Our Soundscene

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

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  • Herbaceous Borders

    Herbaceous Borders

    (c’88 -’89) Paul Bushell (vocals / guitar), Steve Fisher (keyboards / backing vocals / drums) Shaun O’Conner (bass) and Alan Davis (drums).

    This four piece, named after a Gardener’s World video special on herbaceous borders, debuted at the Cricketer’s, Westfield in May ’88, adding Kevin Whitchurch (sax) later in their tenure, and returning to the pub on 9 September that year. They specialized in rock music, as their influences, Dire Straits, Genesis and Led Zeppelin would indicate, covering classics such as ‘Pinball Wizard’ and ‘Golden Brown’. All the bands own material was written by Fisher who aimed to provide songs with “cryptic messages that mean little to anyone except himself.” After a hiatus they re-emerged as John Fiddle and the Freewheelers supporting Getz Loose at The Grey Horse, Kingston only to dispel reformation rumors in early ’89, with Fisher going to Call of Cain and Bushell to Van Gogh and the Earlobes.

  • The 1968 Gig List

    The 1968 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 if we have an image, we like to claim are part of the Woking/GU Soundscene in 1968:

    January 4
    The Wooden Bridge, Guildford: Keith Smith

    Keith Smith appeared at The Wooden Bridge, Guildford on 4 January ’68 thanks to the Jazz Club (Melody Maker w/e 6 January ’68)

    The Wooden Bridge, Guildford: Max Collie’s Rhythm Aces

    Max Collie’s Rhythm Aces advertise their UK tour includin The Wooden Bridge, Guildford on 4 January ’68 in Melody Maker (w/e 6 January ’68)

    January 19
    Big C, Farnborough: Diane Ferrez and The Ferris Wheel 

    January 27
    The Marquee, London: The Gods w/ Circus

    February 2
    Big C Club, Farnborough: The Equals
    Pantiles, Bagshot: The Ferris Wheel

    February 6
    Cromwellian, Kensington: Wishful Thinking

    February 10
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Circus

    February 11
    Pantiles, Bagshot: The Ferris Wheel

    February 15
    The Wooden Bridge, Guildford: Brian Rutland

    The Wooden Bridge Jazz Club bought Brian Rutland to Guildford on 15 February ’68 (Melody Maker w/e 17 February ’68)

    February 17
    The Big C Club, Farnborough: Moon’s Train

    February 23
    The Big C Club, Farnborough: The Fantastics

    1968: Advert for the Big C – Feb 23: The Fantastics; Feb 24: Junior Kerr and Linda Lewis with The White Rabbit

    February 23
    Big C Club, Farnborough: Junior Kerr and Linda Lewis w/ The White Rabbit

    March 9
    The Barn, Penzance: Mike Raynor & The Condors 

    9 and 16 March 1968: Mike Raynor and The Condors were at The Barn, Penzance. Source: Richard Prest

    March 10
    The Wooden Bridge, Guildford: Ten Year After

    March 12
    Pantiles, Bagshot: The Ferris Wheel
    The Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames: Mike Raynor & The Condors

    March 15
    Carousel Club, Farnborough: John Drevar’s Expression

    1968: Advert for the Carousel Club. March 15: John Drevar’s Expression; March 16 Little John and the Shadrocks; March 17: Golly’s Grumble; March 19: The Marvelettes; and March 20: Geno Washington and Ram Jam

    March 16
    Carousel Club, Farnborough: Little John and the Shadrocks
    The Barn, Penzance: Mike Raynor & The Condors 

    March 17
    Carousel Club, Farnborough: Golly’s Grumble

    March 18
    The Blue Horizon, The Nags Head, Battersea: Fleetwood Mac w/ Duster Bennett

    Melody Maker 16 March 1968: Duster supported Fleetwood Mac at the Nag’s Head on 18 March.

    March 19
    Carousel Club, Farnborough: The Marvelettes

    March 20
    Carousel Club, Farnborough: Geno Washington and Ram Jam

    April 5
    Pantiles, Bagshot: The Ferris Wheel

    April 6
    Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley: Circus
    400 Ballroom, Torquay: Wishful Thinking

    6 April 1968

    April 18
    Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley: The Ferris Wheel

    April 20
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Circus

    May 6
    Civic Hall Guildford: Circus
    Cromwellian, Kensington: Wishful Thinking

    May 9
    Town Hall, Farnborough: Status Quo

    May 17
    Agincourt, Camberley: James and Bobby Purify

    May 19
    The Marquee, London: Circus

    May 20
    Cromwellian, Kensington: Wishful Thinking

    May 21
    Cromwellian, Kensington: Wishful Thinking

    May 24
    Guildford College, Guildford: Moon’s Train

    May 25
    Technical College, Farnborough: Moon’s Train

    May 26
    The Wooden Bridge, Guildford: Ten Years After

    June 10
    Civic Hall, Guildford: The Move w/ Circus and Episode Six

    June 14
    The Marquee, London: Jethro Tull w/ Duster Bennett

    June 17
    The Blue Horizon, The Nags Head, Battersea: Duster Bennett

    Melody Maker 15 June 1968: Duster is up the Nag’s Head on the 17 June.

