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Help ID the Band
Over the years that we have been compiling Our Soundscene and Soundscene Does Facebook we have uncovered images of, as yet, unidentified or unrecognized ‘local’ bands. Can you help us unlock the mystery and aid our research in identifying the band and/or it’s members?
Unknown No.1
What we know: (c’20s or 30s) Reg Gibson (sax / clarinet) with ?. This Guildford dance band played at local fetes and sporting events. We know that Gibson worked at Dennis’ and also played in an ‘Old Time’ dance band with Alf Stemp, who was the organist at Stoke Church.
Unknown #1: Guildford dance band with Reg Gibson holding the clarinet. Source: Shirley Parker via Guildford Town Past & Present 
Reg Gibson of the Unknown #1 Guildford dance band. Source: Shirley Parker via Guildford Town Past & Present Unknown No.2 – Identified as Sympathy Underpants.
Unknown band #2. Picture courtesy of Alan Godfrey Unknown No.3
What we know: (c’66/’67) Adrian Haiselden kindly identified himself as the guitarist next to the drummer and the band was indeed photographed at the Methodist Hall (now part of Godalming United Church), on Bridge Road, Godalming. In the pictures with Haiselden are, going left to right: Bill Moffat (guitar), Adrian Haiselden (guitar), Steve Cowie (drums), Keith Thomas (vocals), and ? (bass). But we still don’t know what they called themselves – Anybody know?
Unknown No.4
What we know: We believe this to be a picture of Doug Hammond of possibly The Georgians Dance Band. Can anyone confirm or deny any of this information; and provide more?
Possibly Doug Hammond of possibly The Georgians Dance Band. Photograph Dave Salmon in Guildford Thank you in advance and as we uncover / process more images we’ll add to this post.
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The Linx
(c’79-’80) Les Wright (guitar), Graeme Williams (vocals), Peter Appleby (keyboards), Danny Gaines (drums), and Andy Shoesmith (bass).
Appleby and Shoesmith attended Farnborough Grammar School, and as a 13-year old, Appleby had played in Avatar in ’71. Eight years later and we’d find Appleby in Farnborough band The Linx, who are known to have played the Technical College, Farnborough; The Wooden Bridge, Guildford and Tumbledown Dick, Farnborough.
The band were supposed to support Cowboys International as part of Gallaghers’ Tuesday’s new wave / MOD / punk nights at Tumbledown Dick on 20 November ’79. They were bumped on the night in favor of Shane MacGowan’s first band, The Nips. Some weeks later they supported Portsmouth’s Virginia Doesn’t by way of recompense.
On the 3 April and 15 June ’80 the band recorded several tracks at Chestnut Studios, Churt.
Gallery:
The Linx. Source: Graeme Williams via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
Picture courtesy of Graeme Williams 
Picture courtesy of Graeme Williams Andy Shoesmith, Avatar, Chestnut Studios, Cowboys international, Danny Gaines, Farnborough, Farnborough Grammar School, Farnborough Tech, Gallagers, Graeme Williams, Guildford, Les Wright, Peter Appleby, Portsmouth, Shane MacGowan, Technical College, The Linx, The Nips, Tumbledown Dick, Virginia Doesn't, Wooden Bridge -
Bisley Pavilion, Bisley
In among the Bisley Rifle Range complex – commonly called Bisley Camp – the Bisley Pavilion has hosted many a concert, gig, dance and party. The Pavilion, built in 1924, was initially constructed as an officers’ mess on land owned by the National Rifle Association (NRA).
1 February 1973: Thin Lizzy played Bisley Pavilion. Source: www.thinlizzyguide.com On 27 January ’72, Slade performed at the Pavilion, the same day as their recording for the Pete Drummond Show on BBC Radio 1 was broadcast. Later in the year, and about the same time they appeared on German TV show, Disco, Blackfoot Sue probably performed their Top Ten UK Chart hit “Standing in the Road” on 16 November ’72. In February the next year Thin Lizzy began a round of club and university dates with the Bisley Pavilion on 1 February ’73. The next month you could have caught progressive rockers Dragonmilk on 22 March ’73, followed the week after by Hookfoot, with Sam Apple Pie in support, on 29 March ’73. Also in the 70’s: Status Quo, Queen, Christie, Roy Harper, and Emperor Rosco are supposed to have appeared there. The venue also became infamous for its Northern Soul all-nighters.
