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  • The Stranglers

    The Stranglers

    (c’74- to date) Jean-Jacques Burnel (bass, voacals), Brian “Jet Black” Duffy (drums), Hans Warmling (keyboards/guitar), and Hugh Cornwell (guitar/vocals).

    Stranglers at The Nashville Rooms, West Kensington in ’76

    Many believe they started out as The Guildford Stranglers, and indeed on 11 September 1974 they officially registered their business name in Guildford as such – although none of the band were originally from Guildford. Black had been a semi-professional drummer in the late 50s / early 60s, but also went into business owning a fleet of ice cream vans, and later running “The Jackpot” off-license, at 61 Woodbridge Road, that would become the base for The Stranglers in the early days. Cornwell, who had played bass in a band called Emil & The Detectives with Richard Thompson, embarked on his post-grad in Sweden where he formed a band call Johnny Sox with Hans Warmling, Jan Knutsson, Gyrth Godwin and ‘Chicago Mike’ in late ’72.

    Johnny Sox. Source: @StranglersA

    Then in ’73, Cornwell decided to move back to London, persuading the other members of ‘Johnny Sox’ to move with him. Johnny Sox came to the UK, without guitarist, keyboardist and saxophonist Warmling. This group played in London’s pubs and clubs, like The Newlands Tavern, Peckham on 17 January ’74, The Brecknock Arms, Camden – which is now called The Unicorn – and The Lord Nelson. Black joined the band, after auditioning in a squat in Camden in the early summer 1974; to replace the original drummer ‘Chicago Mike’ who, thanks to the US announcing an amnesty on draft dodgers, went home. Burnel also joined the line-up after being given a lift by Godwin. On vacation from Sweden, at Cornwell’s request, Warmling joined the group in the latter half of ’74, and they dropped Johnny Sox in favor of The Guildford Stranglers, before settling on The Stranglers; but they’ve also gigged as Oil & The Slicks, The Chiddingfold Chokers & The Old Codgers.

    The Jackpot Off-Licence was in former brewery building on Lower Farnham Road, Guildford. Photo by EAW Tyrell here courtesy of Bens Collectors Records.

    In early ’74 they recorded “I Know It” for a demo, that included “Charlie Boy”, “Country Chaser (instrumental)”, “White Wedding” and “Make You Mine”. They played their first gig as The Stranglers at The Star, Guildford on 21 December 1974. The Quarry Street hostelry now carries a blue PRS for Music Heritage Award plaque. The band supported 50’s retro group Fumble on 28 Jan ’75 at the Technical College, Farnborough, playing a cover of Johnny B Goode among other covers. This was arranged by Guildford based teen impresarios, Mike and Richard Ashworth of Wax Promotions. The band continued to build a following within the mid-70s pub rock scene; including a short-lived lunchtime residency at The Royal, Guildford. They also played alternate Wednesdays at the North Camp Hotel’s Gaiety Bar.

    Warmling was unhappy with The Stranglers’ musical direction and left the band, exiting the tour bus and the band itself suddenly while traveling to a gig in North London. Warmling and Cornwell did not meet again until ’94. Dave Greenfield (keyboards), who’d been in The Initials, The Blue Maxi, Rusty Butler, and Credo, replaced Warmling in July ’75 after answering an advert in Melody Maker; and played his first gig with The Stranglers on 24 August ’75. That same year, Black sold his businesses – 61 Woodbridge Road was scheduled for demolition anyway – and moved the Stranglers into a cottage at Lilian Place, Chiddingfold that they rented from a Mr Ruben.

    The house at Lilian Place, Chiddingfold. The Stranglers home in ’75

    The band rehearsed at Bramley Village Hall, Shalford Scout Hut and Brook cricket pavilion. It was at one of these that three schoolgirls left a note for them, reading: “To the group in the shed. We like your music and you. Why not go professional? You’re good enough.” In the Spring of that year, about the time the “The Stranglers are coming – they’re Strangtastic” graffiti appeared in the subway by the railway station and on a number of hoardings in the centre of Guildford, they recorded a demo of “Bitching” at Foel Studio, Llanfair Caereinion, Powys with Ian Gomm producing. Eric & Dave’s Christmas Party at The Nashville was held on the 18, 19 and 20 December ’75 with Albert Y Los Trios Paranoias supported by The Stranglers. A short-term recording deal with Safari Records scheduled the release The Stranglers first single in ’75, however Safari Records reneged on the deal to release “My Young Dreams” through a lack of cash. The track was finally released in ’82 by EMI to fulfill a contract. Strapped for cash Cornwell took a temporary job as a teacher, Burnel gave private French lessons, and Greenfield and Black became piano tuners/repairers.

    In May ’76, The Stranglers opened for Patti Smith’s first UK appearances, playing The Roundhouse, London for two nights – 16 and 17 May – as part of the ‘Horses Tour’. Two months later, on 4 July, The Stranglers opened for the first British appearance of American punks The Ramones, also at The Roundhouse, a gig that was headlined by The Flamin’ Groovies; repeating the show the next night at Dingwalls, Camden. 1976 was spent playing about 350 gigs; including a week long residency at the Hope & Anchor, Islington on 13-17 July and a home turf appearance at ‘Rock At The Royal’ organized by Ray “Bonza” Bradman at The Royal, Guildford on 1 August 1976. Here they were billed as Punk Rock, but as any follower of the band will know this ‘Punk’ moniker is highly debated. NME’s Chas de Whalley referred to them having ‘all the punk poise of the Electric Prunes.’ in early ’76, while The News of the World, in April, named Cornwell as ‘the guru of punk’…the debate: Punk, New Wave or Pub Rock? goes on

    1 August 1976: The Stranglers played ‘Rock At The Royal’ organized by Ray “Bonza” Bradman.

    They signed to United Artists for £40,000 in December ’76, resulting in debut album “Rattus Norvegicus”. Now, the rat pictured on “Rattus Norvegicus” was, like The Stranglers, also from Guildford. It belonged to Mark Taylor whose mother, Jane Burton, took the shot that would eventually become the album cover.

    The rat pictured on Rattus Norvegicus was, like The Stranglers, Guildfordian.

    In January ’77, The Stranglers were featured in T. Moon’s Sideburns fanzine No.1, and Fox Leisure booked the band to play the Red Deer Croydon on 20 January, and the Toby Jug, Tolworth on 24 January ’77. They closed out the month supporting Climax Bles Band at the Rainbow Thearte, London on 30 January ’77. The next month, on 9 February, they played the Centre Halls, Woking. The band also appeared at the Rider Open Air Festival, Scheeßel, Germany on the 3 or 4 September ’77, along with two other local talents, namely Camel and Graham Parker, back by The Rumour. Prior to the release of “No More Heroes” on 23 September ’77; they released their third single, “Something Better Change” which was taken from the album. It made No.9 in the UK Singles Chart. It was also double A-sided with the song “Straighten Out”, a non-album track. Locally, the bands reception in Chiddingfold and Guildford could be best described as chilly. Guildford council had banned them from playing at the Civic Hall, even when they were No.1 in the album charts. According to Steve Baker, Hugh Cornwell said “we spent 2 hours moving all the chairs off the dance floor and someone has put them back, please be good boys and girls and put the chairs neatly against the walls please”. Two minutes later there was a pile of 400 broken chairs in the middle of the dance floor. Not really a riot, just people wanting to dance to the music. The London Borough Council also took issue with the band, banning them for wearing t-shirts emblazoned with “Fuck” in the form of the Ford logo at The Rainbow Theatre. In November ’77 there were more ‘issues’. On 12 November ’77 the band were to play at The Tivoli Theatre, Dublin. But they didn’t show, with the audience only seeing the support acts, The Radio Stars and The Vipers and a goodly dose of fighting. The previous night at Trinity College, Dublin was marred by violence and lots of gobbing, with the band deciding to give the Tivoli a miss – Not that those at Tivoli got an explanation at the time.

    On the bands ‘return’ to Guildford for their 1978 appearance at the University of Surrey for the BBC TV programme Rock Goes to College, the group walked off stage because an agreement to make tickets available to non-university students had not been honoured. “Social Secs” was written after that BBC “Rock goes to College” debacle.

    In February 1978 the Stranglers began a mini-tour, playing three secret pub gigs at the venues that supported them in the early days: The Duke of Lancaster, New Barnet; The Red Cow, Hammersmith; and The Nashville Rooms, West Kensington. They also return to the Civic Hall, Guildford, this time there was a heavy police presence and steel toe-capped boots, belts and anything dangerous looking was confiscated at the door. The band graced Brighton, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stafford, Leeds, and London with their tour from late May to early June ’78. Over the coming years along with great gigs and music they brought strippers onstage at their open-air Battersea Park gig in September 1978; tied a female NME journalist up and left her in a Portuguese desert after a particularly vitriolic review in September ’79. On 7 October ’79 they appeared at the Apollo, Glasgow followed, on 14 October, by a gig at Top Rank, Sheffield. That same year they bound French TV journalist Antoine De Caunes halfway up the Eiffel Tower.

    In June 1980 they were all jailed for inciting a university riot in Nice. On 2 March ’81 the band hit the Winter Gardens, Cleethorpes with Modern Eon in support, who also opened at the Pavilion, West Runton three days later, on 5 March ’81. French new wave band Taxi Girl, whose “Seppuku” LP was, produced by Burnel and featured percussion from Black, toured the UK in ’81, opening for The Stranglers on their La Folie tour; this included the Lyceum, Sheffield on 28 November ’81. “La folie” was the band’s sixth studio album, and was released on 9 November ’81, through the EMI record label Liberty. The Stranglers, supported by Boys in Darkness, played the Student Union at Sheffield City Polytechnic on 21 January ’82 and signed to Epic Records later that year. Jet Black was also regularly seen at The Kings Head, Guildford, along with The Jam‘s Bruce Foxton for House gigs.

