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Fleet Country Club, Fleet
The Fleet Country Club started hosting nights of live music in ’58. It went by ‘Baroque Rock Club’ for a while, and we know that T. T. Transmission, The Love Attack, Midnight Circus (c’77), Out of Order (c’78), Straightshooter supported by Zenith, Natural Gass, and Sweet Life all played this venue.
Midnight Circus at the Fleet Country Club in 1977. Source Steve McKeown via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia Certainly, when it was owned by John Woodhouse and managed by Clive Mobey, Gambler and Turbo also appeared at the venue booked by rock promotor Mervin George. A few years later, if you went on Wednesday to ‘Alternative Night’ you were almost guaranteed to hear Wall of Voodoo’s “Mexican Radio“; “Drac’s Back” by Red Lipstique, and the Kramer / Whitney penned “Ain’t Nobody Here but Us Chickens“.
In the Spring of ’84, Controls held a short residency at Fleet Country Club’s Alternative Night. Picture courtesy of Tim Naylor On 14 March ’84 Black Easter appeared at the club, supporting Little Skeletons, but only played one song before having the power turned off. The next month, on 11 April, Dark Paradise performed. In the Spring of ’84, certainly on 24 April, you would catch Controls playing live as the resident band for ‘Alternative Night.’
Gallery:
Midnight Circus at the Fleet Country Club in 1977. Source Steve McKeown via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
Midnight Circus at the Fleet Country Club in 1977. Source Steve McKeown via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
Midnight Circus at the Fleet Country Club in 1977. Source Steve McKeown via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
David Reading talks to promotor Mervin George about The Tumbledown Dick and Fleet Country Club in this clipping from 9th March 1979 issue of Farnborough News.
Fleet Country Club 10th anniversary pin. Source: Mick Hughes via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
25 April 1984: Controls played Fleet Country Club. Source: Stupid Rabbit Tapes 
Fleet Country Club. Source: Keith Connors via Fleet Country Club Appreciation Society (70’s & 80’s) -
Gambler
(c’77-’78) Paul Rainbird (guitar), Ron D “Boz” Bowes (bass/vocals), Steve Porter (guitar) and Doug Hay (drums
Upon the demise on Midnight Circus, Bowes and Rainbird formed Gambler with Porter and Hay. The band’s debut was at one of the Tumbledown Dick, Farnborough‘s Monday nights, which were the Rock Nights. Saxophonist Jane Williams joined the band shortly after their debut.
In the 70’s Bowes was also in Palantir, Stag, and Sneak Preview and played bass for Van Der Graaf Generator’s David Jackson on some demo work. In the 80’s he was a member of Shoot the Butler and Flix. He has since released 7 LPs and 3 Singles as Ron D Bowes.
Gallery:
Gambler’s Ron Bowes. Source Ron Bowes via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
Clipping on Gambler. Source Ron Bowes via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia -
Direct Heat
(c’90) Mike Pailthorpe (guitar) and ?.
Frensham based dance influenced Direct Heat were touting a demo around the labels in mid-late ’90 with reported interest from Phonogram, Go! Disc, and Fourth & Broadway. They played the Rock Garden, London on 26 September ’90.
We hear that Pailthorpe may now be teaching.
Gallery:
Clipping from Farnham Herald, September 1990. Picture courtesy of Steve Hack. -
Close Quarters
(c’90-’92) John ? (?) with ?.
Exponents of soft rock, Close Quarters released “Ambitious Dreams”, a ten-track demo cassette, in the late summer of 1990; which was available from Mark One Records, Fleet and Play It Again Records, Aldershot.
Our very first known gig listing for Close Quarters is at the cramped The George, Ash Vale on 7 April ’90. The next year, on 14 June ’91, the band entered The Buzz Club‘s Midsummer Madness Band Competition at the West End Centre, Aldershot; where they competed against 33AD, Red in Bed, Giant Arc, and Lou Sends. Who made it to and won the final on 22 June is currently lost to the mists of time. We know they also appeared at The George, Ash Vale on 26 July ’91 and the following year supporting Aphelion on 19 September ’92; but details of other gigs are eluding us. In 1992 the bands track “There She Goes” appeared on Son of Farnborough Groove Vol.2.
