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The White Swan, Aldershot
The White Swan, on North Lane, Aldershot, which was known affectionately as The Mucky/Dirty Duck, closed in 2012; having been a pub from around 1880 when it was run by Charles and Fanny Bignall.
In the 60’s, when Ernie ? was landlord, a Mr. Forman regularly played accordion at the pub. Jumping to the ’90s, on 4 September ’94 it was on the promo tour for Who Moved the Ground?‘s second single, “The Chase”/”What’s That”. A week later, on 11 September, Thieves of Dreams played there.
Planning permission was granted, in January 2013, for this English Heritage listed Grade II building, and it is now offices and flats.Gallery:
4 September 1994, Who Moved The Ground? released their 2nd single: “The Chase”/”What’s That”. This clipping, from an unknown mag, lists the promo tour dates. Source: Who Moved the Ground?
The White Swan, Aldershot 
The White Swan, Aldershot 
The White Swan, North Lane. c2006. Source: Paul Atkins via Historic Aldershot Military Town -
X13
(c’94-’96) Andy Clark (guitars / programming / b.vocals) Phil Mears (vocals / guitar), Dave Gould (bass / programming), and Geoff Hawkes (guitar / b.vocals).
After the The Flowers of Sacrifice split the first time around Clark pulled together X13. Hawkes, who’d previously been in Giant Arc, was replaced by Clark’s fellow Flower Pat Evans (guitar) early in the band’s development. This industrial punk band then recorded their first demo cassette titled “Reality Lost” but oft referred to as “!” due to the cover. Hawkes returned, displacing Evans, before the recording of the second demo cassette: “Razor Edge”.
The X-13 “!” demo cassette. Source: Flowers of Sacrifice In their almost two-year lifespan the band, who did try but failed to work with a live drummer, called Paul ?, could be caught playing at The Old Trout, Windsor; The West End Centre, Aldershot; the Rock Garden, Covent Garden (twice); The Marquee, London and The Slaughterhouse, Berlin.
Hawkes and Clark went on to form Industrial dance band Splinter Faction, with Sean Passingham. Then Hawkes, Gould and Clark put together Clam, a rather melodic and tuneful combo, that included Dave Webb of Buzzwagon. Clam split when Gould moved to Northampton, but Webb and Hawkes reignited Buzzwagon for a while. In 2019, Clark recorded some EBM/Industrial tracks under the name The Last Pandemic, including a reworking of the X13 song “Stimulation”.
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Piccadilly Mudmen
(c’86-’88) Nic Butt (drums), Nick Whitehouse (bass/vocals), Peter Sherry (guitar/vocals), and Alan “One The Buck” Clutterbuck (Guitar/vocals)
This Guildford/Godalming band played The White Lyon, Worplesdon and The Duke of Wellington, Farncombe quite a few times – they actually rehearsed in a cellar over the road from the Duke. They also gigged extensively in Guildford, Godalming, Ash, Gomshall, Woking, and up into London. They recorded an eponymous demo cassette EP at Wood Court Studios in March ’88, that carried “Fat World”, “Cut”, and “Comic Strip Heroes”.
Sleeve for Piccadilly Mudmen’s eponymous cassette EP. Picture courtesy of John Hudson The 2 April ’88 found them, supported by His Wooden Fish, at The Red Lion, Milford and two months later, on 1 June ’88, the band were booked, along with Hill Stormers and Cha Boom Cha, for the new band night at The Tunnel Club at The Mitre, London.
We know that the band went through a total of three drummers, with Butt, who may now be in Cambridge, having the longest tenure. Ros Paxman, of Hector’s Breakfast and The Polite Young Men fame, also spent a spell as vocalist with the Piccadilly Mudmen, along with ex-Bloodhound Nick Gibson on sax. Whitehouse, who spent a brief spell in The Flying Tigers around the ’89/’90 period, as did Gibson, relocated to Edinburgh and is now further north. Clutterbuck had previously been in The Golden Age of Metro and Strange Cult, and is reportedly still playing.
