-
West Surrey College of Art & Design, Farnham
The Student Union at West Surrey College of Art and Design (WSCAD), aka Farnham Art College, like many in the 70s and 80’s put on gigs for their student body; and these activities bleed into the early 90’s. WSCAD was formed when Farnham School of Art merged with the Guildford School of Art in ’69, and it continued as such until ’95, when the Surrey Institute of Art & Design was created following the merer of WSCAD and the Epsom School of Art and Design in ’94.
On 27 April ’72, Skin Alley, the first non-American act to be signed to Stax, were paid to visit West Surrey Art College. The Grade-II listed Hatch Mill house and hall were occupied by the college for a while, and it was here that Fleet based Ebling Mis performed on 25 October ’73. Over a decade later Erasure included WSCAD on their BPM Tour, performing there on 1 October ’86. The following year The Larks turned up on 12 February ’87 and Cat & Mouse were there on 17 December. Many may recall The Grooveyard’s appearance at the college on 11 February ’88. Valentine’s Day ’89 was marked by a gig from Shark Taboo and ATG took to the ‘stage’ on 2 November that same year.
Jazz musician Courtney Pine, having played sax on the closing portion of the Pet Shop Boys “Nothing Has Been Proved” single the previous year, performed there on 10 May ’90. The Fat Ladys Sing were with the Gutter Brothers on 5 December ’90. We are also aware of an appearance by the James Taylor Quartet at the college in ’90, and that Beautiful People played the Wonderful World event at Farnham Art College on 8 December ’90. On 31 January ’91 the Art College, Farnham hosted the Signet Rings supported by Peachrazor – This was Peachrazor’s debut gig! On 22 November ’91, Thieves of Dreams supported Who Moved the Ground? at the College. There was also a charity gig at the college on 15 May ’93 at which J.C. Regulator played, their last before disbanding.
As with most Art Colleges, WSCAD also produced musicians and bands if its own. Farnham Art College student Bob McGarth was the nucleus of Hogsnort Rupurt for example.
Gallery:
The James Taylor Quartet at Farnham Art College Student Union in 1990. Picture courtesy of Ben Darnton 
8 December 1990: Beautiful People played the Wonderful World event at Farnham Art College. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene Art College, ATG, Beautiful People, Bob McGarth, Cat & Mouse, Courtney Pine, Ebling Mis, Epsom School of Art and Design, Erasure, Farnham, Farnham Art College, Farnham School of Art, Guildford School of Art, Gutter Brothers, Hatch Mill, Hogsnort Rupert, J.C. Regulator, James Taylor Quartet, Peachrazor, Pet Shop Boys, Shark Taboo, Signet Rings, Skin Alley, Stax, Surrey Institute of Art & Design, The Fat Ladys Sing, The Grooveyard, The Larks, Thieves Of Dreams, West Surrey College of Art and Design, Who Moved the Ground?, WSCAD -
Electric Icecream Productions
(c’90-92) John Edwards (synths / programming), and Stu Heather (vocals).
This Ash Vale / Farnborough duo, who shared a love of electronica and “robot dance”, met at Allhallows School and were both in Explodehead. When Explodehead ended in ’90, Edwards and Heather pursued the 70s/early 80s electronic pop style of Kraftwerk, OMD, Human League and early Depeche Mode to form EIP’s sound.
They did 11 gigs, mostly at The George, Ash Vale; but also at the Technical College Farnborough and The Cube, Camberley. To date we have confirmed two appearances: on 6 February ’91 the band were at The George, then on 14 April ’91, EIP performed at the The White Hart, Frimley. Five of the bands 18 songs were recorded, including “Marionette” which appeared on Farnborough Groove Vol.1 in ’91.
When the duo split Edwards went off and joined Girls on Dextrose and Heather joined Peachrazor.
Tracks:Gallery:
The Farnborough Groove; Vol.1 
Electric Icecream Productions (EIP) at Farnborough College of Technology in 1991. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole -
The River Thieves
(c’91-’95) Tim Sherrington (vocals/guitar), Steven Bray (guitar), Michael Boylan (bass) Jo Clyne (keyboards) and Paul Ruske (drums).
Originally called Home Again, in ’91, this Farnborough based combo were initially turned down for Greenbelt, but their demo and badgering got them a last minute ‘new band’ slot in The Twilight Zone. They were so well received that they filled a Main Stage cancellation the next day.
