Our Soundscene

For anyone who vaguely recalls the Woking / GU postcode area music scene.

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  • Magic Moments At Twilight Time

    Magic Moments At Twilight Time

    (c’86-’91) Mick “Magic” Lancaster (guitar / keyboards); Shona “Moments” Atkinson (vocals / spoken word); and Nik Morgan (guitar)

    Lancaster started Magic Moments At Twilight Time (MMATT), which could be describe as more of a project than a band, in late ’86 early ’87; forming the name by combining the US and UK No.1’s on his birthday: The Platters’ “Twilight Time” and Perry Como’s “Magic Moments”. The “State of The Art” demo introduced us to the acts ‘psychotronic’ rock and was ready in March ’87 and available from The Rock Box, Camberley; which supported, cut free, many a local band this way.

    Poster promoting MMATT “State of the Art” cassette. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic

    On 21 March ’87, Chris Carter played it over the PA before The Charles came on at Frimley Community Centre. It was the first time any MMATT music had ever been played in public. Shortly after MMATT secured a support slot with The Charles, on the basis of “State of The Art” opening track “Story X”, on 8 May – this gig didn’t happen however as The Charles’ manager John Pryor had not booked the venue. At the time MMATT were pretty much just husband and wife duo Lancaster and Atkinson, who did some spoken word. They roped in Nik Morgan (guitar) who was renting a room from them and found Anna Haigh (vocals), who left almost immediately to be replaced by Atkinson. Before the scheduled gig MMATT and The Charles’ vocalist Chris Carter collaborated on a 23 minute track that filled the A-side of “Mick & Chris on Acid” released in May ’87; the B’side carrying two MMATT tracks and three from The Charles. The Charles and MMATT collaboration would become known as The Grain, which was also the name of the fanzine they produced. By mid-May MMATT were a 4 piece: Magic, Moments, Jay “Time” Symons (bass) and Kate “Twilight” London (synth).

    27 June ’87 gig poster. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic

    On 27 June ’87 MMATT eventually gigged with The Charles at Frimley Community Centre; a video of which may exist. In July, MMATT entered the studio for Earworm Records for a session, engineered and mixed by Fergus Anderson, that laid down “State of The Art” and “Zen Sequent”, to be published on a sampler cassette – which ultimately didn’t amount to much. On 26 July ’87 the band appeared at The White Hart, Frimley.

    On 20 September ’87, the collaborative with the addition of Slack Bladder, Momento Mori, The Visionairies, Greed and Magic Moments, having divested ‘At Twilight Time’ to focus on experimental sound, put on the free The Grain Festival at Highland Farm, Frimley Green. Next was an Xmas Bash with Slack Bladder at Frimley Community Centre on 12 December before a trip to The Crypt, Deptford on 18 March ’88, were the band were supposed to support The Charles, but after that bands demise were on before The Pink Fairies.

    In between the Frimley and Crypt gigs MMATT released “The Time Machine” in February ’88. By April ’88, Symons had quit the band, Lancaster and Atkinson’s marriage was falling apart and London decided to call it a day too. Lancaster, under the new Mick Tron monica, then established the Music & Elsewhere label, releasing the 90-minute Grain Aid cassette [MMATT 19] on 2 July. On 2 December ’88, Magic Moments, again dropping Twilight Time were at The Crypt supporting Here & Now. Somewhere in ’88, amongst all this, the group appeared at the Technical College, Farnborough.

    Issue No1 of The MMATTrix, the Magic Moments at Twilight Time newsletter, from the Summer of ’91. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic

    Issue No1 of The MMATTrix, the Magic Moments at Twilight Time newsletter, was published in the Summer of ’91. Also released in ’91 was the live recording of the band’s 5th birthday gig, as broadcast on pirate radio station Overflow Radio, hosted by Garry Lee, as MMATT’s ‘White Hawk Atomic, Recorded Live on Alpha Nebuli IV’ CD. The MMATT for this show were; Lancaster (guitar, vocals, programming), Pete Program (synth FX) and Lulu (lead vocals).

    MMaTT’s ‘White Hawk Atomic ,Recorded Live on Alpha Nebuli IV’ CD. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic

    Three tracks from February ’88’s “The Time Machine”, namely: “Womble Pudding”, “Marriage Of The Potato Masher” and “Teamushysomepour” were included on Stan Batcow’s Pumf Records “Designer Brain Damage” MMATT compilation in ’92. The band’s track “Spirit” was then included on Son of Farnborough Groove Vol.2 that same year, and the following year “Blitzkrieg!” appeared on Return of Farnborough Groove Vol.3.

    London sadly lost her life in a Sunningdale road accident on 23 September ’99. In April 2020 the 14 minute 29 second long “Magic Moments At Twilight Time (2020 Remix)” was released.

