Category Archives: Uncategorised

14 / 18

Posted on by
Reply
14 / 18


c 1980 – Source Rex Brough

This was a studio venture by Pete Waterman. The story goes, he’d heard an engineer singing “good-bye-ee” at a Stevenson’s Rocket session. Later, while he was having his hair cut he came up with the idea of doing a version. This he did with the assistance of Peter Shelley and Stevenson’s rocket and it was a hit. There’s a rather funny photo of PW in full uniform and tin hat. I presume he must have appeared on Top of the Pops in that get-up. An album followed, and then PW carried on as A & R man for Magnet records and DJing at Mr George’s.
Single
Good-bye-ee / We’ll stick together – 1975


Album Good-bye-ee – Magnet 1975


Track Artist Title Composer
A1 14-18 Good-Bye-ee Weston, Lee
A2 14-18 Roses Of Picardy F.Weatherly, H. Wood
A3 14-18 Strollin’ R.Reader
A4 14-18 For All We Know Lewis, Coots
A5 14-18 Medley: Goodbye Dolly Gray; On The Road To Mandalay Cobb, Barnes; Speaks, Kipling
A6 14-18 Now Is The Hour Scott, Kaihau
A7 14-18 Get Out And Get Under Clark, Leslie, Abrahams
A9 14-18 Medley: End Of The Road; We’ll Meet Again Launder, Dillon; Parker, Charles
B1 14-18 We’ll Stick Together P.Shelley, P.Waterman
B2 14-18 For Me And My Gal Leslie, Meyer, Goetz
B3 14-18 White Cliffs Of Dover Burton, Kent Rate
B4 14-18 It’s A Long Way To Tipperary Judge, Williams
B5 14-18 Medley: Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel); Four Leaf Clover Brown, Timm, Vejvoda; T.Connor
B6 14-18 Lilli Marlene Schulitze, Connor
B7 14-18 Hello Hello Who’s Your Lady Friend Lee, David
B8 14-18 Medley: There’ll Always Be An England; Auld Lang Syne R.Parker, H.Charles; Burns, arr. J.Fiddy, P.Shelley


The Guttercats

Posted on by
Reply

 The Guttercats


BAND INDEX


On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GuttercatsUK/?ref=page_internal

“The Guttercats have been a strong band for 20 years with an equal amount of gig experience. Bringing together the current line up of musicians that featured in their previous bands such as Fridayz Angelz, Lovebite and Malias. Also recently includes the release of the latest Guttercat EP, entitled ‘Whisky Avenue’ .

Vocalist – Andy has been playing and gigging since the mid 80’s, Drummer – Mitz has been gigging since 1996 and James (Lead Guitar) has been playing live for a year or so – but with all strong mutual influences – the sound has a combined edge of classic rock, Glam (70’s and 80’s) and Sleaze, post punk with a hint of New Wave.”


“The Guttercats are a Coventry based, Punky, Rocky, Poppy UK Band! who have been around in various forms since the early 90’s! Formed from an acoustic duo that grew in time to a full band. The band have come and gone over the years, and returned in different formats but under the same name. The last few years have gathered momentum, from exciting and entertaining live gigs to some new recordings. Although in it’s time, the band has had a revolving door of musicians coming and going, over the years, with the only constant and original members being, Andy Guttercat and Stevo Kifaru. Over that time the band has featured various ex-members, from Fridayz Angelz, Malias, Zendad, Lovebite, Wildside Riot Dub Jam Force and Sophie Corona. During 2013, the band took time off, away from the music scene…. “



Listen to them on Reverbnation

Andy Rothwell Guttercat says

” In 1988 the time had come to sit back and recharge the batteries. My personal life took over for a while and interest in being in a band was low. But then band number five and a half came along.. it came about, by some guy, that had seen me years ago with Firefly, came looking for me, to get me, to join a band he was putting together. I believe at this point there were some rehearsals with this rock type band, and they just happed to be at the same church hall that I’d practiced in with Fridayz Angelz in previous years. Iain and Stevo were also involved in the band. I didn’t know Stevo at this point.