Gallery:
1 June 1988: Piccadilly Mudmen, with Hill Stormers and Cha Boom Cha were all part of a new bands night at the Tunnel Club. The Mitre, London. Advert from NME’s 4 June 1988 issue. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole Alan Clutterbuck, Ash, Bloodhound, Cambridge, Cha Boom Cha, Edinburgh, Farncombe, Godalming, Gomshall, Guildford, Hector’s Breakfast, Hill Stormers, His Wooden Fish, London, Milford, Nic Butt, Nick Gibson, Nick Whitehouse, Peter Sherry, Piccadilly Mudmen, Ros Paxman, Strange Cult, The Duke of Wellington, The Flying Tigers, The Golden Age of Metro, The Mitre, The Polite Young Men, The Red Lion, The Tunnel Club, The White Lyon, Woking, Wood Court Studios, Worplesdon -
The Four Horseshoes, Camberley
Sat on the Frimley Rd, Camberley, The Four Horseshoes was built in 1865 by Ashby’s Brewery, Staines; and hosted many a live music night in the early ’90s.
In ’90, Who Moved the Ground? appeared at the venue twice, on 14 July and 11 November. Explodehead performed there, in the alcove next to the stairs, on 9 February ’91, and Blue Velvet, who were gigging regularly on the local scene, visited The Four Horseshoes on 10 August and 26 October that same year. Thieves of Dreams, our first know gig for the band, opened for Who Moved the Ground? at the pub on 18 May ’91, which reportedly went down well with supporters of both.
Blue Velvet at Four Horseshoes, Camberley 1991 The next year, on 1 February ’92, the Four Horseshoes hosted Fate; and once again Thieves of Dreams, who were supported by Pretty Green, rocked it on 14 March that year. We are also aware of an appearance by Camberley / Farnborough band, Redefining Beautiful, with The Exploding Fir Trees, on the 25 July, but do not yet know the year.
It is still a pub today, now owned by Heineken, with the occasional live band.
Gallery:
25 July 19??: Redefining Beautiful played the Four Horseshoes, Camberley with The Exploding Fir Trees. Picture courtesy of Martin Warren 
18 May 1991: Who Moved the Ground? supported by Thieves of Dreams appeared at The Four Horseshoes, Camberley. Source: TOD Thieves of Dreams 
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Rusty Bucket
(c’85-’90) Jerry Morgan (drums); Kevin Mann (guitar), Phil Leahy (bass/vocals), and Ben Bennett (guitar).
Proud to be loud, Rusty Bucket were from the Hawley area and changed their line up a few times with departures and the addition of Jim ? (?), Pam ? (vocals), Paul Marshall (bass) and others. Morgan approached New in Town vocalist Miles Brant to audition with the band, with Brant jpining the band shortly after. We know the band took part in the Battle for the Limelight at Princes Hall, Aldershot in ’89, just before the venues refurbishment began, and appeared several times at The George, Ash Vale, notably on 30 December ’89. The next year they performed 14 times in August ’90 and maintained a similar cadence in September, returning to The George, Ash Vale on 25 November ’90.
1989: Rusty Bucket at Battle for Limelight. Prince Hall, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett. They went on to rename themselves Little Bones, after The Tragically Hip track. Mann, after playing with Mr Stixx for a brief time, emigrated to Australia and we found Leahy touring with Laid Back Country Picker in 2024. Bennett sadly passed in 2023.
Gallery:
Rusty Bucket c’85 departing from New Inn Hawley for gigs on South Coast. Source: Jerry Morgan via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
Rusty Bucket clipping from Farnham Herald, Sept 1990. Picture courtesy of Steve Hack. 
1989: Rusty Bucket at Battle for Limelight. Prince Hall, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett. 
1989: Rusty Bucket at Battle for Limelight. Prince Hall, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett. 
1989: Rusty Bucket at Battle for Limelight. Prince Hall, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett. 
1989: Rusty Bucket at Battle for Limelight. Prince Hall, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett. 
Rusty Bucket at the Charity Barn Bash. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett. 
Rusty Bucket at the Charity Barn Bash. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett. 
Rusty Bucket at the Charity Barn Bash. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett. 
Rusty Bucket at the Charity Barn Bash. Image courtesy of Ben Bennett. -
Thane
(c’80-’81) Paul Thane (vocals), Neil Fitch (guitar/vocals), Phil Longden (keyboards), Dave O’Williams (bass/vocals), and Steve Cusack (drums).
Thane were a Frimley based band, not to be confused with Edinburgh band The Thanes. The band’s first drummer had been Tim Huthert, before he went on to join Specimen, who’d been in The Desotos along with Fitch and Paul Trew, who’d also appear in Thane briefly. Huthert was replaced by Cusack, who was joined in the rhythm section by O’Williams, having replaced original bassist Simon Sherwood, ex-The Mode – a band managed by Thane’s brother Barry.
