in continuous existence.
When Haselmere’s two family bands, the Bridger Band and Berry Band, came together in 1837, under William Bridger, they formed what was to become Haslemere Town Band. The band’s first engagement saw them played for the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838.
In ’02 the band, now renamed the Haslemere Town Band, entered the National Championships at Crystal Palace, London. In ’07, Sir Harry Waechter, High Sheriff of Surrey, who resided at Ramsnest, near Chiddingfold, instigated the Ramsnest Band Competition Silver Cup. Haslemere Town Band now owns the cup having won the competition three years in a row.
The War of 1914-18 saw the Town band lose many players, as did the Haslemere Institute Band. So, after the war the two bands combined under Turner Bridger, son of the original founder Charles Bridger, and with O. J. Langridge as conductor.
On 26 July ’30, the band, conducted by Mr. C. J. Murrell, competed against Ardingley Brass Band, on the The Common, Portsmouth in the 33rd Southern Counties Amateur Bands Association competition, for the Hawkes Challenge Cup, coming first. The band also performed two further times at Crystal Palace in the ’30’s before it burned down
After the WWII, the Band declined, but continued thanks to the efforts of Denny Clement who both conducted and played, not easy when you play trombone. Maurice Wright became the Musical Director in ’78, holding the position for fourteen years. Then Graham Wade held the baton as Musical Director from 1984 until 2006. On Graham’s resignation, Peter Yarde became the Band’s Musical Director.
The Band’s current president, Tony Waddell, is a great-great grandson of one of the originators of the band, Charles Bridger. The Ramsnest Cup along with other band memorabilia is held by the Haslemere Museum.
Gallery:
Clipping from Portsmouth News 28 July 1930 Ardingley Brass Band, Charles Bridger, Chiddingfold, Crystal Palace, Denny Clement, Graham Wade, Haslemere Institute Band, Haslemere Museum, Hawkes Challenge Cup, Hazelmere, Hazelmere Town Band, London, Maurice Wright, Mr. C. J. Murrell, National Championships, O. J. Langridge, Peter Yarde, Portsmouth, Ramsnest Band Competition, Sir Harry Waechter, Southern Counties Amateur Bands Association, The Common, Tony Waddell, Turner Bridger, William Bridger -
Flashback
(c’86-’92) Yanni Tsamplakos (guitar / vocals), Martyn Lucas (bass / vocals), Sandra Langrish (vocals), Geoff Langrish (vocals), and John Cotter (drums).
This Woking based 60’s cover band produced at least one demo cassette LP titled “Here We Are Now”. On 25 March ’89 the band performed at the Working Men’s Club, Woking; and are known to have performed at the Centre Halls, Woking too. In addition to numerous gigs at the Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green.
Flashback on Sky TV’s Star Search in 1989. Source: Geoff Langrish In ’89, Flashback also appeared on Sky TV’s Star Search, a nightly talent show hosted by Keith Chegwin and were judged by Gloria Hunniford and Kenny Everett. Episode 51 from Session 1, which saw Flashback finish the show as runner’s up, was aired on 17 April ’89 and also featured Greg Howard and Valerie Mason. On 23 September ’89, the group appeared at Haslemere Hall, Haslemere for a Swinging Sixties charity dance in aid of Hillsborough families. In ’92, Flashback were part of the ‘Festival of the 60s’ at Butlins in Bognor Regis.
Geoff Langrish went on to form Tequila, a 60s and 70s covers band. Cotter relocated to Morocco.