Stevo takes up the story for this bit, as regards laying the roots for what was to become The Gutter Cats, after the wilderness years…

” From what I can recall (names have been forgotten to protect the innocent) I’d been rehearsing with a bass player, who was into classic rock, and a lead guitarist who had been a rockabilly but now thought he was Slash!!! (In later years discovered this was Darren Bickerton who currently resides as guitarist of Coventry rock band The UnResolved)

Anyway we were auditioning for a singer when Andy & Iain turned up, Andy only prepared to join if Iain was taken on as well on guitar! It never got beyond the rehearsal stage, which is just as well as the choice of songs were a little bit eclectic, ahem. Think we had Wishing well, Out in the Fields, Shadowplay, Fool For Your Loving, Here I go Again, Sweet Child of Mine & maybe Paradise City, roughly there, before Andy & Iain joined. I think we rehearsed a couple of Fridayz Angelz songs as well (Johnny B Bad?, All My Love and possibly Who’s She Killin Now?).

Anyhow, Andy & Iain only rehearsed for maybe six weeks with us then left, the band broke up & couple of months later Andy approached me at Busters Nightclub in Cov. where I was one of the Dj’s (the better one!) and asked me to join his new acoustic based band, ‘The Gutter Cats’ (still think its an appalling name!) and the rest they say is history! or is it?”

Was it a case of musical differences that caused the split?

During my wilderness years, away from singing in bands, during the early 90’s, I’d tried learning to play acoustic guitar, with the help of my friend Iain from Fridayz Angelz. I’d mellowed out a bit and started listening to acoustic rock tunes, that seemed to be a plenty of at that point. i.e. Poison, Extreme, Dogs D’Amour and even Guns and Roses. This gave me the idea for what was to follow……

On to band number six, The Gutter Cats, who Stevo has already mentioned above, which only started out as a bit of fun with me and my friend Iain. We thought we’d support a mates band, Shady Deal, and do some acoustic and vocal cover tunes. We enjoyed it so much that we began to form a band along the way. So during the next few gigs. Stevo was signed up and another guy called Fred (real name Steve, we couldn’t have 2 Steve’s in the band), (so he was rechristened ‘Fred’ after the band ‘Right Said Fred’, for obvious reasons! Check out the current Daz Washing Powder advert on TV).

The history of The Gutter Cats is a chapter in it self. I’ve begun writing it but it’s incomplete and memories are needing a jolt to complete it! (Come on guys…type some thoughts down please) So after many gigs, demo’s, fallouts, line-up changes, hilarity we called it a day, although we did three reunion gigs we eventually split up. This was the most enjoyable and relaxed of all the bands I’ve been in, and all the guys that were involved in this band, and I say a big Thank You, to! But there’s still time for some more…… Never say Never!!??!

There were some attempts at a kind of Gutter Cats mark 2 in between all the reunions but they never took off during rehearsals. Possibly around this time band number seven emerged Midlife Crisis and was probably just that? We rehearsed loads and played a few gigs but the band seemed to have no real musical direction with the mixed bag of influences. During which time when the band had rehearsals booked and people didn’t turn up myself Stevo and Paul would rehearse with a drum machine attempting to produce some new direction in the music we were playing. A kinda heavy industrial sort of thing it seemed. It all came to an end and Midlife Crisis split off into two factions.

That was for me, more or less the end of my band career, apart from the 3rd Gutter Cats reunion at Stevo’s wedding. * But we proved we still had it in us and we could do it again!

So apart from singing the odd karaoke song or joining in with a few Thai rock bands in the bars of Bangkok, my band days seem to be at an end for the time being….. or were they???

So 2007 and band number 8 came along and I was approached by an old band friend, Tony Lowe from Malias, about singing again. He was putting together a band for a bit of fun and possible gigs.

Rewind slightly to 2006 and Tony had contacted me to sing on some demo’s he was putting together, recording various songs he had written. I went along a gave it a try but I found his song writing had not progressed any further, than it had from the Malias days. It all seem a step back in time for me.

Anyway, I did a few rehearsals with the band and things were beginning to gel, gigs were are a long way off. Regular attendance of the drummer at rehearsals, didn’t help things though. The band played mainly old cover songs of rock tunes, from 20 years ago. The band name became ‘Sweet like Honey’ but the ups and downs of getting regular rehearsals and a set of songs that we were all happy with, took it’s toll on me. My enthusiasm for the band faded. With no real direction and being told to learn songs I had no feeling for, I quit.