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  • Life Under One Sun

    Life Under One Sun

    (c.’83) – Julian Jehu (vocals), Chris Potter (bass), Russ Good / Wilson (drums) and John “Hairdo” Atterbury (guitar)

    Short lived Life Under One Sun split after a debut gig at The Royal, Guildford in April ’83. Atterbury received the “Hairdo” moniker after winning a Soundscene award for ‘most hairdos in a year’.

    Good was in Planetarium and then 32:20, in which Atterbury was handling vocals, prior to Life Under One Sun, he’d go on to appear in Shooting at Strangers. Jehu, who’d previously been in White Colours, went on to join Polite Young Men before departing for America about ’84/85.

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  • Centre Halls, Woking

    Centre Halls, Woking

    Construction started on Centre Halls, Woking in 1973, opening in the mid ’75. It was demolished in the late 80’s, along with Centre Pool and Woking Library, to make room for The Peacocks shopping centre. The Centre Halls included the Rhoda McGrew Theatre, library and swimming pool along with the “Concert” Hall.

    Centre Halls, Woking. Source: Richard Knotek via Woking When We were Young

    By late ’77, early ’78, the Centre Hall was becoming a bit of a regular venue, thanks in part to Joy ? who booked ‘not so mainstream’ bands for the Centre Halls. Those bands included the likes of: The Stranglers (9 Feb ’77), and The Crabs (24 Sept ’77 & 20 May ’78). Wilko Johnson made Woking’s Centre Halls a late addition to his tour, appearing at the venue on 29 November ’77. Sham 69 opened ’78 with a gig at the venue on 5 January; a gig that ran so late the last train to Guildford was missed by several gig-goers who walked home with snow on the ground.

    Jimmy Pursey pictured at Woking Centre Halls.

    Two weeks later, with tickets retailing for a quid, Sham 69 were back; with Master Switch, Menace and local band Crisis – who replaced Speedometers in support on 19 Jan ’78. Crisis’ vocalist Frazer Towman came on and rushed about the stage wearing a mask. And of course not forgetting Tubeway Army’s appearance in May that same year. The Stranglers and Sham 69 gigs both featured a bit of argy-bargy, in fact a front door was ripped off before the 19 January Sham 69 gig even started.

    Flashback performing at Woking Centre Halls. Source: Geoff Langrish

    Woking’s Music Festival was held at the Centre Halls in November ’80, and Panther were the solitary rock band at the festival on 29 November. Other local bands that also took to the stage were Ribs, who were supported by The Outpatients, on 1 December ’77; FFile, The Early Years, and Flashback. Centre Halls, Woking also held a popular disco night with many a teen holding a Top Twenty Club Membership card in the late 70’s /, early 80’s.

    Ob Jay Da (roughly centre) next to David Jason. Picture courtesy of Allan Broad

    In ’87, Ob-Jay-Da won a talent competition, judged by David Jason and others, with their performance of “Amoureuse”, that was held at the Halls. The 4 September ’88 pretty much saw the last live band event at Centre Halls. ABC Music’s Showcase ’88 featured 8 bands, including 5 local groups: The Button Factory, Napalm Groove Squad, The 68 Floods, Van Gogh and the Earlobes, and Steel Bill and the Buffalos – who headlined and won the showcase; as well as the non-locals City Limits, Colour Noise, and Havana Affair. It was rumored that Sammy Rats Big Big Blues Band would be on the bill for Showcase ’88; but it wasn’t to be. Van Gogh and the Earlobes, supported by Napalm Grove Squad, also played at the venue for a Brooklands College party in ’87/’88.

    Van Gogh and the Earlobes playing at Centre Halls, Woking for Brooklands College party. Picture courtesy of Daniel Hiscocks

    In late 1988 the Centre Halls were demolished. Joy has regrettably left us.

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  • The Choirboys

    The Choirboys

    (c’81) ?

    This Woking band opened for, News & Mail reporter, John Harlow’s Rock Night II, supporting The Mighty Strypes and M.I.5. at The Cotteridge Hotel, Woking; an event compered by Radio One writer John Tobler.

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  • Redwood

    Redwood

    (c’89 – 04) Alistair Cowan (vocals / bass), Rob Blackham (guitar / vocals), Angus Cowan (guitar) and Chris Hughes (drums / vocals).

    November 1991 and Redwood are live at the University of Surrey ‘All Day Blues’ event. Source: geniustwinrecordings.com

    Alistair Cowan and Blackburn, then on keyboards, formed Redwood in Birmingham, Angus Cowan was driving his brother to practice and soon joined. Blackburn moved to guitar and Jaqui Widdowson took on keyboards, with Paul Bennett on bass and Dave Brown on drums.

    1989 Redwood’s promo photo featuring the Cowan brothers, Widdowson and Blackham. Source: geniustwinrecordings.com

    They secured gigs at The Station, Sutton Coldfield and the Coach & Horses, Balsall Heath. The cassette EP “Slowtrain to Bordom” was reportedly released in late ’89, although the cassette’s sleeve dates it as 1990.