    Cornwell left in 1990 because he felt the band was spent and citing increasingly acrimonious relationships with his fellow band-members, particularly Burnel. He was replaced by John Ellis, who had opened for them in the 70s as a member of The Vibrators and had filled in for Cornwell during his time in prison for drug possession in 1980. On 25 February ’91, The Stranglers first UK gig without Cornwell was held at The Old Trout, Windsor.

    Paul Roberts (lead vocals) joined in 1990. In 2000, Ellis left the band and a new guitarist and ex-bassist with Toy Dolls, Troubleshooters, Small Town Heroes (who had supported The Stranglers in ’95) and Sun Devils, Baz Warne, was recruited. In May 2006, Roberts left the band, and The Stranglers were now back to a four-piece line-up: Burnel, Black, Greenfield and Warne.

    In 2007 it was announced that Black was suffering from atrial fibrillation, leading to several years of illnesses and absences from gigs where he was temporarily replaced by his full-time drum technician Ian Barnard. The bands 2013 annual tour kicked off in March with Drummer Jim “McDrum” Macaulay – who had history with Envy & Other Sins, Eliot Sumner, and Emmy the Great – playing the first half and Black the second. Black continued to appear sporadically, with Macaulay subbing, as his health deteriorated. Black last performed with the band at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on 20 March 2015 and officially retired in 2018 at the age of 79. On 6 December 2022, at the age of 84, Black passed. Roughly two an half years earlier Greenfield had passed, on 3rd May 2020, following a stay in hospital for heart problems where he tested positive for the Covid-19 and sadly lost the battle. Greenfield’s last appearance with the band was on 15 February 2020 at the Town Hall in Auckland, New Zealand. Toby Hounsham, who has previously played with Rialto, Mungo Jerry, Soft Watches and The Hype to name four; has been playing keyboards with The Stranglers since Greenfield’s untimely demise.

    Warmling drowned in a boating accident on the 12 October ’95, aged 52, in Harryda, Gotenburg. Ellis started Chanoyu Records in 2009 to release his own music. Warne’s car was sent airbound and landed upside down in December 2005, a crash from which he emerged unharmed. He continues to write, record and perform.

    Over the course of four plus decades the band have scored 23 UK top 40 singles and 17 UK top 40 albums. On 13 October 2000, Cornwell returned to Chiddingfold to play a gig at the Ex-Serviceman’s Club.

    Gallery:

    The Strangers’ off license home
    The Stranglers, 1975
    Jet Black’s off-license “The Jackpot”. Source: Jonathan Piers Butler via Guildford Town Past & Present
    1975: The Stranglers played New Windsor Castle in ’75 (month is unknown at this time).
    18, 19 and 20 December 1975: Albert Y Los Trios Paranoias were supported by The Stranglers at the Nashville Rooms. Source: Malcolm Wyatt via a Stranglers Forum
    8 March 1976: The Stranglers supported Pink Fairies at the Marquee. Source: Ulrich Wegener via Keep It Out Of Sight
    23 March 1976: The Stranglers, supported by The Snakes, were at The Nashville, London. Source Ulrich Wegener via Keep It Out Of Sight
    Early picture of The Stranglers – This was possibly taken at the Red Cow in 1976, but on display at The Star, Guildford. Picture courtesy of BBens Collectors Records
    13-17 July 1976: The Stranglers were in residency at The Hope & Anchor, Islington (Clipping from June ’76 publication unknown). Source: Steve Merry via Keep It Out Of Sight
    Stranglers gig review in Sniffin’ Glue from August ’76
    1 October 1976: The Stranglers played Erics, Liverpool. Source: John Martin via Keep It Out Of Sight
    Page 2 of T. Moon’s profile of The Stranglers, including a 16 December 1976 interview with Jett Black for Sideburns No.1
    Page 3 of T. Moon’s profile of The Stranglers, including a 16 December 1976 interview with Jett Black for Sideburns No.1
    Page 4 of T. Moon’s profile of The Stranglers, including a 16 December 1976 interview with Jett Black for Sideburns No.1
    Page 5 of T. Moon’s profile of The Stranglers, including a 16 December 1976 interview with Jett Black for Sideburns No.1
    2 January 1977: The Stranglers along with Little Bob Story and The Gorillas supported Pink Fairies at the Roundhouse, NW1. Source: Henry Mcnicol‎ via Keep It Out Of Sight
    20 and 24 January 1977: The Stranglers played the Red Deer, Croydon, and Toby Jug, Tolworth respectively.
    30 January 1977: The Stranglers supported Climax Blues Band at Rainbow Theatre, London
    January 1977’s “(Get A) Grip (On Yourself) / London Lady” 7″ single sleeve. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
    January 1977’s “(Get A) Grip (On Yourself) / London Lady” 7″ single sleeve. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
    The Stranglers were featured in T. Moon’s fanzine Sideburns No.1, January 1977.
    Page 1 of T. Moon’s profile of The Stranglers in the Sideburns No.1 fanzine from January 1977.
    May 1977’s “Peaches / Go Buddy Go” 7″ single sleeve. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
    May 1977’s “Peaches / Go Buddy Go” 7″ single sleeve. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
    The Stranglers have a spot of bother with Guildford Council according to Record Mirror, 28 May 1977.
    July 1977’s “Something Better Change” was The Stranglers 3rd single. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
    Record Mirror interviewed Jet Black for the 13 August 1977 edition. A year prior they were playing at The Royal, Guildford.
    3 & 4 September 1977: Camel, Stranglers, and Graham Parker all on the bill for Rider Open Air Festival in Scheeßel, Germany. Source: www.omegaauctions.co.uk
    6 October 1977: Poster for The Stranglers at Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk
    6 October 1977: Poster for The Stranglers at Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk
    6 October 1977: Ticket for The Stranglers at Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk
    The Stranglers backstage at Winter Gardens, Malvern on 6 October 1977. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk
    Dave Greenfield and Hugh Cornwell back stage at Winter Gardens, Malvern on 6 October 1977. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk
    Jean-Jacques Burnel in the dressing room at Winter Gardens, Malvern on 6 October 1977. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk
    Hugh Cornwell oon stage at Winter Gardens, Malvern on 6 October 1977. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk
    Hugh Cornwell on stage at Winter Gardens, Malvern on 6 October 1977. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk
    Hugh Cornwell oon stage at Winter Gardens, Malvern on 6 October 1977. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk
    30 October 1977: The Stranglers at Top Rank, Reading; at which they were supported by The Dictators. Source: John Berry via ‎The Reading & Thames Valley Area “Memories of another day”
    8 November 1977: The Stranglers supported Johnny Curious at The Rochester, Stoke Newington and it was free! Source: Rob Jarvis via Keep It Out Of Sight
    12 November 1977: Ticket for Tivoli Theatre, Dublin: The Stranglers w/ The Radio Stars
    22 February 1978: Ticket for The Stranglers at Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk
    May/June 1978
    22 September 1978: Poster for The Stranglers at Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk
    26 May 1979: The Stranglers headined the first day of the Loch Lomand Rock Festival. Source: Ulrich Wegener via Keep It Out Of Sight
    7 October 1979: The Stranglers played the Apollo, Glasgow
    14 October 1979: The Strangler at Top Rank, Sheffield
    2 March 1981: Winter Gardens, Cleethorpes: The Stranglers w/ Modern Eon
    5 March 1981: The Stranglers supported by Modern Eon. Source: Mark Lattaway via West Runton Pavilion… gone but not forgotten.
    28 November 1981: Partial ticket for The Stranglers at The Lyceum, Sheffield.
    21 January 1982: Ticket No.0373 for The Stranglers at Sheffield City Polytechnic.
    26 January 1982: The Stranglers Civic Hall poster from the collection of Pat Conroy. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
    The Stranglers signed to Epic Records in 1982
    19 March 1990 and The Stranglers are at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Source: Chewtonia.
    25 February 1991: The Stranglers first UK gig without Cornwell was held at The Old Trout, Windsor. Source: Edwardo Isdead via The Old Trout, Windsor – we still miss you
    Hugh Cornwell returned to Chiddingfold on 13th October 2000 to play a gig at the Ex-Serviceman’s Club. Picture courtesy of Steve Excell.
    It’s Malcolm Wyatt’s old badge collection, including example/s from The Stranglers. Picture courtesy (I stole it) of Malcolm Wyatt
    Stranglers’ pins. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records
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  • Giant Arc

    Giant Arc

    (c’91-93) Dave ? (bass), Michael ? (guitar). Lee Rumble (drums), Geoff Hawkes (vocals / guitar).

    On 14 June ’91, Giant Arc entered The Buzz Club‘s Midsummer Madness Band Competition at the West End Centre, Aldershot; where they competed against Red In Bed, Close Quarters, 33AD, and Lou Sends. Who made it to and won the final on 22 June is currently lost to the mists of time.

    Sleeve for 3 track demo “Time Becomes A Monster”. Picture courtesy of Sid Stovold

    They released the “Time Becomes A Monster” demo cassette in late ’91 having recorded the 3 tracks: “Hunters”, “Burn” and “Care” at Vons Studio, Islington that Autumn with production by Otteran ‘Ott’ Langrell, and Lee Rumble taking care of the mix. Another of their tracks, “Fire Up The Sun”, appeared earlier in ’91, as the very last track on the B-side of Farnborough Groove Vol.1, and was described by local music critic Adrian Creek as a “turgid effort”.

    On 7 April ’92, Giant Arc were at Ragamuffins, Camberley for a student party; ten days later, the band appeared with Peachrazor, Flowers of Sacrifice, Nuss, and Girls on Dextrose at Barney Rubbles, Lakeside Caberet Club, Frimley on 17 April ’92. They were back at The Buzz Club on 9 May ’92 supporting The Deep Season, with Flavour and Pomeroy.

