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Stereo Club, Woking
The Stereo Club was held in the dance hall, up the winding staircase, at the top of the Co-op in Woking; with Willy Watson and Ronnie Hughes the main doormen on club nights from ’64-’66. It may not have been a licensed venue, but it featured a lot of good beat and rhythm ’n’ blues bands and was known as a hardcore Mod hangout.
You could have seen the likes of Freddie & the Dreamers, The Troggs, Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick and Tich, and the Tremelos for no more than 5/-. Local bands such as The Late Edition also played there, and on the 7th Jan, 7th Feb, 3rd & 13th March ’64 Philip Goodhand-Tait and The Stormville Shakers appeared returning in ’65 on 26th Sept. Each club night featured live music and a disco. Local firemen of the time – station just across the road – were often called out to the club to administer first aid following a punch up.
During the day and Saturday morning’s the Alexander School of Dancing, run by Frank and Winnie Alexander, operated out of the club. Below the club the Hopwood brothers ran a roller disco. The Co-op closed around 1980.
Gallery:
The old Co-op (c’73) building, Woking were the Stereo Club was held upstairs and the Hopwood brothers ran a roller discos below. 
Up the winding stairs on the right to the top of the Co-op was The Stereo Club. Picture courtesy of Gillian Pugh via WOKING-OLD and NEW 
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Annual Leave
(c’81) Taff Evans (drums), Nick Hyde (guitar / vocals), Mike Gale (bass) and Andy Callan (keyboard).
Evans (ex-Ribs), Hyde (ex-Can’t Be Rad), Gale (ex-Brun Salef) and Callan covered the pop-rock-jazz-blues area of the music spectrum. Gale may be the same person as the vocalist in PSG. Evans went on to join Boogie Chillen.
Gallery:
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Basic Essentials
(c’79-’83) – Stewart Home (guitar), Sally Alderman (vocal), Andrea James (bass), and Dave King (drums / synth).
This four-piece were formed by Andrea James and managed by David Tiffen, who also wrote some lyrics. A pre-gigging incarnation included Steve ? (guitar) with King, who was the guitarist with The Sleep. Home was in White Colours prior (with a slight overlap) to Basic Essentials and The Molotovs. King worked as a recording engineer at Theatre Projects in Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden and the band were able to use the place at the weekends to rehearse and record for free. Debuting at The Cricketers, Westfield on 20 June 1980, they played mostly their own material, with the odd cover, which despite the pretty traditional band construct was rather “experimental”. We also know that they appeared at The Star, Guildford.
Arctic Explorer demo cassette from 1980 
The “11 To 13” demo cassette from 1981. Two cassette EPs: The five track “Artic Explorer” which sold for 75p from Bonepartes, Guildford and Recordscene, Woking; and “11 to 13” were produced and released on the bands own These Silences label, generating some record company interest, with Rough Trade records distributing the cassettes. “Artic Explorer” [TST1] came out in late ’80 and carried 5 tracks: “Arctic Explorer”, “Woking”, “Little Boy”, “The Voyeur” and “No One Is There”. It sold well locally and received some coverage in the weekly music press, leading to sales in Switzerland, France and Germany. The “11 to 13” [TST2] cassette EP had all new, but one less track: “Hat Boxes”, “Kerouac”, “Traveler”, and “House of Usher” and was released in shortly before Christmas ’81.
Promo pic Home left the band prior to the recording of their third cassette, with King taking on guitar and drums duties. But all was not well and the band dissolved while the cassette was in the works. Then, from the ashes of Basic Essentials, Somewhere In Europe formed in ’83.
Gallery:
Advert for Basic Essentials “Arctic Explorer” cassette EP from page 8 of the Bitch Bitch fanzine Issue No 1. Picture courtesy of John Hudson 
Basic Essentials get a mention in the Bitch Bitch fanzine Issue No 1 Pg3. Picture courtesy of John Hudson 
Cover image for Basic Essentials’ “Artic Explorer” cassette EP released in 1980 
Article from local paper (to be identified) on Basic Essentials’ cassette sales success… 
1981: Stewart Home on guitar with Basic Essentials at The Wooden Bridge , Guildford. 
Some ‘weirdery’ from guitarist Home in the 10th May ’84 Soundscene 
Jon Harlow stirs it up a bit for Basic Essentials. Soundscene 1981 (date TBC). Picture courtesy of Chris Turner. 
Basic Essentials at The Star, Guildford 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Basic Essentials at The Star, Guildford 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Basic Essentials at The Star, Guildford 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Basic Essentials at The Star, Guildford 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Basic Essentials at The Star, Guildford 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes Andrea James, Basic Essentials, Bonepartes, Covent Garden, Dave King, Dave Tiffen, David Tiffen, Guildford, Recordscene, Rough Trade, Sally Alderman, Somewhere in Europe, Stewart Home, The Cricketers, The Molotovs, The Sleep, The Star, Theatre Projects, These Silences, Westfield, White Colours, Woking -
White Colours
(c’80-’85) – Julian Jehu (vocals), Stewart Home (bass), Chris Searle (guitar), and Andy Clarke (drums).
Named after a novel by F. D. Reeve, in late ’80 this Byfleet / Weybridge area band debuted at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Appearances at The Cricketers, Westfield; Bunters, Guildford and a few times at Woking Sixth Form College followed, once supporting Hector’s Breakfast, before the year was out.
On 27 January ’81 the band were back at The Wooden Bridge for a set with Tel Aviv Quartet, followed by a support slot for Pain Relief at Woking College on 30 January. A demo was also recorded in ’81, carrying “13 O’Clock” and “Soldier” which was either reportedly recorded in the garage studio of Tel Aviv Quartet guitarist Dave King or at a studio in Covent Garden by Dave King, assisted by ‘Big’ John Preston (bass) who were both in The Sleep.
Home left and joined King in Basic Essentials during ’81. When the band finally parted ways, Searle and Clarke formed In Motion, with Dave Cheke from The Sleep and Paul Slydell (bass).
Gallery:
c’ 1981 
Soundscene in ’81 (exact date unknown at this point). Picture courtesy of Chris Turner Andy Clarke, Basic Essentials, Bunters, Byfleet, Chris Searle, Covent Garden, Dave Cheke, Dave King, F.D. Reeve, Guildford, Hector’s Breakfast, In Motion, John Preston, Julian Jehu, Pain Relief, Paul Slydell, Stewart Home, Tel Aviv Quartet, The Cricketers, The Sleep, Westfield, Weybridge, Woking, Woking College, Wooden Bridge -
Phone For Details
(’84) ? (?), ? (?), ? (?), ? (?), and ? (?)
This Guildford 5-piece competed at the Aldershot Rock Weekend, held at the West End Centre, Aldershot, on the evening of 24 March ’84 appearing with Capricorn, Boogie Chillun, Drama, and Trident. Phone for Details also supported The Click at The Royal, Guildford on 4 May ’84.
Gallery:
Caroline Wood reviews Phone For Details when they supported The Click at The Royal, 4 May ’84. Taken from Soundscene 10 May ’84. 
