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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 -
Headnoise
(c’93-’96) Ming (drums), Ian “Ed/Woodcheese” Edwards (guitar), Matt “Moo” Pain (vocals), and Pat “Mahoot” Hughes (bass).
Headnoise, who rehearsed at The White Hart, Frimley, comprised a number of ex-members of This Witness, although we also have a reference to P45’s, and Pain had previously fronted Watch the Turtle. The band attracted the attention of Skunk Anansie; opening for them on a couple of tour dates and supported Reef and Stiff Little Fingers, and were managed by The Jam‘s Bruce Foxton.

Sleeve for Headnoise’s “Mahoygalloy” cassette EP. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene On 28 November ’93, Headnoise were at The Powerhaus, Islington supporting Candyman along with Revhead. The band kicked off ’94 with an appearance at the Orange, West Kensington on 30 January opening for 800 Deep with Canes Able. On 17 May ’94, Headnoise, supported Apes Pigs and Spacemen, at the Marquee, London. The next night, 18 May ’94, they won the ‘Battle for the Limelight’ held at Princes Hall, Aldershot; beating Who Moved the Ground?, Strange World, Parmaviolet, Blind, Punching Judy, and Redefining Beautiful. That same year saw the release of “Mahoygalloy” a 6-track cassette EP recorded at Studio Sparkes. Sound was handled by sound engineer Paul “Ramrod” Ramsay, who was with the band most of the time. Bassist Hughes replaced Adam Pain, brother of the vocalist, who’d stepped in for Gary “Pit Bull/Chin” Tozer, sometime after the release of “Mahoygalloy“. Late ’94 saw the band opening for Who Moved the Ground? at West End Centre, Aldershot, on 4 November.

Early Headnoise (LtoR): Tozer, Edwards, Ming, and Pain outside the White Hart, Frimley. Back at the Marquee, Headnoise supported Croydon’s Moondigger, featuring Guitar Magazine’s ‘Guitarist of the Year 1994’, Dave Colquhoun, on 5 Janaury ’95. The band, along with Spitfire, supported S*M*A*S*H at the Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth on 21 February ’95 and joined Redwood, Supermodel and Disturbing Guests at the Civic Hall, Guildford on 16 June ’95 for Splatch! That same year their track “Shake” appeared on Farnborough Groove Strikes Back Vol.5. Regularly at the Marquee Club during ’95, Headnoise received the venue’s ‘Unsigned Band of the Year 1995’ award.
In ’96 the band released the “Kick in the Dick” cassette EP, which was recorded live at the Tumbledown Dick, Farnborough. Disturbing Guests supported them that night, enjoying the massive PA Headnoise had hired for that show. Issue #3 of Gerfump!, which came out in April ’96, carried a review of the J.C. Regulator, Headnoise, and Sandwich Box gig at the West End Centre on 22 March.
Ramsay has gone on to mix at FOH for The Who, Annie Lennox, The Doves, Kasabian, and Skunk Anansie. Edwards spent 17 years working at the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM), Guildford before joining The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP UK), London as Head of Operations. He has since founded Guitar Breaks and London Academy of Modern Music (LAMM Italia) and is a Director at Band Workshops.
Tracks:Gallery:

17 May 1994: Headnoise, supported Apes, Pigs and Spacemen, at the Marquee. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene 
Headnoise won the 1994 ‘Battle for the Limelight’ final held at the Princes Hall, Aldershot. Source: Who Moved The Ground? 
Kerrang, January 1995 
21 February ’95: Headnoise, along with Spitfire, supported S*M*A*S*H at the Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene 
In ’95 Headnoise’s track “Shake” appeared on Farnborough Groove Strikes Back Vol.5. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole 
Sleeve for Headnoise’s “Kick in the Dick” cassette EP. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene 
Part of issue #3 from 1996. Picture courtesy of The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene 800 Deep, Academy of Contemporary Music, ACM, Adam Pain, Aldershot, Annie Lennox, Apes Pigs And Spacemen, Band Workshops, Battle for the Limelight, Blind, Bruce Foxton, Candyman, Canes Able, Civic hall, Dave Colquhoun, Disturbing Guests, Farnborough, Farnborough Groove, Frimley, Gary Tozer, Gerfump, Guildford, Guitar Breaks, Guitar Magazine, Headnoise, Ian Edwards, ICMP UK, Islington, J.C. Regulator, Kasabian, LAMM Italia, London, London Academy of Modern Music, Marquee, Marquee Club, Moondigger, Orange, Parmaviolet, Pat Hughes, Paul Ramsey, Portsmouth, Punching Judy, Redefining Beautiful, Redwood, Reef, Revhead, S*M*A*S*H, Sandwich Box, Skunk Anansie, Spitfire, Splatch, Stiff Little Fingers, Strange World, Studio Sparkes, Supermodel, The Doves, The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, The Jam, The P45’s, The Powerhaus, The White Hart, THe Who, This Witness, Tumbledown Dick, Unsigned Band of the Year, Watch the Turtle, Wedgewood Rooms, West End Centre, West Kensington, Who Moved the Ground?




























































































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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