They self-released a 3-track cassette EP titled “Winter” in late ’91, and received some interest from record companies, with their U2-esque sound. This carried “Hard Rain City”, “Winter”, and “Sacrifice”. Clyne left in Oct ’91, mid gig. Around this time, a chance meeting with Tony Cummings, Cross Rhythm magazine’s editor, led to an interview in the Nov/Dec ’91 issue.
On 1 February ’92, the band supported The Ha Ha Men, along with Pretty Green and Peachrazor at the Buzz Club, held at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Five days later, on 6 February, they The River Thieves were at White Hart, Frimley with Thieves of Dreams. The next month thay accompanied Blue Velvet to Wales to perform at Lliswerry High School, Newport on 6 March ’92. Later in the year the band’s “Tear It All Down” appeared on Son of Farnborough Groove Vol.2. In Sept that year Sherrington left and went on to form ministry-orientated rock band The Electric Revival; Boylan and Bray picked up vocal duties. Return of Farnborough Grove Vol.3 carried “Winter” and the “Never Heard of ‘Em” compilation carried “Sacrifice” in ’93 and the band continued with Ruske eventually replaced by Johnny Gill to become Inter.
Tracks:
Gallery:
In ’92 The River Thieves’ “Tear It All Down” appeared on Son of Farnborough Groove Vol.2 
In ’93, Return of Farnborough Grove Vol.3 carried “Winter” by The River Thieves 
The River Thieves “Sacrifice” appeared on the “Never Heard of ‘Em” compilation cassette. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole 
The River Thieves newsletter No.2, Page 1, from January 1992. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole 
The River Thieves newsletter No.2, Page 2, from January 1992. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole 
The River Thieves pre-Oct 1991 
The Gossville Arsonist fanzine’s one-line review of The River Thieves track from The Son of Farnborough Groove Vol.2 
1st Feb 1992: The Ha Ha Men, The River Thieves, Pretty Green and Peachrazor are at the Buzz Club. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter Aldershot, Blue Velvet, Buzz Club, Cross Rhythm, Farnborough, Farnborough Groove, Greenbelt, Jo Clyne, Johnny Gill, Lliswerry High School, Main Stage, Michael Boylan, Mike Boylan, Newport, Paul Ruske, Peachrazor, Pretty Green, Steve Bray, Steven Bray, The Electric Revival, The Ha Ha Men, The River Thieves, THe Twilight Zone, Tim Sherrington, Tony Cummings, West End Centre -
Four Elms, Smithwood Common
This old rural pub on common land away from the main road, hosted the Cranleigh Folk Club in the early 70’s. Information on the folk club’s activities are very sparse, but we do know that, on 9 November ’70, British folk singer and guitarist Malcolm Price performed at the pub. Two weeks later, on 23 November, it was club singers night.
The Four Elms closed around 1997 and has since been converted into a house.
Gallery:
Page 14 from Orbit (possibly November issue) 1970. Source: Paul Pickett via Guildford Town Past & Present 
Four Elms shortly after closing in ’97 -
Eat My Shorts
(c’88) Adrian Barry (guitar), Patrick Bingley (drums), Stuart Bell (vocals) and ?.
Eat My Shorts supported The Sensory Assault and Sugar Mountain at Lightwater Country Club on 1 July ’88; one of the posters for which featured a photo montage of Eat My Shorts’ guitarist Barry’s family. NME bestowed Eat My Short the dubious award of a position in their worst band names chart. Bell was replaced by Melanie Ryan.
Both Barry and Bingley would later play with The Ha Ha Men.
Gallery:
1 July 1988: The Sensory Assault, Eat My Shorts and The Sugar Mountain played Lightwater Country Club. Picture courtesy of Nathan Argonaut 
1 July 1988: The Sensory Assault, Eat My Shorts and The Sugar Mountain played Lightwater Country Club. Picture courtesy of Nathan Argonaut -
Keith James
(c’74-’86) Keith Berry (Vocals/Guitar)
Bordon based Keith Berry built a solid solo career playing his folky popular ballads in the wine bars of Surrey and Hampshire in the late ’70s under the stage name Keith James. In ’78 he collaborated with French composer and conductor Andre Kerr, releasing four tracks as a 7″ EP on AKJ [AKJOOSI] titled “I Need You Babe”. While best known as a soloist, he would also perform backed by a band and on the 14 and 15 January ’80, Keith James was in concert with his band at the Bellerby Theatre, Guildford.