The band found themselves a new singer and also a drummer who they could rely on. They went on rehearsing and getting ready to gig in September 2007. A change of name for the band too…. Splif Vica…

And on to band number 9…..The Guttercats…..or just Guttercats… A complete story in it self to follow… This was a different band to the original Gutter Cats, hence the joining up of Gutter and Cats in the name. Around this time Andy dropped the Rothwell name to become Andy Guttercat.

The Guttercats became a revolving door of various Coventry musicians.

Andy Guttercat (Rothwell) stills produces and releases music under his own name these days although with not much sight of any live gigs currently.

Andy

Andy Guttercat-Rothwell

GRIP INC

Posted on by
Reply
GRIP INC



Technically Grip Inc are a US band but led by Coventry’s Gus Chambers formerly of Coventry punk band Squad.


Sadly Gus passed away in 2008 so this post is a tribute to him from the original Hobo Magazine site on Vox.

First about Grip Inc –


Grip Inc. was an American groove metal band and side project of drummer Dave Lombardo. The band was formed in 1993 and was signed to Steamhammer Records. As this is not a Coventry band I refer you to their wiki site https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grip_Inc.

GUS CHAMBERS – Hobo Tribute
Cov musicians Jim Pryal and Kevin Harrison e mailed me this morning with news of the

legendary Cov Punk singer / front man – Gus Chambers, who passed away at the age of 52 on October 13, 2008. Sadly it was believed he took his own life.

The news has impacted on the Cov scene with Pete Chambers (who wrote a tribute in the Coventry Telegraph) saying that tributes and messages were pouring in from friends and Cov musicians and many others who had worked with him or have known him and his music. Pete also says of Gus “his punk-crazed stage antics were quite opposite to the real man – Gus was a thinker, and a great believer in fairness and racial equality, though to some, he was just a punk. Of late, Gus was part of the sonically-superb Mantra Sect. “I’ve been very lucky in my career,” said Gus. “I have had the privilege of playing in front of thousands of people at festivals like Rock in Rio and the Dynamo Festival in Holland. Nothing though  brings back fonder memories than playing in front of maybe 20 or 30 people in The Hand and Heart or the back room of The Swanswell.“


Gus Chambers was singer with the Coventry punk band -SQUAD having stepped into the shoes of Terry Hall who left to join the Specials. By 1981 he was fronting 21 Guns who made a single for the Neville Staples record label – Shack Records. Their single was Ambition Rock(although I think there was another single too which I have in the loft somewhere – (not having a record player to play it on anymore!) – Will dig it out and see at some stage.).

“Gus later moved to America and formed Sons of Damnation, finally joining the no messing high-energy metal band Grip Inc. They were formed by former Slayer drum-king Dave Lombardo. They released three brooding albums in the mid to late 90s – Power of Inner Strength, Nemesis, and Solidify – and finally came back with a fourth entitled Incorporated in 2004, which was greeted as a true return to form by the critics.” says Pete Chambers.


Pete also says of Gus “his punk-crazed stage antics were quite opposite to the real man – Gus was a thinker, and a great believer in fairness and racial equality, though to some, he was just a punk. Of late, Gus was part of the sonically-superb Mantra Sect. “I’ve been very lucky in my career,” said Gus. “I have had the privilege of playing in front of thousands of people at festivals like Rock in Rio and the Dynamo Festival in Holland. Nothing though  brings back fonder memories than playing in front of maybe 20 or 30 people in The Hand and Heart or the back room of The Swanswell.”
 In 2002 Gus contributed to punk site giving a good insight into the development of the punk scene in Coventry –

You can view it HERE

In the article he tells how he was advised by a mate in 1976 to go and see Roddy Radiation and the Wild Boys (Roddy obviously later went on to the Specials) and from then on was hooked. He says that punk in Coventry “started out very small and not many places to go, there was about 15 to 20 Punks all coming from different walks of life but getting together to be a part of the scene. The only pub that allowed punks in at the time was a gay pub and the student union bar at the Lanch Poly sometimes let us in, non students would get hassle etc.”