Tracks:Gallery:
Clipping from the Farnham Herald, Sept 1990 maybe. Picture courtesy of Steve Hack. 
From the 12 to 15 June ’91, The West End Centre hosted The Buzz Club’s MidSummer Madness qualifying rounds. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter 
26 July 1991: Clipping from TBI Newspaper puts Close Quarters at The George, Ash Vale. Picture courtesy of Ben Darnton 
Son of Farnborough Groove; Vol.2 -
The Fox & Hounds, Fleet
The Fox & Hounds in Church Crookham, near Fleet, has staged live bands for years, and still does with their Friday Live Band night – no backing tracks & no karaoke! – with bands like England’s Dreaming on the bill. It was also a previous Venue of the Week on Lemonrock.
In the 70’s the back room hosted a folk club with a mix of contemporary and traditional folkies. Over September ’80, Controls had a three-week residency at the Fox and Hounds; during which they recorded the “Late Night Love Songs” album to four track. A couple of those tracks were later used on the X-Cassettes of Reading label’s release “Anything Could Happen in the Next Half Hour”.
This Breed of Heroes first gig was at The Fox and Hounds in 1985 (L-R: Bruno Skrastins, Derry Hall, Steve Cussons, and Tim Petzold). Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman. Sometime in ’85, This Breed of Heroes had their debut gig at the pub. Then on 23 January ’86, The Fox & Hounds opened their doors to the friends, family and fans of West One. Christ! began their annual pilgrimage to The Fox & Hounds in ’89, which ran for three years to ’91. On 4 November ’89, Who Moved the Ground? played (and recorded – see below) their debut gig there, as did Parmaviolet a few months later on 30 May ’90; but not before a well-received Frantic played the venue on 27 January, Country Hazard appeared on 16 April, and Who Moved the Ground? had returned to give the punters a second dose on 28 April ’90.
Frantic at Fox and Hounds, Fleet. Picture courtesy of Chewtonia In fact, Who Moved the Ground? were to play the venue a further three time: 27 Oct ’90 with The Cloudwatchers, 27 April ’91 with Pretty Green and Backlash. Blue Velvet took to the pubs floor on 25 April ’92, and that 4 September, Backlash appeared supported by Peachrazor and Pretty Green. Another band to debut at The Fox & Hounds was J.C. Regulator who appeared on 4 December ’92. We are also aware that Phobia appeared at this Church Crookham spot. On 19 February ’93 The Fox & Hounds hosted Pretty Green once again, this time with Jonah’s Pram in support.
Following the passing of Frank Press, the remaining members of Canticle held reunion gigs at Press’ local in Bawburgh, Norfolk and The Fox & Hounds in August 2000.
Video:
Gallery:
23rd January 1986: West One were at Fox & Hounds, Fleet. Source: West One 
Who Moved the Ground? clipping from 7th December 1989 issue of Aldershot News. Source: Who Moved the Ground? 