Rock Weekend at West End Centre. Clipping from Aldershot News, March ’84 -
XLR8
(’82-’83) – William de Kock (drums), Nigel Turner (bass / backing vocals), Dave Raphael (keyboard / harmonica) and Pete Alvis (guitar / lead vocals).
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock Alvis, who’d previously been in The Fix, teamed up with fellow fellow Westfield residents de Kock and ex-Panther and Cutting Edge Raphael, and Turner from Old Woking to form XLR8, who rehearsed in Sutton Green. XLR8 played their first gig at The Cricketers, Westfield and were on the local circuit for about 2 yrs in the early 80’s, including The Cricks, almost as a residency.
A typical month for XLR8 went a bit like this: They played The Cricks on the 1 October ’82, supporting Precious Few – in which Raphael also played – and a week later they appeared at The Mariner, Frensham on 8 October; two days after which they were entertaining the punters at the Coach & Horses, Farnham. Peasmarsh Rock Club hosted the band in Guildford on 14 October before returning to The Cricks and The Mariner on 24 and 30 October respectively. The band ended up playing Peamarsh Rock Club monthly (11 November and December) and The Cricks on a similar schedule (18 November and 12 December), one of which saw them supporting Toulouse. They even ventured into the home turf of The Jam, to whom they were often compared, at the Youth Club, Sheerwater on 17 November.
Ten days into January ’83 saw the band at the Community Centre, Frimley and back at The Cricks on 24 Janaury. On 10 February ’83, The Cricks hosted the band again but they officially split in March / April that year the result of the double whammy of pubs preferring to book discos over live bands and the lack of live venues in the Woking area. Over the next few months pressure mounted, particularly from The Cricks regulars, to reform. Eventually they succumb to the pressure, which included the landlord of the Cricks itself, and agreed to get together and do one very last gig on 7 July ’83 – billing it as our final farewell.
7 July 1983, Farewell gig flyer. Picture courtesy of William de Kock It may have been billed as their final gig but we have a listing for the band playing at the Youth Club, Woking on 1 October ’83…? Turner and Raphael turn up a couple of years later in China Heart. Twelve years after the split the band reformed one more time for a gig supporting Sideways on 14 February ’95.
Tracks:
Gallery:
Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
XLR8 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
Turner threatens to send Jon Harlow a demo… Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
1983. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
1995. Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
Picture courtesy of William de Kock 
Picture courtesy of William de Kock China Heart, Coach & Horses, Community Centre, Cutting Edge, Dave Raphael, Farnham, Frensham, Frimley, Guildford, Nigel Turner, Old Woking, Panther, Peasmarsh Rock Club, Pete Alvis, Precious Few, Sheerwater, Sideways, Sutton Green, The Cricketers, The Fix, The Jam, The Mariner, Toulouse, Westfield, William de Kock, XLR8, Youth Club -
Ob-Jay-Da
(’82-date) Tim Howe (bass / vocals), Dave Swan (drums) and Tanya “Tarn” Ockenden (guitar / vocals).
Official band picture from the official programme for “Gig For Africa” at Dorking Halls – 21 December 1985 In around ’81 Howe would often be found in the local studio, where he got make tea for The Cure and shared one of his early home recordings with Robert Smith. This interest in recording led to Howe setting up a 4-track home studio and advertising his services. In December ’82, 15 year old Ockenden recorded a few of the songs she had written at Howe’s home studio, to which he added some bass guitar: Ob-Jay-Da was born with the addition of Swan on drums.
Signed ‘Colours Of Your Room’ demo cassette from 1983. Source: Stuart Scarry This Dorking band released the ‘Colours Of Your Room’ demo cassette in ’83. While the track listing for this first demo in uncertain, we do know the band recorded Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” from Evita and Men at Work’s “Plus Overkill”. The band were also playing live at the likes of Murray’s Wine Bar, Dorking and Westcott Village Hall. The band recorded video promos for “It’s so Strange” and “As If To Say” on 1 November ’83 using the multi-storey car park on Barrack Road, Aldershot, Farnham Castle and The Maltings, Farnham as locations. These were directed by Ian Lewis, who is possibly best know for the children’s TV series ‘Mona the Vampire’.
1 November ’83’s video promo ‘call sheet’. Source: Ob-Jay-Da ‘Colours Of Your Room’ was followed in ’84 by their ‘Over The Wall’ demo which carried eleven tracks: “Careless Situation / How The Mighty Are Fallen”, “Lost in Ideas”, “The Drum”, “Love in a Mist”, “Everything in Everybody”, “Over the Wall”, “Beautiful Morning”, “A Whirlpool”, “Lemon & Lime”, “Ozone” and “As If To Say”. Also in ’84 came the “This Is Now” demo.
Ob-Jay-Da demos. Source: Ob-Jay-Da If the tracks above sound familiar, the band entered Wickham Studios, Croydon in early ’85 and re-recorded the best tracks from these three demos. Twelve of those formed Ob-Jay-Da’s debut LP, “As If To Say”; which was released in ’85, shifting 1,500 copies, on the bands own Burning Ice Records [Melt 1] label. That same year they were also on the bill for the “Gig for Africa” at The Dorking Halls with the likes of Cardiacs, The Body Politic, Shoot! Dispute, and Great Garden.
The following year the band played Live-Aid Horsham, performing covers of T-Rex’s “Jeepster” and Billy Idol’s “White Wedding”. They also won the Star Discovery contest in ’86. By 1987 the band were playing regularly up in London; they also played at Woking Centre Halls to win Woking’s talent contest that year, which was judged by David Jason and others, with their performance of “Amoureuse”.
“Love Affair” was the trio’s first 7″ single, also released on Burning Ice Records [MELT 2]. This was backed by “Careless Situation” which had also been recorded in ’85 as part of the Wickham Studios sessions for ‘As If To Say”. Then in ’88 the band released their second LP, ‘Tales Of The Mystery Girl’ LP [MELT 3].
The bands second single hit the shelves in the spring of ’89 titled “Always Forever” [OJD 74], having secured distribution through EMI. Howe and Ockenden then took on a five week residency a hotel in St. Peter’s Port, Guernsey in June / July of ’89 – performing as a duo had become pretty common for the band by this point. Some time after their return “Ice”, a re-recording of the track included on the debut LP, was released as a single, backed by “Secrets” and “X” and distributed through EMI.
The band are still playing and releasing music today under the slightly different name of Objayda.
