-
Precious Few
(c’82-’84) Ian Steward (bass / vocals), Dave Raphael (keyboards / harmonica), Malcolm Dewhurst (drums), Brian Hanlon (guitar / vocals) and Graham ? (keyboards).
Both Raphael, who’d previously been in Cutting Edge, and Steward had recently left Panther when they got together with Hanlon, who’d been in The Fix, to form Precious Few. We know the band played regularly at The Cricketers, Westfield in ’82 – they were certainly there on 1 October ’82 with Raphael’s other band at the time XLR8 in support. Ex-The Lurkers, Howard Wall took on vocal duties with the band for a couple of gigs, including one supporting Nashville Teens at the Co-op Halls.
Steward left under amicable conditions in Sept ’84, having slipped a disc, but left the band seeking a bassist with a record deal in the works and a possible compilation slot. There is a studio taped LP cassette to be uncovered with tracks like “Koo Stark” and “Down in the Dungeon”. By ’85 Hanlon, Raphael and Dewhurst, along with Nigel Turner, were China Heart.
Gallery:
Howard Wall’s brief involvement with Precious Few gets a mention in this Sounds interview with The Lurkers MkII, published 10th July 1982. 
1 October 1982: Precious Few, supported by XLR8, at Cricketers, Westfield. Picture courtesy of William de Kock -
Innocent Bystander
(c’86-’87) – Julia Duthie (vocals), Steve Brock (guitar), Darren Lucas (guitar), Jamie Legg (drums), and John Hudson (bass).
4 members (Hudson, Legg, Wilde, and Brock) of Innocent Bystanders at RAM Studios, Hayes in the Summer 86. Picture courtesy of John Hudson. The Innocent Bystanders spent some time at RAM Studios, Hayes in the Summer ’86. This Guildford band also had a regular gig at The Talbot Hotel, Ripley. This ended in ’87 when The Talbot stopped doing gigs with the band securing two or three gigs at The Duke Of Wellington, Farncombe after persuading the landlord at short notice. In October ’87 the band played two gigs at The Cricketers, Chertsey; on Friday 2nd and 30th. The next month, on 13 November ’87, they performed at Brunel University, Egham
They split in late November ’87, with Legg, Lucas, and Duthie teaming up to form a new band. A week or two later Brock received a letter inviting Innocent Bystanders to audition for Opportunity Knocks.
Brock joined Cobham based Nightshift shortly after Innocent Bystander imploded. Duthie later joined The Colour Red, going to work in IT before holding the CEO position at Academy of Contemporary Music, Guildford and The True School of Music, Mumbai. She is now a best-selling author. Legg, who’d been in Strange Cult, The Golden Age of Metro, Matrix, Ill At Ease, and Luxury Glass Town; would appear in Eat the Sofa a few years later and has since joined forces with others to form The True Deceivers. Sadly, Brock is no longer with us.
Gallery:
Soundscene, 22nd October 1987 
Soundscene 1st October 1987 
Soundscene, 26th November 1987 
Soundscene, 3rd December 1987… 
1987: Innocent Bystanders at the Duke of Wellington, Farncombe. Picture courtesy of John Hudson 
1987: Innocent Bystanders at the Duke of Wellington, Farncombe. Picture courtesy of John Hudson 
1987: Innocent Bystanders at the Duke of Wellington, Farncombe. Picture courtesy of John Hudson Brunel University, Chertsey, Cobham, Darren Lucas, Duke of Wellington, Eat the Sofa, Egham, Farncombe, Guildford, Hayes, Ill At Ease, Innocent Bystanders, Jamie Legg, John Hudson, Julia Duthie, Luxury Glass Town, Matrix, Mumbai, Nightshift, Opportunity Knocks, RAM Studios, Ripley, Steve Brock, Strange Cult, The Academy of Contempory Music, The Color Red, The Cricketers, The Golden Age of Metro, The Talbot Hotel, The True Deceivers, The True School of Music -
Backstage Pass
(c’82-’87) Dave Hitchens (bass & lead vocal), Gavin Hetherington (lead guitar & vocal), Pete Barringer (keyboards & vocal), Mark Stanborough (drums), Nigel Thompson (sax) and Graham Wright (trumpet).