    Redwood’s Slow Train to Bordom. Source: geniustwinrecordings.com

    After a period of stability the band was shaken down to just the Cowan brothers, probably due to a move to Woking, who won the Annual Band Competition at Guildford Uni (need to check if Guildford Tech or Surrey University). The University of Surrey’s Fun Fest ’91 had the band joining The Flowerpot Men, The Ha Ha Men, Railroad Earth, and Trousershock BC for an outdoor concert at Surrey Court student residence on 22 June. James Walker joined on drums for a year and played on the “Mary Jane” cassette EP, released in ’93. That same year they appeared at Rock Explosion 2 at the Civic Hall, Guildford. The band began to gig throughout the South East and started a newsletter titled ‘blurb’. On Walker’s departure Hughes took the sticks.

    Redwood’s “Mary Jane” Cassette sleeve Picture courtesy of Sid Stovold

    The band played a national band competition held at the Powerhouse Club in London, taking 2nd and the free days recording at Marcus Studios, London prize. They met Tim Hunt here who helped produce the self financed “Head” album. This was released in ’94 and included fan favorite “Sad Sick World”. They also met Barry Campbell who became the bands manager.

    In ’95 they started a three year run at the Phoenix Festival, with interest shown by major labels including Polydor and EMI. The free studio time that came with this interest developed into ’95’s release: “Asylum”. Airplay was received from Radio 1 and two appearances on cable TV followed; Melody Maker even gave away tickets for one of their gigs. Redwood play Splatch! at Civic Hall, Guildford on the 16 July ’95 with Headnoise, Supermodel and Disturbing Guests. On 8 August ’95 the band supported Dreamhouse and Dominic Miller, along with Margo Buchanan and John Wiffin, at Splash Club at The Water Rats, Kings Cross. ‘Splatch! Goes to London’ presented Redwood, Who Moved the Ground? and Sugar Cane at The Underworld, Camden on 12 October ’95. Towards the end of ’95 and into ’96 the band started playing more and more acoustic gigs. Local promoter Barney Jeavons had Redwood at the Civic Hall, Guildford for Splatch! on 24 November ’95 which also saw Mega City Four, Doo the Moog, Bennet, and Who Moved the Ground? take to the stage.

    The “Lazy Dog” cassette EP followed in ’96, recorded at Raeznor Studios, London with production by Steve Brown. They also toured with Vent 414 (a combo of Miles Hunt (The Wonder Stuff), Morgan Nicholls (Senseless Things, The Streets, Muse) and Pete Howard (The Clash, Eat)). “Sad Sick World” from the “Lazy Dog” EP was included on “The Best Farnborough Groove in the World – Ever!” Vol.6 compilation in ’96. Farnham ’96, on 23 November at The Maltings, Farnham, was presented by Shed Club and Bluefire Records / Snakebite City. Redwood performed at this one-day festival along with Dweeb, Posh, Supermodel, Chuck, Inter, The Hairy Things, The Bigger The God, Pharmacy, J.C. Regulator, PA Skinny, Twister, Avalanche and Snowball.

    Contrast, Redwood, Airhead and Badge played the 4 Play showcase on 31 January ’97 at London Astoria. The Farnham Fusion Festival took place the following month at The Maltings, on 15 February, and featuring Alabama 3, Womb, Beth Orton, Loop Guru, Dr Didg, Orphic Soop, Terminal Head, The Dolman, Pineapple Tribe, Fish Pig, Seed & The Bridge, Decon Prom, Jabanna, Alien Mutation, Peter Sarstedt, Blazing Homesteads, and Past Caring, along with Redwood. A single, ‘Gone’ was published in April ’97, with a video recorded at the Backline Studios, Guildford and in a basement of Angus’ then girlfriend’s home. The band subsequently were signed by A&R man Nick Paige to the US based A&M sub-label Almo Sounds; the same label as Orphic Soop.

    In May ’97 they shared the Civic Hall, Guildford stage with Supermodel, Jolt and Inter for another Splatch! night. On 1 May they played the first of 4 in-stores at HMV, Guildford for the release of ‘Gone’ from the forthcoming album “Colourblind”, and were back at HMV on the 27 June. On 12 July ’97, Redwood played the Ambient Green Picnic, Millmead Island, Guildford. The next month (11 August), presaging the release of their album Redwood played their 3rd in-store at HMV Guildford to promote the new single ‘Claustrophobe’.