    9 May ’92: Giant Arc supported Deep Season, with Flavour and Pomeroy

    Later that year, on 1 September, Giant Arc supported Dragonflies at The George, Ash Vale. The following year, “Hunters” popped up on “Return Of Farnborough Groove Vol.3. “Fire Up The Sun” also appeared on Farnborough Groove Best of Volumes 1-10 in December 2015.

    Tracks:

    Gallery:

    3 track demo cassette “Time Becomes A Monster”. Picture courtesy of Sid Stovold
    The Giat Arc track “Fire Up The Sun” appeared earlier in ’91, as the very last track on the B-side of Farnborough Groove Vol.1. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole
    Giat Arc’s “Fire Up The Sun” also appeared on Farnborough Groove Best of Volumes 1-10 in December 2015. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole
    Giant Arc’s “Hunter” was included on Return of Farnborough Groove Vol.3 in 1993. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole.
    17 April 1992: Giant Arc with Peachrazor, Flowers of Sacrifice, Nuss, and Girls on Dextrose are at Barney Rubbles at Lakeside Caberet Club, Frimley. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter
    14 June 1991: West End Centre info sheet covering the first rounds of the Buzz Club’s MidSummer Madness local band competition. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter
    Giant Arc supported dragonflies at The George, Ash Vale on 1 September1992 according to this unidentified fanzine gig list. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter
    7 April 1992: Giant Arc were at Ragamuffins for a student party. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole

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  • Big Sun

    Big Sun

    (c’91-’92) Rod Pireira (guitar / vocals), Matthew Wheatley (drums / vocals) and Wil ? (bass vocals).

    Big Sun T-Shirt. Source: Graham Burgess

    Formed by Pireira, lead singer of Frantic, and managed by Sean Connor, who worked at Princes Hall, Aldershot; one of their earliest gigs saw them step in for Railroad Earth at Princes Hall on 1 May ’91 with Trousershock BC and Peachrazor in support. The next month, on 13 June, they entered The Buzz Club‘s Midsummer Madness Band Competition at the West End Centre, Aldershot; where they competed against Frayed Edge, Palmaviolet, Sliver, Who Moved The Ground?, and The Cesspit Rebels. Who made it to and won the final on 22 June is currently lost to the mists of time. More gigs with Trousershock BC followed, including a tense one on a Saturday in North Camp to a bunch of drunk squaddies. Their last local gig we have records for at this time was a headliner at Ragamuffins, Camberley on 6 August ’91. At the end of the year, on 11 December ’91, Big Sun supported The Shapes and Crystal Injection at Butterfly Evolution Club, Bull & Gate, Kentish Town.

    Big Sun’s Promo 7″ single release pack. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole

    During ’91 they released a promo 7″ single [BS 1] on Headfull Records called “Welcome to The Realm of Doctor POP (Pt. 1)” carrying “Toys and Television“, and “Elizabeth“ on the B-side; recorded at Jacob’s Studio, Farnham with Ken Thomas producing and engineering and The Music Room, Churt with Paul Travers producing and engineering. The B-side featured additional backing vocals by Jo Machin and Sean Connor on keyboards.

    Big Sun’s track “Ravachol” was included on Son of Farnborough Groove Vol.2 in 1992. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole

    In ’92 “Ravachol” was included on Son of Farnborough Groove Vol.2, a track that receive a neutral review by The Gossville Arsonist fanzine standards.

    Tracks:

    Gallery:

    B-side of Big Sun’s Promo 7″ single on Headfull Records. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole
    A-side of Big Sun’s Promo 7″ single on Headfull Records. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole
    Info sheet from Big Sun’s Promo 7″ single release pack. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole
    Info sheet from Big Sun’s Promo 7″ single release pack. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole
    Sleeve of Big Sun’s Promo 7″ single release. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole
    11 December ’91. Big Sun supported The Shapes and Crystal Injection at Butterfly Evolution Club. Source: Mick Mercer via BULL & GATE MEMORIES – remembering all who sailed in her musical tidal wave
    The Gossville Arsonist fanzine’s one-line review of Big Sun track from The Son of Farnborough Groove Vol.2
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  • The Vinegar Blossom

    The Vinegar Blossom

    (c’89-’92) Paul Maguire (bass), Alan Mansbridge (drums), Dave Driscoll (guitar), Gary Wollen (guitar) and Paul Haskell (vocals).

    The Vinegar Blossom’s first published track was “Quality Seems Totally Foreign…” on the ‘Something’s Burning In Paradise Again…’ shoegaze compilation put out on the Subtle label [Subtle 001] in November ’89. This was a numbered edition, released with an A5, 28-page fanzine, containing a feature page on each of the bands from the tape [Ed – If any one has a copy do send pic of the VB page]. That same year, the You Can’t Be Loved Forever No.2 fanzine came with a compilation cassette compiled by Phil and Malcolm Powell of Angel Talk that carried The Vinegar Blossom’s “Perfection Found In Good Health”.

    The following year, a possibly reworked “Quality Seems Totally Foreign…” appeared on the ‘Instants Of Pleasure’ compilation cassette released on the Blam-A-Bit label [BLAM 001] in 1990 in Germany as “Quality Is Foreign To Me”, for Fleet based The Vinegar Blossom were popular in Germany.

    But, before that The Vinegar Blossom’s second gig saw them supporting The Charlatans at The Buzz Club at the West End Centre, Aldershot. This was also the night that the band had asked Danny Hagan to manage them and The Charlatans asked Vinegar Blossom if they’d support them on a few dates later in the year. On the 29 May the band played the first of three dates with The Charlatans at Portsmouth Polytechnic, the next night they were at the Bierkeller, Bristol and on 1 June they supported at the Nelson Mandela Building, on the University of Sheffield campus. This was also the year they were supposed to support Flowered Up, with Here Comes Jordan, at The Buzz Club on 15 June. Flowered Up cancelled and Eusebio stepped in to headline.

    Sometime in ’91 “Perfection Found in Good Health” was included on the “It’s All About Love” compilation cassette on the Smuf label [SMUF 003]; and later that year – September ’91 – they released “Absence of A Choice”, a 7″ single in Germany on the A Turntable Friend label [TURN 06], having recorded it at Studio Poisson, Crondall, with Patch Hannon, who has also produced Bennet and The Audience, as Engineer. This was backed by “Perfection Found in Good Health” on which Steve Collings played drums.

    A local band night at the Buzz Club saw The Vinegar Blossom take to the stage with Slug, Phobia, The Rachel Papers and Flavour on 4 January ’92. Then on 28 March ’92 the band entered the Echoey Groove Studio at Bracknell Arts Centre and recorded a live demo which included “Don’t Go Raising Your Spirits Around Here”. It’s unclear if this was before or after the Andreas Hering compiled the “Everlasting Happiness” compilation cassette that included the band’s “Solstice”. After spending 16 months compiling the cassette, Hering released it in Germany sometime in ’92.

    Two more compilation inclusions appeared over the years including: The Eleanor Linwood compiled “Out Of The Blue” which included the bands “Virginia Court” and a bio in a 16 page self-styled ‘mini-booklet’ that only came with some of the cassettes [Ed – again any picture of that would be great]. The newest compilation, a six-sided A Turntable Friend retrospective, was released in 2017 in Germany and titled “The Test of Time”, as CD [TURN50CD] and LP [TURN50LP] carrying “Perfection Found In Good Health”.

    Tracks:

    Gallery:

    The Vinegar Blossoms are featured on the ‘Out Of The Blue’ cassette fanzine. Source: Tom A Deakin via Mega City Four
    The Vinegar Blossoms “Virginia Court” is 5 on Side Two of the ‘Out Of The Blue’ cassette fanzine. Source: Tom A Deakin via Mega City Four
    15 June 1990: Flowered Up cancelled, but Vinegar Blossom and Here Comes Jordan supported Eusebio instead. Picture courtesy of Andy Mabbutt
    Vinegar Blossom – Everlasting Happiness compilation insert
    Vinegar Blossom on Instant Pleasures compilation 1990
    Vinegar Blossom on You Can’t Be Loved Forever No.2 compilation 1989
    Vinegar Blossom on You Can’t Be Loved Forever No.2 compilation 1989
    13 January 1990 and Vinegar Blossom play The West End Centre. Source: ipernity.com
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  • The Buzz Club

    The Buzz Club
    17 November 1985

    The Buzz Club, organized / promoted by Jo Bartlett and Danny Hagan, lasted 7 years, mainly out of The West End Centre, Aldershot, but it started on 17 November 1985 at The Agincourt, Camberley with That Petrol Emotion supported by The Mighty Lemon Drops. This was followed by The Blow Monkeys, also at The Agincourt, with the promoters’ own band Go! Service and Zaz Turned Blue, named after a song from the 1983 Was (Not Was) album ‘Born to Laugh at Tornadoes’, supporting on 1 December. A few months later the headliners were in the charts with ‘Digging Your Scene‘.

    1 December 1985: Buzz Club ticket for The Blow Monkeys. Source: Karen Stratton via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia

    By early December ’85, The West End Centre had become the club’s home, with the first gig there being The June Brides on 7 December, again with Go! Service in support. The next gig, with Terry & Gerry and Inspector Tuppence & The Sexy Firemen moved to The Princes Hall, Aldershot as the heavy snow on the roof of The West End Centre on 16 February ’86 was deemed unsafe. The next month (15 March) the Skiff Skats were booked and The Buzz Club was back at The West End Centre. After a local band night, featuring Screaming Hearts, Inspector Tuppence and the Sexy Firemen, New Tennessee Waltz, and Zaz Turned Blue; The June Brides were back supported by The Dessert Wolves on 24 May. A Certain Ratio played on 14 June then The Pale Fountain in September. The next month Andy White (as seen on Whistle Test) was booked with support by New Tennessee Waltz and local band The Bridge. On 15 November ’86, Steel Bill and the Buffalos, supported by West One, FRA, and Second Balcony Jump, headlined a local band night. They were joined by The Jeremiahs.