27 October 90?: Who Moved The Ground? were at The Fox & Hounds, Fleet supported by The Cloudwatchers. 
Christ! at The Fox & Hounds, Fleet. Picture courtesy of Philip Hutchinson 
Controls at The Fox and Hounds, Church Crookham in the Summer of 1980. Picture courtesy of Tim Naylor 
Controls at The Fox and Hounds, Church Crookham in the Summer of 1980. Picture courtesy of Tim Naylor 
Controls at The Fox and Hounds, Church Crookham in the Summer of 1980. Picture courtesy of Tim Naylor 
Controls at The Fox and Hounds, Church Crookham in the Summer of 1980. Picture courtesy of Tim Naylor 
Sleeve for Controls’ “Late NIght Love Songs” cassette LP from 1980 
The Fox & Hounds, Fleet Backlash, Bawburgh, Blue Velvet, Canticle, Christ!, Church Crookham, Controls, Country Hazard, England’s Dreaming, Fleet, Fox & Hounds, Frank Press, Frantic, J.C. Regulator, Jonah’s Pram, Lemonrock, Norfolk, Parmaviolet, Peachrazor, Phobia, Pretty Green, The Cloudwatchers, The Fox & Hounds, This Breed of Heroes, West One, Who Moved the Ground?, X-Cassettes -
Jack Smith
(c’50’s-?) Jack Smith (singer)
A self-proclaimed settled gypsy, Smith lived in Milford and earnt his crust as a knife and scissors grinder.
He was a familiar, and beloved, sight with his donkey cart or bike, that he called his ‘Factory’, around Godalming. Jack’s faithful donkey would take him home to Chapel Lane from the Red Lion when he was a bit tipsy, or as told, if he were to meander out of the Merry Harrier’s, Hambledon, he’d light the candles covered by jam jars on his trap and clamber aboard, slap the beast which would then take him home while he slept.
Not so many were familiar with Jack Smith the folk singer. On 19 April ’59 he was recorded on reel-to-reel tape by Horsham amateur recorder of folklore Tony Wales, for his Field Collection. He partook in many folk clubs and friend Tom Dillon would take him to the Fighting Cocks in Kingston, where he performed on 26 Feb, 22 Oct, 5 Nov ’69. He was reportedly also a poaching pal of Pop Maynard, and it would seem that they both poached much of each other’s folk song repertoires.
Recordings of Smith, singing six songs and performing the opening toast, appear on MTCD356-7: King’s Head Folk Club, Traditional Performers 1968-70, released in 2012, as well as on MTCD358: A Second Catalogue Sampler.
Tracks:Gallery:
Jack Smith sings six songs and performs the opening toast for this compilation: King’s Head Folk Club, Traditional Performers 1968-70 [MTCD356-7] 
Jack Smith and son. Picture shared by Dave King. 
Jack Smith with Marian Dillon at Fighting Cocks, Kingston. Source: www.mustrad.org.uk 
Jack Smith at Godalming Fayre as Tinker, The Mayor of Milford having a pint in The Tinker’s Rest. Source: www.mustrad.org.uk -
Tom Dillon
(c’66-?) Tom Dillon (floor singer)
Past members of the Stag Folk Club, Shackleford often recall the local floor singers (unpaid local performers who get the chance to sing in public for pleasure, to learn/hone their skills in front of an audience that has maybe turned out for a ‘pro’). One popular floor singer was Tom Dillon, who lived in Godalming, and was often seen at the Ram Cider House and the Vintners Arms, Guildford in the late ‘60’s for folk sessions.
Stag organizer David Johnson recalls Dillon singing many times at StagFolk and more than once having a guest singer ask after him. Dillon also became a resident performer the Guildford Folk Music Club from ’64-’66, and the Folk Night held at The Red House, Woking; organised by the Woking Folk Club. This club also organized a benefit performance, that included Dillon, at the Civic Hall, Guildford for Medical Aid to Vietnam. Dillon would also head up to Kingston’s Fighting Cocks for their folk club meetings and we know he took fellow Godalming singer Jack Smith with him on occasion.
The last we heard was that Dillon performed at The Volunteer, Sidmouth -during Folk Week – singing “Sonny’s Dream” amongst other classics in August 2001.
Tracks:Gallery:
Tom Dillon 
Programme, designed by Brian Dunt, for the Guildford Folk Music Club held at The Vintners Arms, Guildford in 1966. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Record 
The Red House held a regular Folk Night in the mid to late 60’s, This is from 1967 and lists Dillon as a resident performer. Source: Sue Bradman via WOKING-OLD and NEW (memories and history). 
Front of hand bill for the Woking Folk Club benefit that included Dillon, at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Sue Bradman. 