Backstage Pass performing at the final of the National Battle of the Bands ’87 at the Hippodrome, Leicester Square. Picture courtesy of Dave Hitchins We first encountered Backstage Pass at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford on 30 December ’82, then lose track until they appear in Soundscene’s 2 February ’84 column, which reported their pulling out of a gig with Southbound that night at The Royal, Guildford; and being replaced by Jokers Wild. Graham Allen assured Soundscene writer Tim Masters the band were “still corporate”. The very next day, the 3 February ’84, they were on the bill at The Royal, Guildford, supporting ZZ Toppers; the following month they headlined at Community Centre, Knaphill with Glib Thicket in support on 23 March. They were back at The Royal, with Southbound, on 3 October ’84. The next year, on 21 February and supported by Terranova, they were at The Royal, again. In ’86 Backstage Pass performed a number of gigs; having filled The Lion Brewery, Ash the landlord said he wouldn’t be paying and that they should come back Sunday lunch to see “some proper jazzers” and that they “might learn something” (well, they did cover REO Speedwagon’s “Keep on Lovin’ You”) – after some ‘encouragement’ he paid.
In Jan ’87, Soundscene got hold of a recording of the band’s track “Samantha”. Written by Hitchins, it was about Samantha Fox and included the memorable line “Surrender Samantha, give me all the love I need…’. Soundscene got it to Fox who reportedly was “over the moon” – maybe her track “I Surrender” was her response… Her father, Patrick, started promoting / managing the band shortly after.
In Sept ’87, Backstage Pass were one of five bands competing in the national Battle of the Bands talent contest held at the Hippodrome, London; but they lost to Liverpool’s Inside Out. They also met up with songwriter / producer Maurice Ruiz and recording time in STrax Studio, Mitcham was to follow.
Stanborough, Barringer, and Hitchens of Backstage Pass at STrax Studio, Mitcham with producer Maurice Ruiz in ’87. Picture courtesy of Dave Hitchins. Later that year, on 3 November, the band were on at Zeta’s Nightclub, Putney when a group of ‘skinheads’ attacked a group from Singapore – It’s unclear if the band played on… In Dec ’87 Heatherington returned to Scotland leaving the band looking for a new guitarist, but that proved to be the nail in the coffin for Backstage Pass and they disbanded before Christmas ’87.
Hitchins recently played in The New Forbidden, with Lloyd Grossman, and played at Glastonbury and Cornbury in 2017.
Gallery:
Clipping from 2 February ’82 Soundscene 
30 December 1982: Backstage Pass played The WoodenBridge, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Martin Rochefort via Guildford Town Past and Present 
Advert from Sounds’ 28 January 1984 issue. Image courtesy of Pete Cole 
Soundscene, 20th September 1984 
21 February 1985: Backstage Pass, supported by Terranova, at Club Royal. Image courtesy of Pete Cole 
Backstage Pass at The Lion Brewery, Ash c’86 with Nigel Thompson (sax), Pete Barringer (keyboards / percussion) and Dave Hitchins (vocals / bass). Picture courtesy of Dave Hitchins 
Backstage Pass lose, but win with Sam Fox’s father…from Soundscene 1st October 1987 
Backstage Pass performing at the final of the National Battle of the Bands ’87 at the Hippodrome, Leicester Square. Picture courtesy of Dave Hitchens 
Soundscene, 22nd October 1987 
Soundscene, 23rd December 1987 
James Steen looked back at 1987 in the 31st December ’87. This is the November section of that issues Soundscene. 
James Steen looked back at 1987 in the 31st December ’87. This is the January section of that issues Soundscene column. 
Although it was in September, James Steen looked back at 1987 in the 31st December ’87 issue and put Backstage Pass’ loss in October! Ash, Backstage Pass, Battle of the Bands, Community Centre, Cornbury, Dave Hitchins, Gavin Hetherington, Glastonbury, Glib Thicket, Graham Allen, Graham Wright, Guildford, Hippodrome, Inside Out, Jokers Wild, Knaphill, Lion Brewery, Lloyd Grossman, London, Mark Stanborough, Maurice Ruiz, Mitcham, Nigel Thompson, Patrick Fox, Pete Barringer, Putney, Samantha Fox, Soundscene, Southbound, STrax, Strax Studio, Terranova, The New Forbidden, The Royal, Tim Masters, Wooden Bridge, Zeta's Nightclub, ZZ Toppers -
Kyoto Rose
(c’87) Neil Sinclair (keyboards), Ian Henry (bass/vocals), Colin Brookes (drums), and Phil Brookes (lead guitar).
