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The Plague
(c’81-’85) – Ade Street (vocals), ? “Piggy” ? (guitar), Dave ? (drums) and Trev Bossom (bass).
The Plague were an Aldershot punk band that organized ‘The Sty’ rock / punk club nights at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Not to be confused with the late 70’s The Plague, out of Bromley, they oft went by The Aldershot Plague moniker.
The Sty saw the likes of The Contaminated, and Maxi Puch and The Macho Moped Men take the stage. By March ’82, The Plague’s The Sty was firmly established; featuring Black Easter supporting Exit for example. The Plague were also known for looking after their fans (organized coaches to take everyone to gigs) and onstage antics: Ady once ate dog food out of a pint glass on stage and wore a mini kilt and no underwear at The Royal, Guildford.
30 January 1984: The Plague organized ‘The Sty’ rock / punk club nights the West End Centre, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Ade Street The Sty night on 30 January ’84 featured The Contaminated and Maxi Puch and the Macho Moped Men with The Plague in support. The following month, on 9 February The Contaminated, Black Easter and The Plague were at The Old Schoolhouse, Woking for a punk night. Then, on 25 February, The Plague joined Black Easter, Panzer Korps and Maxi Puch and the Macho Moped Men at Caird Hall, Camberley. Dark Paradise supported the band at The Royal, Guildford on 7 March ’84 and a couple of weeks later they were one of the local punk bands at the Aldershot Rock Weekend. Held at the West End Centre, Aldershot, the punk session held on the afternoon of 24 March ’84 saw Black Easter, Panzer Korp, Maxi Puch and the Macho Moped Men and The Plague, who reportedly recorded their performance, take to the Westy’s stage.
On 20 March ’85 the band appeared at Club Royal at The Royal, Guildford with 16 Guns in support, the following month, on 17 April, they were back at the venue. They are also known to have played The Wooden Bridge, Guildford and have had Chris Keating of Maxi Puch and the Macho Moped Men join then for a while. The band dissolved sometime in ’85.
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Gallery:
The Plague’s original guitarist Piggy. Source: Ade Street 
The Plague’s Dave and Trev Bossom. Source: Ade Street 
Soundscene – 26th January 1984 16 Guns, Ade Street, Aldershot, Black Easter, Caird Hall, Camberley, Chris Keating, Dark Paradise, Exit, Guildford, Maxi Puch and the Macho Moped Men, Panzer Korp, The Aldershot Plague, The Contaminated, The Old Schoolhouse, The Plague, The Royal, The Sty, Trev Bossom, West End Centre, Wooden Bridge -
A Month of Sundays
(c’87) Malcolm Smith (guitar); ? (?), and ? (?).
In June ’87, this 3-piece band, signed to independent label Black Basque.
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Planetarium
(’79-80) – Russ Wilson (drums), John Dale (guitar), Alex Tedesco (?) and Leigh Eggins (bass).
Byfleet’s 14-15 year old rockers, Planetarium fancied themselves the next Hawkwind, even covering “Silver Machine”. Their own material included “Banditz” and “Craft from the Golden Age”. Eggins’ bass reportedly used to belong to Roy Wood.
Tedesco went on to play in Pyrford based Southern boogie 3-piece Southbound.
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Vatmen
(c’87) – Curley Collateral (vocals), N.G. (drums), Spender Penny (lead guitar), Mr Interest (bass) and Deposit Stephens (sax).
Reportedly the members were all tax inspectors, they also released a funk LP cassette titled “Show Me Some Love, Show Me Some Interest” featuring tracks “We’ll Tell the Truth If They Ever Catch Us” and “Glasnost Pays”. A record deal was reportedly rejected!
Now, was this one of Soundscene’s made up bands, the fact the column was willing to “pay’ for information on the band would suggest so. If you know anything do share.
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The Red House, Woking
In the 60’s The Red House held a regular Friday night Folk Club featuring the folk greats on the time, including Trevor Lucas who formed the folk band Eclection in August ’67 and was a founding member of Fotheringay. Local ‘resident’ performers included Fred Hayes, Brian Dunt, and Tom Dillon.