    June 21
    Anchor Inn, Godalming: Circus

    July 5
    Bush Hotel, Farnham: Mike Chapman w/ Mike Vines, John Davies, Andy Fernbach, John Lathey, and Ian A. Anderson

    5 July 1968: The Bush Hotel hosted “An Evening With The Blues”. Source: Ian Anderson via Historic Farnham Town & Surrounding Villages

    July 7
    Woburn Music Festival: Fleetwood Mac w/ John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Champion Jack Dupree, Tim Rose, Duster Bennett, and Taste.

    July 8
    Civic Hall, Guildford: The Equals w/ The Loris, and The Switch

    July 12
    The Marquee, London: Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation w/ Duster Bennett

    July 13
    The Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames: Mike Raynor & The Condors

    July 14
    The Marquee, London: The House of Lords w/ Duster Bennett

    July 16
    Atalanta Ballroom, Woking: The Equals w/ Circus

    July 19
    Pantiles, Bagshot: The Ferris Wheel

    July 22
    Marquee, London: Taste w/ Duster Bennett

    Melody Maker 20 July 1968: Duster supports The Taste at the Marquee on 22 July.

    July 23
    Henry’s Blueshouse, Crown Hotel, Birmingham: Duster Bennett

    Melody Maker 20 July 1968: Duster Bennett is listed to play the Crown Hotel, Birmingham on 23 July

    July 26
    Town Hall, Torquay: Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac w/ Duster Bennett

    26 July 1968: Peter Green’s Fleetwod Mac supported by Duster Bennett at the Town Hall, Torquay. Source: Duster Bennett – Remembered

    August 5
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Marmalade w/ Rainbow Ffolley, and Circle Line

    August 10
    The Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames: Mike Raynor & The Condors

    August 13
    The Marquee, London: John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers w/ Duster Bennett

    August 14
    The Marquee, London: Joe Cocker w/ Duster Bennett

    August 17
    400 Ballroom, Torquay: Wishful Thinking

    August 20
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Ben E. King
    400 Ballroom, Torquay: Wishful Thinking

    August 21
    400 Ballroom, Torquay: Wishful Thinking

    August 22
    400 Ballroom, Torquay: Wishful Thinking
    The Wooden Bridge, Guildford: New Era Jazzband

    The Woodenbridge Jazz Club bought the New Era Jazzband to Guildford on 22 August ’68 (from Melody Maker w/e 24 August 1968)

    August 23
    400 Ballroom, Torquay: Wishful Thinking
    The Marquee, London: Jethro Tull w/ Duster Bennett

    Melody Maker 24 Aug 1968: Two Melody Maker ads puts Duster Bennett supporting at the Marquee supporting Jethro Tull and at Bluesville ’68 supporting Fleetwood Mac

    August 30
    Bluesville ’68 Club, The Manor House Tavern, Hackney: Fleetwood Mac w/ Duster Bennett

    30 August 1968

    August 31
    Mothers, Birmingham: Duster Bennett w/ Bakerloo Blues Line

    31 August 1968: Duster Bennett supported by Bakerloo Blues Line play Mothers, Birmingham. Melody Maker Ad.

    September 1
    Bluesology Festival, Chateau Impney, Droitwich: Geno Washington w/ John Mayall, Cliff Bennett, Jo Cocker, Duster Bennett, Jasper Stubbs, and The Passion Forest

    September 5
    Pied Bull, North London: Duster Bennett

    5 September 1968: Duster Bennett was at the Pied Bull, North London according to this listing from Melody Maker 31 August 1968.

    September 7
    Double Booking? – Conway Hall, London: Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation w/ Free, Champion Jack Dupree, Duster Bennett, Dynaflow Blues, Ian Anderson and Elliot Jackson, and Bruno’s Blues Band.
    Double Booking? – The Rectangle, Lichfield: Duster Bennett w/ Ground Hog Willis, and Rambling Jug Band

    September 14
    Mothers, Birmingham: Duster Bennett w/ Pegasus

    September 15
    Bottleneck Blues Club, The Railway Tavern, Stratford: Duster Bennett

    Ad from 14 September 1968 Melody Maker has Duster Bennett headlining at the Railway Tavern, Stratford on 15 September

    September 17
    Double Booking? – Klooks Kleek, Railway Hotel, West Hampstead: Fleetwood Mac w/ Duster Bennett
    Double Booking? – Henry’s Blueshouse, Crown Hotel, Birmingham: Duster Bennett

    21 September 1968 Melody Maker advert puts Duster Bennett at the Crown Hotel, Birmingham on 17 September

    September 18
    The Marquee, London: Fairport Convention w/ Duster Bennett

    Ad from 14 September 1968 Melody Maker showing Duster Bennett supporting Fairport Convention at the Marquee on 18 September

    September 22
    The Place, Hanley: Duster Bennett

    September 24
    Klooks Kleek, The Railway Hotel, Hampstead: Fleetwood Mac w/ Duster Bennett

    24 September 1968: Duster Bennett supported Fleetwood Mac at Klooks Kleek, Railway Hotel, Hampstead. Source: Charlie Reavley via Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac

    September 28
    400 Ballroom, Torquay: Mike Raynor & The Condors

    October 2
    The Marquee, London: Fairport Convention w/ Duster Bennett

    October 6
    The Gin Mill Club, Godalming: Duster Bennett

    1968: Poster for Duster Bennett at Gin Mill. Source: Robert Clayson

    October 9
    Blues Loft, High Wycombe: Ian Anderson

    October 15
    University of Surrey, Guildford: The Yardbirds

    October 19
    The Cobweb, St. Leonards: Mike Raynor and The Condors w/ The Inventive Mr. Jeff

    19 October 1968: The Cobweb, St. Leonards hosted Mike Raynor and The Condors

    October 25
    Club Lafayette, Wolverhampton: Duster Bennett

    October 26
    University College, London: Grapefruit w/ Nashville Teens, and Mustang

    November 1
    Blues Loft, High Wycombe: Duster Bennett w/ Smokey Rice

    November 8
    University of Surrey, Guildford: Barclay James Harvest

    November 10
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Fairport Convention w/ Roy Harper, Barclay James Harvest, Bridget St. John, Third Ear Band, Ron Geesin, and Tim Hollier
    Pantiles, Bagshot: The Ferris Wheel

    November 16
    Technical College, Farnborough: The Ferris Wheel w/ The Gods

    November 23
    Toft’s, Folkstone: Dr K’s Blues Band w/ Duster Bennett

    23 November 1968: Dr K’s Blues Band supported by Duster Bennett played Toft’s, Folkstone. Source John Bannon via ‎Jon Hiseman’s COLOSSEUM and JCM – Fan Page.

    December 7
    Ungdonklubberne, Roskilde: Mike Raynor & The Condors w/ Raws
    Beat House Club, Anlaegspavillonen, Slagelse: Mike Raynor & The Condors
    Conway Hall, London: Bobby Parker Blues Band w/ Champion Jack Dupree, Duster Bennett, Chris Jones, Alexis Korner, Dave Kelly, Gordon Smith, T.S. McPhee, and Mike Vernon

    Melody Maker 30 November 1968 Ad for Blues Concert at Conway Hall, London on 7 Dec 68

    December 8
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Pete Brown and his Battered Ornaments, Michael Garrick Quintet, Don Rendell, Ian Carter, Jeremy Robson, John Smith, Ron Geeson, Helix, and Friends of the Poor

    December 13
    Brunel University, Uxbridge: Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band w/ Nashville Teens, and Krisis

    13 December 1968 – Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band are supported by the Nashville Teens at the Brunel University Xmas Rave.

    December 15
    The Dug Out Club, Bristol: Duster Bennett

    December 17
    Technical Institute, Guildford: The Action w/ Blossom Toes, and Different Shades of Blue

    December 20
    Blues Loft, High Wycombe: Duster Bennett w/ Ian Anderson, Alexis Korner, Mike Raven, and Killing Floor

    December 21
    Town Hall, Glastonbury: Eclection! w/ Duster Bennett
    Village Hall, Cranleigh: The Riot Squad w/ The Triffik Organization

    December 22
    The Stoke Hotel, Guildford: Helix, Clive Young, Al MacKenzie, Graham Clarke, Bob Thomas, and Nick Gray

    22 December 1968: “100 Watts of Ancient Sky” was a Whole poetry and music event featuring Helix, Clive Young, Al MacKenzie, Graham Clarke, Bob Thomas, and Nick Gray performing at The Stoke Hotel. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes

    December 28
    The Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames: The Sky (formerly Mike Raynor & The Condors)

    28 December 1968: Sky (formerly Mike Raynor and The Condors) at the Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames

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    The 1969 Gig List

  • Van Gogh and the Earlobes

    Van Gogh and the Earlobes

    (c’87-’89) Jake Spires (vocals / harmonica), Dan Hiscocks (drums), Ed Walters (bass), Peter Bailey (vocals), and Ian Smith (guitar).

    Formed by Hiscocks and Bailey, they started as a 4-piece with Smith and Walters, before adding Spires..in fact the band occasionally pulled “guest” musicians/performers from the audience including Aled Jones (harmonica) and ex-Trashqueen roadie Graham Clayton for a vocal.

    Van Gogh’s first gig, only 3 weeks after forming, was to a non-responsive crowd at Woking College. They were once touted for a warm-up slot on a prime-time TV show (which, I do not know) but were also well known for their exploits in the raft race held on Goldsworth Park Lake. Their biggest headline came when a schoolgirl ran off to Manchester with Bailey. Damian Wilson, of The Button Factory, is reported to have said of Van Gogh’s Bailey “he’s a better singer than myself”.

    On 15 April ’88 the band received a better reception at Woking College and in September ’88 they were part of “Showcase ’88”, two of numerous gigs at venues such as Brooklands College; The Lion Brewery, Ash; and The Three Lions (Scratchers), Farncombe. Many of their most notable appearance occurred at The Cricketers, Westfield – the ‘local’ for Woking College students. They closed out ’88 with some time recording in a London studio. Smith left at the end of ’88 to pursue a journalistic career in New York, his rumored replacement being Arno Spires (guitar). Arno was certainly involved in the recording of the bands first demo cassette, “Van Gogh Through The Beers”.