    15 November 1986: Flyer for Steel Bill and The Buffaloes supported by West One, FRA, and Second Balcony Jump. Source: West One

    Then ’87 opened with The Brilliant Corners on Saturday 10 January, with Bluetrain (promoters new band) and Second Balcony Jump in support. 7 February bought Mighty Mighty to The West End Centre supported by The Jeremiahs and The Bridge. Primal Scream made their first visit to The Buzz Club, supported by Passmore Sisters and North Of Cornwallis, on the 5 December.

    5 December 1987: Primal Scream, Passmore Sisters, and North of Cornwallis at The Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole.

    McCarthy, supported by The Dead Beats and The Aurbisons appeared on 9 January ’88. The Raw Herbs backed out of their 5 March ’88 appearance at Buzz (moving to a June date) and Bluetrain filled their spot. A couple of Brighton bands: Blow Up and 14 Iced Bears come up to Aldershot for the 2 April Buzz. As re-scheduled The Raw Herbs appeared on 4 June supported by Rodney Allen and Poke It With A Stick. On 18 June there was a farewell Buzz Club, as Bluetrain along with the club promoters and band members, Bartlett and Hagan, were off to the states. Along with Bluetrain, The Jeremiahs, Sugar Mountain, Crimplene Explosion, The Aubersons, and The Splendids took to the stage.

    After a short hiatus, for Blue Train’s US sojourn, The Buzz Club returned. On 11 March ’89, Madchester came to Aldershot in the form of The Stone Roses, who had just wrapped up recording, mostly at Battery Studios, London, their debut LP with producer John Leckie. They were ably supported by Jive Turkey and Reading based The Colour Mary. The following month, on 15 April, Morrisey’s ‘favorite band’, Bradford came to Aldershot. Farnborough’s Mega City Four, supported by Senseless Things and The Eclairs, at The Buzz Club on 24 June that year. International Resque’s ‘Butlins or Bust’ tour visited the Buzz Club on 9 September 1989. Then, almost two years after their first appearance, on 21 October ’89, Primal Scream were back with The Ruby Tuesdays and Something Pretty Beautiful in support. Now, If you were a little brassic and couldn’t afford the entry fee into the main Buzz Club you could hang in The West End Centre’s bar and catch recently released band videos and some bands doing acoustic sets on the Jim Jiminee “stage”.

    Fleet based The Vinegar Blossom‘s second gig saw them supporting The Charlatans at The Buzz Club on 13 January ’90. On 16 April ’90, After The Dream and This Witness supported The Deep Season. Two months later, on 15 June, Flowered Up were to be supported by The Vinegar Blossom and Here Comes Jordan. Flowered Up cancelled and Eusebio stepped in to headline at The Buzz Club. Later in the year, on 17 November ’90, Five Thirty swung by the Buzz Club as part of their Air-Conditioned Nightmare tour, which was released on 5 November…

    On 16 February 1991 the Buzz Club saw the Manic Street Preachers headline, supported by Phobia and The Hysterics. Ben Corbett, of Phobia, recalls Manic’s Ritchey Edwards asking if there was a coffee machine backstage. Jumping to 7 June ’91 and the Buzz Club hosted Levitation supported by The Spinning Jennies, and Fabtoo. From the 12 to 15 June ’91, The West End Centre hosted The Buzz Club’s MidSummer Madness qualifying rounds, for the final on 22 June. Four qualifying rounds of the best local bands saw: Hung Inverted, Big Wednesday, My Blue Heaven, Not Just A Pretty Face, and Something Religious competed on 12 June; Frayed Edge, Palmaviolet, Sliver, Who Moved The Ground?, Big Sun, and The Cesspit Rebels on 13 June; Red In Bed, Close Quarters, 33AD, Giant Arc, and Lou Sends on 14 June; and Scorpio Rising, Peachrazor, and Trousershock BC on 15 June. Who made it to and won the final on 22 June is currently lost to the mists of time. The Dylans, who were touring their Stephen Street-produced self-titled debut album, supported by Some Have Fins and Gyroscope, took to the West End Centre’s stage on 19 October ’91. A couple of months after they recorded their one and only Peel Session, Midway Still headlined the Buzz Club on 30 November ’91, with Milk and Apple Creation in support.

    A local band night at The Buzz Club saw Flavour, Slug, Phobia, The Rachel Papers and The Vinegar Blossom take to the stage on 4 January ’92.Local band night on 1 February ’92 saw The Ha Ha Men headline, with support from The River Thieves, Pretty Green and Peachrazor. The cousin of Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson, Rob and his band mates in Catherine Wheel played the Buzz Club on 14 March ’92, with support provided by Godmachine and The Werefrogs. Another local band night on 9 May ’92 saw The Deep Season supported by Flavour, Giant Arc, and Pomeroy. Adorable, having just released ‘I’l Be Your Saint’ gigged at The Buzz Club on 18 July ’92, when they were supported by local band Mayflower 20. Later in the year, and two days prior to the release of their a second single “Metal Mickey”, which reached number 17 in the charts, Suede headlined the club on 12 September 1992, with support from Arcade and Submarine. The last Buzz Club listing for ’92, that we have found, puts Trousershock BC, Slug, Sunriser and Who Moved The Ground? at the club on 21 November.

    On 30 January ’93 the Buzz Club had Poise and Flavour supporting Cornershop. The next month the club hosted Godmachine on 27 February ’93, supported by Medicine and Rosa Mota, shortly after their single “Home” peaked at No. 65 in the UK Singles Chart in January. On 12 June ’93 Kinky Machine took to the Buzz Club stage, supported by Elastica. Elastica were back on 2 October ’93; the Buzz Club had booked The Afghan Whigs, who reneged and were replaced by San Francisco-based power pop band, The Loud Family. Support on the night was supposed to be provided by Jacob’s Mouse and Poise. While Poise did appear, Jacob’s Mouse also went back on their promises and were replaced by Elastica. The final Buzz Club ran later that year, on 4 December ’93, and Barlett and Hagan’s Poise opened for Shed Seven and headliners Dodgy; just as their band Go! Service, along with Zaz Turned Blue, had opened for The Blow Monkeys, seven years earlier, at The Agincourt, Camberley on 1 December ’85.

    Ed – There will be more to come…

    Further Reading:
    Indie Through The looking Glass – Jo Bartlett’s own post, with fantastic pictures and recordings
    Highways, islands, and Magic Moments, The Jo Bartlett Interview – Malcolm Wyatt’s feature/interview with Jo Bartlett for WriteWyattUK

    Gallery:

    17 November 1985
    The Mighty Lemon Drops at Agincourt
    1 December 1985: Buzz Club flyer for The Blow Monkeys, supported by Go! Services and Zaz Turned Blue held at The Agincourt, Camberley. Source: Karen Stratton via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia
    Jo Bartlett booked The Blow Monkey’s for The Buzz Club, when it was still at The Agincourt. A few months later they were in the charts with ‘Digging Your Scene‘.
    McCarthy, supported by The Dead Beats and The Aurbisons, 9 Jan 1988
    1989 – The Stone Roses supported by Jive Turkey and The Colour Mary and Bradford at The Buzz Club
    24 June 1989: Mega City Four supported by The Eclairs at The Buzz Club…
    24 June 1989: Mega City Four with Senseless Things, and The Eclairs at Buzz Club, Aldershot. Source: Robert Horrocks via Mega City Four
    24 June 1989: Mega City Four with Senseless Things, and The Eclairs at Buzz Club, Aldershot.
    9 September 1989: International Resque hit the Buzz Club, Aldershot. Source: International Resque
    21 October 1989: Primal Scream, The Ruby Tuesdays and Something Pretty Beautiful were at The Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole
    21 October 1989: Ticket for Primal Scream, The Ruby Tuesdays, and Something Pretty Beautiful at The Buzz Club, Wes End Centre, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole
    13 January 1990
    1990: A number of Buzz Club items on this West End Centre, Aldershot info sheet. Source: Who Moved The Ground?
    15 June 1990: Flowered Up were to be supported by Vinegar Blossom and Here Comes Jordan! Picture courtesy of Andy Mabbutt
    17 November 1990: Five Thirty played the Buzz Club. Advert from Record Mirror 10 Nov ’90. Image courtesy of Pete Cole
    1991
    7 June 1991
    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
    19 October 1991: The Dylans, supported by Some Have Fins and Gyroscope. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene
    30 November 1991 – Midway Still headlined, with Milk and Apple Creation in support, at The Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene
    Catherine Wheel played the Buzz Club on 14 Mar 1992.
    14 March 1992: Catherine Wheel played the Buzz Club with Godmachine. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene 
    9 May ’92: The Deep Season supported by Flavour, Giant Arc, and Pomeroy. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene 
    Advert for Adorable’s single listing their gig at The Buzz Club on 18 July ’92, when they were supported by local band Mayflower 20
    12 September 1992: Suede with support from Arcade and Submarine., were at the Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: Alan Bush
    12 September 1992: Suede with support from Arcade and Submarine., were at the Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: Alan Bush
    12 September 1992: Suede with support from Arcade and Submarine., were at the Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene
    21 November 1992: Trousershock B.C., Slug, Sunriser, and Who Moved The Ground? played the Buzz Club and the West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: Who Moved The Ground?
    Buzz Club Access All Areas pass from 16 Jan ’93. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter
    30 January 1993: Cornershop, Poise and Flavour were the Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot.
    27 Feb 1993: Buzz Club hosted The God Machine, supported by Medicine and Rosamota. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene
    June ’93 NME review of Elastica’s gig at The Buzz Club, at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Elastica were supporting Kinky Machine on tour. Picture courtesy of David Lapage
    2 October 1993: The Afghan Whigs were replaced by San Francisco-based power pop band, The Loud Family, and Jacob’s Mouse were replaced by Elastica. Poise still appeared. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene
    4 December 1993: Dodgy, Shed 7, and Poise. Source: Indie Through the Looking Glass
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  • J.C. Regulator

    J.C. Regulator

    (c’92-01) Kev Billing (bass), Dick(ie) Earll (drums), and Bruno Skrastins (guitar / vocals).