    Promo photo from ’97. Source: geniustwinrecordings.com

    A CD compilation on the Mother Stoat Recording Co. label [STOAT 006], titled ‘The Best Of Splatch!” was released in ’97 and featured Redwoods’ “Halloween” as the 6th track. Then, in November ’97, their debut album, ‘Colourblind’ was finally released. It was recorded, produced, and mixed by Mark Wallis – who had worked with U2, The Smiths and Wet Wet Wet – at Black Barn Studios, Ripley assisted by Stuart Campbell and Lloyd Gardiner; with Tony Woollard (cello) and Edward Shearmur (strings) – who a couple of years later would be writing the soundtrack for MGM’s Species II – adding depth. Again there was an in-store appearance at HMV Guildford on 27 November; the album’s release leading to several radio appearances.

    Redwood’s last release for Almo Sounds “Anything Goes” [CD ALM 49]

    Redwood’s last single release for Almo Sounds “Anything Goes” [CD ALM 49] came out on 16 March ’98. The A-side was produced and recorded by Pete Smith and was used as background music on a several episodes of Hollyoaks. The 8 May ’98 saw the first Splatch! event at Woking’s H.G. Wells Suite and this put Redwood on stage with Satellite Beach, Salamanda and Enertia. Around this time Blackman began managing and producing the now a three piece Mindwire. Supported by Carina Round, Hangman, and Dan Whitehouse; Redwood were part of the Ronnie Scott’s (Birmingham) Songwriters Festival on 27 July ’98. They were back at H.G. Wells Suite on 18 December ’98 for The Christmas Best of Splatch! that also featured Kilter, Jetpak, and Enertia.

    Redwood ceased in 1999, the members forming Lazydog. In July 2000 they performed at Guildford Live as Lazydog and the ’Redwood’ album, which was released in September, was available under this name too. It was in late 2000 that the Almo Sounds label collapsed and the band may have disbanded for a while. In 2001 Hughes joined Mindwire after their previous drummer decided to leave. Redwood then officially split in 2004.

    In 2006/07 Redwood reformed to play a benefit gig for a seriously injured friend and subsequently played at GuilFest in 2007 and 2008. A collection of B-sides and unreleased tracks, titled “Roadtrip” [GTR001MCD] was released in 15 July ’07 especially for Guilfest 2007. Blackham went on to be a producer for The Cooper Temple Clause and Reuben among others. The Cowan brothers have played 2 acoustic gigs as Redwood, at the Guildford Festival in 2003 and at Surrey University, in May 2004, and Alistair released a solo album, “Why Can I See Stars” in February 2005. Several members currently play together as a function band called Rollercoaster.

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  • Station 360

    Station 360

    (c’81-85) Andrew Fawcett (drums), David Hailes (guitar / backing vocal), Ian Lucas (vocals / guitar), and Martin Smith (guitar).

    In ’77, 3 of the members were originally in Go while still at Mill Chase School, they were then joined by Smith (not the Martin Smith of Life Limited / Vox Pop fame) and the new band were named after an aircraft part.

    Although from the Midhurst area – the Midhurst Detours scooter ‘gang’ would often travel to their gigs, not to mention fill The Grange in Midhurst – this early 80s band were popular on the Woking Mod scene and often played at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Fans would organize double decker buses to travel to the far flung gigs in Putney and other London venues. On 27 November ’82 the band were supporting New Rays of Radiance at Barbados House, Bordon, along with Flapp and Columbia.

    “DANGER Government Health WARNING This Recording MUST Be Played Loud”. 1983’s The Beat Collection cassette.

    In ’83 they released “The Beat Collection” demo cassette, recorded at Satellite Recordings, Grayshott and engineered by Ken Marshall, featuring “Sitting Pretty”, “Forever & Ever”, “Children Of Tomorrow”, “Looks Like Rain”, and “Secrets” and the spine message “DANGER Government Health WARNING This Recording MUST Be Played Loud”. We know they played at The Robin Hood, Stanford that year too.

    The following year the now very collectable “The Optimist” [STA360] 7″ was independently released, with “Stars” and “Companies” on the b-side. Station 360 were listed as one of the ‘future attractions’ on the reopening of the revamped West End Centre Aldershot on 13 January ’84. On 17 March ’84, Station 360 were at The Royal, Guildford, supported by Kalibre. 1984 also saw them play at the Brighton Mod run / rally and support Squire in Aldershot with The Dansette.

    Limited edition ‘A Sound of Today – Best of Station 360’ CD. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records

    In 2000, James Perrett put together a best of CD for the band of which maybe a handful were produced.

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  • M.I.5.

    M.I.5.

    (c’78-’82) Keith Smart/Renton (vocals / bass), Kevin Leigh/Buckley (guitar) and Pete Muller (drums).