9 April 1994: Ticket for The Outcast Band, Who Moved the Ground! and Skipper at the National Rifle Range Pavilion, Bisley. Source: Blag Promotions Pete Cole put on The Outcast Band, Skipper and Who Moved the Ground? there on 6 April 1994, the day after Kurt Cobain died. In ’96 Shaun Hopwood (ex-The Old Schoolhouse, Woking), signed the lease and rented the venue from the NRA. Under the management of Hopwood, it hosted The Undercover Festival.
It closed as a music venue on 1 April 2016, forcing Wake Up Woking, scheduled for 24 June that year, to switch venue to the Rubix Nightclub at the University of Surrey, Guildford; and ending 46 years of live music. The Pavilion reopened as a shooting-orientated venue, in keeping with Bisley Ranges/Camp.
Gallery:
Bisley Pavilion membership card from ’72/’73. Source: Marion Holloman Straver via Woking Old and New (Doing it together) 
1 February 1973: Advert includes Bisley Pavilion. Source: www.thinlizzyguide.com BBC Radio 1, Bisley, Bisley Camp, Bisley Pavilion, Bisley Rifle Range, Blackfoot Sue, Christie, Disco, Dragonmilk, Emperor Rosco, Guildford, Hookfoot, Kurt Cobain, National Rifle Association, NRA, Pavilion, Pete Cole, Pete Drummond Show, Queen, Roy Harper, Rubix Nightclub, Sam Apple Pie, Shaun Hopwod, Skipper, Slade, Status Quo, The Old Schoolhouse, The Outcast Band, The Pavilion, The Undercover Festival, Thin Lizzy, University of Surrey, Wake Up Woking, Who Moved the Ground?, Woking -
Plan B
(c’83) Andy Davis (vocals), Philip Joseph (synth), Jane ‘Juggley Jane’ Ballamy (trumpet), David “Digger” Harris (drums), and Andy Robertson (sax).
As is the way the Plan A duo of Davis and Robertson, who were both in LongPig, became Plan B with the addition of La Maison du Chants‘ Joseph, Ballamy (the sister of Iain Ballamy), and Harris. We know the band played at The Royal, Guildford a few times in ’83, including a date where Funtime’s Andy McInnes guested on guitar and vocals.
Gallery:
Plan B at The Royal, Guildford 
Plan B at The Royal, Guildford 
Plan B at The Royal, Guildford 
Plan B at The Royal 
Plan B at The Royal c’83. 
Plan B at The Royal c’83. 
Plan B at The Royal c’83. 
Plan B at The Royal c’83. 
Plan B at The Royal c’83. 
Plan B at The Royal c’83. 
Plan B at The Royal c’83. 
Plan B, with guest Andi McInnes on guitar, at The Royal c’83. 
Plan B at The Royal c’83. 
Andi McInnes singing with Plan B at The Royal c’83. 
Plan B at The Royal c’83 Source: Philip Joseph via Guildford Town Past & Present -
Recreation Centre, Farnborough
Over the years the Recreation Centre, Farnborough, commonly referred to as Farnborough Rec, hosted the likes of Donald Byrd & The Blackbyrds / Fatback Band, George McCrae, KC & The Sunshine Band, Average White Band, Budgie (c’81) and Free.
11 June ’77: One-day Silver Jubilee “Rock ‘N Roll” concert. Source: Steve McKeown via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 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 Farnborough Rec. Five months later, two of those bands 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. On 23 October ’76, Alvin Stardust was supported by Paper Lace. The next year, on 4 June ’77, Caravan visited the venue. The following week, on 11 June, to mark the Silver Jubilee, there was a one-day “Rock ‘N Roll” concert featuring Screaming Lord Sutch, Shakin Stevens and The Sunsets, Flying Saucers, Rock Island Line, Thunderbird and others. On 6 October ’79, Camel played at the venue. The band had been booked to play at the Technical College, Farnborough months earlier, but had cancelled at the very last minute. Having been burnt once, the college’s Social Secretary did not want to book the band again. As a result, Cris Savill, unable to find anyone else to take it on, booked the band himself and went down to the Recreation Centre and put down the deposit. Camel’s agency charged him £1500 for the band to play, which Savill recalls as being half what Thin Lizzy charged at the time. The band lived up to expectation and reportedly performed “ICE”, from “I Can See Your House from Here”, live for the very first time – If only the venues acoustics could have done the performance justice. Tim Naylor worked on the stage crew that night and remembers the head roadie telling the crew to “Move this…but watch out…it’s heavy…”; and amazingly being right every time.