This Pirbright based band were originally called Airbourne before becoming Kyoto Rose. They covered the likes of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll” and renamed again, to Trashqueen, in Sept ’87.
Gallery:
-
White Gold
(c’79) – Robin Walters (bass), Dickie Knight (drums), Paul Hearsum (lead guitar), Derek Mansell (keyboards), and Neil Pyzer (sax)
The band members were all from the Guildford / Godalming area and released one single. Titled ‘Bramley Hustle’, with ‘Dreams’ on the flipside, this was on their own White Gold label (IOU 100) in early 1979.
Hearsum used to own a wine bar/live music venue in Godalming. Walters is now in The Bluescasters. Pyzer, who also performed in who also performed with UBz, Bloodhound, Crosswinds, and Jasmine Pie; toured with Howard Devoto and Case before joining Spear of Destiny. He was a founder member of The Kick Horns and worked with Eddie Floyd, Jimmie James and The Foundations as well as Pauline Black, Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band and Blue Zoo. He is currently with The Selector.
Gallery:
A 45 review from Barbed Wire Vol.2 No.2, May 1979. Picture courtesy on Fred Pipes Bloodhound, Blue Zoo, Case, Crosswinds, Dickie Knight, Eddie Floyd, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Godalming, Guildford, Howard Deveto, Jasmine Pie, Jimmie James, Neil Pyzer, Paul Hearsum, Pauline Black, Robin Walters, Spear of Destiny, The Bluescasters, The Foundations, The Kick Horns, The Selector, UBz, White Gold -
The Volunteers
(c’77-79) Rob Jacob (vocals / guitar), Kevin Smith (guitar), Pat Martin (bass / vocals), Ken Baker (guitar / keyboards/ vocals) and Pete Perryer (vocals / drums).
The Volunteers’ Rob Jacobs, with Justin Hildreth (who was moonlighting from Roogalator) on drums behind, at The Woodenbridge, Guildford c’78. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes The Volunteers were formed by guitarist Jacob with ex-Unicorn members Smith, Martin, Baker, and Perryer when Unicorn split in ’77. Baker, who went solo, and Perryer left about a year into the band’s lifespan, with Justin “Illdressed” Hildreth joining on drums. Hildreth lasted a while – he was certainly on drums in late ’78 at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford – but ultimately it didn’t work out with his other drumming commitment with Roogalator. On 24 March ’79 the band appeared at The Superstar Club, held at The Star, Guildford.
Bonaparte Records advert for The Volunteers single from Barbed Wire Vol2 No2, May 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes An ad was placed in Melody Maker and their manger David Fagence, who ran Bonaparte’s, Guildford and later became an EMI Records A&R man; asked around. This resulted in two suggestions: Rod Johnson of Straight Eight and Michael “Nicko” McBrain who’d been in the Pat Travers Band and the Chapman Witney Streetwalkers, from the rep at A&M. They were both auditioned at Merrow Village Hall in early ’79. Nicko joined and played his first gig with the band on 31 May ’79 at The Three Lions, “Scratchers”, Farncombe having just 3 hours of rehearsals in Mick Bryant of the Mick Bryant Band’s cellar that afternoon.
After some more rehearsal the gig at the Nashville, Kensington on 2 June ’79, supporting The Soft Boys, was much improved. In amongst all this, on what is believed to be 28 April ’79 – although that date doesn’t work based on Nicko’s joining date – the band recorded a number of live tracks while supporting The Tourists at The Music Machine, Camden. Martin recalls sitting watching The Tourists sound check and cutting his finger on a coke can ring pull. Annie Lennox saw this and shouted over the mike “Hang on I have some plasters in my bag”; came over to him, cleaned the cut with a hanky and put a plaster on and gave him a wonderful smile. After which Nicko teased him “She wants your body man”. Both bands were on the Logo label at the time.
The Guildford based Volunteers released a single [GO 351] on the Logo label in May ’79 titled “If You Ain’t Scared” with “Little Pictures” on the b-side. The band then wrapped things up. Jacob pulled together Noit Otni & The Pits and later joined Martin and Smith to form Square One. Nicko went on to play with McKitty, then the French band Trust, before joining Iron Maiden just before their 4th album, in ’82. Baker started a short solo career under the Kenny Baker moniker.