14 & 15 January 1980: Keith James with his Band played the Bellerby Theatre, Guildford. In ’81 he self-released “The Bar-Room Balladeer”, his first solo EP on his eponymous label Keith James [KJ1]. A few months later came his second release a maxi-single titled “The Tears Don’t Seem to Hurt Me Anymore’ [KJ2], a signed limited edition of 2,000. His “Songs” LP [KJ3], an album comprised of 12 self-written songs – except four which were co-written from Joe Rainey – all recorded at Chris West Studios, Weybridge – followed before the years end. West, who performed as part of Azizi from ’83-’85, was also involved, as producer, on ’82’s follow-up LP “On the Rebound” which was issued on the short-lived Paro label [Parol1]. This was accompanied by the title tracks release as a single [Para S1] with “Go For It” on the flipside.
James took part of the 1st Farnham Folk Day that took place on 18 April ’82 at The Maltings, Farnham. That same year James self-released is third LP “Early Days” [KJ4]. The “Beaujolais and Ballerinas” track from “Songs” was self-released as 7″ single [KJ5] later ’82, backed by “Space in Time”. All the time his appearances at wine bars continued and on 3 August ’83 Pews Wine Bar, Guildford hosted James. Through ’83 he would release four singles: The double A-sided “Life in the Western World / Screen, Stage, Words on a Page” [KJ6]; “Sneak a Little Time” [KJ7]; “A Bottle of Wine, Guitar and Sax” [KJ9]; and “Keep it to Yourself / Behind Your Eyes” [KJ10] which was also a double A-side.
1983’s “The Swallow” LP 1983 was also the year that saw “The Swallow” LP made and distributed on Spartan Records [KJ8]. West played guitar, mixed and produced again, but also roped in, his Azizi bandmate, Roy Villaniz on backing vocals. The mixing duties were shared with Tim Wheatley, the bassist with Gracious, House, Poker, and Taggett, and owner of Chestnut Studios, Churt and Chestnut’s Paul Travers. The LP also featured Katie Humble – not the TV presenter, but a founding member of Go West, who also toured / recorded with Spandau Ballet, Curiosity Killed The Cat, and Art Of Noise (backing vocals), Susan Hammerton (cello), Toni King (cello), Peter Stroud (double bass), Peter Williams (drums), Amanda Skeggs (flute), Simon Dean (flute), Neil Pyzer – who also performed with UBz, White Gold, Jasmine Pie, and Bloodhound (sax), Rachel Bolt – who more recently contributed to Amy Winehouse’s ‘Rehab’ amongst many other appearances (viola), and Vernon Dean (violin).
1985’s “Reach Out Today” cassette LP James broke from his normal solo live presentation once again at the Bellerby Theatre on 24 February ’84, when he was joined by a band that included a vocalist called Melanie ? . In early ’86 the cassette LP “Reach Out Today” was released, having been recorded in November ’85. Self-released once again [KJC85] it was a more scaled back affair, with the only other musical contributor being Trevor Grant on classical guitar, who also co-wrote three of the tracks. Later in ’86 James released another cassette LP titled “In Perspective” [KJC86].
He went on to record sessions for BBC Radio 2 and tour the UK and Europe, as well as performing in the USA and Brazil. Towards the end of the 80’s he set up his own recording studio, which would later become Dream of Oswald Studio, Henley on Thames, popular with Folk, Blues and Jazz artists.