The pub was the Rose and Crown – “the punk scene started to grow very quickly and was being accepted which lead to more pubs in Cov becoming punk friendly, some pubs let us put our own records on their juke boxes, a punk disco started at the weekend at the Rose and Crown, the Bear Inn become a big punk hang out, a mainly metal disco up stairs in The Golden Cross started to play punk rock and a couple of night clubs started to have punk rock nights. The first one was The Cottage, Wednesday was punk night sometimes letting local bands play. Monday nights at Mr Georges became a great venue for live bands, a lot of national acts played there plus many local bands had the chance to play ,this helped play a big part in building the local scene. Local bands started to hire out back rooms in pubs, places like The Heath, The Hand and Heart, and up stairs in the Domino played a big role in keeping music live also musicians who didn’t have a record out, had no management and all that other record biz bull had the chance to book a gig and play( after all that’s what punk rock was all about .) Early punk and new wave bands which contributed to the local scene in Cov. were The Flys, Roddy Radiation and the Wild Boys, The Squad, The Urge, The Automatics( later to become ska band The Specials ) The Vietnamese Babies, Gods Toys, The Pink Umbrellas ( fronted by 80ts pop Icon Paul King ) and a couple of years later came Riot Act, Oi band Criminal Class and various ska bands, The Selector. Swinging Cats.”

A quick Google of his name shows there are quite a few tributes on the net to Gus Chambers – here is one –

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gus_Chambers


Probably the best tribute to and way of remembering Gus Chambers is through his music, and, thanks to the Brave words site, I’ve found a quite a few videos of Gus singing with Grip Inc and one with Mantra Sect. Here are a few below but you can find of Grip Inc on You Tube.

“The clip features performance footage that was shot on May 8, 2008 at The Three Tuns in Coventry. MANTRA SECT bassist Wendy X said in an online posting, “What Gus did at the beginning while we were rehearsing was very typical of him! I thought he would ask me to change that bit but he loved the clip being on there. He made us laugh a lot.”

mantra sect
Jesus Saves – Mantra Sect with Gus Chambers Vocals

Comments
wolfencopter
I am so saddened to hear about this great loss. I was going through my music collection tonight and was reveling in the glory of Grip Inc. As I usually do after listening to a band for years I finally get the bright idea to do a little research on the members, and tonight I hear of Mr. Chambers passing. I just wanted to pass a thank you to him for being who he was and now my real journey begins into his life. Good luck on your travels sir, you are dearly missed.

Tom from USA

Posted by: wolfencopter | 12/30/2008 at 05:45 AM


Gregorian Chant

Posted on by
Reply

 

Gregorian Chant


Post for related bands – Gregorian Chant / Boots / Children / Canyon / Joker.

Gregorian Chant evolved different names as they went along including Boots, Children, Canyon, Joker.

David Bown (Vocalist) has kindly supplied a great history of the band and sent me quite a bit of material to share here. I will cross reference this material on the entry for the other bands too.


The A side of the single – You Better Run –  – a Young Rascals song and the B side written by the band A to D below on the Youngblood label 1970.  Produced by Mike Berry of Sparta Music Florida.


Gregorian Chant – the full history from Vocalist Dave Bown
Formed in 1967 by Singer David Bown & Guitarist Don Wright and a very enthusiastic Terry Bown – Dave’s brother. Terry had played piano but never played guitar he pick up bass very quickly. Terry & Don were still at school, Dave was midway through an apprenticeship. After a few months of rehearsal with a local pub drummer Brian Bludell the band recruited a younger drummer Paul White and established drummer who had learned his skills with the TA band. The four of them really worked well together, all four had studied music to various standards, Don was practically well versed and his understanding of musical theory really helped the band in its early days.



They played together for four years, in clubs, pubs, dance halls and open venues in and around the Midlands, built a real following and reputation, firstly playing pop standards and gradually developing their own style of music, influenced by bands like Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall, Cream, Jeff Beck, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.

A young bunch of very enthusiastic semi pro musicians writing their own songs, striving to make a career in music, to try and move things along a bit Terry wrote a letter in answer to an ad in Melody Maker, a reply came back asked for a demo tape. The band booked a recording studio in Birmingham and recorded and number of songs, the real to real tap recording on was sent it back, as a result of this they met A & R man Mike Berry of Sparta Florida Music in their offices in Oxford Street London.

Berry arranged a demo session for the boys in Luxembourg Studios behind the Park Lane Hilton Hotel, as a result of which

he arranged for them to record and release the Young Rascals song “you better run” (which incidentally was on the YOUNG BLOOD label and the follow up to their hit record Indian Reservation by Don Fardon, Don was also from Coventry). The B side to “you better run” was A to D, originally a rock number written by the band and indeed much more in keeping with the type of material Gregorian Chant were now playing.
Again, however, Berry steered the boys, led by a recent comment of John Lennon’s who said “If the Beatles recorded the telephone directory it would make number one” Berry got the boys to play the original music track they had written and then had Dave read and sing numbers and addresses from the London A to D telephone Directory in one take. Berry topped this by adding dial up time recorded service beeps.