    “Through the Beers” demo tape cover…

    The job eventually fell to Paul Bushell in early ’89. Not long after this Bailey moved on to Calamity Sax. Calamity and Van Gogh then proceeded to both appear at The Devil’s Dance Party at the Civic Hall, Guildford in March ’89. In August ’89, Van Gogh picked up the Sigue Sigue Sputnik award in the Phil Gibby farewell honors, as well as sharing the Most Momentous Occasion with Guildford Live Aid. In Jan 1990 the band released their second demo cassette, “One Hundred Percent…” carrying four original tracks. Oliver Angel replaced Ian Smith for the recording and subsequent gigs. The end of Van Gogh and the Earlobes was, some say on the same day (27 July) as Van Gogh’s untimely demise, hailed by Hiscocks backpacking Europe and India.

    Bailey now fronts folk rockers Leatherat. Bushell is no longer with us unfortunately.

  • Napalm Groove Squad

    Napalm Groove Squad

    (c’88-’89) Dylan Owen (vocals), Luke Randall (guitar), Matthew ? (bass) and Mark Ward (rhythm guitar).

    Originally using the Ramones’ inspired Teenage Labotomy moniker, the Napalm Groove Squad boys played a number of reimagined covers and self-penned tracks that included ‘Long Lost Friend’, “Flesh”, “Brand New Mini” and “Wildcat”. Rumored to have split in June ’88, they were looking for a bassist in July, having ousted Matthew – apparently he was too sensible – but eventually moved Ward to the 4-string. They were a regular feature at The Cricketers, Westfield and in September ’88 they played ABC Music’s Showcase ’88, at Woking Centre Halls. This event was originally pitched as Woking Live Aid and Naplam Groove Squad were the first confirmed act by gig organizer Kim Joseph. The band returned to the Centre Halls later that year, supporting Van Gogh and the Earlobes at the Brooklands College Ball.

    Backstage Pass for The Devil’s Dance Party, 23 March 1989, that included Napalm Groove Squad. Picture courtesy of Daniel Hiscocks

    The band had just recorded the three-track demo EP entitled “Live and Raw”, which opened with the instrumental “Brand New Mini” leading straight into “Daddy Loves Mummy,” and wrapped up with the 7 minute 1 second long “Long Lost Friend”. Reports revealed that at least one big name label requested a copy of “Live and Raw,” and others seemed set to follow. The demo, no doubt, also helped with their desire to secure more gigs on the London alternative circuit, with one band member openly admitting to not wanting to be labelled a Woking band. “Brand New Mini” went on to win PG Tips’ “Best Track of ’88”. More split rumors emerged in early ’89, but the band appeared at The Devils Dance Party at the Civic Hall, Guildford in March and were up at the Rock Garden, Covent Garden on 22 July for a noon gig.

  • Hoax

    Hoax

    (c’85-’92) Richard Bryant (bass), Jules Brient (vocals), Chris Quick (guitar), John Donne (drums), and Jamie Harper (rhythm guitar).

    We know very little about Hoax. They formed in ’84, played varies local venues including The Royal, Guildford with Siege and The George, Ash Vale and may have been Foreigner / heavy metal orientated.

  • Milky Bar Kids

    Milky Bar Kids

    (c’84/85) Tony Nunn (guitar), Jim Smith (bass), Andy Brown (vocals), Graham Wood (lead guitar), and Steve King (drums).

    Byfleet’s The 68 Floods, in their formative years, went by this Milky Bar Kids moniker. Nunn had previously been in Woking College rock band Strutter. King took a sojourn in late ’84 and was replace by Martin Smith. In ’85 the band released the “Losing You” cassette single, recorded at New Haw’s TSI Studios and B-sided by a cover of The Rolling Stones “Route 66”; both produced by Hum, of FEG. This single was submitted for the Soundscene Miss Woking Pop Cabaret competition. King rejoined and took back the drummer stool in March/April ’85. In May they hit Catch 44 Studios, Godalming to record an EP cassette. After which they renamed as The 68 Floods.

  • Crisis

    Crisis

    (c’77 – ’80) Frazer Towman (vocals), Rob Ledger (drums), Douglas Pierce (Rhythm Guitar) Tony Wakefield (Bass), and Lester “Lester Picket” Jones (lead guitar)

    This Surrey punk band, that claimed Guildford as their home, performed at Rock Against Racism (RAR) and Anti-Nazi League (ANL) rallies as well as Right to Work marches. Sounds used the phrase “Music to March To” to describe the noise produced by founding members “Phrazer” Towman of Ash, Londoner “Insect Robin the Cleaner” Ledger, Pierce of Brookwood and Addlestone native Wakefield – who used to be in the Who / Status Quo covers band Backwater – and “Lester Picket” Jones, also of Brookwood. As well as RAR and ANL gigs the band played all over London including Acklam Hall and The Roxy, and across the country as well as ‘back home; at the University of Surrey, supporting The Ruts, and The Wooden Bridge, Guildford. The Roxy was run by somewhat seedy Kevin St John who also managed Crisis for a time, until his murder. The Roxy saw them support Adam & The Ants, Slaughter & The Dogs and Sham 69 and then sleeping on the first train back to Woking. But they also headlined at the venue towards the end of ’77; on 8 November they were supported by Youthenasia, and The Plague. The following month, on 3 December, their support came in the form of The Valves.