Front cover of 101’s “Beyond the Groove” compilation LP that included Thane. We know the band appeared at the Cambridge Hotel, Camberley and the 101 Club, Clapham in ’80. The latter secured them a track on 101 Records ‘Beyond the Groove’ compilation LP along with The Fix, Modern Man, and the Electric Eels, amongst others. This spot was filled by “Traffic Jam”, the title track of Thane’s debut 7″ single, that was also released in ’80. Produced by Dave Moore, “Traffic Jam” [BAD 03] was on Badge Records and backed by “Frankie Boy”. It was also released in France on the Arabella label [102273] that same year. The following year, still on Badge Records and with Dave Moore producing, “Romance Down the Drain” [BAD 8] hit the streets, with “Transparent Love” on the flipside. To the best of our knowledge the band dissolved in late ’81.
Front of sleeve for Thane’s 1980 single “Traffic Jam”. Fitch was also in The Wasp Factory and The Desotos, along with Huthert, Trew, and Longden. The latter would go to be join The Desotos, after which they rebranded as Virgin Daze; and was involved with Kudos, Bite the Bullet, and Fear of Flying with Thane. Trew, in addition to The Desotos, had been in The Torpedoes, The Vulgar Bros., and White as White (and Twice as Dirty). Thane, who went on to provide the vocals and songwriting for Last Chance to Dance, Out Of Order, and Fear of Flying with Longden, regrettably passed away in 2020.
Tracks:
Gallery:
Back of sleeve for Thane’s 1980 single “Traffic Jam”. 
Side A of Thane’s 1980 single “Traffic Jam”. 
Side B of Thane’s 1980 single “Frankie Boy”. 
Back cover of 101’s “Beyond the Groove” compilation LP that included Thane. 
Thane’s 1981 single: “Romance Down The Drain” 101 Club, 101 Records, Arabella, Badge Records, Barry Thane, Bite the Bullet, Camberley, Cambridge Hotel, Clapham, Dave Moore, Dave O’Williams, Electric Eels, Fear of Flying, France, Frimley, Kudos, Last Chance to Dance, Modern Man, Neil Fitch, Out of Order, Paul Thane, Paul Trew, Phil Longden, Simon Sherwood, Specimen, Steve Cusack, Thane, The Desotos, The Fix, The Mode, The Thanes, The Torpedoes, The Vulgar Bros, The Wasp Factory, Tim Huthert, Virgin Daze, White As White, White as White (and Twice as Dirty) -
D Fabulous
(c’83-’84), Steve Hedges (vocals), SJ (vocals), Beverley Chadwick (sax), Xan Phillips (bass), Ian ‘Patsy’ Patterson (drums), and Doug McLeish (sax).
This Guildford combo were at the University of Surrey for the June Jitterbug along with Longpig, Dark Paradise, No Joy, Betrayed, and Asylum Sounds on 9 June ’84. A few months later they appeared at the Sea Cadet Hall, Guildford, on 8 September ’84, along with La Maison du Chant and Wild Lettuce.
8 September 1984: Handbill for D Fabulous’ appearance at the Sea Cadet Hall Guildford. Source: Alan and Jackie Wallis Chadwick, who was also involved with La Maison du Chants, would later co-form Casual Sax and performed with Steel Bill & The Buffalos. Bassist Phillips joined Funtime in ’84 along with Patterson, who’d previously been in Just So Stories. Hedges is brother to ex-Vapor, Michael Hedges.
Gallery:
9 June 1984: Ticket for the June Jitterbug at University of Surrey with Longpig, D Fabulous, Dark Paradise, No Joy, Betrayed, and Asylum Sounds 
D Fabulous. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Chadwick of D Fabulous. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Chadwick and McLeish of D Fabulous. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Chadwick and McLeish of D Fabulous. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes Asylum Sounds, Betrayed, Beverley Chadwick, Casual Sax, D Fabulous, Dark Paradise, Doug Mcleish, Funtime, Guildford, Ian Patterson, June Jitterbug, Just So Stories, La Maison Du Chants, LongPig, Michael Hedges, No Joy, Sea Cadet Hall, Steel Bill & the Buffalos, Steve Hedges, The Vapors, University of Surrey, Wild Lettuce, Xan Phillips -
The Compasses Inn, Gomshall
On the A25, halfway to Dorking, from Guildford, The Compasses Inn – not to be confused with The Compasses, Egham – is sandwiched by the road and the River Tillingbourne and is still hosting bands.
The Flying Tigers at The Compasses Inn, Gomshall in 1989. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel In the late 80s / early 90s it was run by Muriel & Roger Quilter. We know The Flying Tigers were at the pub in ’89 and on 15 December that year Los Dildos appeared at The Compasses Inn, followed by the Rockit Men the next night. 1989 was wrapped up by Inside Out on 30 December.