Back of hand bill for the Woking Folk Club benefit that included Dillon, at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Sue Bradman. -
The Workhouse, Aldershot
The Workhouse Rehearsal Studios, on Sebastopol Road – well known to fans of Mega City Four who rehearsed here – in Aldershot; was a rehearsal and workspace for many a band. It was run by Mark Davenport, who was also in Who’s the Spy?, and bands booked rooms, with names like Slammer and Asylum, on an ad hoc basis.
Harding & Ernest of Redefining Beautiful at The Workhouse, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Matt Harding J.C. Regulator referred to The Workhouse as their spiritual home for many years, and the Twister duo also wrote and rehearsed at Workhouse Studios. The Flowers of Sacrifice recorded “Flower Power” there, on a 4-track, booking a space from midnight onwards. The building was industrial in its feel and the lifts were quirky, and a fair warning was oft given to not record during a home match for Aldershot; for if they scored, you’d hear it. Another band to rehearse at The Workhouse were Redefining Beautiful, whose vocalist / guitarist, Martin Warren manned the reception desk on Sunday mornings for a while. Another to work the front desk was Study in Scarlet’s drummer Keith ?.
Thieves of Dreams waiting for the Workhouse lift c’90/’91. Image courtesy of Ian Bridgeman The Workhouse also had some backline equipment, reportedly of dubious quality, that was available to rent. After a while, Davenport passed the business on to a new proprietor called Alan ?; who made an arrangement with bands, including J.C. Regulator and Thieves of Dreams, to rent rooms on a permanent basis, allowing gear to be left set up for rehearsals at any time. Serious Plankton released the “Three from Five on Four” demo cassette in ’93, which was recorded at The Workhouse; and engineered / mixed by Mega City Four‘s Gerry Bryant. Also recorded, by Splat the singer with Disturbing Guests, at The Workhouse was Cornered‘s “Life Injection” cassette demo in ’97.
Alan sold it to a guy called Tony who owned the printing business elsewhere in the building. Kelly managed it for Tony until it closed and Tony sold it off for demolition.
J.C. Regulator rehearsing c’92 at Workhouse Rehearsal Studios, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman After the business ceased trading, Alan sold is to Tony ?, the owner of the building who owned a priniting business elsewhere in the complex. Kelly ? managed it for Tony and carried over the rental agreement/s and some bands, such as J.C. Regulator, continued annoying the neighbours, including Burger King who were a regular complainer, until the premises were sold by Tony for demolition in the late ’90s.
Gallery:
J.C. Regulator at The Workhouse, Aldershot. Photo by Dirty Dave and here courtesy of Bruno Bannerman 
J.C. Regulator at The Workhouse, Aldershot. Photo by Dirty Dave and here courtesy of Bruno Bannerman 
J.C. Regulator at The Workhouse, Aldershot. Photo by Dirty Dave and here courtesy of Bruno Bannerman 
The Workhouse, Sebastopol Road, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman 
Redefining Beautiful at The Workhouse, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Matt Harding 
Harding of Redefining Beautiful at The Workhouse, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Matt Harding 
Redefining Beautiful in The Workhouse’s reception area. Image courtesy of Matt Harding 
Redefining Beautiful, and Keith of Study in Scarlet, in The Workhouse’s reception area. Image courtesy of Martin Warren 
Russ (drums) and Harding (guitar) from Redefining Beautiful at The Workhouse. Image courtesy of Martin Warren 
Harding of Redefining Beautiful at The Workhouse. Image courtesy of Martin Warren 
Warren of Redefining Beautiful at The Workhouse. Image courtesy of Martin Warren Aldershot, Burger King, Cornered, Disturbing Guests, Gerry Bryant, J.C. Regulator, Mark Davenport, Martin Warren, Mega City Four, Redefining Beautiful, Sebastopol Road, Serious Plankton, Study in Scarlet, The Flowers of Sacrifice, The Workhouse, The Workhouse Rehearsal Studios, Thieves Of Dreams, Twister, Who’s the Spy? -
The Musicians
(c’78) Martin Adams (bass), Graham Humphreys (drums), Kevin Gould (guitar), and Mark Stock (vocals).