    There was a John Peel session on 11 January ’78, followed by their first single, titled ‘No Town Hall’, released by Peckham Action Group, although some reports put this the other way around.

    8 days after Peel, Crisis supported Sham 69 at Woking Centre Halls with Speedometers, Menace and Masterswitch, the ticket retailing for a quid. Frazer came on and rushed about the stage wearing a mask. Also in ’78, Crisis played live with Adam and the Ants again at South Bank Polytechnic, London, the recordings of which have disappeared and the gig ended in a bit of a riot. Just over a year later Phrazer was replaced by Dexter and Insect Robin the Cleaner was temporarily replaced by Jane Roberts, the drummer with Revolt, who performed a gig or two with the band but was deemed unsuitable and replaced by Luke Rendall. In ’79 the band undertook a month long tour of Norway, with reggae band Cygnus, thanks to the SWP and Socialist Nordski. The second single “UK 79 / White Youth” was released in 1979 on the bands own label Ardkor, having licensed the Peel Session recordings from the BBC instead of re-recording. The “Hymns of Faith” 12″ E.P, released on Ardker Records (CR1003), in April 1980 opens with “On T.V.” and closes with “Kanada Kommando”.

    The original “Hymns of Faith 12” EP…

    The cover art was drawn by Crisis roadie, Flea, who also drew the cover for the ‘UK79’ single. “Hymns…” was re-released by La Vida Es Un Mus (MUS41) in 2010, with a limited 700 copies on vinyl. After performing their last show in Guildford on 10 May ’80, supporting Magazine and Bauhaus no less, the band broke up. Issue No.4, the June/July ’80 issue, of Down in the Street, featured the band along with ActifedMatrix, and Revolt.

    Pearce and Wakefield went on to form Death in June in ’81, before Wakefield later formed Above the Ruins and Sol Invictus. Rendall joined Theatre of Hate, and Jones formed Carcrash International. Two releases came out about a year after the split. A 7” single featuring the two remaining tracks from the Peel Session, “Alienation” and “Bruckwood Hospital” (about Brookwood Hospital) on Ardkor and a 12” EP, ‘Holocaust UK’, which featured the tracks from the first two singles. 1997 saw the CD compilation ‘We Are All Jews And Germans’ released by World Serpent and organized by Pearce, with all of the original releases plus demos and a live recording made during their tour of Norway. In 2005, a further Crisis discography was compiled on a single CD titled “Holocaust Hymns”, released by Apop Records and in 2008 a recording of their final show was released as the “Ends!” by Hardcore Records (HCR002).

    After performing their last show in Guildford on 10 May ’80, supporting Magazine and Bauhaus, Crisis broke up. A recording of the gig was released in 2008.

    More recently, the ‘Kollectiv’ double LP on La Vida Es Un Mus has been released. Crisis make an honorable appearance in “Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter’s Guide to Underground Rock, 1970-1982” By George Gimarc which mentions the release of their first record “No Town Hall (southwark)” on Peckham Action Group on 12 October ’79 and asks how a punky protest band arose from the green countryside of Guildford.

    Many years later, Wakefield formed 1984 to play the Crisis songs he’d written, with gigs across Europe with the promoters tending to market the Crisis angle. In 2017, 40 years on, Crisis reformed with a line-up of Wakefield (bass / vocals), Rendall (drums), Clive Giblin (lead guitar / vocals), Mark Geraghty (rhythm guitar) and Pete Fordham (vocals).

    Tracks:

    UK ’78

    Gallery:

  • Salt Solution

    Salt Solution

    (c’84-’93) Doug McKeller (drums), Simon Bartlett (bass, backing vocals), Robert Bathurst (lead & rhythm guitar) and Martin Day (vocals, lead & rhythm guitar)

    Out of Mervyn Sprockett And The Crankshaft Assembly the four members morphed into Salt Solution, which was announced in Soundscene in January ’84. McKeller, ex-Dark Paradise, was replaced by Andy Clark on drums, as he became the bands manager for a couple of years. In August ’84 the band appeared at the Greenbelt Festival at Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire. The Salties, following an audience participation number at a Knaphill gig, added Pete Milner (sax / keyboards) and continued as a 5-piece. A predominantly live christian rock band, they did release the “Your Country Needs You” single, on the Embryo Arts label [EAS 7], backed by “New Life” and recorded at Scarf Studios on Furze Street, Bow, in ’86.

    In ’87, Salt Solution played at Brixton Academy to a few thousand gig goers, and continued gigging through the early 90’s. The band’s “The Art Of Growing Old” featured on the American ACM (Alternative Christian Ministries) Journal’s 3rd Anniversary Compilation CD, released in the US in ’92. This featured, to quote the packaging ‘twenty independent artists and twenty-one alternative songs from… New Zealand, England, Sweden, and America’. A four-track cassette demo followed a short recording hiatus prior to the bands demise in ’93. In 2000 came the “Arctic Frosties” retrospective album release.