    M.I.5. at The Woodenbridge, May 1980

    The band responded to an ad by sending a demo cassette carrying “Alright On The Night” to Bernice. Bernice turned out to be ATV Music Publishing (now part of Sony). The band eventually signed to the Public Records label owned by Patrick Campbell-Lyons, half of cult symphonic-rock band Nirvana and with whom Smart would appear on Nirvana’s ’96’s ‘Orange and Blue’ LP, and fashion designer Gloria Satin. The band ended up recording tracks at Startling Studios with engineer Keith Byres at Tittenhurst Park, the former home of John Lennon, and RMS Studios, London through November 1979, resulting in the release of the 7″ single, “Alright On The Night” [PUB-002] in 1980. The B-side contained two songs, “Don’t Make Waves” and “Television Screen Heroes”.

    Woking based Smart lead the band to playing in and around the town regularly as well as South London. On 31 January 1980, M.I.5, supported by The Different I’s, appeared at the Rock Against the Cuts concert at City University, London. Keeping up the activism M.I.5. joined Panther and Haley’s Vomit on 31 May ’80, for an anti-nuclear armament benefit party, at the Church Hall, Woodham. On 16 July the band were in Brixton, performing at the Old Queen’s Head; two days later, on 18 July, they were at The Cotteridge Hotel, Woking. M.I.5. closed out July on Thursday 31 at Snoopy’s, Richmond. The next month, on 6 August, they could be found at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. The band also rehearsed at 5 Patcham Terrace, Battersea; Toyah Wilcox’s home, where a photography session provided the band photo for the back sleeve of their debut single.

    M.I.5’s Smart on stage at the City of London University in 1980. Source: Keith Smart via M.I.5

    M.I.5’s single received airplay on John Peel’s 27 May 1980 Radio 1 show; who, along with Mike Reed, championed the band. In early January ’81, Leigh lost it with audience at The Cricketers, Westfield, with many of the audience departing or vowing to avoid the band. They also headlined, News & Mail reporter, John Harlow’s Rock Night II, supported by The Choirboys and The Mighty Strypes, at The Cotteridge Hotel, Woking that year. Brian Taylor (keyboards) joined in ’81 and shortly after that Smart left to form Cutting Edge with Steve Baker of Squire; then GZ Image with Keith Roworth c’85.

    “Television Screen Heroes” featured on the 2 CD compilation “Millions Like Us. Source: M.I.5

    In Dec 2014, the band’s “Television Screen Heroes” was included on disc 2 of the “Millions Like Us – The Story Of The Mod Revival 1977-1989” box set on the Cherry Red Records label.

    Towards the end of M.I.5., Smart and Leigh worked on a project they titled Blinded by Science whose demo received a glowing review in Melody Maker. Smart performed at the Ronnie Lane Tribute at The Royal Albert Hall in April 2004 and at the Syd Barrett Tribute at the Union Chapel, Islington in September 2006. He is a founding member and currently performing in the The St John’s Wood Affair.

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  • East of Karma

    East of Karma

    (c’83 or ’84) Pete Buckler (bass) & ?

    In late 1970 Buckler had formed Impulse with his twin brother, and future drummer with The Jam, Rick. He then went on to form Static in ’78, before pulling East of Karma together.

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  • The 1990 Gig List

    The 1990 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 1990:

    January 2
    Opera on the Green, London: Yellow Darkness

    Jan-Feb 1990: Yellow Darkness gig list. Picture courtesy of Marcus Cowley

    January 13
    Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot: The Charlatans w/ The Vinegar Blossom

    January 15
    Rock Garden, Covent Garden: Yellow Darkness

    January 19
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Ride w/ The Ogdens, Lost T-Shirts of Atlantis, and Heisenberg

    January 20
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Frantic

    January 21
    University of Surrey, Guildford: Energy Orchard
    White Hart, Farncombe: Rockit Men

    21 January 1990: Rockit Men rocked the White Hart, Farncombe. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records

    January 24
    The George, Ash Vale: Frantic

    January 26
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Guru Josh w/ Brother Einstein

    January 27
    All Saints Church Hall, New Haw: Backlash w/ Strangeland, Minds Eye, Alternative Low, and Snaggletooth
    Fox and Hounds, Fleet: Frantic w/ Sticky Solution

    Frantic at Fox and Hounds, Fleet. Picture courtesy of Chewtonia

    January 31
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Big Wednesday

    Big Wednesday at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of Nathan Argonaut

    February 2
    Civic Hall, Guildford: The Quireboys

    February 3
    Salesian College, Farnborough: Who Moved The Ground?

    February 4
    University of Surrey, Guildford: Cry Before Dawn

    February 6
    The Powerhaus, Islington: Yellow Darkness

    February 9
    Town Hall, Haslemere: Who Moved The Ground?
    Civic Hall, Guildford: The Beloved

    February 14
    The Palace, Aldershot: Who’s The Spy w/ Blue Velvet

    February 15
    British Legion Hall, Fleet: Who Moved The Ground?