Tracks:
Gallery:
1978’s “I Need You Babe” 
Side 1 of “1981’s “Songs” 
Side 2 of “1981’s “Songs” 
Portrait photograph of Keith James from 1981’s “The Bar-Room Balladeer” single 
Front sleeve of 1981’s self-released EP “The Bar-Rom Balladeer” 
Front sleeve of 1981’s self-released EP “The Bar-Rom Balladeer” 
Front sleeve of 1981’s “The Tears Don’t Seem To Hurt Me Anymore” 
Back sleeve of 1981’s “The Tears Don’t Seem To Hurt Me Anymore” 
18 April 1982: Poster / Flyer for The 1st Farnham Folk Day. Source: Ian Anderson via Historic Farnham Town And Surrounding Villages 
Sleeve front of 1982’s “On the Rebound” LP 
Sleeve back of 1982’s “On the Rebound” LP 
1982’s Early Days LP 
Front Sleeve of 1982’s “Beaujolais And Ballerinas” single 
Back sleeve of 1983’s “The Swallows” LP 
Inner dust sleeve front of 1983’s “The Swallows” LP 
Inner dust sleeve back of 1983’s “The Swallows” LP 
Front Sleeve of 1983’s “A Bottle Of Wine, Guitar and Sax” 
Back Sleeve of 1983’s “A Bottle Of Wine, Guitar and Sax” 
Clipping from Woking News & Mail’s Soundscene column of 1 March 1984 
1986’s “In Perspective” cassette sleeve Amanda Skeggs, Amy Winehouse, Andre Kerr, Art of Noise, Azizi, BBC Radio 2, Bellerby Theatre, Bloodhound, Bordon, Chestnut Studios, Chris West, Chris West Studios, Curiosity Killed The Cat, Dream of Oswald Studio, Farnham, Farnham Folk Day, Frensham, Go West, Gracious, Guildford, Henley on Thames, House, Jasmine Pie, Joe Rainey, Katie Humble, Keith Berry, Keith James, Neil Pyzer, Paro, Paul Travers, Peter Stroud, Peter Williams, Pews Wine Bar, Poker, Rachel Bolt, Roy Villaniz, Simon Dean, Spandau Ballet, Spartan Records, Susan Hammerton, Taggett, The Maltings, Tim Wheatley, Toni King, Trevor Grant, UBz, Vernon Dean, Weybridge, White Gold -
King’s Biscuit Boys Jug Band
(c’65-’68) – Jim Cook (bass), Brain Page (guitar), Ian May (harmonica/vocals) and Mick Moore (jug).
We have very little on the King’s Biscuit Boys Jug Band, although they were sometimes just called King’s Biscuit Boys, but we do know that they performed at the Borough Hall, Godalming.
Cook also played bass in Whisker Davies Blues Stormers and would go on to join May, who’d previously replaced William Neal in Smokestakks, in Spirit Level. Page rehearsed with the Whisker Davies Blues Stormers, but it’s unclear if he joined the band.
Gallery:
The King’s Biscuit Boys Jug Band on stage at the Godalming Borough Hall. L-R is Mick Moore, Ian May, Jim Cook, and Brian Page. Picture courtesy of Brian Page -
The Colour Red
(c’88-’90) Harry Tuttle (?), Julia Duthie (vocals), Chris Lethbridge (drums) and ?.
Tuttle left late in 1989. The band supported It Bites at the Civic Hall, Guildford on 2 April ’90. Later that month The Colour Red appeared at The Railway, West Hempstead (6 April); Compasses, Egham (7); Three Lions, Godalming (11); Mean Fiddler, Harlesden (17); and The Cricketers, Westfield (20).
Duthie had previously been in Innocent Bystanders, going on to work in IT before holding the CEO position at Academy of Contemporary Music, Guildford and The True School of Music, Mumbai. She is now a best-selling author. Tuttle, then of X-It joined The Button Factory for a couple of gigs, notably at The Cricketers, Westfield in April ’90. Lethbridge had been in Dreaming in Colour.
Gallery:
The Colour Red to support It Bites at the Civic Hall, Guildford on 2 April 1990. Clipping from Staines & Ashford News 29 March 1990
Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/Academy of Contemporary Music, Chris Lethbridge, Civic hall, Compasses, Dreaming in Colour, Egham, Godalming, Guildford, Harlesden, Harry Tuttle, Innocent Bystanders, It Bites, Julia Duthie, Mean Fiddler, Mumbai, The Button Factory, The Colour Red, The Cricketers, The Railway, The True School of Music, Three Lions, West Hempstead, Westfield, X-It -
The White Hart, Frimley
A regular venue for local bands The White Hart, Frimley held an annual Battle of the Bands through the late ’80s into the early ’90s.
Last Chance to Dance outside The White Hart, Frimley (l-r: Proctor, Dando, Reece, Thane, and Johnson). Picture courtesy of John Proctor. But live music has been preset at The White Hart for at least three decades prior to the Battle of the bands competitions. In the early ’50, the High Curley Stompers moved out of The Victoria Hotel, Camberley to the pub, with sessions held in an upstairs room with the audience on hard wooden chairs and a raffle, often for an LP, at the back. Last Chance to Dance used the venue as the backdrop to their promo picture in ’83/’84 and Magic Moments at Twilight Time appeared at The White Hart on 26 July ’87. The ‘leader’ of Magic Moments at Twilight Time, Mick Magic was then one of the judges for the pub’s Battle of the Bands in 1990. Flowers of Sacrifice competed that year, and one of the other judges was purportedly a devout Christian, thought the band were Satanists and gave them zero points – they didn’t win.