The Red House held a regular Folk Night in the mid to late 60’s. Source: Sue Bradman via WOKING-OLD and NEW When Steve Brookes left The Jam, The Red House is where the three remaining members auditioned several guitarists and a keyboardist; including Brian Viner, a guitarist from Lightwater. Donegal Joe also played the venue around that time. It was reborn as a live venue in the early 80’s, with a few notable bands gigging there including Cutting Edge‘s debut gig shortly after Panther split up.
In the mid-eighties, McFarlane and the LeFevre brothers, who all worked behind the bar and lived above, re-established Face to Face, later called Seven, out of the pub. John Goodison, the then Red House landlord, even gave them a loan and their first break by making them the resident band, which they did for almost a year.
The Red House is now O’Neill’s.
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Red House from the air… 
Interior of The Red House. Picture courtesy of Phil Gibby 
The Red House on the right c’60’s. Source: Richard Knotek via WOKING when we were young -
The Woking Jazz Associates
(c’83-’88) Ron Clements (?), Mark Aston (Tenor Sax) and ?.
This lighthearted jazz/swing band was founded by Clements. The group took an 18 month sabbatical in ’85-87, when Clements moved to Winchester, briefly. The Woking Jazz Associates returned on 18 December ’87 at The Blue Anchor, Byfleet.
Aston played in Chas McDevitt’s band and is now organizing Mark’s Jazz Sessions, with his regular band mates and special guests, such as guitarist Nigel Price and vocalist Jo Harrop, in Twickenham and London. He can also be caught playing across the South of England at the likes of Pangbourne Jazz Club and Hedsor Jazz, near Marlow.
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Taken from Soundscene, 10th December 1987. -
The Famous Rondini Brothers
(c’75-’79) Chris Brayne (drums), Mick “Bloodhound” Hogsden / Bryant (keyboards / vocals); Tony Leach (keyboards / vocals); Dick Middleton (guitar); and Eddie Quinn (bass).
This Guildford group were a regular feature of the local scene and around the country. Brayne, who had been in Stormville Shakers and Nashville Teens, was at some point replaced by Colin Garrett and then Dave Bidwell (ex-Chicken Shack and Mungo Jerry) on drums. Mungo Jerry was a common thread: Middleton, who owned a music shop in Guildford, had previously supported Gene Vincent, Johnny Halliday, had been in Mungo Jerry too; and Quinn was in the Mungo Jerry line-up in June ’78, the first Western rock group to play in Bulgaria.
On 23 November ’75, De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea was hosting Osibisa with The Famous Rondini Brothers and Quadraphonia Road Show in support. Almost a month later, on 20 December ’75, the band supported Stallion at the Hastings’ Pier Pavilion, along with Sounds.
The Famous Rondini Brothers disbanded in late ’77 or ’78.
Middleton went on to play in House, and with Leach they both played in Headwaiter. Brayne was also in Mungo Jerry and House as well as Backhurst and Poker. Sadly, Bidwell left us in ’77.
They reformed for a one-off gig at Stoke Hotel, Guildford on 11 November ’79 with Quinn, who had just been kicked out of Mungo Jerry, on bass; and Dave Ramsey taking Bidwell’s drumming stool. Ramsey had previously stood in for Bidwell at the Marquee, supporting a Italian fusion rock outfit, possibly NME favorites Nova or Agora; with John Coghlan, the original drummer with Status Quo, and Jackie Lynton in the audience.
Hogsden / Bryant sadly passed away in 2018, as did Quinn a few years prior. Garrett, who joined Crosswinds, is currently banging skins with Spriggan Mist and Guildford band Nick of Time; and has also performed and recorded with Keith James.