    3 July 1995: J.C. Regulator playing outside the Princes Hall, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman

    This Aldershot / Farnham band formed in July ’92, as The Johnson County Regulators, a 4 piece comprising: Edwin Barnes (guitar/vocals), Earll, Billing and Skrastins; and rehearsing at The Workhouse Rehearsal Studios, Sebastopol Road, Aldershot. Barnes, who had worked in A&R at Blast First Records in London, wrote all the lyrics, suggested the name shortening, and was a major driving force in this early J.C. Regulator.

    The plan was to utilize Barnes’ network there to secure potential gigs with the labels roster of signed bands. Some dates playing with the American band Band of Susans were thought to be in the offing, so J.C. Regulator booked local gigs to prepare themselves for “the big time”. By the end of the year they had successfully completed two gigs, on the 4 and 30 December at The Fox & Hounds, Fleet and The George, Ash Vale; with Eskimo Shah, respectively. After playing 8 gigs and recording a 3 song demo cassette, it was clear by the Spring of ’93 that the Blast First plan was not going to happen.

    The band were occupying the carpet at The George once again on 26 January ’93, with Wicked Vicar. On 24 April ’93, the band spent the day recording at Washouse Studios, Brighton with Andy Neal (Jah Nellie), returning on 2 May for the mix. But all was not well. Earll wanted to leave and after auditions to find a replacement came up empty, the band folded 2 months after a charity gig at Farnham Art College on 15 May. Then, on 3 July 1995: J.C. Regulator played on the steps outside the Princes Hall, Aldershot.

    J.C. Regulator rehearsing c’92 at Workhouse Rehearsal Studios, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman

    In August, Billing, Earll and Skrastins got together for a jam at The Workhouse and decide to reform. They started writing new material and local promoters suggested they retain the name and so J.C. Regulator was reborn as a 3 piece. They also recommenced rehearsing at the Workhouse. On 30 October ’93 they were back recording at The Washouse, with additional recording on 7 November and vocals on 18 November; then mixing on 29 November.

    “Sold As Seen” demo cassette sleeve. Picture courtesy of Sid Stovold

    1994 consisted of steady gigging with the likes of Suck Henry, Who Moved The Ground?, Big Boy Tomato, and Serious Plankton. Their appearance, on 14 April ’94, where they were joined by Redefining Beautiful, in supporting Suck Henry at The Shed, South Hill Park, Bracknell, saw the band described by the reviewer for Wokingham Times as ‘the highlight to my evening’. On 10 July ’94, J.C. Regulator performed at the Woking Raft Race held at Goldsworth Park. They also spent 6 days recording and mixing at their studio of choice, Washouse. The three-piece released the “Sold As Seen” demo cassette EP in early 1995 having recorded all 5 tracks at the Washouse, Brighton with Jah Nellie at the sound desk. The gigging increased across 1995. In April ’95 there was a short, 12-day tour of Germany and Poland with Who Moved The Ground?

    J.C. Regulator’s Bedford Bandwagon / European tour van, somewhere in Poland 1995. Source: Who Moved The Ground?

    Shortly before leaving, the Ford Transit van that was to be used by both groups was trashed in an accident. Billing saved the tour by finding and buying at very short notice a replacement Black and Yellow Bedford. Only Billing, Earll and Skrastins could get insurance at such short notice; so loaded with all seven people, instruments, backline amps and drums the three of them shared the driving of the Bedford. It was a tight fit; but the van was surprisingly good on fuel economy and ran fast and sweetly.

    On 18 April the bands played Leipzig; on 21 April the two bands played Kino Teatr Tecza, Warsaw with Polish crust/punk band Sanctus Iuda; and back for a repeat performance in Leipzig on the 25 April. All was going well until the Bedford Bandwagon’s engine died in the early hours of 27 April, about 8 miles short of the German/Swiss border, en route to Zurich for the final show of the tour. The gig was cancelled and both bands had to head back to the UK in hire cars, arriving home on 29 April. The van meanwhile was taken to a garage and deemed a write-off. The insurance company had it towed back to the UK, where it arrived, with both bands gear on board, two weeks later.

    Bedford Bandwagon breaks down just short of the German/Swiss border in April ’95. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman

    We also know from an Ashamed & Bored fanzine review that they supported Satellite Beach with DC Rhino at Aldershot’s West End Centre, pumping out “songs which had a throttled pop edge” with Bruno’s voice described as “cool…a distinctive, throaty garble.” The band’s track “Go For It” appeared on the B-side of Farnborough Groove Strikes Back (Vol.5) in ’95 and they appeared again in ’96 with “Paradise Found” on the A-side of The Best Farnborough Groove in the World – Ever! (Vol.6). Earll left the band in ’96 and was replaced by Adrian Pringle, but we are uncertain if that was before a headline spot, reviewed in the Gerfump! fanzine, back at The West End Centre on 22 March ’96, with Headnoise and Sandwhich Box in support, where they knocked out “New Horizons” and “Nice Try Julie” as part of their set. The night before they had played South Hill Park, Bracknell supporting Elevate, who were fresh from supporting The Flaming Lips and Papas Fritas. Later in the year, On 23 November ’96, J.C. Regulator performed at Farnham ’96; this one-day festival was presented by Shed Club and Bluefire/Snakebite City. and included Dweeb, Posh, Supermodel, Chuck, Inter, Redwood, The Hairy Things, The Bigger God, Pharmacy, PA Skinny, Twister, Avalanche and Snowball. The band were back in a supporting role again, on 10 October ’97, at The West End Centre, Aldershot, this time for Animals That Swim and Twister. The band closed out with an appearance at the Snakebite City New Years Eve Party, with Ex Boyfriends, Inter, Cornered, and Breaker.

    The bands’ cover of “Leaving on a Jetplane” was published on Bluefire Records’ “Snakebite’s Coming Home” compilation (released between volumes 8 & 9 of Snakebite City). In 1998, the German Meller Welle Produkte label put out a compilation CD titled ’25 – A Silver Jubilee’ [MEL 25] that included J,C. Regulator’s “There’s Always One”. In late ’98 the band went into hiatus; reconvening in ’99 with Paul Mackenzie on drums this time. Towards the end of the year, they spent several weekends recording in Studio 125 in Burgess Hill, Sussex. The result was the recording of a 16 track LP, titled “The Wyoming Cattle Wars (and other short stories)”. The album was never released, as the members work/life commitments forced the band into on/off intermissions.

    A couple tracks from these sessions did appear on Farnborough Groove and Snakebite City. “Barry & Cody Live in Leeds”, Vis The Spoon’s debut poetry album, featured a specially commissioned electronic reworking of a J.C. Regulator track from the Snakebite City compilations. The band reappeared on Farnborough Groove Vol.9 with “Mandy” in 2001. While their songs appeared on these compilations their gigging continued until 2001 with regular appearance at the West End Centre and Shed Club.

    J.C. Regulator c2002. Photo by Pete Cole and here courtesy of Bruno Bannerman

    In January 2002, the band got together with original drummer Earll and new recruit Patrick James Sullivan on lead guitar. Sullivan, a veteran of Soundscene area bands including West One, Blue Velvet, Ghandarva and others, was was a highly competent and technical guitarist and added significantly to J.C. Regulators’ sound. On 13 April, the new line up played their debut gig together supporting Vex Red with Mindwire and others at The Big Day In at the Civic Hall, Guildford.

    On the 13 April 2002 a reformed J.C. Regulator supported Vex Red with Mindwire and others at The Big Day In at the Civic Hall, Guildford.

    A few weeks later the band gave what was reportedly one of their best ever performances, playing a support slot at The Verge, Camden. That same year there was to be a 4-track vinyl EP (Ed – we can’t find it) and they were organizing the Bucket & Spade Experience tour. However, just as things began to look up, work and life got in the way again and the band broke up one final time.

    Skrastins had been in The F1-11s before J.C. Regulator.

    Tracks:

    https://soundcloud.com/wokingsoundscene/go-for-it-jc-regulator
    https://soundcloud.com/wokingsoundscene/mandy-jc-regulator
    https://soundcloud.com/wokingsoundscene/new-horizons-jc-regulator
    https://soundcloud.com/wokingsoundscene/paradise-found-jc-regulator
    https://soundcloud.com/wokingsoundscene/sometimes
    https://soundcloud.com/wokingsoundscene/theres-always-one-jc-regulator

    Gallery:

    14 April 1994: Review of Suck Henry, Redefining Beautiful, and J.C. Regulator from Wokingham News 5 May 1994 issue. Image courtesy of Matt Harding.
    10 July 1994: J.C. Regulator performing at the Woking Raft Race, Goldsworth Park. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman
    JC Regulator c’94. L to R: Dick Earll, Bruno Skrastins, and Kev Billing. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman
    J.C. Regulator and Who Moved The Ground?’s Bedford Bandwagon outside the Leipzig venue where they played on the 18 and 25 April ’95. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman
    21 April 1995: Who Moved The Ground? and J.C. Regulator played Kino Teatr Tecza, Warsaw, Poland as part of a short tour of Germany and Poland. Source: Who Moved The Ground?
    21 April 1995: Who Moved The Ground? and J.C. Regulator played Kino Teatr Tecza, Warsaw, Poland as part of a short tour of Germany and Poland. Source: Who Moved The Ground?
    J.C. Regulator’s Earll, doing a stint driving the Bedford Bandwagon April ’95 on the first early morning shift based on the state of the Mohawk. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman
    J.C. Regulator’s “Go For It” appeared on the B-side of Farnborough Groove Strikes Back (Vol.5) in ’95
    Review of JC Regulator gig at the West End Centre, Aldershot on 22 March 96, in Gerfump fanzine. Picture courtesy of The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene
    In ’96 J.C. Regulator’s “Paradise Found” was on the A-side of The Best Farnborough Groove in the World – Ever!; Vol.6
    23 November 1996: Flyer for Farnham ’96 presented by Shed Club and Bluefire/Snakebite City. JC Regulator performed at this one-day festival. Source: Sarah Drover via Inter
    23 November 1996: Flyer for Farnham ’96 presented by Shed Club and Bluefire/Snakebite City. JC Regulator performed at this one-day festival. Source: Sarah Drover via Inter
    J.C Regulator appeared at the Snakebite City New Years Eve Party, with Ex Boyfriends, Inter, Cornered, and Breaker in 1996? (Need to confirm date). Picture courtesy of Simon McCormack
    10 October 1997: J.C. Regulator are supporting Animals That Swim and Twister.
    From 13 April 2002’s The Big Day out ‘brochure’. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene
    J.C. Regulator’s “Mandy” appeared on Farnborough Groove; Vol.9
    The bands cover of “Leaving on a Jetplane” was published on Bluefire Records’ “Snakebite’s Coming Home” compilation.
    A specially commissioned electronic reworking of a J.C. Regulator track, from the Snakebite City compilations, appeared backing a poem on Vis The Spoon‘s debut poetry album “Barry & Cody Live in Leeds”
    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
    J.C. Regulator’s Barnes. Photo by Nick Higgins and here courtesy of Bruno Bannerman
    J.C. Regulator’s Barnes. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman
    J.C. Regulator’s Adrian Pringle c’96/’97. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman
    In 1998, the German Meller Welle Produkte label put out a compilation CD titled ’25 – A Silver Jubilee’ [MEL 25] that included J,C. Regulator’s “There’s Always One”.
    J.C. Regulator’s Paul Mackenzie c’99. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman
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  • The 1991 Gig List

    The 1991 Gig List

    What follows is a list of gigs, with images of tickets, adverts and flyers where possible, either at GU postcode venues or featuring bands, listed in bold, we like to claim are part of the Woking/GU Soundscene in 1991:

    January 3
    The Cricketers, Westfield: The Ha Ha Men

    January 5
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Touch

    January 6
    Flicks, Guildford: The Ant Hill Mob

    January 8
    The George, Ash Vale: Backlash w/ Big Wednesday

    January 15
    The George, Ash Vale: Killing Faith w/ Warp Spasm (billed as The Funeral, this was Killing Faith’s last gig)

    January 16
    The Grey Horse. Kingston: Backlash w/ Big Wednesday, and The Staggerance
    The George, Ash Vale: Explodehead

    January 17
    The Grey Horse, Kingston: Big Wednesday w/ Backlash, and Staggerance

    January 18
    Labour Hall, Cove: Who Moved the Ground?

    January 25
    Rumble Club, Tunbridge Wells: Who Moved the Ground?

    January 30
    The Royal Standard, Walthamstow: Spin Doctors w/ Backlash

    January 31
    Art College, Farnham: Signet Rings w/ Peachrazor

    February 1
    Mean Fiddler, Harlesdon: Captain Sensible w/ Yellow Darkness
    The Cricketers, Westfield: The 68 Floods
    The White Lyon, Worplesdon: The Ant Hill Mob
    The George, Ash Vale: Touch

    February 2
    The George, Ash Vale: Said & Done
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Sweet Life
    Student Union Bar, Technical College, Farnborough: Slug w/ Explodehead

    February 3
    The George, Ash Vale: Midnight Blue

    February 4
    The George, Ash Vale: (Strawberry) Jam

    February 5
    The George, Ash Vale: Hung Inverted

    February 6
    The George, Ash Vale: Electric Icecream Productions

    February 7
    The Attic Club, London: Backlash
    Technical College, Farnborough: Who Moved the Ground? w/ The Becketts
    The George, Ash Vale: The Press

    February 9
    The Four Horseshoes, Camberley: Explodehead

    February 15
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Backlash w/ Staggerance
    Marquee, London: Ruff, Ruff, And Ready w/ Back to the Planet, and Gallon Drunk
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Brain Language w/Big Wednesday

    February 16
    Buzz Club, The West End Centre, Aldershot: The Manic Street Preachers w/ Phobia and The Hysterics

    February 19
    Officer’s Club, Aldershot: Who Moved The Ground?

    February 20
    The George, Ash Vale: Explodehead

    February 23
    Half Moon, Herne Hill: Mamma Lukes w/ Zebedee Said, and Backlash

    February 25
    The Old Trout, Windsor: The Stranglers

    February 26
    Dingwalls, Camden: X-It w/ Newspeak, and Big Truth

    26 February 1991: Gig flyer. Picture courtesy of Harry Tuttle

    February 27
    The George Robey, Finsbury Park: Backlash w/ The Clockwatchers, Save Our City, and Native Son

    March 2
    Marquee, London: Boss Hog w/ God, and Gallon Drunk

    March 8
    Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: The Deep Season

    March 9
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Backlash w/ Goldwater
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Milk w/ Thule, and Slug

    March 15
    The Compasses, Egham: Who Moved The Ground? w/ The Price

    March 16
    “Pop Club”, Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: Backlash w/ Treacle

    March 20
    The George, Ash Vale: Backlash w/ Big Wednesday

    March 22
    Buzz Club, The West End Centre, Aldershot: The Ruthless Rap Assassins

    March 23
    Buzz Club, The West End Centre, Aldershot: The Deep Season, w/ Who Moved The Ground?, The Cygnet Rings and Cow

    March 27
    The George, Ash Vale: Trousershock B.C.

    April 1
    The George, Ash Vale: Cesspit Rebels w/ Who Moved The Ground? (playing as The Creeks)

    April 2
    The George, Ash Vale: Blue Velvet w/ Sad Town

    April 3
    Officer’s Club, Aldershot: Who Moved The Ground?

    April 6
    The Cricketers, Westfield: X-It w/ Backlash (playing as The Laidback Brothers)

    April 9
    Paradise Club, Islington: Trousershock B.C.

    April 11
    The White Lyon, Worplesdon: The Ant Hill Mob
    The George , Ash Vale: FLR
    The Lion Brewery, Ash: Cold Sweat
    The Three Lions, Farncombe: Maid In England
    The Cricketers, Westfield: The Big Picture

    April 12
    St. Andrews, Goldsworth Park: Garth Hewitt
    The Ash Vale Hotel, Ash Vale: Brian Ranson
    The Lion Brewery, Ash: Time Square
    The Cricketers, Westfield: 94 In The Shade
    The George, Ash Vale: Slug w/ Trousershock BC

    April 13
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Explodehead
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Fat and Frantic
    The Lakeside Club, Frimley: Johnny Cash
    The George, Ash Vale: Warp Spasm w/ Diseased Deceased
    The Lion Brewery, Ash: Replay
    Flicks, Guildford: New Dimension

    April 14
    White Hart, Frimley: Electric IceCream Productions
    The Astolat, Guildford: The Ant Hill Mob
    The George, Ash Vale: The Press

    April 15
    The Cricketers, Wrecclesham: Rick Christian
    The George, Ash Vale: Pomeroy

    April 16
    Raggamuffins, Camberley: Slug
    The Fox & Hounds, Fleet: Country Hazard
    The George, Ash Vale: Vicious Affair
    The Rat’s Castle, Guildford: Lou Taylor
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Paul Weller

    April 17
    The Granby Tavern, Reading: After The Dream
    The George, Ash Vale: Static Erratic
    The Old Trout, Windsor: Something Religious w/ The Ha Ha Men, and Big Wednesday

    17 April 1991. Picture courtesy of Nathan Argonaut

    April 18
    Technical College, Farnborough: Blue Velvet w/ Pretty Green
    Flicks, Guildford: Maid In England
    The George, Ash Vale: Taste 18
    The Lion Brewery, Ash: Final Word
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Hung Inverted

    April 20
    Flicks, Guildford: Big Town Playboys w/ Wildfire

    20 April 1991: Big Town Playboys, supported by Wildfire, were at Flicks. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records

    April 22
    Bull & Gate, Kentish Town, London: Who Moved The Ground?

    April 26
    Flicks, Guildford: Rockit Men

    26 April 1991: Rockit Men were at, the old cinema, Flicks, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records

    April 27
    Fox and Hounds, Fleet: Blue Velvet w/ Pretty Green, and Backlash

    April 30
    The George, Ash Vale: Blue Velvet

    May 1
    Princes Hall, Aldershot: Big Sun w/ Trousershock B.C. and Peachrazor

    1 May 1991: Big Sun replaced Rail Road Earth. Source: chewtonia.com
    1 May 1991: Big Sun replaced Rail Road Earth. Source: chewtonia.com

    May 3
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Warp Spasm w/ Severence, The Mourning After, and Asteroth

    May 13
    The George, Ash Vale: Blue Velvet

    May 15
    The Wheatsheaf, Farnham: Blue Velvet
    Ragamuffins, Camberley: Who Moved the Ground?
    Broadway Boulevard, Ealing: Slug w/ Trousershock BC

    May 18
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Backlash w/ Goldwater
    Four Horseshoes, Camberley: Who Moved the Ground? w/ Thieves Of Dreams

    May 21
    The George, Ash Vale: Who Moved the Ground?