On 2 August 1990, Backlash, supported by Big Wednesday, played at the Inn followed two weeks later, on 14 August, by Three Times The Crow. The next year, Jinn House took a stop there on 26 July ’91 and we are aware that Spliff Riff appeared there in the early 90’s.
Fun fact: The inn was registered in 1829 as God Encompasses. It was reportedly so frequently mispronounced as Goat Encompasses, that this became its name. At some point the goat and the ‘En’ were dropped.
Gallery:
16 December 1989: Gig List (from unknown local rag) puts Rockit Men at The Compasses, Gomsall. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
2 August 1990: Backlash, supported by Big Wednesday, played The Compasses, Gomshall. Picture courtesy of Nathan Argonaut 
1990 gig list for Three Times The Crow. Picture courtesy of Inga Leru-Kelly 
26 July 1991: Gig Listing from TBI local newspaper has Jinn House playing Compasses, Gomshall. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Compasses Inn, Gomshall -
Lion Brewery, Ash
Sat on the Guildford Road, the Lion Brewery is another of those rare venues that hasn’t been flattened for flats, converted into a restaurant, or just no longer hosting bands. It is, and will hopefully continue to be, an active venue; and continue to be home to the Unplug the Wood acoustic jam and Unplug the Wood folk Sunday.
The Flying Tigers at Lion Brewery, Ash in 1986. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records Many a local band have played here including: The Meatheads – who had originally only formed for fun and the one gig at the Brewery, The Flying Tigers, Bus Ryde, Frantic and Van Gogh and the Earlobes.
15 July 1986: West One first gig at The Lion Brewery, Ash. Source: West One Salt Solution rocked into the brewery on 4 March ’86 and ‘Arf Cut were far from it on 31 March. Salt Solution returned on 16 April and twice in ’86, West One appeared at the venue: The Lion Brewery had the band in on 15 July ’86, then on 26 August ’86 they returned. It was also used that year for one of Backstage Pass‘ warm up gigs in the run up to their London Hippodrome gigs. Having filled the place the landlord told the band he wouldn’t be paying and that they should come back Sunday lunch to see “some proper jazzers” and that the band “might learn something” – after some encouragement they were paid.
Tarrow didn’t tarry when they launched into their set on 14 April ’88, but we must had downed a few to many at the bar in ’88 as our archive is very thin for the year. We don’t recall if Covers were a cover band or not, but they gigged at the brewery on 23 March ’89 and the Old Boy Network filled the spot nicely the next evening. The remainder of March ’89 was filled by Instinction on 26 March, The Hillbillies on 27 March, and The Little Piggy Bank on 29 March. On 12 December 1989, Who Moved the Ground? performed their third live performance there. How many bands have or go by the KGB moniker? One of them played The Lion Brewery on 14 December ’89, with Nobody Called Ruth providing the entertainment on 15 December and Rosettes on 16 December. Wildfire played a Christmas gig at The Lion Brewery, Ash in ’89 as did the Wildfire offshoot, the Rockit Men, on 28 December ’89 followed by The Press on 29 December.
The Rockit Men were back on 17 March ’90 making full use of the fox hunting subject matter on the curtain backdrop. A warm venue welcomed Cold Sweat on 11 April ’91 and Time Square played on 12 April, followed by Replay on 13 April and, on 18 April, Final Word. On 26 July 1991, The Press appeared at the pub once more.
The Lion Brewery hosted Capture the Light on 31 January ’92, then jumping to 16 April, The Blue Birds were followed by Feel the next day. The debut gig for Vox Pop went down well on 2 June ’92, with a repeat performance at the venue on 29 June, of which drummer Martin Smith noted “Ok, sound a bit shit!”; not that this stopped them returning again on 13 August ’92. Kaba were at the centre of the show on 19 September ’92 with the following night taken by the Hoi Polloli. Led by The Emeralds and Wishful Thinking‘s ex-drummer, The Brian Allen Band bought back memories of the 60s/70’s on 22 November ’92 and Stand & Deliver held the audience captive the following night.
29 June 1992: Vox Pop at Lion Brewery. Picture courtesy of Col Bird. The Electric Blue appeared there on 18 February ’93, with the Brian Allen Band rolling in once more the next night and Strike-A-Lite on 20 February. A couple of days later Fishpaste spread some cheer followed by Sweet Hooligan the next day, 23 February ’93. Lost Roberts Blues Band found the Brewery on 25 February ’93.