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The Famous Rondini Brothrs supported Osibisa at Hastings Pier in 1975 
Hastings Pier in 1975 
11 November 1979: Sally Clark gives a quick review of The Famous Rondini Brothers return for the Barbed Wire fanzine Vol3 No1, Jan/Feb 1980. Image courtesy of Fred Pipes Agora, Backhurst, Bexhill-on-Sea, Chicken Shack, Chris Brayne, Colin Garrett, Crosswinds, Dave Bidwell, Dave Ramsey, De La Warr Pavilion, Dick Middleton, Eddie Quinn, Gene Vincent, Guildford, Hastings, Hastings Pier, Head Waiter, House, Jackie Lynton, John Coghlan, Johnny Halliday, Keith James, London, Marquee, Mick Bryant, Mick Hogsden, Mungo Jerry, Nashville Teens, Nick of Time, NME, Nova, Osibisa, Pavilion, Pier Pavilion, Poker, Quadraphonia Road Show, Sounds, Spriggan Mist, Stallion, Status Quo, Stoke Hotel, Stormville Shakers, The Famous Rondini Brothers, Tony Leach -
Deadlock
(c’79-81) – Mark “Fes” Ferris (vocals), Paul “Puke” Firth (guitar), Richard “Rus” Rusling (bass) and John “J.J.” Jerrom (drums).
Deadlock – “Scrap The Town Hall” photo shoot – March 1980 This punk 4-piece originated at Heron Wood Comprehensive in Aldershot in ’79. The then 16 year olds became a bit of a local cult band in early 1980, playing their songs about the boredom of living and growing up in Aldershot at gigs around Aldershot, Ash, Farnborough and Fleet area. “Scrap the Town Hall”, an anti proposed Rushmoor Council offices anthem, boosted their notoriety.
Deadlock – “Scrap The Town Hall” photo shoot – March 1980 Farnborough Tech‘s Rugby Union Football Club hosted the band, along with Lethal Dose, on 14 November ’80 after the cancellation of a gig at the same venue on 31 October due to licensing issues. On 21 January ’81 a punk gig was organized at Ash Vale’s Victoria Hall featuring Graffiti, Deadlock and The Crew. Live bands were not allowed at the 100 person capacity Hall; but punk being punk 300 tickets were sold and the venue was crammed. Using the other bands’ gear, The Crew were the first and only band to play that night, as the police arrived during their set and shut the show down.
Deadlock rented Fleet’s Youth and Community Centre for a gig on 10 March ’81. Seventeen days later the band were back at the Technical College, Farnborough, supporting Human Beings.
They disbanded in 1981, a few home-made cassettes – including a 14-track demo you could pick up for a quid at the time – and grainy photos the only record of those days.
They have since reformed and now tour as Deadlock UK.
Gallery:
Deadlock 
Deadlock Rehearsal ’80 
Deadlock Rehearsal ’80 
Deadlock Rehearsal ’80 
Deadlock Poster ’81 
Deadlock Playlist ’81 
Deadlock – “Scrap The Town Hall” photo shoot – March 1980 
Deadlock – “Scrap The Town Hall” photo shoot – March 1980 
Deadlock – Flyer ’80 
Deadlock – Flyer ’81 
Deadlock – Flyer ’81 
Deadlock – Flyer ’81 
Deadlock – Playist for Farnborough Tech ’80 
John Jerrom, Deadlock – Farnborough Tech ’80 
John Jerrom, Deadlock – Farnborough Tech ’80 
Deadlock – Farnborough Tech ’80 
Richard Rusling, Deadlock – Farnborough Tech ’80 
Paul Firth, Deadlock – Farnborough Tech ’80 
Mark Ferris, Deadlock – Farnborough Tech ’80 
Deadlock – Aldershot News photo shoot outside the Town Hall, Farnborough, March ’80 
Deadlock – Aldershot News, March ’80 
Deadlock – Aldershot News, 31 October ’81 -
Bloodhound
(c’79-’81) – Mick “Bloodhound” Hogsden / Bryant (wurlitzer piano / vocals / drums), Brain ‘Jammy’ Robinson (guitar), Brian ‘Mr Whippy’ Hosking (bass), Alan ‘Algie’ Watkin (drums /vocals), Neil ‘Lofty’ Pyzer (sax), Paul ‘Bud’ Read (trumpet / congas / percussion).