    May 30
    Lemon Grove, Exeter: Mega City Four w/ Jamdown, The Love Children, and Blenderhead

    June 3
    Flicks, Guildford: Manfred Mann’s Earthband w/ Wildfire

    3 June 1991: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, supported by Wildfire, were at Flicks. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records

    June 4
    Ragamuffins, Camberley: Backlash

    June 7
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Levitation w/ The Spinning Jennies, and Fabtoo

    June 8
    The George, Ash Vale: Slug w/ The Cesspit Rebels

    June 12
    The George, Ash Vale: Blue Velvet
    Powerhaus, London: The Family Cat w/ Gallon Drunk, and The Seers
    Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot: Hung Inverted, Not Just A Pretty Face, Big Wednesday, Something Religious and My Blue Heaven

    12 June 1991. Picture courtesy of Nathan Argonaut

    June 13
    The Underworld, London: Frank Tovey w/ Fad Gadget, Gallon Drunk, and Moonshake
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Parma Violet w/ Frayed Edge, Sliver, Big Sun, Who Moved The Ground?, and The Cesspit Rebels

    Picture courtesy of Chewtonia
    Picture courtesy of Chewtonia
    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

    June 15
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Scorpio Rising w/ Trousershock B.C., and Peachrazor

    Picture courtesy of Chewtonia

    June 16
    Army & Navy, Aldershot: Thieves of Dreams

    June 19
    The Wheatsheaf, Aldershot: Who Moved The Ground?

    June 20
    The Falcon, Camden: Moonshake w/ Slug


    June 22
    Surrey Court, University of Surrey, Guildford: The Flowerpot Men w/ Railroad Earth, The Ha Ha Men, Redwood, and Trousershock BC

    Surrey University, Surrey Court Fun Fest ’91 advert from Barefacts 21 June 1991.

    June 23
    Summer Blues Bonanza Festival, Maltings, Farnham: Hot Club Plus Friends w/ The Hamsters, The Gutter Brothers, Mick Pini Band, Buick 6, Root Doctors, The Poorboys, Angelina & The Corn Babies, and The Ant Hill Mob

    June 28
    Mean Fiddler, Harlesden: Gallon Drunk

    June 29
    Borderline, London: Gallon Drunk

    June 30
    Army & Navy, Aldershot: Thieves of Dreams

    July 1
    Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: Who Moved The Ground? w/ Devoid and The Cane Toads

    July 3
    The North Camp, Farnborough: Blue Velvet w/ The Dragonflys

    July 5
    Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: The Deep Season w/ The Blue Birds, and The Ammonites

    July 14
    Army & Navy, Aldershot: Thieves of Dreams

    July 17
    The North Camp, Farnborough: Who Moved the Ground?

    July 21
    The George, Ash Vale: Blue Velvet w/ Thieves of Dreams

    July 23
    The George, Ash Vale: Blue Velvet w/ The Boogiemen

    July 24
    Army & Navy, Aldershot: Who Moved the Ground?

    July 26
    The Royal Oak, Passfield: Old Boy Network
    The George, Ash Vale: Close Quarters
    Lion Brewery, Ash: The Press
    The Compasses Inn, Gomshall: Jinn House
    Flicks, Guildford: Yellow Darkness w/ Rocket Men
    Three Lions, Farncombe: If 6 was 9

    July 27
    Union Building, Aldershot: Who Moved the Ground?
    Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: Thrilled Skinny w/ The Galley Slaves, and Loaded

    July 28
    Army & Navy, Aldershot: Thieves of Dreams

    July 29
    Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: Shelley’s Children w/ The Price, and Phobia

    July 31
    The Old Trout, Windsor: Who Moved The Ground? w/ Never Before

    August 2
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Blue Velvet

    August 3
    The Cube, Ragamuffins, Camberley: Big Wednesday

    August 5
    The George, Ash Vale: Who Moved the Ground? w/ The Price

    August 7
    The Joiners Arms, Southampton: Who Moved the Ground? w/ One Dead Hunter, and Fruit

    August 9
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Backlash w/ Warp Spasm

    August 10
    Four Horseshoes, Camberley: Blue Velvet
    The Cube, Ragamuffins, Camberley: Phobia

    August 13
    Ragamuffins, Camberley: Backlash

    August 18
    Army & Navy, Aldershot: Thieves of Dreams

    August 20
    The Cube, Ragamuffins, Camberley: Slug

    August 21
    Army & Navy, Aldershot: Who Moved the Ground?
    The George, Ash Vale: Split Level

    August 22
    The Venue, Hindhead: Warp Spasm w/ Backlash

    August 24
    The George. Ash Vale: Inner X w/ Christ!

    August 27
    The Abinger Arms, Abinger: Nightshift

    August 28
    The George, Ash Vale: Slug w/ I Was A Tucker Jenkins Fan

    August 30
    British Legion, Fleet: Blue Velvet w/ Just for Kicks

    September 2
    Flicks, Guildford: Ozric Tentacles w/ The Flowerpot Men

    September 3
    The George, Ash Vale: Blue Velvet

    September 5
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Who Moved the Ground? w/ Girls on Dextrose

    September 7
    The Railway Inn, Winchester: Who Moved the Ground?

    September 8
    The Venue, Hindhead: Big Wednesday w/ Backlash

    September 13
    The Compasses Inn, Gomshall: Nightshift

    September 16
    Pop Club, Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: Beneficial Gene w/ Who Moved the Ground? and Ground Swell

    September 17
    Ragamuffins, Camberley: Blue Velvet

    September 21
    University of Manchester, Manchester: Who Moved the Ground?

    September 25
    Arts Centre, Salisbury: Who Moved the Ground? w/ Space Angels

    September 26
    Technical College, Farnborough: PJ Harvey

    September 28
    The Fountain, Deptford: Who Moved the Ground? w/ Splat

    September 29
    Army & Navy, Aldershot: Thieves of Dreams

    September 30
    Pop Club, Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: Big Boy Tomato w/ Phobia and Plop

    October 4
    The George, Ash Vale: Backlash w/ Tumbleweed
    Pop Club, Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: The Deep Season w/ Sugar House and Sweet Life

    October 6
    The Agincourt, Camberley: Thousand Yard Stare w/ Backlash

    October 7
    Municipal Hall, Colne: Lush w/ Gallon Drunk, and Nature Things

    October 8
    The Venue, Hindhead: Blue Velvet
    The George, Ash Vale: Backlash w/ Girls on Dextrose
    Irish Centre, Northampton: Lush w/ Gallon Drunk

    October 9
    Powys Square Tabernacle. London: Lush w/ Gallon Drunk, and Stereolab

    October 11
    The Mojo Club, The Cleveland, London: Thieves of Dreams

    October 13
    Army & Navy, Aldershot: Blue Velvet w/ Thieves of Dreams

    October 14
    The Escape Club, Southampton: Who Moved the Ground? w/ One Dead Hunter

    October 19
    The Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot: The Dylans w/ Some Have Fins and Gyroscope

    19 October 1991: The Dylans, supported by Some Have Fins and Gyroscope, appeared at the Buzz Club, West End Centre. Aldershot. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene

    October 21
    Bradford University, Queensbury: Lush w/ Gallon Drunk

    October 22
    Mayfair, Glasgow: Lush w/ Gallon Drunk

    October 23
    UMIST, Manchester: Lush w/ Gallon Drunk

    October 24
    Officers Club, Aldershot: Who Moved the Ground?
    The Richmond, Brighton: Backlash w/ Ever
    Sheffield University, Sheffield: Lush w/ Gallon Drunk

    October 25
    Essex University, Colchester: Lush w/ Gallon Drunk

    October 26
    Four Horseshoes, Camberley: Blue Velvet
    The Royal Oak, Passfield: Nightshift
    Junction, Cambridge: Lush w/ Gallon Drunk

    October 27
    Bierkeller, Bristol: Lush w/ Gallon Drunk


    The George, Ash Vale: Slug

    October 28
    Fox’s, Wolverhampton: Lush w/ Gallon Drunk

    October 29
    Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: Blue Rider w/ Yellow Darkness, and The Gift

    Pyramids Centre, Portsmouth: Lush w/ Gallon Drunk, and Passing Clouds

    October 30
    T.J’s, Newport: Blue Velvet

    November 6
    Princes Hall, Aldershot: Slug w/ Who Moved the Ground?

    Source: Who Moved The Ground?

    November 9
    The Fighting Cocks, Bagshot: Thieves of Dreams w/ Blue Velvet

    November 12
    Bull & Gate, Kentish Town, London: Who Moved The Ground?
    The Old Trout, Windsor: Hate Syndicate w/ Big Wednesday, and The Rileys

    November 14
    The George, Ash Vale: Blue Velvet

    November 15
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Backlash w/ Staggerance
    Dover Castle, London: Thieves of Dreams

    November 22
    Art College, Farnham: Who Moved The Ground? w/ Thieves Of Dreams
    Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: Ludicrous Lollipops w/ The Revs, and Phobia

    November 30
    The Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot: Midway Still w/ Milk, and Apple Creation

    30 November 1991 – Midway Still headlined, with Milk and Apple Creation in support, at The Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene

    December 4
    Old Fire Station, Oxford: Blue Velvet

    December 7
    The Maltings, Farnham: Dr, Feelgood
    Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: The Direction w/ The Armitage Shanks, and Who Moved the Ground?

    December 11
    Butterfly Evolution Club, Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: The Shapes w/ Crystal Injection, and Big Sun

    December 13
    Rumble Club, Tunbridge Wells: Who Moved the Ground? w/ Walk On Water

    December 14
    Granby Tavern, Reading: Blue Velvet

    December 15
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Bleach w/ Trousershock B.C., and The Frogs

    December 16
    The Venue, Hindhead: Who Moved the Ground? w/ Peach Razor, and Splat

    December 17
    Leadmill, Sheffield: Mega City Four w/ Equations, Midway Still, and Dr Phibes and the House of Wax George, Ash Vale: Slug w/ Trousershock B.C.

    December 20
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Backlash

    December 21
    The Railway Inn, Winchester: Who Moved the Ground? w/ Splat
    Philipshalle, Dusseldorf, Germany: New Model Army w/ Mega City Four

    December 23
    The George, Ash Vale: Who Moved the Ground? w/ Splat
    The Cube’s Xmas Do, Ragamuffins, Camberley: Trousershock B.C. w/ Backlash

    December 30
    Rock Garden, Covent Garden: Who Moved the Ground?