Tracks:
Gallery:
Rob Jacob up front of The Volunteers at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, late in 1978. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Rob Jacob up front of The Volunteers at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, late in 1978. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Rob Jacob up front, with Pat Martin behind, of The Volunteers at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, late in 1978. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Rob Jacob up front, with Pat Martin behind, of The Volunteers – and Frank in the corner – at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, late in 1978. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Rob Jacob up front of The Volunteers, with Justin Hildreth on drums (moonlighting from Roogalator) at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, late in 1978. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Rob Jacob up front of The Volunteers at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, late in 1978. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Rob Jacob up front of The Volunteers, with Justin Hildreth on drums (moonlighting from Roogalator) at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, late in 1978. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Rob Jacob up front, with Pat Martin behind, of The Volunteers – and Frank in the corner – at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, late in 1978. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Rob Jacob up front of The Volunteers at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, late in 1978. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes. 
The Volunteers at The Woodenbridge, Guildford c’78. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Volunteers at The Woodenbridge, Guildford c’78. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Volunteers at The Woodenbridge, Guildford c’78. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Volunteers’ Rob Jacobs, with Justin Hildreth (who was moonlighting from Roogalator) on drums behind, at The Woodenbridge, Guildford c’78. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Volunteers’ Rob Jacobs, with Justin Hildreth (who was moonlighting from Roogalator) on drums behind, at The Woodenbridge, Guildford c’78. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Volunteers’ Rob Jacobs, with Justin Hildreth (who was moonlighting from Roogalator) on drums behind, at The Woodenbridge, Guildford c’78. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Article on The Volunteers from page 10 of the Barbed Wire fanzine issued in January 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Gig Review from Barbed Wire Vol 2 No.2, May 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Volunteers interview with Sally Clark for Barbed Wire in 1979 Volume 2 Number 3. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes A&M, Annie Lennox, Bonaparte's, Camden, Chapman Witney Streetwalkers, David Fagence, EMI Records, Farncombe, Guildford, Iron Maiden, Justin Hildreth, Ken Baker, Kenny Baker, Kensington, Kevin Smith, Logo, McKitty, Melody Maker, Merrow, Michael McBrain, Mick Bryant, Mick Bryant Band, Music Machine, Nashville, Nicko McBrain, Noit Otni & The Pits, Pat Martin, Pat Travers Band, Pete Perryer, Rob Jacob, Rod Johnson, Roogalator, Scratchers, Square One, Straight Eight, Superstar Club, The Soft Boys, The Star, The Three Lions, The Tourists, The Volunteers, Trust, Unicorn, Village hall, Wooden Bridge -
House
(c’76-’81) Tony Backhurst (guitar / vocals), Sev Lewkowicz (keyboards / vocals), Tim Wheatley (bass / vocals), Allen ‘Algie’ Watkins (drums / vocals), Dick Middleton (lead guitar) and Karen Backhurst (flute).
May ’76 and this is one of House’s first publicity shots, featuring Lewkowicz and Backhurst. Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html This folk rock band formed in May ’76 from the ashes of Asylum and Backhurst, both Guildford bands. Lewkowicz played for both bands and after comp
leting a Marquee residency with Asylum, which Backhurst supported, Tony Backhurst & Lewkowicz formed House. Their first gig as House was at The Three Lions “Scratchers”, Farncombe with just the two of them.
15 August 1976: House played ‘Rock At The Royal’ organized by Ray “Bonza” Bradman. Then, with the addition of Wheatley, they performed as a 3 piece, filling Backhurst’s Monday night residency at The Kings Head, Guildford, at which The Stranglers‘ Jet Black was regularly in the audience along with The Jam‘s Bruce Foxton. In August ’76 they played at The Royal, Guildford ‘Rock at The Royal’ night organized by Ray “Bonza” Bradman. This 3-piece also supported Liverpool Express – who incidentally had three singles mixed by Guildford born record producer and engineer David Tickle – at the University of Surrey and went on to play Merrist Wood Agricultural College, supported by local musician Dave Tarn in early ’77. On 11 February ’77 the band supported Strider at the Technical College, Basingstoke. Ex-Asylum band-mate Greg Terry-Short (drums) bought the group to 4 members and they were joined on occasions by Greg ‘Squeaky’ McGregor (sax / flute) and later by Karen Backhurst. While playing “They’re Knocking Down our House”, “Gemini”, “Beautiful Eyes”, “Roly Poly Days” and “Lady of the Hill” to full houses in the local area, away from Guildford it was different.