All the Bloodhound members had quite a history: Watkin, Hogsden / Bryant – a hairdesser from Godalming – and Robinsion had all played in Aldershot based Grapevine, which was managed by Hosking; who had been in The Kool. Watkin had been in The Embers; then agency band Rubber Duck; had the occasional appearance in House, joined Jackie Lynton before becoming a Bloodhound. Hogsden / Bryant had also been in The Famous Rondini Brothers before joining Jackie Lynton. Read was in Bubz, with Tony and Kevin Meynall of Squire. Pyzer was in, Melody Maker contest finalists, Jasmine Pie and had a stint in White Gold. Hosking gigged with Marty Wilde once or twice and started the Mick Bryant Band with Hogsden / Bryant.
The Mick Bryant Band became Bloodhound. This 6-piece band played The Three Lions, Farncombe on 17 May ’79 and The Wooden Bridge, Guildford 10 days later; returning to the Three Lions in 14 June. They spent time in Chestnut Studios, Churt in late ’79, and at one-point Hogsden provided backing vocals for a Graham Cooper LP track recorded at the studio, and in early ’80 with Tim Wheatley producing a demo tape. A later brass / horn section consisted of Paul Allen (trumpet), David White (trumpet) and Nick Gibson (sax). Bloodhound featured on the compilation LP of Guildford bands “Remember When”.
The band reformed in the mid 80’s playing The Cricketer’s, Westfield on 25 July ’86.
Pyzer went on to play sax with UBz and was in Microdot releasing two acid house tracks with the outfit in ’87. He went on to tour with Howard Devoto and Case before joining Spear of Destiny. He was a founder member of The Kick Horns and has recently worked with Eddie Floyd, Jimmie James and The Foundations. He has also worked with Pauline Black, Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band and Blue Zoo; and is currently in The Selector.
Gallery:
Sally Clark interviews Bloodhound for Barbed Wire Volume 3 Number 1 Jan/Feb 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Cricketers, Westfield used to place ads in the local papers – Blood Hound played there on Saturday, 25 July ’86. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records. Alan Watkin, Bloodhound, Blue Zoo, Brian Hosking, Brian Robinson, Bubz, Case, Chestnut Studios, Cricketers, David White, Eddie Floyd, Farncombe, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Graham Cooper, Grapevine, Guildford, House, Howard Deveto, Jackie Lynton, Jasmine Pie, Jimmie James, Kevin Maynall, Marty Wilde, Mick Bryant, Mick Bryant Band, Mick Hogsden, Microdot, Neil Pyzer, Nick Gibson, Paul Allen, Paul Read, Pauline Black, Rubber Duck, Spear of Destiny, The Embers, The Famous Rondini Brothers, The Foundations, The Kick Horns, The Kool, The Selector, The Three Lions, Tim Wheatley, Tony Meynall, UBz, Westfield, White Gold, Wooden Bridge -
Grandpa’s Spells
(c’87 to date) – ?
Named after a 1924 piano rag written by Jelly Roll Morton, Grandpa’s Spells were a 6-piece band from Yateley that played jazz and dixieland. On 5 October ’87 the band played at The Crown, Horsell.
Having adopted a stripey waistcoats and boater uniform they can now be found entertaining shoppers in Wokingham, at the Woking bandstand in Cawsey Way. They also played their jazz at the 120th Birthday Party of Guildford Castle Grounds on 28th June 2008.
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Soundscene Gig List 1st October 1987
Our Soundscene 
Human beings takes me back to 1981. Followed them all over the Surrey reading area for a year a great band and 3 good guys playing well written songs of the era. I wish john Tim and steve well what ever they are doing now. Should reform for a few shows just like Oasis but do the wooden bridge.
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