Gallery:
Flashback promo card 
Flashback’s “Here We Are Now” demo cassette LP 
Flashback. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback performing at Woking Centre Halls. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback at Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback on Sky TV’s Star Search in 1989. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback on Sky TV’s Star Search in 1989. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback played a charity gig on 23 September 1989 for Hillsboro. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Running order for ‘Festival of the 60s’ Butlin’s Bognor 1992. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback at Butlin’s Bognor 1992. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback at Butlin’s Bognor 1992. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback at Butlin’s Bognor 1992. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback at Butlin’s Bognor 1992. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback at Butlin’s Bognor 1992. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback at Butlin’s Bognor 1992. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback at Butlin’s Bognor 1992. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback at Butlin’s Bognor 1992. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback. Source: Geoff Langrish 
Flashback. Source: Geoff Langrish Bognor Regis, Butlins, Centre Halls, Festival of the 60s, Flashback, Frimley Green, Geoff Langrish, Gloria Hunniford, Greg Howard, Haslemere, Haslemere Hall, John Cotter, Keith Chegwin, Kenny Everett, Lakeside Country Club, Martyn Lucas, Sandra Langrish, Sky TV, Star Search, Tequila, Valerie Mason, Woking, Working Men's Club, Yanni Tsamplakos -
X-Pressure
(c’85) Steve Mann (guitar), Pete Marshall (bass), and ?.
This Camberley based band supported Split Into, along with Which One’s Maurice?, at Frogmore Community College, Yateley on 19 July ’85.
Mann. was later of The Nonkey Brothers, with Marshall, and became the main songwriter, singer and guitarist in 33AD.
Gallery:
19 July 1985: X-pressure supported Split Into, along with Which One’s Maurice?, at Frogmore Community College. Picture courtesy of Daren Allder -
Village Hall, Tilford
Sat facing The Green, the Village Hall, was built as The Tilford Institute in 1893/4 to a Sir Edwin Lutyens’ design and erected in memory of Charles Archibald Anderson of Waverley Abbey, near Farnham.
In 1895 the Institute opened as a club for entertainment, with a paid membership, but also available for private hire. In 1933 the name of the building changed from the “Tilford Institute” to the “Tilford Village Hall”. Throughout the 2nd World War local dances, with live bands, continued. In the mid ’80s a number of local bands used the hall as rehearsal space including The Innocence in the Summer of ’84 and This Breed of Heroes.
Ready! Village Hall, Tilford About the same time the building was listed as being of architectural interest. It is still used by bands for rehearsals and performances to this day.
Gallery:
Village Hall, Tillford 
The Innocence, with Gibson on sax, rehearsing in Tilford Village Hall. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman 
The Innocence rehearsing in Tilford Village Hall. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman 
Village Hall, Tilford -
The Livestock Spindles
(c’64-’65) John Perera (guitar / vocals) Jolyon Brettingham-Smith (guitar), Peter Evans (bass / vocals), and Nick Blake (drums)
This R&B / beat band, who found their name in an engineering magazine, formed at Cranleigh School.
Brettingham-Smith went on to be a composer, conductor, performer, author, and radio presenter, and a university teacher at the Berlin University of the Arts. He passed in Berlin on 17 May 2008 immediately after concluding his ‘Jolyon Live – The English Connection‘ radio programme on Rundfunk Berlin Brandenburg (RBB).
Gallery:
Clipping from Melody Maker 30 January 1965 -
Rockin’ Timbo
(c’78-’80) Tim Freeman
Rockin’ Timbo was the stage name for Tim Freeman, older brother to actor Martin Freeman. We are aware of two support slots at the Technical College, Farnborough, playing ‘Anarchy in the UK’ and ‘My Generation’ on a ukulele, before smashing it. Tim also designed / created the Stonehenge Festival Farnborough Benefit T-Shirt and appeared at the event.
Freeman was the original vocalist of Farnborough punk band The Grunties (aka The Sods), leaving to focus on his punk-poet performance in late ’78. After Rockin Timbo, Freeman moved to Brighton and went on to be a founding member of Frazier Chorus, for which his brother Jamie Freeman was in the touring band and appeared on their third studio album “Wide Awake“, contributing guitars on all but one track.
Gallery:
Image on one of 300 t-shirts, designed by Tim Freeman, and printed at the shop he work at on Lynchford Rd. Source: Paul Trew via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia
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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