22 October 1980: B T Express appeared at Farnborough Rec. Source: Suzanne Yeomans via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia Jacques Ada and Michelle Haumont supported Ralph McTell on 26 April ’80. Some of the above-mentioned acts may have appeared at the Burlesque Club, which was held in the upstairs bar. American funk / disco group, BT Express certainly did on 22 October ’80. That same year Controls appeared int the venue’s function room. The Freer Music Talent Competition was held at the Rec in ’81; a competition that local band Vixen entered and made it to the final. Shakatak and Crosswinds were ‘live on stage’ on 28 November ’81, for the “Soul Party” with Capital Radio’s Greg Edwards and CBS Record’s first disco promotions manager Owen Washington DJ’ing. Also in late ’81 Beating Hearts debuted in the venue’s Function Suite. In ’83 the venue’s management put on a weekly Saturday night disco with a live band on the indoor bowls green. As part of this weekly events Controls played a six-week residency in the summer of that year – which was reportedly a “truly horrible experience” for the band. In ’83 or ’84, local band, Last Chance to Dance supported Dave Dee, Dozy BM&T and The Tremeloes at the venue.
18 Oct 1986: gig poster The Crypt’s ‘Psychedelic Stoned Out Of Our Heads Tour’ came to Farnborough on 18 October ’86 and featured The Magic Mushroom Band with support from Ozric Tentacles, Phoney American Accent, and local band Steel Bill & The Buffalos. The next month, local radio station County Sound presented Lindisfarne’s Christmas Show on 22 November ’86. Here & Now were supported by Blyth Power, Blue Aeroplanes, and Military Surplus RDF on 16 May ’87. Just over six months later, in January ’88, Agent Orange held a charity gig at the venue.
12 December 1992: Advert for Mega City Four at Farnborough Recreation Centre. Picture courtesy of David Lapage The Technical College, Farnborough booked Farnborough Rec on 12 December ’92 to host Mega City Four for a hometown gig, although the adverts for the event called the venue Farnborough Leisure Centre. Later Farnborough Rec developed a reputation for hosting Fusion Raves.
On 31 March 2021 Farnborough’s Recreation Centre officially closed and will be demolished.
Gallery:
8 March 1975: Pallantine, Odd-Sox, and White as White (and Twice as Dirty) were the Triple Band Spectacular put on by The Hard Rock Club at Farnborough Recreation Centre. Picture courtesy of Paul Trew 
Farnborough Recreation Centre in the mid 70s. Source: Steve McKeown via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
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 
23 October 1976. Source: fincharie.co.uk 
6 October 1979: Validated ticket for Camel at Farnborough Rec. Picture Courtesy of Martin Davies via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
1981: Vixen at the Freer Music Talent Competition, Farnborough Recreation Centre. 
1981: Vixen at the Freer Music Talent Competition, Farnborough Recreation Centre. 