Gallery:
21 December 1985: The official “Gig For Africa” program has Bo-Jay-Da on the bill for at Dorking Halls. Source: Andrew Neil Brown 
21 December 1985: The official “Gig For Africa” program has Ob-Jay-Da on the bill for at Dorking Halls. Source: Andrew Neil Brown 
The official programme has Ob Jay Da on the bill for “Gig For Africa” at Dorking Halls – Dec 21st 1985 
The official poster has Ob Jay Da on the bill for “Gig For Africa” at Dorking Halls – Dec 21st 1985 
James Steen fills some column inches in the 29 October ’87 Soundscene… 
Ob Jay Da’s “As If To Say…” LP was released on Burning Ice Records [Melt 1] in ’85 
An early Ob-Jay-Da gig at a school 
Ob Jay Da (roughly centre) next to David Jason. Picture courtesy of Allan Broad 
Flyer from 1983 
Newsletter from 1989 Aldershot, Andrew Lloyd-Weber, Billy Idol, Burning Ice Records, Cardiacs, Centre Halls, Croydon, Dave Swan, David Jason, Dorking, EMI, Evita, Farnham, Farnham Castle, Gig for Africa, Great Garden, Guernsey, Horsham, Ian Lewis, Live-Aid, Men at Work, Mona the Vampire, Murray's Wine Bar, Ob-Jay-Da, Robert Smith, Shoot! Dispute, St. Peter's Port, Star Discovery, T-Rex, Tanya Ockenden, Tarn Ockenden, The Body Politic, The Cure, The Dorking Halls, The Maltings, Tim Howe, Tim Rice, Village hall, Westcott, Wickham Studios, Woking -
Collective Sound
(c’85-86) – Malcolm Randall (drums), Annie Noel (vocals), Andy Herbett (bass) and Ronnie Johnson (guitar) or John Etheridge (guitar).
Ex-Crosswinds and Spliff Riff bassist, Johnson had just finished touring with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames in early ’85 and Etheridge fronted Soft Machine (from ’75-’78 and in ’84) and played with Stephen Grappeli; the result being that the two guitarist alternated appearances with Collective Sound. We know the band played The Talbot, Ripley on Valentines Day in ’85 and went on to take up a Thursday night residency there in mid ’85. This moved to Sunday’s later in the year, from which they took a break in February ’86, returning on 2 March.
Johnson released his debut solo album ‘Give Them Enough Rope’ in ’91 and worked with Van Morrison for many years, appearing on several of Morisson’s albums, including ‘Live in San Fransisco’. Johnson went on to perform with Bob Dylan, John Lee Hooker, Peter Green, and Leo Sayer, and now appears with his award winning modern jazz combo First Light, whilst maintaining a steady output of recording sessions and writing commissions when not touring.
Etheridge is currently back with Soft Machine, as he has been since 2004. Between ’89 and ’93, he was a member of Whatever; and between ’88-’94 spent time touring Germany with Dick Heckstall-Smith, recording two albums as the Dick Heckstall-Smith / John Etheridge Band. In ’88, he recorded an LP with Vic Juris; toured with Bireli Lagrene; and played in the Elton Dean/John Etheridge Quartet. He became a member of Nigel Kennedy’s live band in ’92, playing on Kafka (’96) and The Kennedy Experience – The Music of Jimi Hendrix (’98). In ’94 he toured with Andy Summers and released a duo LP with him. That same year Etheridge released his first solo album.
Gallery:
Soundscene late ’85 / early ’86 Andy Herbett, Andy Summers, Annie Noel, Bireli Lagrene, Bob Dylan, Collective Sound, Crosswinds, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Dick Heckstall-Smith / John Etheridge Band, Elton Dean/John Etheridge Quartet, First Light, Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames, John Etheridge, John Lee Hooker, Leo Sayer, Malcolm Randall, Nigel Kennedy, Peter Green, Ripley, Ronnie Johnson, Soft Machine, Spliff Riff, Stephen Grappeli, The Talbot, The Talbot Hotel, Van Morrison, Vic Juris, Whatever -
The Vapors
(c’78-82) David Fenton (vocal & rhythm guitar), Steve Smith (bass), Edward Bazalgette (guitar) and Howard Smith (drums).
Vapors outside Roundhouse Studios during recording of “Turning Japanese” in early 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes Originally called the Big Box Band, then BBC3, then The Vapours; the band’s initial members were Michael Hedges (bass), Rob Kemp (guitar), Fenton (vocal) and Mike “Joe” Jordan (drums). The earlier BBC incarnations, when they rehearsed in Weydon Youth Club, also included Bob Wright (vocal). The band moved to rehearsing at Shalford Village Hall, with Colin Crew helping lug the gear; including Kemp’s 8×12 Marshall stack – erroneously reported to be one of only six made for The Who.
The Vapors playing Farnham Malting in 1978 It was the Kemp/Fenton/Hedges/Jordan incarnation, Vapors MkI, that recorded the original demo/s of “Turning Japanese” at Shalford Village Hall / Chestnut Studio, Churt in ’78. Reportedly, Kemp wrote one of the dominant guitar riffs in “Turning Japanese” but received no writing credit due to a falling out.
The Vapors, reportedly outside Shalford Village Hall after recording their first demo in 1978. (LtoR) Michael Hedges, Rob Kemp, Dave Fenton, and Mike Joe Jordon. Picture by Colin Crew. In early / mid ’78 the band were performing three or four gigs a month at local venues such as the Coach & Horses, Farnham; Holly Bush. Addlestone; The Junction at The Star, Guildford and The Malting, Farnham. Reportedly a gig at The Laker Hotel, Redhill supporting The Cure, going by the Easy Cure moniker at the time, resulted in both bands’ roadies getting into a fight, supposedly triggered by Robert Smith saying to Rob Kemp, “You think you’re really good, but you’re not!” – or words to that effect.
Fenton – who was working in Cliffs greengrocer down Market Street, Guildford – was the only original member to remain in ’79 when Bazalgette and Howard Smith (both ex-The Ellory Bops) and Steve Smith (ex-The Absolute drummer, who lived opposite The Royal and was once stabbed in The Royal Oak, just down from the music shop where he used to practice) joined. The rumor being that this replacement was at the instruction of the record company before the single was recorded and released. Bazalgette recalls, in an interview with Malcolm Wyatt posted to WriteWyattUK, having been in a band that had split and he, who was busy washing dishes at the Corona Cafe, Guildford during the day to pay for his walnut Gibson SG special during the day, and Howard Smith watching The Vapors. They’d formed a pick-up band together; possibly called The Parrots, that got pulled off stage after about three songs by Tony McManus, landlord at The Royal, Guildford, which Fenton had witnessed. Three months later Hedges called Bazelgette asking if he was interested in auditioning.
Dave Fenton at Scratchers (Three Lions), Farncombe; 14 January 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes The Vapors MkII rehearsed above the launderette in Markenfield Road, Guildford, which was owned by one of the Smith’s fathers, where they could also leave their gear, in a room they’d egg crated to muffle the sound. Their first gig was reportedly at The Junction, at The Star, Quarry Street booked by Michael Coles having heard a tape Fenton had given him, stating “they would be the next big thing in town”. On 14 January ’79 they played The Three Lions (Scratchers), Farncombe and a National Union of Journalist benefit gig at the University of Surrey nine days later on 25 January ’79; there was also a reportedly ‘infamous’ gig at Godalming College – although we’ve still to discover why it was ‘infamous’. Discovered by Bruce Foxton, in April ’79 at Scratchers, Godalming, they were managed by Foxton and John Weller and accompanied the The Jam on the Setting Sons tour in late ’79, early ’80.
May/June 1979: Vapors Passport Tour flyer But that was after the band, across May and June ’79, undertook their first tour, rather hopefully called the ‘Passport Tour’ as no passports were required, for their Southern UK sojourn’s most distant gig was at Colson Hall, Bristol on 21 May ’79. Local lad, Tim Cox was their roadie at the time and their first ‘tour bus’ was Steve Gunner’s Morris 1000, before upgrading to the Golden Age of Metro’s van which they borrowed with Sophie Good chauffeuring.