On 14 April ’91, Electric Icecream Productions performed at the venue. The following year we find The River Thieves and Thieves of Dreams seized the opportunity to play The White Hart on 6 February ’92. The next month, on 28 March, it was Who Moved the Ground? who moved in. The 16 April saw a couple of sets by Kio, then on 20 June, Blue Velvet played. It wasn’t just the indie, rock, and blues bands of the day that cropped up at The White Hart, on 22 September ’92 the Cricketers Jazz Band bopped by and the next month, on 24 November, the Savoy Stompers skiffled.
The 1992 Battle of the Bands at The White Hart, Frimley. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter The pub’s Battle of the Bands held in late ’92 featured twenty bands over 10 nights: Pomeroy battled Minister on 28 November, Study in Scarlet fought Nuff the next night, Sideways combatant was Serious Plankton on 3 December, Big Wednesday confronted Full Shred on 4 December, Who Moved the Ground? engaged Peachrazor on 5 December, Crazy Wings of Freedom clashed with Colour Stock on 6 December, Boogiemen challenged Trousershock BC on 17 December, One About the Sheep skirmished with Maxmillian on 18 December, Cross Reference crossed swords with Story of Man on 19 December, and the final opening round battle went down on 20 December between Watch the Turtle and Dead Calm. Who won each bout and went onto the next round and who eventually triumphed is currently lost to time…
21 February 1993: Sweet Hooligan played The White Hart. Picture courtesy of Tim Naylor. On 19 February ’93, the pub hosted Inner X, followed on 21 February ’93 by Sweet Hooligan. The next month, on 13 March, there was three band special featuring Peachrazor, Jonah’s Pram and Red Ribbed Arousers. Peachrazer. who had gone on before Red Ribbed Arousers, according to Daren Thorpe were all rock ‘n roll and collected all the money. The Arousers did get their money after visiting Thorpe at home armed with the truth. The following year, Who Moved the Ground? released their 2nd single and included The White Hart in the promo tour itinerary. Skipper accompanied Who Moved the Ground? on 8 October ’94. In July ’95 Serious Plankton played their last ever gig at The White Hart, going on before Sons of Selina – who also reportedly left with all the money. We finally find Doctor Rocket visiting The White Hart on 16 December ’95.
As best we can tell the venue has not hosted any live music since 2017, when there was a band most Friday nights. Certainly, as we go to press, there are no bands listed on Greene King’s events page for the pub…
Video:
Gallery:
White Hart, Frimley (date unknown). Source: Neil Parker via Camberley, Frimley & Bagshot & surrounding areas, Some Serious History 
The White Hart, Frimley in 1971. Source: Steve McKeown via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
Azizi at The White Hart, Frimley c’83 
Azizi at The White Hart, Frimley c’83 
Symons of MMATT at The White Hart, Frimley 26 July 1987. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic 
Lancaster of MMATT at The White Hart, Frimley 26 July 1987. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic 
Peachrazor at The White Hart, Frimley on 5 December 1992. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter 
Adrian Creek’s column from the 11 March 1993 suggests attending the Peachrazor, Jonah’s Pram and Red Ribbed Arousers gig at The White Hart, Frimley. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter 
Red Ribbed Arousers, Peachrazor and Jonah’s Pram played The White Hart, Frimley on 13 March 1993. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter 
On 5 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? 
Sons Of Selina at The White Hart, Frimley in July 1995. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic 
Doctor Rocket list their gigs in the December 1995 issue of the Basingstoke ragzine Donut Vol.8; including a gig at The White Hart, Frimley on 16th December 1995. Source: www.razrazzle.wordpress.com 
Inter at the White Hart, Frimley in 1996, when they were 3-piece. Source: Inter 
Inter at the White Hart, Frimley in 1996, when they were 3-piece. Source: Inter 
Inter at the White Hart, Frimley in 1996, when they were 3-piece. Source: Inter Battle of the Bands, Big Wednesday, Blue Velvet, Boogiemen, Camberley, Colour Stock, Cricketers Jazz Band, Cross Reference, Daren Thorpe, Dead Calm, Doctor Rocket, Electric Icecream Productions, Flowers of Sacrifice, Frimley, Full Shred, Greene King, High Curley Stompers, Inner X, Jonah’s Pram, Kio, Last Chance to Dance, Magic Moments at Twilight Time, Maxmillian, Mick Magic, Minister, Nuff, One About the Sheep, Peachrazor, Pomeroy, Red Ribbed Arousers, Savoy Stompers, Serious Plankton, Sideways, Skipper, Sons of Selina, Story of Man, Study in Scarlet, Sweet Hooligan, The River Thieves, The Victoria Hotel, The White Hart, Trousershock BC, Watch the Turtle, Who Moved the Ground? -
The Members
(c’76-83) Nick “Nicky Tesco” Lightowlers (vocals), Gary Baker (guitar), Steve Morley (bass), and Steve Maycock (drums).