The band formed as The Musicians for Oak Farm Comprehensive’s production of “The Weirdstone of Brisingamen” in March 1978. During the performance Adams played some of the bass parts with a violin bow, Jimmy Page style.
Over the following months the band ‘toured’ a number of schools doing live interludes for parties and discos. Humpreys ended up in a band touring on cruise ships after leaving Oak Farm. Stock was in another school band after The Musicians and other rock bands, playing gigs in the Hampshire area. Last we heard Adams was still playing bass.
Gallery:
The Musicians c’78. Source: Mark Stock via FHN 
The Musicians c’78. Source: Mark Stock via FHN -
The F1-11s
(c.’86-’88) Chris Keating (bass / backing vocals) Carl Launchbury (drums) Bruno Skrastins (guitar / vocals).
Based around Ash/Aldershot, the F-One-Elevens (F1-11s) formed in August ’86 following a jam session at the Strawberryfields Rehearsal Studio at Burrows Lea Farm, Peaslake. The F1-11s aimed to write, arrange and play punk edged power-pop, in the style of Stiff Little Fingers, The Jam, The Clash etc.
Keating had previously played with Maxi Puch and the Macho Moped Men and The Plague; Launchbury with The Vulgar Brothers; Skrastins with This Breed of Heroes, The Little Winkies/Press Gang and Cheap Thrills. Throughout the remainder of ’86 and into ’87, the band played repeat gigs at the Lion Brewery Ash, and The Crimea, The Rising Sun and The Beehive in Aldershot. Although well received, the band struggled to get away from the local pub circuit and into the indie/punk scene.
The Vulgar Brothers revival led to the departure of Launchbury, who was replaced by Colin Brook-Jones. The new line up recorded a 2-song demo tape at the Limelight Recording Studios located in the West End Centre, Aldershot. However, following lacklustre gigs at the Rising Sun, Aldershot and the Thurlow Arms near Cranleigh, the F1-11s faded, then folded.
Following a chance meeting in July ’88 with Patrick James of West One; The F1-11s were invited to reform to support West One and the Rising Signs at a forthcoming gig at the West End Centre. The band re-recruited Launchbury, rehearsed throughout the Summer and on 2nd September 1988 played to a packed out and enthusiastic crowd at the Westy. The band, regarding this as going out in a blaze of glory, called it a day for good.
Skrastins was a founding member of J.C. Regulator in ’92.
Gallery:
The F1-11s at the Beehive, Aldershot. (L-R: Skrastins, Launchbury, and Keating). Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman 
The F1-11s during rehearsals at Strawberryfields Studios, Peasmarsh. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman. 
The F1-11s during rehearsals at Strawberryfields Studios, Peasmarsh. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman. 
Colin Brook-Jones of The F1-11s. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman. 
2 September 1988: Flyer for West One supported by Rising Signs, and F1-11 at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: West One 
2 September 1988: Poster for West One supported by Rising Signs, and F1-11 at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: West One 
2 September 1988: Poster for West One at the West End Centre, Aldershot. They were supported by supported by Rising Signs, and F1-11. Source: West One
2 September 1988: The F1-11s at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Bruno Aldeshot, Ash, Bruno Skrastins, Carl Launchbury, Cheap Thrills, Chris Keating, Colin Brook-Jones, Cranleigh, F-One-Elevens, J.C. Regulator, Limelight Recording Studios, Lion Brewery Ash, Maxi Puch and the Macho Moped Men, Patrick James, Peaslake, Press Gang, Strawberryfields Rehearsal Studio, The Beehive, The Crimea, The F1-11s, The Plague, The Rising Signs, The Rising Sun, This Breed of Heroes, Thurlow Arms, Vulgar Brothers, West One
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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