While on tour Fenton sent a demo to John Peel who booked them for a session, which recorded “Turning Japanese”, “Trains”, “Waiting For The Weekend”, and “Cold War” on 4 July ’79, broadcast on 11 July 1979 then repeated on 20 August 1979 (of which Peel said “sounded better the second time around”) and 2 April 1980. They signed to United Artists and released their first single, “Prisoners,” [BP 321] with “Sunstroke” on the b-side at the end of 1979. It was about this time that Bazelgette was accepted to Goldsmith’s College, an entrance he declined following an ultimatum from Fenton (who’d given up his career for the band) along the lines of ‘if you accept you resign from The Vapors’. Also in ’79 they raised 200 quid, together with House, at a woman’s aid gig that same year. In November they appeared half naked in “Oh Boy!” magazine, and with The Beat at a John Peel Roadshow gig in Guildford.
16 November 1979: Press ad for The Vapors appearance on the John Peel Roadshow at University of Surrey. Source: Vinny Webster via The Vapors UK Their second and best known single, “Turning Japanese” [BP 334] reach No.3 in the UK chart and top ten in Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and top 40 in the US was produced by Vic Coppersmith-Heaven who also produced The Jam. The cover design for “Turning Japanese” was done by Guildford musician / artist Andi McInnes, who was good friends with the band, who fought with the record company to allow him to do it instead of the in-house department.
The band, who were too famous to put on the bill, were listed as The Japanese Prisoners, and back at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford on 9 February ’80 for a Barbed Wire benefit that saw Noit Otni & the Pits and UBz in support. Shortly after they undertook a short UK tour to promote the single. This kicked off at The Polytechnic, Wolverhampton on 13 February ’80, then onto JB’s in Dudley on 16 February and rolling back south to perform at the Marquee, London the next night with UBz opening for them. The tour rolled onto the University of Kent, Canterbury (18 Feb), Brunel University, Uxbridge (20 Feb), Huddersfield Polytechnic (22 Feb), University of Warwick (23 Feb), South Wales Newbridge Institute (24 Feb), Circles Club, Swansea (25 Feb), the Brunel Rooms, Swindon (26 Feb), and Routes, Exeter, where you could have seen the band for a quid on 27 February ’80. The last two dates rolled through the Dorset Institute of Higher Education, Weymouth on 28 February and the Marshall Rooms, Stroud on 29 February ’80. The album “New Clear Day” was released in June 1980 again on the United Artists Records label, followed by the singles “Waiting for the Weekend” [BP367] and “News at Ten” [BP 345]. On 12 June ’80, The Vapors played their hometown, at the Civic Hall, then dashed up to Sheffield to appear at Sheffield City Polytechnic the next night.
The second album, “Magnets” [LBG 30324], was released the following year on the Liberty label (UA was taken over by EMI and the Liberty brand was revived in 1980, having become part of UA in ’71) after which Fenton left and may have been replaced by Dylan of UBz, ultimately breaking up in early ’82. Not before, however, the release of the single: “Jimmie Jones”. The Peel session recording of “Trains” was broadcast again to celebrate Peel’s 30 years on BBC Radio One. Peel also claimed on his 17 April 2002 show that he and Sheila were singing ‘Turning Japanese’, while touring Rajasthan. Fenton has said they tried to reform in 2001 but couldn’t find the time to rehearse.
On 30 April 2016, Fenton and Bazelgette guested with Steve Smith’s band The Shakespearos at the Half Moon in Putney, playing “Turning Japanese” then leaving. On 10 June a short four-date tour in October and November was announced. Also in 2016, Steve Smith said “the Peel Session was a huge break for the band…it gave us credibility.” The reformed band are still touring today.
After the split, Steve Smith joined Shoot!, Dispute. Fenton, who was erroneously rumored to have landlorded a Woking pub for a while, became a solicitor specializing in music law for the Musicians Union. Bazalgette went to Central London Polytechnic, focusing on editing which got him into the BBC; becoming a television director, including episodes of Doctor Who, Poldark, Class, Top Gear and EastEnders. Bazalgette’s old 4 x 12 Marshall cabinet, stenciled on back with ‘Vapors’ and ‘Reg’, which was his nickname, currently reside with another local musician, Adam Russel. Steve Smith along with Steve Jameson (ex-World Domination) formed CUT. Howard Smith ran People Records on Chapel Street, Guildford.
Kemp formed Pozer with Bruce Richins and Ian Goral and owned Total Video, Farnham before moving to the US in 1986. He sadly died in 2016 as a result of a heart attack.
Gallery:
The Vapors playing Farnham Malting in 1978 
The Vapors playing Farnham Malting in 1978 
The Vapors’ Rob Kemp gigging at the Maltings, Farnham, 1978. 
Vapors gig list for 1978. Reportedly The Laker Hotel gig (date unlisted) was supporting The Cure (I believe they were called Easy Cure at the time), and both bands’ roadies got into a fight. Source: Malcolm Bond via Historic Farnham Town And Surrounding Villages 
Michael Hedges and Dave Fenton of The Vapors 
Dave Fenton at Scratchers (Three Lions), Farncombe; 14 January 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Dave Fenton at Scratchers (Three Lions), Farncombe; 14 January 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Dave Fenton at Scratchers (Three Lions), Farncombe; 14 January 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Dave Fenton at Scratchers (Three Lions), Farncombe; 14 January 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
25 January ’79: NUJ Benefit gig poster 
Ticket for NUJ Beneft gig at University of Surrey in ’79. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Set list from Godalming gig 
8 July 1979: Mod night at The Marquee featured Secret Affair supported by The Vapors and Mandy H. Source: Neil Chippendale via Keep It Out Of Sight 
19 August 1979: The Vapors., along with Jerry Floyd, supported The Chords at The Marquee. Source: Neil Chippendale via Keep It Out Of Sight 
19 August 1979 Tha Vapors supported The Chords (Sounds 1st Sept ’79) 
1 September 1979: The Barbed Wire fanzine organized a coach from Guildford Station Yard to The Vapors gig at The Marquee. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Ed Bazalgette at an unknown venue, possibly The Marquee, c79. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Sounds 15th Sept ’79 
6 October 1979: A repeat performance for the Barbed Wire coach from Guildford Station Yard to see The Vapors at The Marquee. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Ed Bazalgette at an unknown venue, c79. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Vapors signed to United Artists, releasing their first single, “Prisoners”, at the end of 1979, which regrettably failed to chart. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
1979’s “Prisoners” on the United Artists Records label [BP 321] was The Vapors first 7″ single. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
“Prisoners” single slleve front, released at end of 1979 
16 November 1979: Ticket for the John Peel Road Show at University of Surrey, featuring The Vapors and The Beat 
The Vapors supported The Jam at Royal Hall, Bridlington Spa on 27 Nov 1979. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
2, 3 and 4 December 1979 (Melody Maker 13th Oct ’79) 
Dec 1979 clipping from Record Mirror. Source: Vinny Webster via The Vapors Fan Group 
The Vapors on the Setting Sons tour 1979. 