    Tracks:

    Gallery:

  • The 1967 Gig List

    The 1967 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 if we have an image, we like to claim are part of the Woking/GU Soundscene in 1967:

    January 17
    Highwayman, Camberley: The Garrick Trio w/ Bill Lesage

    17 January 1967: The Garrick Trio w/ Bill Lesage at Highwayman, Camberley (Melody Maker w/e 21 Jan 1967)

    January 19
    New Central Ballroom, Aldershot: The Riot Squad w/ Soul Society. 

    January 28
    The Playhouse, Walton: Nashville Teens

    28 January 1967 – The Nashville Teens play The Playhouse, Walton

    January 31
    Highwayman, Camberley: The Garrick Trio w/ Bobby Breen and Olaf Vas

    31 January 1967: The Garrick Trio w/ Bobby Breen and Olaf Vas at Highwayman, Camberley (Melody Maker w/e 4 Feb 1967)

    February 2
    Cadenna’s, Stoke Hotel, Guildford: The Pink Floyd
    New Central Ballroom, Aldershot: The Riot Squad (cancelled)

    February 4
    The Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames: Mike Raynor & The Condors
    New Central Ballroom, Aldershot: Package Deal w/ Forbidden Fruit

    February 1967: Package Deal with Forbidden Fruit played on 4 February; on 9 February The Motivation were supported by the Ziggy Turner Combo at Aldershot’s New Central Ballroom.

    February 9
    New Central Ballroom, Aldershot: The Motivation w/ Ziggy Turner Combo

    February 10
    Harvest Moon Club, Guildford: The Net w/ The Human Instincts

    10 February 1967: The Net and The Human Instincts, followed The Rivals final gig on 11 Feb, at The Harvest Moon Club, Guildford.

    February 11
    Harvest Moon Club, Guildford: The Rivals

    February 13
    Marquee, London: The Herd w/ Philip Goodhand-Tate and The Stormville Shakers

    13 February 1967: Philip Goodhand-Tate and The Stormville Shakers supported The Herd at the Marquee, London, according to this advert from Melody Maker 11 Feb 1967.

    February 16
    Cadenas, Stoke Hotel, Guildford: Herbie Goins and the Nightimers w/ The Jeremiah Thing

    February 17
    Marquee, London: The Sands w/ Mike Raynor & The Condors

    February 18
    Dreamland, Margate: Wishful Thinking w/ Maxine Brown & The Q-Set

    February 19
    The Harvest Moon Club, Guildford: Episode Six

    February 25
    Agincourt, Camberley: Chuck Berry w/ Kerry Rapid and The Soultones

    February 28
    The Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames: Mike Raynor & The Condors

    March 2
    New Central Ballroom, Aldershot: The Riot Squad (who cancelled) w/ St Louis Checks.

    March 3
    The Harvest Moon, Guildford: Right Attitude

    Clipped from Aldershot News

    March 4
    The Harvest Moon, Guildford: The Tonicks

    March 5
    The Harvest Moon, Guildford: Tremeloes
    Wooden Bridge, Guildford: The (Five) Proud Walkers

    March 6
    Brørup Pop Club, Jylland, Denmark: Wishful Thinking

    March 10
    The Harvest Moon, Guildford: King George and The Harlem Kiddies

    March 12
    Agincourt, Camberley: Pink Floyd w/ Sky (Mike Raynor & The Condors)

    12 March 1967: Pink Floyd at Agincourt, Camberley. Picture courtesy of John Scott Cree

    March 13
    Marquee, London: The Herd w/ Philip Goodhand-Tate and The Stormville Shakers

    13 March 1967: Philip Goodhand-Tate and The Stormville Shakers supported The Herd at the Marquee, London, according to this advert from Melody Maker 11 Mar 1967.

    March 14
    Highwayman, Camberley: The Garrick Trio w/ Danny Moss and Jeanie “Miss Disc” Lambe

    14 March 1967: The Garrick Trio w/ Danny Moss and Jeanie “Miss Disc” Lambe at Highwayman, Camberley (Melody Maker w/e 18 March 1967)

    March 15
    ABC, Aldershot: Gene Pitney w/ The Troggs

    March 16
    Cadenas Club, Stoke Hotel, Guildford: The Gass

    March 17
    The Harvest Moon, Guildford: Lee Dorsey
    The Highwayman, Camberley: Graham Collier Septet

    March 18
    Youth Club, Liphook: The Stormsville Shakers w/ Phillip Goodhand-Tait, and Whisker Davies Blues Stormers

    March 24
    The Harvest Moon, Guildford: The Drifters

    March 24
    The Harvest Moon, Guildford: Cliff Bennett

    April 1
    Dennis Bros. Canteen, Guildford: The Late

    1 April 1967: The Late played the April Fools Day Beat Dance at Dennis Bros. Source: Tina Morant via Guildford Town Past & Present

    April 3
    Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley: Marmalade
    Atalanta Ballroom, Woking: Marmalade

    April 7
    ABC Cinema, Aldershot: Roy Orbison and The Candy Men w/ P.P. Arnold, The Settlers, Sonny Childe and T.N.T., Small Faces, and The Searchers.