BOOTS



This was a really exciting time for them but also meant some hard decision. Berry didn’t like the name Gregorian Chant and insisted that the band’s name be changed to Boots, which the boys were not too keen on but went along with it.



Opportunities were opening up, there was a lot of hard work to looked forward to all of which indicated that they were heading for a full time career, unfortunately at the time Paul decided he didn’t want to do that, but wanted to stay in his chosen carrier as an accountant, which he did and has been very successful to this day. At the same time as the record was released Dave & Terry’s Mum, who had always managed the band and spend all her spare time getting them gigs and making sure the four boys were well looked after, decided that the next stage of their carrier was a step too far for her.

So brothers Dave & Terry and Don Wright had to find a new drummer and put their faith in Mike Berry! They firstly found a power house of a drummer from Birmingham Les Fortnam, a really well accomplished drummer (ex Bob Cats of Blue Peter 1966 fame) Les played very much in a John Bonham style and could really lay down a solid beat. Les was a great drummer and a whole bunch of fun. Unfortunately he was only to stay with the band for only a few months, due to a number of things, Mike Berry being the main one, he didn’t like Les’s style of drumming, it was far too heavy for Berry, so sadly Les had to leave the band.



The boys were unhappy with how things were progressing; their style of music was being influenced however with Les on drums they had added to their sound and style getting a little heavier, a style which they all enjoyed. Some of the gigs they played at this time really did get good reviews; needless to say “You Better Run” was not always in the programme.


As a point of interest, when Mike Berry came to the Midlands to see Boots perform he also met a number of the bands friends who were in bands, this resulted in his relationship with both the bands Ning and Fresh Maggots. The guys in all three bands were school friends.

From Broadgate Gnome 1970





Children / Canyon

Children with Steve Palmer on drums (brother of Carl Palmer ELP) at the Coventry Arts Umbrella booked by Al Docker and Trev Teasdel


Les was eventually replaced by a very young, more technical Steve Palmer from Birmingham (younger brother of Carl Palmer of Emerson Lake & Palmer fame) at the same time they drifted away from Mike B and started writing and performing more of their own material and less covers. Luckily there was no strong contract in place so the new band had the freedom to move forward. With the help from John Tully “Inter City Artists” Birmingham they started getting some really prestigious gigs. After a split with Berry they changed the band’s name to Children, but after a few gigs felt it to be a bit soft, so changed again it to Canyon.

“Canyon” was the result of five years hard work” and for 18 months they played some great gigs all around the country, as well as supported a lot of top rock bands of the early 70’s, and the band were also offered a number of deals, John Tully really worked hard for them, however when the time came for a contract to be signed with a major company Steve, who was then under 18 could not sign and his family decide it was too early in his carrier to get into anything permanent, another fork in the road, but this one hurt.



The original three were looking for a new drummer again, finding a drummer to replace Steve was very hard, Terry and Steve had developed a very solid musical relationship, they were so tight and it gave Don so much freedom, 3 months after Steve Palmer left the band Canyon split. (colour photo above of Canyon)

Steve joined a band called Heaven and has had a great career in music to this day, Dave went back into engineering and didn’t join a band again for two yrs, then only a local act, Don & Terry joined Love Machine but that only lasted a few months. Don then chose to go to teachers training college; the only original Gregorian Chant band member who made a full time career in music was Terry. Terry played in numerous groups both in the U.K. & Germany including Coventry’s own Smackee and Khayyam. Eventually Terry moved to the U.S.A lived and worked in and around the Los Angeles area for almost 20 years.