26 July 1986: This Breed of Heroes at the first Ash Music Festival. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman The Ash Music Festival is a charity event, organized by Michael and Lyndsey of the Lion Brewery, on the last Saturday of July every year, with a large stage for many of the finest local music bands. The first Ash Festival was held on 26 July ’86, and the opening act was This Breed of Heroes.
Gallery:
26 August 1986: West One played The Lion Brewery, Ash. Source: West One 
While the pictures of the band were taken at Lion Brewery, Ash, this Flying Tigers poster blank could be dated and put up in any venue. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
The Flying Tigers at Lion Brewery, Ash in 1986. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Flying Tigers at Lion Brewery, Ash in 1986. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Flying Tigers at Lion Brewery, Ash in 1986. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
Backstage Pass at The Lion Brewery, Ash c’86. Picture courtesy of Dave Hitchins
Wildfire at the Lion Brewery, Ash around ’89. Picture courtesy of Chris Turner 
WildFire played a Christmas gig at Lion Brewery, Ash in 1989. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
Who Moved the Ground? clipping from 7th December 1989 issue of Aldershot News. Source: Who Moved the Ground? 
17 March 1990: Rockit Men were at Lion Brewery, Ash. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Rockit Men at Lion Brewery, Ash at Christmas. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
26 July 1991: Gig Listing from TBI local newspaper has The Press playing Lion Brewery, Ash. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
The Rockit Men at Lion Brewery, Ash at Christmas. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
23 February 1993: Sweet Hooligan at Lion Brewery. Picture courtesy of Tim Naylor. 
Lion Brewery, Ash 'Arf Cut, Ash, Ash Festival, Ash Music Festival, Backstage Pass, Brian Allen Band, Bus Ryde, Capture the Light, Cold Sweat, Covers, Electric Blue, Feel, Final Word, Fishpaste, Frantic, Hippodrome, Hoi Polloli, Kaba, KGB, Lion Brewery, London, Lost Roberts Blues Band, Martin Smith, Nobody Called Ruth, Old Boy Network, Replay, Rockit Men, Rosettes, Salt Solution, Stand & Deliver, Strike-A-Lite, Sweet Hooligan, Tarrow, The Blue Birds, The Brian Allen Band, The Emeralds, The Flying Tigers, The Hillbillies, The Lion Brewery, The Little Piggy Band, The Meatheads, The Press, This Breed of Heroes, Time Square, Unplug the Wood, Van Gogh and the Earlobes, Vox Pop, West One, Who Moved the Ground?, Wildfire, Wishful Thinking -
Here Comes Jordon
(c’90) Jo Bartlett (guitar/vocal), Rudy Carroll (guitar / vocals / sax), Danny Hagan (bass), and Kevin Morey (drums).
While in Bluetrain, Bartlett and Carroll got together as an acoustic duo. They played a few venues and there were some recordings laid down in a German studio. These recordings helped secure a spot in The Singapore Festival of Arts, for which they augmented the duo with Hagan, and Morey.
Before Singapore, on 15 June ’90, Here Comes Jordon, along with The Vinegar Blossom, were scheduled to support Flowered Up at The Buzz Club at West End Centre, Aldershot. Flowered Up cancelled and Eusebio stepped in to headline. The festival in Singapore had the band appearing at Bibi’s Theatre Pub, hotel bars and shopping malls during that following week in June, performing a 40-minutes set that included “Time Sweet Time” “Angel Smile”, “Parade” and “Mercy Sake”, as well as on the festival’s main stage that was situated on Orchard Road. Sharon Lim reviewed Here Comes Jordan’s performance at Raffles City for Singapore’s The Straits Times.
Bartlett and Hagan went on to form the duo It’s Jo and Danny.
Links:
Read more about the Singapore festival on Bartlett’s Indie Through the Looking Glass
Gallery:
15 June 1990: Flowered Up supported by Vinegar Blossom and Here Comes Jordan bulled to play The Buzz Club at West End Centre, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Andy Mabbutt 
Review in Singapore’s Straits Times;. Source: Indie Through the Looking Glass Aldershot, Bibi’s Theatre Pub, Bluetrain, Buzz Club, Danny Hagan, Eusebio, Flowered Up, Here Comes Jordan, Indie Through The Looking Glass, It’s Jo and Danny, Jo Bartlett, Kevin Morey, Orchard Road, Rudy Carroll, Sharon Lim, The Singapore Festival of Arts, The Straits Times, The Vinegar Blossom, West End Centre
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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