    April 9
    Anlægspavillonen, Ringsted, Denmark: Mike Raynor & The Condors w/ Shouts. 

    9 April 1967: Mike Raynor and The Condors play Anlægspavillonen, Ringsted. Image courtesy of: www.beathouse.dk

    April 14
    The Harvest Moon Club, Guildford: The Soul Sisters w/ The Trend

    April 15
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Episode Six w/ Dilemma
    Tiles, Soho: The Embers w/ The Present Tense, and The Pityful

    Advert from Melody Maker 15 April ’67

    April 22
    Technical College, Farnborough: Moon’s Train

    April 23
    Wooden Bridge, Guildford: The (Five) Proud Walkers w/ Over 2,000

    April 27
    ABC Cinema, Aldershot: The Walker Brothers, Cat Stevens, Jimi Hendrix, Englebert Humperdinck, The Californians, and The Quotations

    May 9
    Highwayman, Camberley: Tubby Hayes Quartet

    9 May 1967: Tubby Hayes Quartet at Highwayman, Camberley (Melody Maker w/e 12 May 1967)

    Borough Hall, Godalming: Graham Bond Organisation, Georgia Skin Men, Whisker Davies Blues Stormers, Lucas & Jim Cook, and The Combined Forces

    May 12
    Blue Beat Club, Angel Hotel, Godalming: The Equals

    May 14
    Gravesend House, Gordon’s School, West End: The Riot Squad 

    May 15
    Atalanta Ballroom, Woking: Prince Buster and The Bees

    Melody Maker 29 April 67: Prince Buster and The Bees played the Atalanta, 15 May 1967

    May 26
    Stoke Hotel, Guildford: Tony Knight’s Chessmen w/ The Other Two Thousand

    Advert for Tony Knight’s Chessmen w/ The Other Two Thousand at Stoke Hotel May 1967. Source: GarageHangover.com

    May 27
    Civic Hall, Guildford: The (Five) Proud Walkers w/ Dave Martin Group

    June 4
    Agincourt, Camberley: Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band

    June 5
    Atalanta Ballroom, Woking: The Turtles

    June 7
    University of Surrey, Guildford: Shirley Collins

    June 16
    Blue Beat Club, Angel Hotel, Godalming: The Equals

    16 June 1967: Thus Surrey Advertizer advert put’s The Equals at the Angel, Godalming. Source: Shirley St Clair via Godalming Town Past & Present

    June 27
    Highwayman, Camberley: The Garrick Trio w/ Danny Moss and Jeannie Lambe

    27 June 1967: The Garrick Trio w/ Danny Moss and Jeannie Lambe at Highwayman, Camberley (Melody Maker w/e 1 July 1967)

    June 30
    Tiles, London: Jimmy James and The Vagabonds w/ Mike Raynor & The Condors

    July 2
    Dungeon Club, Nottingham: Phillip Goodhand-Tait w/ Stormsville Shakers

    July 4
    The Big C Club, Farnborough: Moon’s Train

    July 6
    Civic Hall, Guildford: P.P. Arnold, Tony Rivers and the Castaways, Whisker Davies Blues Stormers, and Tony “Duster” Bennett

    6 July 1967 – The Whisker Davis Blues Stormers’ joined P.P. Arnold, Tony Rivers and the Castaways, and Tony “Duster” Bennett at a Guildford School of Art gig at the Civic Hall, Guildford.

    July 7
    Blue Beat Club, Angel Hotel, Godalming: The Equals

    July 22
    Blue Beat Club, The Angel, Godalming: The Herd

    August 4
    Big C, Farnborough: The Ferris Wheel 

    September 2
    The Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames: Mike Raynor and The Condors

    September 5
    Atalanta Ballroom, Woking: Acker Bilk

    September 8
    Big C, Farnborough: The Gass

    September 9
    Boom Center, Aarhus, Denmark: Pink Floyd w/ Mike Raynor and The Condors
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Circus
    The Big C Club, Farnborough: Moon’s Train

    September 14
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Fleetwood Mac w/ Duster Bennett

    September 15
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Frankie Armstrong, Shirley Collins, Tom Dillan, Brian Dunt, The Exiles, John Forman, Fred Hayes, John Faulkner, and Sandra Kerr

    October 3
    Highwayman, Camberley: Jimmy Philip Quintet

    3 October 1967: Jimmy Philip Quintet at Highwayman, Camberley (Melody Maker w/e 7 Oct 1967)

    October 10
    NAAFI Club, Aldershot: The Gods

    10 October 1967: The Gods played the NAFFI Club. Aldershot.

    October 27
    Big C Club, Farnborough: Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede

    October 28
    Stoke Hotel, Guildford: Circus

    November 3
    Carousel Club, Farnborough: Episode 6

    1967: Advert for the Big C – Nov 3: Episode 6, Nov 4: Junior (Pretty Boy Keer) Group w/ Linda Lewis. Nov 7: The Crowd; Nov 12: Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers; Nov 17th Gino Washington and the Ram Jam Band; Nov 24: The Ferres Wheel