Don, Paul and Dave did get together again 3 years after the original band split, be it semi pro working discos and clubs in

and around Coventry in a covers band – “Dave and the Sun” this was a band Dave had originally joined called The Sun after a few changes this band became “Dave & The Sun” and evolved into “JOKER” a very popular covers band that played all over the UK and had an eventful trip to Denmark & Norway.
The guys in the original Joker line up were David Bown vocals and guitar, Rob McKenzie vocals and bass guitar, Don Wright Lead Guitar and Jim Ferris Drums, the band did go full time, when they did Don & Jim unfortunately left the band and Chuck Elliott came in as Lead Guitar and Ricky Medlock replaces Jim as the Drummer, prior to the trip to Denmark/Norway Chris Jones was added to the band line up as a second guitarist. When they came back to the UK and the band split. Photo of Joker above Joker, final line up. L to R Chris Jones, Rob McKenzie, Dave Bown, Chuck Elliot, Ricky Medlock

Dave Bown, still play’s and sings but nothing permanent. He love’s his drum machine!!

Don Wright is still playing and has had a long standing local band call The Draw

Terry Bown is back from the USA now but is currently not playing

Paul White no longer plays, but was playing local gigs until 3 years ago.

Les Fortnam, still plays in and around Birmingham.

Steve Palmer, has had a great career, you can check him out on the internet.

Rob McKenzie, went on to have a fantastic carrier in entertainment as one of the senior managers with “Circ de Soleil”, lives between Canada & the West Indies now (someone has to do it)

Jim Ferris, has a very successful drum school in Exmouth; Jim has also had a great musical carrier as I understand it mainly with big bands

Ricky Medlock, is still playing and is currently working in an around Coventry with various bands, he had a brilliant time in the industry playing with Barbara Dixon and many others.

Chris Jones, Khayyam (with Rick Medlock – toured Europe – Jazz rock – residencies at Earlsdon Cottage – Coventry and Ronnie Scotts in London. Chris is still playing in his own band in and around Leamington, Warwick

Chuck Elliott – Side Effects with Chris Jones – jazz funk – backed various visiting Talma Stars in the late 70’s.


Joker on stage at Canley College


The Draw – Don Wright’s band.


Dennis Burns (of Flood)- “Mike went on an A&R visit to see Boots (ex-Gregorian Chant) at a gig at Wolvey Village Hall in the summer of 1970. Mike liked Fresh Maggots so much that he signed them up.” ” I guested with ex Gregorian Chant and Boots guitarist, Don Wright’s band – The Draw, a few weeks a go. ” comment from 2007.


Terry Bown was in Smackee

Melody Maker Photo when the Boots single came out.


The Mosquitoes Rick Medlock on drums.

As Children – the band played the Coventry Arts Umbrella Club, 18, Queen Victoria Rd on Friday September 25th 1970. Booked by Al Docker. Other places they were advertised Gigs in 1971 included The Village (Colin Campbell) on Fri 1st January, The Walsgrave Tues 12th Jan 1971 and Warwick University Arts Fest. Sunday 7th March.


Comments from the old Hobo vox / Typepad blog


This is excellent. Cheers Trev and Dennis. Boots were great!

Posted by: Jim Pryal | 07/29/2007 at 09:43 PM

[this is good]

I guested with ex Gregorian Chant and Boots guitarist, Don Wright’s band – The Draw, a few weeks a go. I’ll confirm the rest of the two band’s line ups with him and will post here. Dennis

Posted by: Dennis Burns | 07/30/2007 at 09:51 AM

Band that played at the Colin Campbell
Lead Guitar – Don Wright
Drummer – Paul White
Bass – Terry Bown
Vocalist – Dave Bown

Posted by: Dave B | 06/25/2013 at 04:45 PM

[this is good]

I guested with ex Gregorian Chant and Boots guitarist, Don Wright’s band – The Draw, a few weeks a go. I’ll confirm the rest of the two band’s line ups with him and will post here. Dennis

Posted by: Dennis Burns | 07/30/2007 at 09:51 AM

Band that played at the Colin Campbell
Lead Guitar – Don Wright
Drummer – Paul White
Bass – Terry Bown
Vocalist – Dave Bown

Posted by: Dave B | 06/25/2013 at 04:45 PM

GRAHAM WALKER’S PROPELLOR

Posted on by
Reply

 

GRAHAM WALKER’S PROPELLOR

From Drummer Jim Pryal

” After the Bonediggers I joined ‘Graham Walker’s Propellor’ – back with Graham – for another stint – in his rockand blues band. We did mainly pub gigs and had a good lineup with Graham on guitar and vox, Bill Wilkinson on bass and Julian Ward on guitar. Occasionally, Spencer Walker would play percussion. Spence is a great drummer in his own right. Bill lleft and was replaced by Howard …….? from Warwick, later replaced by Ollie Carlane. Tim James played sax for a while. Another recording at Woodbine St. “

From Nuneaton.
Tracks – Black Magic Woman / Delta Hurricane

Back on the road, now taking bookings at your local venues and Festivals.