Ed Bazalgette at the Roundhouse Studios during recording of “Turning Japanese” in early 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Barbed Wire benefit gig at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. 
Barbed Wire Jan/Feb 1980 Vol 3 No 1 (issue 5). Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Barbed Wire Jan/Feb 1980 Vol 3 No 1 (issue 5). Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Barbed Wire Jan/Feb 1980 Vol 3 No 1 (issue 5). Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Fred reviews The Vapors latest 7″ in Barbed Wire Vol 3 No 1 Jan/Feb 1980. Pictre courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Vapors, back stage on The Jam’s Setting Sun tour in early 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Clipped from Smash Hits 7 February ’80 issue. Image courtesy of Pete Cole 
17 February 1980: The Vapors headlined at Marquee. Advert in Sounds 16 Feb ’80 issue. 
27 February 1980: The Vapors played Routes, Exeter. 
Daniela Soave interviews The Vapors for Record Mirror (8 March 1980) 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
20 March 1980: The Vapors at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
11 April 1980: The Vapors played Routes, Exeter. 
Record Mirror 26 April 1980: “New Clear Day” tour dates. 
10 & 11 May 1980: The Vapors were at the Marquee, London. Source: Nic Pike via Keep It Out Of Sight 
Fred reviewed the Vapors LP for the May/June 1980 issue of Barbed Wires – Vol 3 No 2 (issue 6) – Picture courtesy of Fred 
Bonaparte was a regular supporter of the Barbed Wire fanzine. This ad is from page 13 of the very last ever issue – May/June 1980 Vol 3 No 2 (issue 6) – and features the Vapors “New Clear Day” LP and a possible personal appearance on June 11th 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
12 June 1980: John Tobler reviews The Vapors gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Vinny Webster 
Advert from Record Mirror lists The Vapors gig at Civic Hall, Guildford on 12 June 1980 
13 June 1980 
1980’s Gig Poster for The Jam at Friars, Maxwell Hall, Aylesbury, with The Vapors in support. Source: Vinny Webster via The Vapors Fan Group 
The Vapors Howard Smith on Countdown Australia on 17 August 1980. Source: Vinny Webster via The Vapors UK 
Advert for The Vapors 1980 at Diplomat Hotel, New York. Source: Vinny Webster via The Vapors Fan Group 
19 December 1980: Ticket No.0718 for The Vapors, plus special guests, at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Vinny Webster 
Brett Wright spent a couple of days with The Vapors, at their Civic Hall, Guildford gig on 19 December 1980 and Sheffield Poly the following night. The result: This article in New Music News. Picture courtesy of Vinny Webster 
Possibly the smallest mention of The Vapors ever…from the 29th Jan 1981 Soundscene on the release of their 5th single “Spiders”. Picture courtesy of Chris Turner 
2 February 1981 – The Vapors in Concert-251 recorded by BBC Transcription Services [CN 3791/S] for the BBC In Concert series 
12 March 1981: The Vapors, supported by The Chords, played the Mandela Hall, University of Sussex. Source: Owen Carne via The Vapors Fan Group 
27 June 1981: The Vapors headlined The New Florentine Gardens, Hollywood with 20/20 and Code Blue in support. Source: Johnny Kardash 
Some friction with The Vapors via Soundscene 1st Oct 1981. Picture courtesy of Vis 
‘News at Ten’ single, sleeve front 
‘News at Ten’ single, sleeve back 
‘News at Ten’ single, A-side 
‘News at Ten’ single, B-side 
June 1980 – Advert for “News At Ten” single with tour dates. 
‘Waiting for the Weekend’ single, sleeve front 
‘Waiting for the Weekend’ single, sleeve back 
‘Waiting for the Weekend’ single, A-side 
‘Waiting for the Weekend’ single, B-side 
‘Turning Japanese’ single A-side 
Turning Japaness poster. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
“Turning Japanese” single review from the Grinding Halt No.3 fanzine 
New Clear Days LP., sleeve front. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
New Clear Days LP., sleeve back. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
Taken from an unknown fanzine… 
1981 – Magnets LP front sleeve 
1981 – Magnets LP back sleeve 
The Vapors “Jimme Jones” single front released late ’81. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Vapors “Jimme Jones” single back released late ’81. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
Rebel Mantovani’s review of Jimmy Jones and The Magnets gig at The Royal, Guildford appeared on page 11 of Bitch Bitch Issue No.1 Picture courtesy of John Hudson 
A Vapors poster in background, over John Gielgud’s right shoulder, in still from 1984’s Scandalous. The shot was taken at The Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park. The Vapors played The Rainbow on 2nd – 4th December 1979 and 28th June 1980. Source: http://www.rainbowhistory.x10.mx/ 
The pins for The Setting Sons Tour, on which The Vapors supported The Jam. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
It’s Malcolm Wyatt’s old badge collection, including example/s from The Vapors. Picture courtesy (I stole it) of Malcolm Wyatt 
A significant collection, possibly belonging to Rob Payne, of Vapors badges, with a UBz one too. Source: The Vapors UK 
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scrathers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scrathers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scrathers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scrathers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scrathers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scrathers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scrathers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scrathers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Vapors in someone’s bedroom. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Vapors in someone’s bedroom. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Vapors in someone’s bedroom. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Vapors in someone’s bedroom. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes Adam Russel, Addlestone, Andi McInnes, BBC, BBC Radio One, BBC3, Big Box Band, Bob Wright, Bristol, Bruce Foxton, Bruce Richins, Brunel Rooms, Brunel University, Canterbury, Central London Polytechnic, Chestnut Studios, Circles Club, Class, Coach & Horses, Colin Crew, Colston Hall, Cut, David Fenton, Dorset Institute of Higher Education, Dr Who, Dudley, EastEnders, Easy Cure, Edward Bazalgette, EMI, Exeter, Farncombe, Farnham, Godalming College, Golden Age of Metro, Goldsmiths College, Guildford, Half Moon, Holly Bush, Howard Smith, Huddersfield Polytechnic, Ian Goral, JB’s, John Peel, John Peel Roadshow, John Weller, Liberty, London, Malcolm Wyatt, Marquee, Marshall Rooms, Michael Coles, Michael Hedges, Mike Jordan, Musicians Union, Oh Boy!, People Records, Poldark, Pozer, Putney, Redhill, Rob Kemp, Robert Smith, Roundhouse Studios, Routes, Scratchers, Shalford, Shoot! Dispute, Sophie Good, South Wales Newbridge Institute, Steve Gunner, Steve Jameson, Steve Smith, Stroud, Swansea, Swindon, The Absolute, The Beat, The Cure, The Ellory Bops, The Jam, The Junction, The Laker Hotel, The Maltings, The Parrots, The Polytechnic, The Royal, The Royal Oak, The Shakespearos, The Star, The Three Lions, The Vapors, The Vapours, THe Who, Tim Cox, Tomy McManus, Top Gear, Total Video, UBz, United Artists, University of Kent, University of Surrey, University of Warwick, Uxbridge, Vic Coppersmith-Heaven, Village hall, Weydon Youth Club, Weymouth, Wolverhampton, World Domination, WriteWyattUK -
The 1988 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 1988:
January 9
The Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot: McCarthy w/ The Dead Beats and The Aurbisons
9 January 1988: McCarthy, supported by The Dead Beats and The Aurbisons January 23