    February 17
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Backlash w/ Big Wednesday

    17 February 1990: Backlash with Big Wednesday. Picture courtesy of Nathan Argonaut

    February 20
    The George, Ash Vale: Blue Velvet
    Civic Hall, Guildford: The Blues Band w/ Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues Band

    20 February 1990: Sammy Rats supports The Blues Band

    February 21
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Big Wednesday

    February 22
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Blue Velvet

    February 24
    University of Surrey, Guildford: Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues Band

    Sammy Rat’s played Surrey University Rag Week in ’90…

    February 26
    Lady Owen Arms, Islington: Frantic w/ Dan Dare’s Dog, and Gash

    Picture courtesy of Chewtonia

    February 27
    Brixton Academy, London: The Cramps w/ Mega City Four, and Blur

    March 2
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Quireboys
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Mega City Four w/ Neds Atomic Dustbin & Blue Velvet

    2 March 1990: Blue Velvet supporting Neds Atomic Dustbin and Mega City Four at The West End Centre. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole

    March 5
    Vienna, Lincoln: Three Times The Crow

    March 6
    The George, Ash Vale: Who Moved The Ground?

    March 7
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Everything But The Girl

    March 10
    Union Building, Aldershot: Who Moved The Ground?
    The Maltings, Farnham: Blodwyn Pig

    March 17
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Guru Josh
    The White Horse, London: Mega City Four
    The Lion Brewery, Ash: Rockit Men

    17 & 18 March 1990: Rockit Men were at Lion Brewery, Ash and White Hart, Farncombe respectively. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records

    March 18
    White Hart, Farncombe: Rockit Men

    March 19
    Civic Hall, Guildford: The Stranglers

    March 27
    The George, Ash Vale: Who Moved The Ground?

    March 29
    The Malting, Farnham: Sonny Black

    March 31
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Who Moved The Ground? w/ The Sack, The Fear and Frantic

    31 March 1990: Who Moved The Ground?, supported by Fear, The Sack, and Frantic, were at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: Who Moved The Ground?

    April 1
    The Maltings, Farnham: The Hamsters

    April 2
    Civic Hall, Guildford: It Bites w/ The Colour Red

    April 6
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Explodehead w/ After The Dream, The Screaming Benders, The Deep Season (in bar), This Witness, and Cow.
    The Railway Inn, West Hampstead: The Colour Red

    April 7
    The Compasses, Egham: The Colour Red
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Spliff Riff

    April 11
    The Three Lions, Godalming: The Colour Red

    April 12
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Adamski and Seal

    April 16
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Suzanne Vega
    The Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot: The Deep Season w/ After The Dream, and This Witness

    1990: A number of Buzz Club items on this West End Centre, Aldershot info sheet. Source: Who Moved The Ground?

    April 17
    Mean Fiddler, Harlsden: The Colour Red

    April 20
    The Cricketers, Westfield: The Colour Red

    April 21
    Dryden Hall, Popley: The Herb Conspiracy w/ Vinegar Blossom, and Still

    April 26
    The Cricketers, Westfield: The Big Wednesday w/ The Staggerance

    26 April 1990. Picture courtesy of Nathan ARguat

    April 27
    West End Centre, Aldershot: African Rhythm w/ Abdul Tee-Jay’s Rokoto
    The Hatch, Old Basing: Cryin’ Out Loud

    April 28
    Fox & Hounds, Fleet: Who Moved The Ground?
    Civic Hall, Guildford: The Shamen

    May 2
    The George, Ash Vale: Frantic

    May 5
    The George, Ash Vale: Who Moved The Ground?

    May 12
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Snuff w/ The Sect

    May 17
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Big Wednesday w/ Backlash (playing as Brick Shithouse)

    May 19
    The Wyvern, Church Crookham: Who Moved the Ground?
    Village Hall, Sunningdale: International Resque, Cesspit Rebels, Coelacanth, Big Wednesday, and Shaft

    May 20
    The Leadmill, Sheffield: Mega City Four w/ The Bollweevils, and The Things

    20 May 1990: Mega City Four played The Leadmill, Sheffield.

    May 21
    The Duchess, Leeds: Mega City Four w/ The Milltown Brothers

    May 26
    The Marquee, London: Mega City Four w/ Les Thugs, and The Things

    May 27
    Options Nightclub, Kingston: Backlash w/ The Peterie, Flavour Zone, and Alien Threat

    May 29
    Portsmouth Polytechnic, Portsmouth: The Charlatans w/ The Vinegar Blossom

    May 30
    Bierkeller, Bristol: The Charlatans w/ The Vinegar Blossom

    June 1
    Nelson Mandela Building, University of Sheffield: The Charlatans w/ The Vinegar Blossom

    June 5
    The Cunningham, New Addington: Who Moved The Ground?

    June 8
    Community Centre, Mychett: Who Moved The Ground?