28 November 1981: Shakatak and Crosswinds were ‘live on stage’. Source: Steve McKeown via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
26 April 1980: Singer-songwriter Ralph McTell appeared at the Recreation Centre, Farnborough 
22 November 1986: Lindisfarne’s Christmas Show visited Farnborough Rec. Source: Paul Roberts via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
16 May 1987. Source: Radical Dance Faction 
12 December 1992: Ticket #00032 for Mega City Four at Farnborough Recreation Centre. Source: Matt Hookway via Mega City Four 
12 December 1992: Ticket #00047 for Mega City Four at Farnborough Recreation Centre. Agent Orange, Alvin Stardust, Average White Band, Beating Hearts, Blue Aeroplanes, Blyth Power, BT Express, Budgie, Burlesque Club, Camel, Capital Radio, Caravan, CBS, CBS Records, Controls, County Sound, Cris Savill, Crosswinds, Dave Dee, Donald Byrd & The Blackbyrds, Farnborough, Farnborough Rec, Farnborough Recreation Centre, Fatback Band, Flying Saucers, Free, Freer Music Talent Competition, Fusion Raves, George McCrae, Greg Edwards, Here & Now, Jacques Ada, Johnny Odd-Sox, KC & The Sunshine Band, Last Chance to Dance, Leisure Centre, Lindisfarne, Mega City Four, Michelle Haumont, Military Surplus RDF, Narziss, Owen Washington, Ozric Tentacles, Palantir, Pallantine, Paper Lace, Phoney American Accent, Ralph McTell, Recreation Centre, Rock Island Line, Screaming Lord Sutch, Shakatak, Shakin Stevens and The Sunsets, Silver Jubilee, Steel Bill & the Buffalos, Technical College, The Crypt, The Hard Rock Club, The Magic Mushroom Band, The Tremeloes, Thin Lizzy, Thunderbird, Tim Naylor, Vixen, White As White, White as White (and Twice as Dirty), Windsor Free Festival, Wooden Lion -
The Shuffle
(c’83) Mike Reed (?), Dom Walker (?) and ?.
Played at The Royal, Guildford. Reed went on to join Screaming Lullabies.
Gallery:
The Shuffle at The Royal. Picture courtesy of Mike Reed -
The Vintners Arms, Guildford
In the 50’s, if you were lucky, you might catch Patrick McGoohan or Richard Harris grabbing a drink at The Vintners Arms. In the early-mid ’60s a folk club was held at this Guildford hostelry, whose landlord and lady’s names at the time were Nobby and Dolly. This was organized by Brian Dunt, who also performed at the club in the function room upstairs; he also performed at the folk club held at The Red House, Woking.
This folk club featured guest musicians from around the world as well as resident and local performers: Tom Dillon, Brian & Jean Dunt, Susan Bush, and Paddy Carrigys. In another connection to the local music scene, Reg “Robin Red Breast” Curtis, a past landlord’s grandson was Bert Curtis, the drummer with The Age Beaters.
Front of 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 On 22 May ’64, the folk club’s opening night, featured singer and concertina player Louis Killen. The Watersons, an English folk group from Hull performed mainly traditional songs with little or no accompaniment on 25 March ’66. The following week, Tony Rose – a London based teacher at the time – appeared on 1 April. Later that month, on 15 April, Margaret Barry, who appeared on the David Attenborough produced TV series called The Songhunter in the 50s, was accompanied by Michael Gorman, as she often was, and club regular Enoch Kent – he also performed in The Exiles. Flat picking guitarist Malcolm Price was joined by Roger Churchyard on 22 April ’66. The voice of the rag doll in Bagpuss, and co-writer with her husband John Faulkner of the music for the series, Sandra Kerr climbed the stairs to the function room at The Vintners Arms on 29 April ’66. Killen would return to the folk club on 6 May ’66, not long before emigrating to the United States. Australian, and future member of Fairport Convention and one of the founders of Fotheringay, Trevor Lucus made a triennial visit to the club on 13 May ’66. The next Friday, 20 May ’66, the club celebrated its second anniversary with: The Rakes, Gordon McCulloch, Bobby Campbell, and Malcolm Price with Roger Churchyard.
The venue closed in ’66, shortly after the folk club’s second anniversary and just over 150 years after opening. It was certainly there in 1823 and was helmed by licensed victualer Joseph Silver by 1855. The license had passed to George Smith by 1867, who lived there with his wife and five children, being replaced by Walter Costick in c’13, who was followed by Arthur Webb c’37, who may have been landlord when it was damaged by fire in ’32. Added to the Church of England’s property assets for $100k on closing, the building is still there at 36/38 North Street, used now as retail outlets. The folk club moved to The Star, Guildford.