In ’77 they also did two support gigs at a Brighton pub, the first with Shakin’ Stevens, the second with The Stranglers – the audience were not that receptive. Shortly after, The King’s Head changed hands and the residency with it. Now with Middleton, who owned a music shop in Guildford and also played with Head Waiter – having previously supported Gene Vincent, Johnny Halliday and been in The Famous Rondini Brothers and Mungo Jerry – in the mix, House went from folk rock to American country rock. Terry-Short left to play with Jackie Lynton and over the next two years the drummer changed three times: Pete Dobson (ex-Juicy Lucy), Alan Watkin (ex-Jackie Lynton) and Chris ‘Wheelbarrow’ Brayne. They continued to play the Guildford, London and Oxford circuit.
1978’s various artist compilation “Who Invited Them?’ [TR001] on the Thumb label. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records Local label Thumb issued a various artist compilation titled ‘Who Invited Them?’ [TR001] in 1978 featuring 10 tracks from Guildford bands. This included House, who presented “They’re Knocking Down Our House” – purportedly the origin of the bands name – and “Brown & White Horse” along with submissions from Headwaiter, Jackie Lynton’s H.D. Band, and Poker. The band wrapped up ’78 with a gig at The Three Lions “Scratchers”, Farncombe on 27 December, where they were joined by Andy Latimer of Camel.
On 24 February ’79 the band played The Wooden Bridge, Guildford, Then, through Middleton’s contact with Ritchie Blackmore, the band supported Rainbow at the The Rainbow Theatre, London. It was supposed to be a UK tour support slot but Middleton had already committed to tour Germany with Mungo Jerry and Dobson had signed to play with a band called Tiger. Around this time a House LP was in the works on Thumb; but to our knowledge was never released and Middleton formed The Insiders with members of Mungo Jerry. Also in the late 70’s Ray Dorset sat in with House at the Stoke Hotel, Guildford. Whether their songs ‘White Chiefs’, ‘House’ or ‘Lady On The Hill’ were played that night is unknown. But they did raise 200 quid, together with The Vapors, at a woman’s aid gig that same year.
However, other things were taking priority and in ’81 they played a final gig in the Kings Head’s garden. Tony Backhurst had his antiques business and was managing bookings at Scratchers; Lewkowicz – the only full-time musician – did session work and played around with other acts, including Soho, White Dub, Headwaiter (with Terry-Short), Duffo (with Wheatley), Any Trouble and Mungo Jerry. He also won an edition of The Weakest Link in 2002. Wheatley owned / ran Chestnut Studios, Churt and played in Good Earth, Gracious, Duffo, Taggart, then House before joining Poker. He also spent time in Cryin’ Out Loud with Brayne. Terry-Short had also been in Black Velvet, and as well as House played in Head Waiter. He partook in the Katmandu Sessions with Peter Green, Ray Dorset, Len Surtees, Jeff Whittaker and Vincent Crane in December ’83/January ’84; that was released in ’85 as “A Case for the Blues” by Katmandu; later in the 80s he was in Cast Of Thousands.
Brayne passed at the end of ’96, resulting in House reforming in ’97 to record a track for a commemorative CD and to play at a charity gig in celebration of “Wheelbarrow” of Chiddingfold. The band reformed again to play, on 1st May 2010, at Wheatley’s 60th birthday bash.