Dingwalls, Camden Lock: Lax lifetime
Image courtesy of Du Kane February 5
University of Surrey, Guildford: The Mighty Lemon Drops w/ The Wild Swans
5 February 1988: The Mighty Lemon Drops played University of Surrey, Guildford. Ad from Record Mirror 20 Feb ’88 issue. Image courtesy of Pete Cole February 6
Civic Hall, Guildford: Eric Clapton
6 February 1988: Ticket #1953 for Clapton at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Chewtonia.com 
6 February 1988: Ticket #2235 for Clapton at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s Records
Tunnel Club, Greenwich: Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band w/ West One
West One Flyer listing 1988 gigs at Tunnel Club, Greenwich on 6 Feb (supporting Geno Washington); Mean Fiddler, Harlesdon on 15 Feb; and The Subway, Bracknell on 25 Feb. Source: West One February 7
Civic Hall, Guildford: Eric ClaptonFebruary 15
Mean Fiddler, Harlesdon: Norman Norman, w/ Grey by the Gun, West One, and The Big Weekend
15 February 1988: West One supported Norman Norman and Grey by the Gun, along with The Big Weekend, at the Mean Fiddler, Harlesden. Advert from NME, 13 February 1988. Source: West One 
15 February 1988: West One were at Mean Fiddler, Harlesden. Source: West One February 18
Tunnel Club, London: Jim Jiminee w/ Disguise, and Thrilled Skinny
18 February 1988: Jim Jiminee headlined at the Tunnel Club, London, with Disguise and Thrilled Skinny in support; according to this advert clipped from NME, 20 February 1988. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole February 23
The Cricketers, Vauxhall: Jim Jiminee w/ John Shuttleworth, and Green GablesFebruary 25
The Subway, Cellar Bar, South Hill Park, Bracknell: West One
25 February 1988: West One were at The Subway, Cellar Bar, South Hill Park, Bracknell. Source: West One February 27
Civic Hall, Guildford: Lax Lifetime (part of The Rak event)February 28
Underground, Croydon: The Passmore Sisters w/ Jim Jiminee
28 February 1988: Jim Jiminee supported The Passmore Sisters at Underground, Croydon according to this advert clipped from Melody Maker, 20 February 1988. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole March 5
Buzz Club, West End Centre. Aldershot: Bluetrain
The Greyhound, Fulham: World Domination Enterprises w/ UT, and 1ST
5 March 1988: 1ST supported World Domination Enterprises, with UT, at The Greyhound, Fulham. Advert taken from NME, 5 March 1988. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole March 6
Underground, Croydon: The Flatmates w/ The Jeremiahs
6 March 1988: The Jeremiahs supported The Flatmates at Underground, Croydon according to this ad in Melody Maker, 27 February 1988. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole March 8
West End Centre, Aldershot: Geno WashingtonMarch 18
The Crypt, Deptford: Magic Moments At Twilight Time w/ The Pink Fairies
1988 Flyer from The Crypt featuring MMATT supporting The Charles on 18 March. The Charles were replaced by The Pink Fairies. Picture courtesy of Mick Magic West End Centre, Aldershot: Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band w/ West One
18 March 1988: Poster for West One at the West End Centre, Aldershot; the night they supported Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band. Source: West One 
18 March 1988: Poster for Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band, supported by West One at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: West One March 25
Civic Hall, Guildford: The Men They Couldn’t Hang w/ Fire Next Time and Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues Band
25 March 1988: Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues Band supported The Men They Couldn’t Hang, along with Fire Next Time, at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Sammy Rat April 2
Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot: Blow Up w/ 14 Iced Bears
Red Lion, Milford: Piccadilly Mudmen w/ His Wooden FishApril 4
Pews Wine Bar, Guildford: The Hog Valley StompersApril 6
The Star, Guildford: His Wooden FishApril 7
The Maltings, Farnham: Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues Band
White Hart, Farncombe: Nicky PapasApril 8
West End Centre, Aldershot: Danny Thompson’s Whatever
Hype, Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: The Rosehips, The Popinjays, The Parachute Men & Mega City Four
The MC4’s support Te Rosehips, The Popinjays and The Parachute Men at the Hype Club, Bull & Gate, London 8th April 1988. Picture courtesy of BULL & GATE MEMORIES – remembering all who sailed in her musical tidal wave April 10
Redgrave Theatre, Farnham: The Tishamingo Jazz Band (lunchtime)April 11
Red Lion, Chobham: Nicky PapasApril 13
The Maltings, Farnham: Cuff Billet Jazz Band w/ Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues BandApril 14
Civic Hall, Camberley: Thirteen at Midnight w/ Forwards Going Backwards
Technical College, Farnborough: The Visionaries
Lion Brewery, Ash: Tarrow
The White Hart, Farncombe: Nicky PapasApril 15
Woking College, Woking: Van Gogh and the EarlobesApril 16
Dingwalls, Camden Lock: Lax lifetime
Image courtesy of Du Kane April 18
Clarendon, Hammersmith: Mega City FourApril 20
The Maltings, Farnham: The Solent City Jazz MenApril 21
Jolly Boatman, Hampton Court: Mega City FourApril 22
Civic Hall, Guildford: Fat and Frantic w/ Dreaming In Colour
Rising Sun, Aldershot: Zenno Reflex
Woking College, Woking: Graham and The GravediggersApril 24
The Maltings, Farnham: The 6th Farnham Folk Day – Martin Carthy, Michelle Shocked, Ali Farka Toure, Kathryn Tickell, Sileas, Jali Musa Jawara & Musicians, Malcolm’s Interview, Maggie’s Farm, Howlin’ Wilf & The Vee Jays, Gas Mark V, The Old Hat Concert Party, Calicanto, Ralph Jordan with Fi & Jo Fraser, Paul James & Nigel Eaton, Roger Wilson, and Broken Ankles.
24 April 1988: Poster / Flyer for The 6th Farnham Folk Day. Source: Ian Anderson via Historic Farnham Town And Surrounding Villages April 27
Civic Hall, Guildford: Leviticus w/ Force 3 and TrashqueenApril 28
Owens Park, Manchester University: Fat and Frantic w/ Dreaming In ColourMay 1
Dingwalls, London: Brian w/ Mega City 4, Fat Babies, Anonymes, The Ryecatchers, Bladder Bladder Bladder and Twiglet
1 May 1988: Mega City 4 supported Brian at Dingwalls along with Fat Babies, Anonymes, The Ryecatchers, Blader Bladder Bladder and Twiglet May 4
Princes Hall, Aldershot: West One, Paper Moon, UxB, and Rising Signs
4 May 1988: Ticket for Battle For The Limelight at Princes Hall, Aldershot. The event feature West One, Paper Moon, UxB, and Rising Signs. Source: West One 
4 May 1988: West One played Princes Hall, Aldershot. Source: West One May 7
University of Surrey, Guildford: The Soup Dragons w/ Something HappensMay 13
West End Centre, Aldershot: Rhythm Sisters w/ Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues BandMay 26
The Maltings, Farnham: Blues StewMay 30
Rock Garden, Covent Garden: Heaven Can Wait w/ The Persuaders, Pride and Prejudice, The Glasshouse, and The VisionariesJune 1
Tunnel; Club, The Mitre, London: Piccadilly Mudmen w/ Hill Stormers, and Cha Boom Cha
1 June 1988: Piccadilly Mudmen, with Hill Stormers and Cha Boom Cha at the Tunnel Club. Advert from NME’s 4 June ’88 issue. Picture courtesy of Pete ColeJune 3
Clarenden Hotel, Hammersmith: The Mistreaters w/ Mega City Four
3 June 1988: Mega City Four supported The Mistreaters at the Clarendon Hotel, Hammersmith. Advert from 4 June ’88 issue of NME. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole June 4
Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot: The Raw Herbs w/ Rodney Allen, and Poke It With A StickJune 8
The Maltings, Farnham: Blues n’ Trouble
June 18
West End Centre, Aldershot: The Jeremiahs w/ Bluetrain, Sugar Mountain, The Crimplene Explosion, The Aurbisons, The Mulberry Ceilings, and The Splendids.