    June 9
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine w/Frantic and Bubble Eyed Dog Boys

    June 11
    Opera on the Green, Shepherd’s Bush: Backlash w/ The Signed

    June 15
    LA’s, Kings Lynn: Frantic
    Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot: Eusebio w/ Vinegar Blossom, and Here Comes Jordan (Flowered Up cancelled)

    15 June 1990: Flowered Up supported by Vinegar Blossom and Here Comes Jordan played The Buzz Club at West End Centre, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Andy Mabbutt

    June 20
    The North Camp, Farnborough: Who Moved The Ground?

    June 29
    The Cricketers, Tongham: Who Moved The Ground?

    July 1
    A Barn, Box Hill: Who Moved The Ground? w/ The Sack

    July 2
    The Park Royal, Ealing: Who Moved The Ground? w/ Mother Spiral

    July 6
    Labour Hall, Cove: Who’s The Spy? w/ Frantic

    July 7
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Who Moved The Ground? w/ Ludicrous Lollipops (who were touring their ‘Mush’ EP)

    July 13
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Backlash

    July 14
    The George, Ash Vale: Melt Down
    Four Horseshoes, Camberley: Who Moved The Ground?
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Adrian Legg
    Borough Hall, Godalming: The Ha Ha Men w/ Yellow Darkness, Bushpigs, Octopussy and M.O.E.

    14 July 1990: The Myriad Syndrome II. Picture courtesy of Marcus Cowley

    July 18
    The North Camp, Farnborough: Who Moved The Ground?

    July 23
    Rayzels, Bletchley: Who Moved The Ground? w/ The Sack

    July 25
    The George, Ash Vale: Killing Faith

    July 28
    The Cricketers, Westfield: The Sack

    August 1
    The George, Ash Vale: Backlash w/ Big Wednesday
    The North Camp, Farnborough: The Sack

    August 2
    The Compasses, Gomshall: Backlash w/ Big Wednesday
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Showcase ’90 with Lannoy, Bon Booshe, Big Belief, The Ha Ha Men, Joy, Yellow Darkness, Sabena, Lost Weekend, and Kickback

    August 3
    The Silver Birch, Greatham: The Sack

    August 7
    Corn Exchange, Dorchester: Blyth Power w/ Shelley’s Children, and WOB

    August 8
    The Park Royal, Hanger Lane: The Sack

    August 9
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Big Wednesday w/ Backlash

    August 14
    Stick Of Rock, Bethnel Green: Who Moved The Ground?

    August 16
    “The Oven” at The Bun Shop, Surbiton: Backlash w/ Big Wednesday
    The Compasses, Gomshall: Three Times The Crow

    August 19
    The Bell Inn, Frogmore: The Sack

    August 24
    Reading Festival: Mega City Four

    August 28
    Old Queens Head, Brixton: Who Moved The Ground?
    The Axe, Boston: Three Times The Crow

    August 31
    The George, Ash Vale: Three Times The Crow

    September 1
    Labour Hall, Cove: Bubble Eyed Dog Boys w/ Who Moved the Ground?, and The Sack
    The Rails, Euston Station: Three Times The Crow

    September 3
    Lady Owen Arms, Islington: Who Moved The Ground?

    September 8
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Mega City Four w/ Trousershock B.C.

    September 11
    The Grey Horse, Kingston: Backlash w/ Big Wednesday & Dick Normal

    September 14
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Who Moved The Ground? w/ Pomeroy, Sloth and After The Dream

    September 15
    Barnfield Centre, Kingston-Upon-Thames: Who Moved The Ground?

    September 18
    The George Robey, Finsbury Park: The Sack

    September 19
    The North Camp, Farnborough: Who Moved The Ground?

    September 21
    The Plough, Kenton: Who Moved The Ground? w/ Golden Shower

    September 26
    Cartoons Club, Reading: Three Times The Crow
    Rock Garden, London: Direct Heat

    September 28
    Caribbean Club, Basingstoke: Vinegar Blossom
    The George, Ash Vale: Explodehead w/ Flowers of Sacrifice

    28 Sept 1990: Explodehead, supported by The Flowers of Sacrifice (their first gig), were at The George, Ash Vale. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole

    September 30
    The Lady Owens Arms, London: The Sack

    October 2
    The Plough, Kenton: The Sack

    October 3
    Opera on the Green, London: Three Times The Crow

    October 5
    Arts Centre, Colchester: Three Times The Crow
    The Park Royal, Ealing: The Sack w/ support

    October 6
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Who Moved the Ground? w/ Phobia and Three Times The Crow

    October 10
    The Old Trout, Windsor: Mega City Four

    October 11
    University of London Union, London: Mega City Four w/ Neds Atomic Dustbin

    October 12
    University of London Union, London: Neds Atomic Dustbin w/ Mega City Four

    October 15
    The Square, Harlow: Three Times The Crow

    October 17
    University of Surrey, Guildford: Stress

    Tour advert from Record Mirror’s 22 Sept ’90 issue for Stress’ Beautiful People Tour. Image courtesy of Pete Cole.