Gallery:
Back of 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 Vintners Arms, Guildford c’60s from the collection of Mark Sturley. Picture courtesy of Ben Darnton Arthur Webb, Bagpuss, Bert Curtis, Bobby Campbell, Brian Dunt, Church of England, David Attenborough, Enoch Kent, Fairport Convention, Fotheringay, George Smith, Gordon McCulloch, Guildford, Jean Dunt, John Faulkner, Joseph Silver, Louis Killen, Malcolm Price, Margaret Barry, Michael Gorman, Paddy Carrigys, Patrick McGoohan, Reg Curtis, Richard Harris, Roger Churchyard, Sandra Kerr, Susan Bush, The Age Beaters, The Exiles, The Rakes, The Red House, The Songhunter, The Star, The Watersons, Tom Dillon, Tony Rose, Trevor Lucus, Vintners Arms, Walter Costick, Woking -
ERA
(c’93-’95) Pete Barringer (keyboards / vocals), Terry Winstanley (vocals), Dave Hitchins (bass / vocals), Darren Patoto (drums) and Danny Cundy (guitar).
ERA in Worthing in the mid 90s. Picture courtesy of Dave Hitchins. Several years after Backstage Pass, Barringer and Hitchens formed ERA. When ERA first played The Cricketers, Westfield they opened to about 30 people in the bar, not a good omen for a happy Bernie; but by the time it ended around 200 were crowded into the venue.
The band appeared a few times after that at the Cricks as well as playing further afield, such as Worthing. Graham Tull replaced Cundy on guitar and Darran Bridge became the bands third drummer around late ’94.,
Gallery:
ERA (L-R: Terry Winstanley, Dave Hitchins, Pete Barringer, Darren Patoto and Danny Cundy) 
ERA live! Picture courtesy of Dave Hitchins 
Band pic of ERA. Picture courtesy of Dave Hitchins -
The White Lyon, Worplesdon
The White Lyon was a regular music venue in the mid to late ’80s. The jazz trio called Dumb Waiter along with Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues Band, who debuted there around ’86, Piccadilly Mudmen, and The Flying Tigers played regularly.
There has been a pub on the site since the late 18th century, while the most recent building was built post-1939. The artist Sidney Sime would sit in the bar at what was then The New Inn making cartoon drawings of other characters who drank there. That was the former pub building, that survived for a few years after the new pub was built and was the headquarters of the local Home Guard during the Second World War, now replaced but the 20th century roadhouse we knew as The White Lyon.
Rockit Men at the White Lyon, Worplesdon 1989. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records On Christmas Eve ’87, The Special Sammy Rat Band, without the ‘Big Big Blues’, provided a night of Rock ‘n Roll, returning on 1 September ’88 as the full-blown Sammy Rats Big Big Blues Band. Hot Club appeared on 16 September ’88 and The Rockit Men were also rocking it at The White Lyon in ’89. The Ant Hill Mob’s debut gig was at the venue on 31 January ’91, returning on 11 April ’91. The Tamla Tigers, with their Soul, Motown and Stax numbers and Godfrey Matthews on keyboards, always packed the place out.
The White Lyon in 2018 In a prominent location of the A320 the pub closed in early 2018, reopening in late October 2018, as a dim sum restaurant, with bar, renamed White Lyon & Dragon. Closing during Covid, it did not reopen and by 2021 the building was being used as officers. As of September 2024 a planning application had been discussed for converting The White Lyon from a public house to an office and five apartments.
Gallery:
Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues Band debuted at The White Lyon, Worplesdon c’86. Source: Glyn Edwards via Guildford Town Past & Present 
24 Dec 1987: The White Lyon, Worplesdon hosted The “Special” Sammy Rat Band. Picture courtesy of Sammy Rat 
Rockit Men at the White Lyon, Worplesdon 1989. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
Rockit Men at the White Lyon, Worplesdon 1989. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
Rockit Men at the White Lyon, Worplesdon 1989. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The White Lyon, Worplesdon in 1989. Photographed by Mark Sturley and here courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records -
The Senators
(c’59) – Richard Hodby (drums), Terry Ward (guitar/vocals), and John Dixon (guitar).
Both Ward and Dixon originated in Cranleigh, while Hodby lived in Ewhurst. We know the band played at the Village Hall, Ewhurst in ’59.
The Senators folded after Ward became a Butlins’ Redcoat in Pwllheli, Wales; where Ringo Starr was the drummer with Rory Storm and The Hurricanes – Ward even ended up doing a set with the band a few times a week. Ward and Hodby went on to form the Bumblies.
Gallery:
The Senators at Ewhurst Village Hall in 1959.
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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