    December 31
    Royal Oak, Hollywater: Captain Pike

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  • Kalibre

    Kalibre

    (c’84-’86) John Rice (vocals / guitar), Kevin Procter (bass), and Phil Ekins (drums).

    This Godalming based three piece rock band started out as Caliber 360, which was soon shortened and updated to Kalibre. Ekins decided to depart and Procter moved across to drums, which he preferred to bass, and vocals. An ad in the local paper for a bass player got the attention of Nick ‘H’ Potter who joined the lineup. He’d actually been a school friend of Procter, but they had lost touch in the intervening time. The band were also joined, although he never made a live appearance with the combo, by rhythm guitarist Graham Nunn for a brief period.

    Kalibre at Catch 44 Studios, Godalming. Picture courtesy of Kevin Procter

    They rehearsed in the small studio space of Catch 44 Studios, Godalming and recall meeting Liza Goddard, the wife of Alvin Stardust who also used Catch 44 Studios facilities at the time, on a couple of occasions at the studio. The band also used a rehearsal studio in Reading a couple of times, which may have been owned by Larry Miller’s manager at the time.

    The band recorded a EP demo cassette of original material at the Catch 44 Studios. The demo did the rounds of local venues, securing a number of bookings. A copy was also sent to national press and Melody Maker printed a review that included the line ‘masturbatory lyrics and guitar’.

    The band played around the local Godalming / Guildford area, and into Aldershot and further afield occasionally. Kalibre’s live set list consisted of mostly original material, but also included a few covers such as Hendrix’s ‘Foxy Lady’, ‘Somebody’ by Bryan Adams and rock band staples like of ‘Johnny B Goode’. On 24 February ’84, Kalibre supported local alternative dance / funk band Zugang, along with Cow, at a charity gig for the Red Cross, held at the Borough Hall, Godalming. The following month, on 17 March ’84, Kalibre opened for Station 360 at The Royal, Guildford. Later in the year; Rice, who had been part of the road crew for The Larry Miller Band for some years – there is a credit to Rice on the back of Larry’s first album, ‘Right, Chaps’ – managed to secure Kalibre a support slot at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford on 10 August ’84. As the band held the note at the end of ‘Johnny B Goode’, Procter ran around from behind the drums and took a photo of the audience (below).

    10 August ’84: An unsuspecting Wooden Bridge audience at Kalibre’s Larry Miller support. Picture courtesy of Kevin Procter

    In April ’85, Kalibre embarked on the ‘Load n’ Live’ tour encompassing numerous local venues, including The Cranley Hotel, Cranleigh on 5 April ’85 and fifteen days later The Cannon, Guildford.

    5 April 1985: Kalibre play The Cranley Hotel, Cranleigh. Picture courtesy of Kevin Procter

    The exact circumstances of the bands demise are lost to the mists of time. Rice continued to played guitar. Potter reportedly was taking a musical degree at the University of Surrey, Guildford. Procter played bass in a number of bands on and off, culminating in gigs at Liverpool’s ‘Cavern Club’ and the recording of an album in 2019 and continues to write with a friend for a local band, or just for pleasure.

    Gallery:

    10 August ’84: Kalibre outside The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Kevin Procter
    24 February 1984: Charity gig covered in local paper, featured Zugang, Kalibre and Cow. Picture courtesy of Kevin Phillips
    20 April 1985: Kalibre play The Cannon, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Kevin Procter
    Kalibre ‘Loud ‘n’ Live’ tour 1985 badge. Picture courtesy of Kevin Procter
    17 March 1984: Kalibre supported Station 360 at The Royal, Guildford.
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  • Circus

    Circus

    (c’67-’69) Alan Bunn (drums), Kirk Riddle (bass / guitar), Phillip Goodhand-Tait (keyboard / vocals), Ian Jelfs (guitar) and Mel Collins (flute / sax).

    In September 1967, The Stormsville Shakers renamed, becoming Circus. They released the Mike D’Abo produced single “Gone Are The Songs of Yesterday” on Parlephone Records [R5633] on the 8 September ’67 as Circus, with David Sherrington providing extra sax, followed by a gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford the next day; before a short tour of Northern Ireland and Scotland. The band entered Dick James Studio, London before the month end, recording “Love Was In Her Eyes”, “Where Shall We Go” and “A Day Without Love”. The heavy gig schedule continued including Guildford on 28 October and 23 December at The Stoke Hotel, Guildford and Godalming on 18 December; interrupted only by studio time at EMI Studios, London on 8 and 15 November, laying down “House of Wood” and “Do You Dream”. A few days later on November 22 they were at Romanos, Belfast supporting The Foundations, along with Interns, and Taste.

    1968 kicked off with time at R.G. Jones Studio, Morden followed by a relatively light January gig schedule for the band. February continued the same way including a date at Guildford’s Civic Hall on 10 February, and a Melody Maker review. On 8 March the “Do The Dream” single, back by “House of Wood”, again produced by Mike D’Abo, was released on Parlophone Records [R5672] four months after their recording. In March, Circus spent 3 days recording back at R.G Jones, Morden; returning again on 3 April. All the time the steady gigging didn’t stop, with appearances at Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley on 6 April and the Civic Hall, Guildford on 20 April in the mix. April also saw Circus at BBC 7 recording for The John Peel Show to be broadcast the next day, closing out the month with another day at R.G. Jones Studio, where they were again on 19 June and 27 August. Another appearance at the Civic Hall on 6 May featured in the gigging that continued through to early November, as well as Anchor Inn, Godalming on 21 June, and Atalanta Ballroom, Woking on 16 July, supporting The Equals.

    During these early years Bob Wiles was one of their roadies and recalls supporting Taste in Belfast. After Circus’ set, the MC, in a thick Irish brogue, introduces the headliners with “Now, here’s our answer – Taste”. According to Wiles they were outstanding! Circus’ “Gone Are the Songs of Yesterday”, written by Goodhand-Tait, came to the attention of The Love Affair and it was chosen as the B-side of their “Everlasting Love” release. The single was a huge success and Goodhand-Tait decided to leave Circus on 1 January ’69 to launch his solo singer/songwriter career, and Jelfs picked up vocals. Circus continue by supporting The Who at a London School of Economics (LSE) Benefit Concert on 23 February ’69, an event rescheduled from 9 February, along with Cat Stevens, Pete Brown’s Battered Ornaments, and Occasional Word Ensemble at The Roundhouse, London; and in April they began a residency at The Marquee, organized by The Marquee’s manager, John Gee.

    The Marquee residency saw them supporting Emanon, aka Manfred Mann, on 13 May ’69 and Jon Hiseman’s Colosseum on the 26 May ’69. A few months later they gained representation from The Paragon Agency and the group’s popularity came to the attention of Transatlantic Records who signed the group to the label. Two weeks prior to recording for Tranatlantic drummer Bunn decided to leave and was replaced by ex-Rey Anton and The Pro Form’s Chris Burrows. The new line-up entered Morgan Studios with ex-Nirvana guitarist Ray Singer as producer. On 28 September Circus’ eponymously titled LP was released on Transatlantic Records [TRA 207], having been engineered by Andy Johns.

    Front cover of Circus’ only LP

    This LP’s cover had been shot in the early morning at Hayling Island with group member Bunn before he had departed. The bands only album it has subsequently been reissued 10 times. Collins had written “Pleasures of a Lifetime” for the album and requested his father’s participation in the album. Derek Collins, who’d just finished a session with the Top of the Pops Orchestra at the BBC, ended up contributing an uncredited alto flute backing on “Pleasures of a Lifetime”.

    Circus retired to a cottage in the country to work on a follow-up. Their debut included a number of covers and the group were expected to produce all original material for the second, and Collins and Jelfs began songwriting. The group spent a couple of days in a studio but the sessions did not pan out.

    Collins joined King Crimson in early 1970, leading to the end of the band. Riddle later formed The Train Set and then joined the Jackie Lynton’s Happy Days Band, and Fugitives in the ’90s. He regreatably passed away on the 14 November 2017. Burrows began following Buddhism in ’69 and was ordained as a Zen monk in ’83. He now teaches Buddhism and Zen drumming. Jelfs joined French progressive rock band Alice, then French band’s M.O.T.U.S and Mama Joe’s Connection.

    In 2009 Span TV released “When Circus Came to Stormsville 1969”, a collection of recordings made in 1967.

    Gallery:

    Cover of 2009 release of songs recorded in ’67.
    Back cover of Circus’s only LP
    Circus’ “Do You Dream”
    Circus’ “Gone Are THe Songs of Yesterday”. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records.
    13 May 1969: Circus support Emanon at the Marquee, London
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  • Big House

    Big House

    (c’86-’88) Tony Taylor (guitar / percussion / vocals), Rob Varley (guitar) “Jacko” (bass) and Jem French (drums / vocals).

    Camberley based Big House released the ‘Get Wise’ demo tape in 1986, featuring “Get Wise”, “Tonight Tonight” and “Sooner or Later”, which they had co-produced with Chris Broderick in Reading. On 19 July ’86 the band joined West One and Steve Mann at St. Marks Hall, North Camp, and couple of years later, on 3 June ’88, Big House, along with State of the Art and LTD were part of a new bands night at The Tunnel Club. London.

    Tracks:

    Gallery:

    Big House’s Get Wise Tape Sleeve. Picture courtesy of Sid Stovold.
    19 July 1986: West One, Steve Mann, and Big House played St. Marks Hall, North Camp. Source: West One
    19 July 1986: West One, Steve Mann, and Big House played St. Marks Hall, North Camp. Source: West One
    Advert from NME’s 4 June 1988 issue. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole

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One thought on “Home”

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  1. 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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