Tracks:
Gallery:
House playing the Wooden Bridge, Guildford, 24 February 1979. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
House playing the Wooden Bridge, Guildford, 24 February 1979. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
House playing the Wooden Bridge, Guildford, 24 February 1979. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
House playing the Wooden Bridge, Guildford, 24 February 1979. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
House playing the Wooden Bridge, Guildford, 24 February 1979. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
House playing the Wooden Bridge, Guildford, 24 February 1979. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
House playing the Wooden Bridge, Guildford, 24 February 1979. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
House playing the Wooden Bridge, Guildford, 24 February 1979. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
House’s Lewkowicz at The Stoke Hotel ’79. Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html 
House’s Backhurst at the University of Surrey in ’76. Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html 
House’s Lewkowicz and Wheatley at the University of Surrey in ’76. Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html 
House’s Wheatley at the University of Surrey in ’76. Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html 
House’s Lewkowicz at The King’s Head, Guildford in ’76. Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html 
House’s Lewkowicz at The King’s Head, Guildford in ’76. Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html 
House’s Backhurst at The King’s Head, Guildford in ’76. Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html 
House’s Backhurst at The King’s Head, Guildford in ’76. Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html 
House’s Wheatley and Backhurst at The King’s Head, Guildford in ’76. Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html 
11 February 1977: House supported Strider at the Technical College, Basingstoke. Image courtesy of Raz Razzle 
Press clipping from 19 February 1977. Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html 
Surrey Ad, May 1976. Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html 
Source: http://www.house-guildford.co.uk/index.html 
Taken from Barbed Wire Vol.2 No.2, May 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Tony Backhurst and Dick Middleton of House playing the Wooden Bridge, Guildford, 24 February 1979. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
House at Woodenbridge, Guildford. Picture credit and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
House at Woodenbridge, Guildford. Picture credit and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
27 December 1978: House at Scratchers. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
27 December 1978: House with Andy Latimer of Camel at Scratchers. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
27 December 1978: House with Andy Latimer of Camel at Scratchers. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
27 December 1978: House with Andy Latimer of Camel at Scratchers. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
27 December 1978: House at Scratchers. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
27 December 1978: House with Andy Latimer of Camel at Scratchers. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes Alan Watkin, Allen Watkins, Andy Latimer, Any Trouble, Asylum, Backhurst, Basingstoke, Black Velvet, Brighton, Bruce Foxton, Camel, Cast of Thousands, Chestnut Studios, Chiddingfold, Chris Brayne, Cryin’ Out Loud, Dave Tarn, David Tickle, Dick Middleton, Duffo, Farncombe, Gene Vincent, Good Earth, Gracious, Greg McGregor, Greg Terry-Short, Guildford, Headwaiter, House, Jackie Lynton, Jackie Lynton H.D. Band, Jeff Whittaker, Jet Black, Johnny Halliday, Juicy Lucy, Karen Backhurst, Katmandu, Len Surtees, Liverpool Express, London, Marquee, Merrist Wood, Mungo Jerry, Oxford, Pete Dobson, Peter Green, Poker, Rainbow, Ray Bradman, Ray Dorset, Ritchie Blackmore, Scratchers, Sev Lewkowicz, Shakin' Stevens, Soho, Stoke Hotel, Strider, Taggart, Technical College, The Famous Rondini Brothers, The Insiders, The Jam, The King's Head, The Rainbow Theatre, The Royal, The Stranglers, The Vapors, The Weakest Link, Three Lions, Thumb, Tiger, Tim Wheatley, Tony Backhurst, University of Surrey, Vincent Crane, Wheelbarrow, White Dub, Wooden Bridge -
Pomeroy
(c’90-93) Paul Pomeroy (bass), Steve Sacre (vocals), James Norris (guitar) and Nick Murton (drums).
Named for their bassist, who’d also been in Black Easter, Pomeroy, just as their prior incarnation Second Balcony Jump, appeared regularly at the Buzz Club, West End Centre, Aldershot. On 14 September ’90 they were back on the West End Centre stage with Who Moved the Ground?, Sloth and After the Dream.
14 September 1990: Buzz Club flyer The Buzz Club had the band back on 9 May ’92 supporting The Deep Season, with Flavour and Giant Arc. Two months later, on 15 July, they were at The Old Trout, Windsor supporting The Weave. A few days after that, on 23 July, Pomeroy headlined at Camberley Town Football Clab, supported by Serious Plankton.
Paul Talling organized a launch party for Snakebite City at the Buzz Club on 16 January ’93 featuring Pomeroy along with Peachrazor, Pretty Green, Backlash, Phobia and Big Boy Tomato. The first Snakebite City compilation LP included Pomeroy ‘s “Autonomy” and “He’s Afraid”, they also won the GLR DemoClash 4 weeks running, beating fellow Snakebite City alum Peachrazor one week.