18 June 1988: Framed Buzz Club Poster. Source: Dave Driscoll June 30
University of Surrey, Guildford: Jo Jo NamozaJuly 7
Dingwalls, Camdon Lock: Recluz w/ Playhouse and The Ghost Brothers
The Cricketers, Westfield: Napalm Groove SquadJuly 8
The Cricketers, Westfield: SweatJuly 9
The Cricketers, Westfield: Senno ReflexJuly 16
Caribbean Club, Basingstoke: Mega City Four
West End Centre, Aldershot: Desmond Dekker w/ Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues Band
16 July 1988: The West End Centre, Aldershot hosted Desmond Dekker, suported by Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues Band. Picture courtesy of Sammy Rat July 27
Tunnel Club, Greenwich: Anhrefn w/ Sign on Valley Rangers, and Mega City Four
27 July 1988: Mega City Four supported Anhrefn, along with Sign On Valley Rangers at the Tunnel Club. Advert from NME 30th July 1988. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole July 28
Greyhound, Fulham: Lax Lifetime
Image courtesy of Du Kane July 29
The Cricketers, Westfield: SweatJuly 30
Surrey University Students Union, Guildford: Steel Bill & The Buffaloes
The Cricketers, Westfield: Seven Ann’s Eye
West End Centre, Aldershot: Otis Grand and the Dance KingsJuly 31
The Cricketers, Westfield: Napalm Groove SquadAugust 5
The Cricketers, Westfield: Van Gogh and the EarlobesAugust 8
The Anchor, Normandy: The Button Factory
The Red Lion, Chobham: Nikki PapasAugust 10
The Castle, Upper Hale: Nikki PapasAugust 17
The Sir George Robey, Finsbury Park: Senseless Things w/ Perfect Daze, Mega City Four, Sperm Wails, and Reach.
17 August 1988: Mega City Four played at The Sir George Robey, with Senseless Things, Perfect Daze, Sperm Wails, and Reach. Source: Tom A Deakin via Mega City Four August 21
The Cricketers, Westfield: Napalm Groove SquadAugust 24
Queen’s Head, Byfleet: Sammy Rats Big Big Blues BandAugust 27
West End Centre, Aldershot: The Blues Burglars w/ Pete HogmanAugust 29
Red Lion, Chobham: Nicky PapasAugust 30
Civic Hall, Guildford: Bucks FizzAugust 31
Civic Hall, Guildford: Bowser & Blue w/ Jokers Wild, and Haji Ahkba BandSeptember 1
White Lyon, Worplesdon: Sammy Rats Big Big Blues BandSeptember 2
West End Centre, Aldershot: West One w/ Rising Signs, and F1-11
2 September 1988: Poster for West One at the West End Centre, Aldershot. They were supported by supported by Rising Signs, and F1-11. Source: West One 
2 September 1988: Poster for West One supported by Rising Signs, and F1-11 at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: West One 
2 September 1988: Flyer for West One supported by Rising Signs, and F1-11 at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Source: West One September 3
Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: Big Boy Tomato with Jon Fit Beast, Donkey Nun, Fin Manson Slag DJ and Help Trumpton
Big Boy Tomato headline on 3rd Sept 1988 at the Bull and Gate, with Jon Fit Beast, Donkey Nun, Fin Manson Slag DJ and Help Trumpton also on the bill. Source: BULL & GATE MEMORIES – remembering all who sailed in her musical tidal wave September 9
Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: Wildlife Tree, The Contenders, Mega City Four, Things, Jon Fit Beast, Donkey Nun and Spam Bastard
The Cricketers, Westfield: Herbaceous BordersSeptember 10
The Falcon, Camden Town: Birdland w/ The Cannibals and Mega City Four
10 September 1988: Birdland, supported by The Cannibals and Mea City Four, played The Falcon, Camden Town. Source: Steve Myers via Mega City Four September 14
The Sir George Robey, Finsbury Park: Savage Opera w/ The Passengers and Ten Dead MenSeptember 16
The White Lyon, Worplesdon: Hot Club
The Cricketers, Westfield: Van Gogh and the Earlobes
Odeon, Hammersmith: Belinda Carlisle w/ BreatheSeptember 17
The Cricketers, Westfield: Sugar Mountain
The Hornpipe, Portsmouth: The Sect w/ Red Letter Day and Mega City 4
17 September 1988: The Sect were at The Hornpipe, Portsmouth with Red Letter Day and Mega City 4 in support. September 19
The Rock Garden, Covent Garden: Sugar MountainOctober 5
Sir George Robey: The Senseless Things w/ Mega City Four, Flag of Convenience, and The Worry Dolls.
5 October 1988: The Senseless Things, supported by Mega City Fours, Flag of Convenience, and The Worry Dolls, played the Sir George Robey. Source Neil Thompson via Keep It Out Of Sight October 13
Lady Owen Arms, London: Mega City Four and The Contenders
MC4 Flyer from September ’88 October 15
White Horse, Hampstead: Mega City Four w/ Senseless ThingsOctober 22
Sir George Robey, London: Mega City Four (3pm at an all-dayer)
Caribbean Club, Basingstoke: Mega City Four and Boys WonderOctober 26
The Moon Club, Bristol: Mega City Four and Groove FarmOctober 29
Student Union, University of Surrey: Steel Bill & The BuffalosNovember 4
Hype at Bull & Gate, Kentish Town – Mega City Four w/ No Corridor, Things, and Lipstick Killers (MC4’s 50th gig of ’88)
Mega City Four played Hype, Bull & Gate, Kentish Town on the 4th and 19th November 1988. Source: Mick Mercer via BULL & GATE MEMORIES – remembering all who sailed in her musical tidal wave 
Flyer from November 1988. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole November 5
The Peacock, Peterborough: Mega City FourNovember 6
Cod Club, Birmingham: Mega City Four w/ RosehipsNovember 10
Greyhound, Fulham: Mega City Four w/ Cosmic PsychosNovember 12
Chertsey Road Hall, Windlesham – Dross w/ Mariah
Taken from Kerrang!’s Rekord & Tour Newz section sometime in late ’88 you’ll see a reference to Dross playing the Churchill Road Hall in Windlesham. It was actually Chertsey Road Hall (which is still there). Picture courtesy on Nick Holland. 