    November 4
    The Big C Club, Farnborough: Junior (Pretty Boy Keer) Group w/ Linda Lewis

    November 7
    The Big C Club, Farnborough: The Crowd

    November 12
    The Big C Club, Farnborough: Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers

    November 17
    The Big C Club, Farnborough: Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band

    November 18
    The Big C Club, Farnborough: Moon’s Train

    November 20
    The Scotch of St. James, London: Wishful Thinking

    November 21
    The Scotch of St. James, London: Wishful Thinking

    November 22
    The Scotch of St. James, London: Wishful Thinking
    Romanos, Belfast: Foundations w/ Circus, Interns, and Taste

    November 24
    Big C, Farnborough: The Ferris Wheel 

    December 10
    The Wooden Bridge, Guildford: Ten Years After

    December 14
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, Tony ‘Duster’ Bennett, Chicago Northwestern System, Spirit Level, Dr Brown’s Gospel Medicine, and Electric Blue

    14 December 1967: “Living Blues” concert for Cancer Research at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Ad from Melody Maker 9 December 1967.

    December 15
    Technical College, Farnborough: Moon’s Train

    December 18
    ?, Godalming: Circus

    December 23
    Stoke Hotel, Guildford: Circus

    November 24
    Carousel Club, Farnborough: The Ferres Wheel

    November 27
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Humphrey Lyttleton, Cyril Davis All Stars, Long John Baldry and the Velvettes, The Yardbirds and The Rhythmics

    27 November 1963: Flyer for charity gig at Civic Hall, Guildford featuring: Humphrey Lyttleton, Cyril Davis All Stars, Long John Baldry and the Velvettes, The Yard Birds and The Rhythmics. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Record

    November 30
    Penthouse, Birmingham: The Amen Corner w/ Nashville Teens

    30th November 1967 and Nashville Teens are supporting The Amen Corner at Penthouse, Birmingham.

    December 14
    Civic Hall, Guildford: Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, Tony “Duster” Bennett, Chicago Northwestern System, Spirit Level, Dr Brown’s Gospel Medicine, and Electric Blue.

    Ad from Melody Maker 9 December 1967.

    December 17
    Dungeon Club, Nottingham: Stormville Shakers

    Back to
    The 1966 Gig List

    Forward to
    The 1968 Gig List

  • Peachrazor

    Peachrazor

    (c’91-’93) Shaun Jackson (drums), Jasen Barker (vocals), Steve Porter (bass) and Daren Grout (guitar).

    Peachrazor at The Bull & Gate

    With a first gig at Farnham’s West Surrey College of Art and Design (WSCAD) the Peach Razors burst onto the scene, changing their name to Peachrazor after a few more shows. In June ’91 they competed in the Buzz Club‘s Midsummer Madness local band competition. Darren “Paddy” Thorpe (ex-Explodehead) replaced Jackson and Stuart Heather (ex-Electric Icecream Productions) filled Barker’s shoes shortly after.

    On 1 February ’92, the band supported The Ha Ha Men, along with Pretty Green and The River Thieves at the Buzz Club, held at the West End Centre, Aldershot. Along with Porter and Grout (both ex-Frantic) they performed a couple of “disastrous” gigs at Ragamuffins, Camberley on 28 January and 28 April ’92.  in mid ’92. The band issued the 5-track “Heaven” demo in ’92, the title track and “Rip Your Face Off” appearing on the Snakebite City compilation on Bluefire Records. Peachrazor were at The Fox & Hounds, Fleet with Backlash and Pretty Green on 4 September ’92 and at The George, Ash Vale on 10 September ’92 with Slug and Mayflower 20. The band also competed in The White Hart, Frimley‘s Battle of the bands in December ’92. By the time the eponymous “Peachrazer” demo was released in ’93 Ade ? had joined the band on guitar.

    Inlay to the “‘Peachzazor” demo. Picture courtesy of Sid Stovold

    The band used to treat The George, Ash Vale as their rehearsal room, as it was cheaper than renting a space. That May they played the West End Centre, Aldershot with Creaming Jesus and Swayed; accidentally breaking Creaming Jesus’ bass guitar in half during set change and they ended up borrowing Porter’s. The following month the band supported Serious Plankton at Camberley Football Club on 19 June ’93. A second track from their demo, “Limbs”, made it onto Snakebite City Two late in ’93. That same year “Heaven” appeared on Return of Farnborough Groove Vol.3. They were beaten by Pomeroy in the GLR DemoClash. The landlord of the The Angler’s Arms, Farnborough on hearing the band do one song as a sound check beckoned them over, “I’m not listening to that shite all night,’ he said, counting tenners as he did so. ‘Here’s your money. Now pack up and fuck off.”

    Tracks:
    Heaven

    Limbs

    Rip Your Face Off

One thought on “Home

  1. Human beings takes me back to 1981. Followed them all over the Surrey reading area for a year a great band and 3 good guys playing well written songs of the era. I wish john Tim and steve well what ever they are doing now. Should reform for a few shows just like Oasis but do the wooden bridge.

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