Tracks:
Gallery:
16 January 1993: Green flyer for Snakebite CityLaunch Party at Buzz Club 
16 January 1993: White flyer for Snakebite CityLaunch Party at Buzz Club. 
9 May ’92: Pomeroy supported Deep Season, with Flavour and Giant Arc 
Pomeroy supported The Weave at The Old Trout, Windsor 0n 15th July 1992. Image courtesy of Dawn Bovingdon 
Snakebite City T 
Pomeroy supported The Weave on 15 July 1992 at The Old Trout, Windsor. Source: The Old Trout, Windsor – we still miss you Trout 
Snakebite City, which included Pomeroy, release date clipping, from a Dec ’91 unknown paper. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter 
Pomeroy, supported by Serious Plankton, played Camberley Town Football Club on 23 July 1993 according to this gig list. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter 
Snakebite City flyer c’92. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter 
1993 press release from Bluefire Records launching the Snakebite City compilation with Pomeroy, along with Backlash, Big Boy Tomato, Peachrazor, Pretty Green, Trousershock BC and Mama Cain (aka Phobia). Picture courtesy of Steve Porter After the Dream, Aldershot, Backlash, Big Boy Tomato, Black Easter, Buzz Club, Camberley, Camberley Town Football Club, Deep Season, Democlash, Flavour, Giant Arc, GLR, James Norris, Nick Murton, Paul Pomeroy, Paul Talling, Peachrazor, Phobia, Pomeroy, Pretty Green, Second Balcony Jump, Serious Plankton, Sloth, Snakebite City, Steve Sacre, The Old Trout, The Weave, West End Centre, Who Moved the Ground?, Windsor -
Graham and the Gravediggers
(c’88) Chris “Duchess of York” Brewer (keyboards), Kevin “Miss Winston Foxtrot” Whitchurch (sax), ? “Heathcliff Rex” ? (bass), ? “Julian F Hendrix” ? (vocals), ? “Gerald the Rabbit” ? (guitar), ? “Miss Winston Fostrot” ? (horn), and ? “Jumpin’ Johnny Volkswagon” ? (drums) .
This seven member “6 piece” Woking College Rag Week band had a song about the 6th Form student Scott Jameson. They appeared at Woking College on 22 April ’88; but we are uncertain if this was their 2nd gig at the college, which was ended by a water-fight. There was ‘much furor’ when rumors abounded of their replacement by Forrest and the Choppers at Woking College’s Rag Week, even though several Gravediggers were also Choppers – Another case of Soundscene stirring a non-existent pot.
Gallery:
Soundscene’s PG Tips, 25th August 1988 
A rare mention of Graham and the Gravediggers from PG Tips, probably 22 December ’88. Picture courtesy of Daniel Hiscocks 
Woking College waterfight ends Gravediggers second gig according to PG Tips. Date unknown, likely 1988. Picture courtesy of Daniel Hiscocks 
Graham and the Gravediggers clipping from Soundscene (date unknown). Picture courtesy of Daniel Hiscocks. -
Senno Reflex
(c’87-’88) – Les Galvin (?), Bobby Galvin (?), Miles Brant (vocals), Gary Sanger (?), and Mark Raymond (bass)
This Bagshot band appeared on 6 November ’87 at The Cricketers, Westfield. Mike ? (vocals) joined the band. We lose track of Senno Reflex until an appearance at The Rock Garden, London in March ’88, with Sanger as manager. A few months later they were back at The Cricketers, Westfield, on 9 July.
Mike left the band in August ’88 for “personal reasons”. The band keep going, appearing at The Red Lion, Brentford on 5 October supporting Call the Band, but later changed their name to New in Town.
Brant moved from New in Town to Rusty Bucket in the late ’80s and now resides in Western Australia.
Gallery:
5 October 1988: Senno Reflex supported Call the Band at The Red Lion, Brentford. Source: Neil Thompson via Keep It Out of Sight 
7 July 1988: Soundscene Gig list 
PG Tips column from Soundscene, 18th August 1988.
Our Soundscene 
Human beings takes me back to 1981. Followed them all over the Surrey reading area for a year a great band and 3 good guys playing well written songs of the era. I wish john Tim and steve well what ever they are doing now. Should reform for a few shows just like Oasis but do the wooden bridge.
LikeLiked by 1 person