November 18
Social Club, Hinkley Point: Mega City FourNovember 19
Hype, Bull & Gate, Kentish Town: Mega City Four w/ Blind Mice, Swurve, Rose Patrol, One Arm Bandits, Lurv, and Nun’s GaloreNovember 20
Blues Festival, Maltings, Farnham: Ruthless Blues w/ Blues Burglars, Hot Club Plus Friends, Rolling Drunks, T Model Slim, Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues Band and Chuff Train Hot DogsNovember 24
Crypt, Hastings: Mega City Four w/ Senseless ThingsNovember 25
Tropic Club, Bristol: Mega City FourNovember 26
Indian Queen, Boston: Mega City Four w/ V.S.S.MNovember 30
Zoo Club, Hanley: Mega City Four
University of Surrey, Guildford: The Jazz ButcherDecember 1
The Maltings, Farnham: Cryin’ Out LoudDecember 17
Arts Centre, Bridgwater: The Parachute Men w/ Mega City Four, and MousefolkDecember 19
Woking College, Woking: Van Gogh and the EarlobesDecember 22
Caribbean Club, Basingstoke: Mega City Four w/ Senseless ThingsDecember 23
The Cricketers, Westfield: Van Gogh and the EarlobesDecember 24
Sir George Robey, London: Mega City Four, Snuff, Shout, Thrilled Skinny, Savage Opera, The Guttersnipes, and Jellyfish Kiss
24 December 1988: Savage Opera supported headliners Mega City Four at the Sir George Robey, London for a Paul Ronan Revue Bar Christmas Eve event along with Snuff, Shout, Thrilled Skinny, The Guttersnipes and Jellyfish Kiss. Forward to
The 1989 Gig ListBack to
The 1987 Gig List14 Iced Bears, 1988, 1ST, Aldershot, Ali Farka Toure, Anhrefn, Anonymes, Arts Centre, Ash, Basingstoke, Belinda Carlisle, Big Boy Tomato, Birdland, Birmingham, BladderBladderBladder, Blind Mice, Blow Up, Blues Burglars, Blues n’ Trouble, Blues Stew, Bluetrain, Boston, Bowser & Blue, Boys Wonder, Bracknell, Breathe, Brian, Bridgwater, Bristol, Broken Ankles, Bucks Fizz, Bull & Gate, Buzz Club, Byfleet, Calicanto, Camberley, Camden Lock, Camden Town, Caribbean Club, Cellar Bar, Cha Boom Cha, Chertsey Road Hall, Chobham, Chuff Train Hot Dogs, Civic hall, Clarendon, Cod Club, Cosmic Psychos, Covent Garden, Crimplene Explosion, Croydon, Cryin’ Out Loud, Crypt, Cuff Billet Jazz Band, Danny Thompson, Deptford, Desmond Dekker, Diguise, Dingwalls, Donkey Nun, Dreaming in Colour, Dross, Eric Clapton, F1-11, Farnborough, Farnborough Tech, Farncombe, Farnham, Fat and Frantic, Fat Babies, Fi & Jo Fraser, Fin Manson Slag DJ, Finsbury Park, Fire Next Time, Flag of Convenience, Force 3, Fulham, Gas Mark V, Geno Washington, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Gig List, Graham and the Gravediggers, Green Gables, Greenwich, Grey by the Gun, Greyhound, Groove Farm, Guildford, Haji Ahkba Band, Hammersmith, Hampstead, Hampton Court, Hanley, Harlesden, Hastings, Heaven Can Wait, Help Trumpton, Herbaceous Borders, Hill Stormers, Hinkley Point, His Wooden Fish, Hot Club, Howlin' Wilf & The Vee Jays, Hype, Indian Queen, Jali Musa Jawara & Musicians, Jellyfish Kiss, Jim Jiminee, Jo Jo Namoza, John Shuttleworth, Jokers Wild, Jolly Boatman, Jon Fit Beast, Kathryn Tickell, Kentish Town, Lady Owen Arms, Lax Lifetime, Leviticus, Lion Brewery, Lipstick Killers, London, Lury, Maggie's Farm, Magic Moments at Twilight Time, Malcolm's Interview, Manchester University, Mariah, Martin Carthy, McCarthy, Mega City Four, Michelle Shocked, Mousefolk, Napalm Groove Squad, Nicky Papas, Nikki Papas, No Corridor, Norman Norman, Normandy, Nun's Galore, Odeon, One Arm Bandits, Otis Grand and the Dance Kings, Owens Park, Paper Moon, Paul James & Nigel Eaton, Perfect Daze, Pete Hogman, Peterborough, Pews Wine Bar, Piccadilly Mudmen, Playhouse, Poke It With A Stick, Portsmouth, Pride and Prejudice, Princes Hall, Queens Head, Ralph Jordan, Reach, Recluz, Red Letter Day, Red Lion, Rising Signs, Rising Sun, Rock Garden, Rodney Allen, Roger Wilson, Rolling Drunks, Rose Patrol, Ruthless Blues, Sammy Rats Big Big Blues Band, Savage Opera, Senseless Things, Seven Ann's Eye, Shout, Sign On Valley Rangers, Sileas, Sir George Robey, Snuff, Social Club, Something Happens, South Hill Park, Spam Bastard, Sperm Wails, Steel Bill & the Buffalos, Student Union, Sugar Mountain, Sweat, Swurve, T Model Slim, Tarrow, Technical College, Ten Dead Men, The Anchor, The Aubisons, The Aurbisons, The Big Weekend, The Blues Burglars, The Button Factory, The Cannibals, The Castle, The Contenders, The Cricketers, The Crypt, The Dead Beats, The Falcon, The Flatmates, The Ghost Brothers, The Glasshouse, The Greyhound, The Guttersnipes, The Hog Valley Stompers, THe Hornpipe, The Jazz Butchers, The Jeremiahs, The Maltings, The Mean Fiddler, The Men They Couldn't Hang, The Mighty Lemon Drops, The Mistreaters, The Mitre, The Moon Club, The Mulberry Ceilings, The Old Hat Concert Party, The Parachute Men, The Passengers, The Passmore Sisters, The Peacock, The Persuaders, The Pink Fairies, The Popinjays, The Raw Herbs, The Red Lion, The Rhythm Sisters, The Rosehips, The Ryecatchers, The Sect, The Solent Jazz Men, The Soup Dragons, The Splendids, The Star, The Subway, The Tishamingo Jazz Band, The Tunnel Club, The Visionaries, The White Hart, The White Horse, The White Lyon, The Wild Swans, THe Worry Dolls, Things, Thrilled Skinny, Trashqueen, Tropic Club, Tunnel Club, Twiglet, Underground, University of Surrey, Upper Hale, UT, UxB, V.S.S.M, Van Gogh and the Earlobes, Vauxhall, West End Centre, West One, Westfield, White Hart, Wildlife Tree, Windlesham, Woking, Woking College, World Domination Enterprises, Worplesdon, Zenno Reflex, Zoo Club
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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