This Camberley punk band was started by Tesco with Baker in Camberley, along with Morley and Maycock. Maycock was replaced by Clive Parker (drums) early on. In ’76, the band’s first gigs were all in London and Jean Marie “JC” Carroll (vocals / guitar) was invited to join in ’77, with his first gig with the band supporting the UK Subs at the Red Deer, Croydon.
Thanks to an interview with Malcom Wyatt we know that Carroll’s desire to get into music was triggered by T-Rex (Nov ’70) and David Bowie’s (May ’73) gig’s at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Stints in a number of school bands followed and after a chance meeting at The Three Mariners, Bagshot; he and Graham Parker produced a two-track bedroom demo; but clerking at a bank was his lot until The Members.
“Solitary Confinement” was The Members first single released for Stiff Records and produced by Larry Wallis. They put out “Fear on the Streets”, produced by Steve Lillywhite as a demo, which was picked up by Beggars Banquet and put on the labels first release, the punk compilation “Streets” in ’77. “Solitary Confinement”, with its incorporation of reggae, introduced the band’s softening and was their first single. Released on Stiff Records in May ’78, it was produced by Larry Wallis and became record of the week in NME. The promotion for this single is probably what secured The Members the headline slot at Brighton’s Festival Fringe held at Top Rank, Brighton on 16 May ’78 with The Piranhas and Nicky & the Dots in support. A change in personnel kept Tesco, Carroll and Lillywhite, but replaced Morley and Parker with Chris Payne (bass) and Adrian Lillywhite (drums), the brother of the “Fear on the Streets” producer.
13 May 1979: The Members played the Civic Hall, Guildford. Source: Jonathan Piers Butler via Guildford Town Past & Present Through ’78/’79 the band played the London circuit and toured the UK supporting – along with The Magnets – Eddie and the Hot Rods in ’79 that visited the Civic Hall, Guildford on 26 March ’79, and the Locarno, Portsmouth the next night, the on to Kingswest, Brighton on 28 March ’79. The band would headline the Civic Hall two months later on 13 May. They were getting regular mentions in the music press and championed by John Peel, with two sessions in ’79 and one in ’81. On 26 June ’79 the band headlined at Sheffield University.
The Members’ first album, “At the Chelsea Nightclub” [V2120] was released in ’79 In ’78 they had signed to Virgin Records, putting out the bands biggest chart success “The Sound of the Suburbs” – a moniker appropriated by the current ‘punk/new wave/alternative’ night at The Holroyd, Guildford. “Offshore Banking Business”, the follow-up single, was not so well received. The Members’ first album, “At the Chelsea Nightclub” [V2120] was released in ’79 and quickly followed by a second, both on Virgin, titled “1980 – The Choice Is Yours” [V2153] which was recorded with the addition Steve “Rudi” Thomson (sax) and Simon Lloyd (horns / keyboards). We know the band were touring in early ’80, including a visit on 23 April to Routes, Exeter. “1980 – The Choice Is Yours” it turned out was their final album. They toured the US in ’81, with Bruce Springsteen attending their Stone Pony, Asbury Park appearance, and coming backstage after the show; with a reciprocal invite when he come to England. “1980…” was issued in the US as “Uprhythm, Downbeat” in ’82, and it surfaced in the UK a year later, re-titled “Going West”. It carried the singles “Radio,” which made the Top 10 in Australia, and “Working Girl,” the music video for which gave the band exposure on MTV. The band dissolved in ’83, when Tesco left the band following a US tour.