    October 19
    Alton College, Alton: Who Moved the Ground? w/ Herb Garden, and Chalk Garden
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Three Times The Crow

    October 20
    The Buzz Club, Aldershot: Blur, w/ The Bluebirds and The Ha Ha Men

    20 October 1990: The Ha Ha Men supported Blur at the West End Centre

    October 26
    Grey Horse, Kingston: Backlash w/ Sweet Life and Casual Affair
    Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: Blue Velvet
    Village Hall, Great Well Netherton: Three Times The Crow

    October 27
    Fox & Hounds, Fleet: Who Moved The Ground? w/ The Cloudwatchers
    Cornhill Vaults, Lincoln: Three Times The Crow

    October 30
    The Grey Horse, Kingston: The Big Wednesday w/ Backlash and Girls on Dextrose
    The Palace, Aldershot: Who Moved The Ground?

    November 1
    Rock Garden, Covent Garden: Who Moved The Ground? w/ Bleach

    November 2
    Oak Farm School, Farnborough: Who Moved The Ground?

    November 3
    All Saints Church Hall, New Haw: Backlash w/ Alternative Law and The Mourning After

    3 November 1990: The Mourning After’s 1st gig at All Saints Church Hall, New Haw supporting Backlash and Alternative Law

    November 8
    Technical College, Farnborough: Who Moved The Ground? w/ Bubble Eyed Dog Boys

    November 9
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Three Times The Crow
    The Playhouse, Epsom: Who Moved The Ground? w/ Bubble Eyed Dog Boys

    November 11
    The Four Horseshoes, Camberley: Who Moved The Ground?

    November 12
    University of Surrey (Lower Bar), Guildford: Railroad Earth

    November 14
    “Fresh” at The King’s Head, Fulham: Backlash w/ Mother Machine, and Mecca

    November 15
    The Cricketers, Westfield: The Big Wednesday

    November 17
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Backlash w/ The Staggerance

    November 19
    The Square, Harlow: Who Moved The Ground? w/ The Mysterons

    November 22
    The George, Ash Vale: F.I.R
    The Maltings, Farnham: Snatch It Back
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Short Street

    November 23
    The George, Ash Vale: Explode Head

    November 24
    The George, Ash Vale: The Press
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Smoke Stack
    The Cartoon, Croydon: Backlash (afternoon)

    November 25
    The George, Ash Vale: Rusty Bucket

    November 28
    Farnham Maltings, Farnham: Rod Garfield Blues Band

    November 29
    The Cricketers, Westfield: New English

    November 30
    Lady Owen Arms, Angel Islington: Backlash
    The Cricketers, Westfield: The Big Wednesday

    December 1
    University of Surrey, Guildford: Yellow Darkness, The Hamsters, Gypsie Fiddler, Big Belief, Ample Cleavage, The Ant Hill Mob, Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues Band, and Dr. Brown.

    December 6
    The Old Trout, Windsor: Cardiacs

    December 7
    The Old Times, Ipswich: Who Moved the Ground? w/ The Mysterons
    Sir George Robey, London: Creaming Jesus w/ Wart Farmers, and Big Boy Tomato

    December 8
    Telecom Club, Aldershot: Who Moved the Ground? w/ Deceased Disease
    West End Centre, Aldershot: Sun w/ The Sack
    Art College, Farnham: Beautiful People

    December 10
    “Clubhouse” at Old Queen’s Head, Stockwell: Backlash w/ Goldwater

    December 14
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Backlash w/ Girls on Dextrose

    December 21
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Big Wednesday w/ Backlash

    December 24
    Tumbledown Dick, Farnborough: Who Moved the Ground?

    December 27
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Backlash

    December 28
    The Cricketers, Westfield: The 68 Floods

    December 29
    The Cricketers, Westfield: Calamity Sax
    Labour Hall, Cove: Who Moved The Ground? w/ UK Subs

    Forward to
    The 1991 Gig List

    Back to
    The 1989 Gig List

  • Pushmepullyou

    Pushmepullyou

    (c’82-83) Cathy Lomax (vocals), Mark Charles (drums/percussion), Mark Turner (guitar / vocals), Denzil Daniels (percussion) and Richard Walker (flute/keyboards)

    Lauded for their originality this band were experimental and free thinking; pushing some boundaries musically and politically. At some point they disappeared into a studio and recorded a few tracks, including a cover of ‘Money Make The World Go Round’ from the musical Caberet, which was produced by Steve Smith of The Vapors. The band gigged all over local scene and supported The Jam at their second to last ever show at the Civic Hall, Guildford on 9 December ’82.

    Lomax, Charles, who’d been in UBz previously, and Daniels left Pushmepullyou and joined Smith in Shoot! Dispute.

    Gallery:

One thought on “Home

  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.

    Liked by 1 person

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