Lillywhite went on to collaborate with Bruce Foxton after The Jam split in ’82, to record what would eventually be known as Touch Sensitive. He then joined the band King in the mid-’80s just before their second album. Lloyd joined the Australian band Icehouse, remaining with them for their charting “Electric Blue” and “Crazy.” Tesco appeared in the film “Leningrad Cowboys Go America” in ’89, about a fictional Russian rock band touring the US; which then actually toured and recorded “Thru the Wire”, written by Tesco. Tesco also worked as a journalist for Music Week and has commented on new releases for BBC 6 Music’s “Roundtable”. Carroll had a solo career and co-ran The Dispensary, Notting Hill Gate with Sophy Lynn from the late ‘80s onward, expanding to four shops popular with the early acid house scene and counting Kylie Minogue as a customer. Carroll also worked as a film and TV score composer with credits for Don Juan DeMarco (’94) and Loch Ness (’96) and a number of music documentaries, plus a prog-rock opera “The Golborne Variations”. Parker went on to form Lopez and the Waveriders after leaving The Members.
In 2007, The Members were reunited at The Inn on the Green, London. In 2008, Carroll, Payne and Nick Cash resumed touring. In 2009 a new single “International Financial Crisis” (a re-write of “Offshore Banking Business”) was released, recorded by Tesco, Carroll, Payne and Bennett. This line also played Glastonbury and Isle of Wight festivals. Carroll, Payne and Rat Scabies (drums) performed from 2010 to 2013, playing over 90 shows including 3 European tours and New Zealand and Australian tours. In 2012, the Members released their fourth studio album, “InGrrLand”, featuring Carroll, Payne, Bennett, Cash and Rat Scabies. In December 2013, Nigel Bennett rejoined the Members. Nick Cash rejoined The Band in 2014, the year they tour the US. In 2015, the band began work on their fifth studio album in studios in London and West Byfleet featuring a nucleus of Carroll, Cash, Payne and Bennett together with guest appearances from Guy Pratt and former The Jam guitarist Steve Brookes. “One Law” was released in early 2016.It was announced, on 26 February 2022, that Tesco had died, at the age of 67.
Gallery:
“Fear on the Streets”, produced by Steve Lillywhite as a demo, which was picked up by Beggars Banquet and put on the labels first release, the punk compilation “Streets” in ’77 
16 May 1978: The Members headlined at Brighton’s Festival Fringe held at Top Rank, Brighton with The Piranhas and Nicky & the Dots in support. 
27 March 1979: The Members, along with Magnets, supported Eddie and the Hot Rods at the Locarno, Portsmouth. 
28 March 1979: The Members, along with Magnets, supported Eddie and the Hot Rods, at Kingswest, Brighton. Source: punkbrighton.co.uk 
26 June 1979: THe Members played Sheffield University, Sheffield. 
23 April 1980: The Members played Routes, Exeter. 
16 May 1979: The Members headlined at Top Rank, Brighton with Piranhas, and Nicky and the Dots in support. Source: punkbrighton.co.uk 
The Members’ first album was quickly followed by a second, on Virgin, titled “1980 – The Choice Is Yours” [V2153] 
The Members’ first album was quickly followed by a second, on Virgin, titled “1980 – The Choice Is Yours” [V2153] 
Sleeve back of The Members’ first album, “At the Chelsea Nightclub” [V2120] was released in ’79 Adrian Lillywhite, Asbury Park, Bagshot, BBC 6 Music, Beggars Banquet, Brighton, Bruce Foxton, Bruce Springsteen, Camberley, Chris Payne, Civic hall, Clive Parker, Croydon, Eddie and the Hot Rods, Exeter, Festival Fringe, Gary Baker, Glastonbury, Graham Parker, Guildford, Guy Pratt, Icehouse, Isle of Wight, Jean Marie Carroll, John Peel, King, Kingswest, Kylie Minogue, Larry Wallis, Locarno, London, Malcolm Wyatt, Music Week, Nick Cash, Nick Lightowlers, Nicky & The Dots, Nicky Tesco, Nigel Bennett, NME, Notting Hill Gate, NTV, Portsmouth, Rat Scabies, Red Deer, Routes, Sheffield, Sheffield University, Simon Lloyd, Sophy Lynn, Steve Brookes, Steve Lillywhite, Steve Maycock, Steve Morley, Steve Thomson, Stiff Records, Stone Pony, The Band, The Dispensary, The Holroyd, The Inn on the Green, The Jam, The Magnets, The Members, The Piranhas, The Three Mariners, Top Rank, UK Subs, Virgin Records, West Byfleet
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person