Over the years Graham Walker’s Propellor has had many line ups, all of which have been fuelled by Graham Walker’s passion for Blues music.


Graham has been a prominent figure on the music scene supporting major acts such as Fleetwood Mac, Robert Palmer and many more. Since childhood the only craving has been to front his own Blues band and now after a few years of searching comes the best line up yet.

With an encore erupting debut gig in France and support slot with Dr Feelgood and Aynsley Lister going down a storm, Graham Walkers Propellor are back on the road and heading to a venue near you.
To book Propellor contact: bookingpropellor@live.com

Members:
Bass – Oli Cahalane has been playing and writing since his early teens with a variety of both original and covers acts all over Europe and the USA. Oliver has been heavily influenced by the Blues from a young age and got his first break playing for Graham at the age of 17.
Guitar – David D’Andrade was prominent in the midland rock scene in his early teens before moving to London and starting his love affair with the Blues. David has been working with both original and covers bands in and around London, as well as working on his own music.
Drums – Andy Goodall has played from a very young age all round Scotland and started his career on the big band / musical theatre scene. Andy has always been a diverse player and has proved this in a variety of original and covers acts gigging all over the world…

GOD’S TOYS

Posted on by
Reply
GOD’S TOYS

Rex Brough says – 
“A band that almost “made it” Brilliant live. Supported Adam and the Ants on tour. Apparently it was hell, and split up the band. Dill Formed I. Chris Dickie became a recording engineer, working at RAK with Mickie Most.”
Martin Bowes told me that Dill helped him start Alternative Sounds although he didn’t continue to be involved.
Line up – Dill – Vocals, Chris Dickie – Bass, Nick Kavaz – Keyboards, Larry Lupin – Guitar, John Hobley – Drums.
Single
All the born losers / I love the sound of my own voice 1980
Everybody’s got a mother / Package tour to heaven (Badge BAD 7) 1981
From Pete Chambers – Godiva Rocks
” After the Revolution that was Punk, many bands were heading away from New Wave looking for something that had the ethos and strength of Punk, but harnessed in a far more creative ”arty’ way (or Arty-Natty) as the band’s first ever song put it. God’s Toys were such an animal. Fronted by Dill, who was forever the Divine frontman, one of those guys that was always a star, despite if success would come his way or not, he was it. They played their first gig at Warwick University supporting the Specials and Squad. They once described themselves as as a fun show band and that pretty much summed them up. With Dill leaping around the stage in bizarre clothes, and Larry Lupin in even more bizarre clothes and full make up)…Chris Dickie (bass player) just happened to share a flat with Jerry Dammers who helped in the Toys conception. Their original rock and reggae made them fleeting darlings of the national music press. They released two singles but despite all the interest and the constant rumours that they were about to break and a support slot with Adam and the Ants it did not transpire. Chris Dickie left to become a recording engineer at RAK with Mickie Most. Larry joined the Giraffes. Dill formed I”
Memories from Peter Howard (Via Rex Brough)
“Well. I was never in Gods Toys but seeing as they were good mates I lent Larry my Les Paul copy that went on tour with them when they supported Adam and the Ants. You¹re quite right. That tour destroyed them. The straw that broke the camel¹s back was the gig at Coventry Tiffanys. For the first time the sound was brilliant, they were seriously rocking and as they were on home turf, going down a storm. And then suddenly, the plug was pulled and that was it. Bastards. I saw Larry and Chris just before the Ants came on. Larry was in tears and Chris was going beserk. Enough said.[One of their singles] had one of my photos on the sleeve. They were at the time one of the best bands in Coventry. Happy days.”
YouTube Video
You might have to click back to youTube to view this one.
Horror Movie    
DARWIN DREAMS WHILE HUMANS SCREAM
HIDDEN MONKEY CHICHEN EGG
HATE SIN LOVE AGAIN
AMERICAN DREAM
Mr.MIMIC
Perilous Seas
Everybody’s Got A Mother
From Alternative Sounds (Cov 1979)



The Giraffes (Also The Two Giraffes)

Posted on by
1

 The Giraffes (Also The Two Giraffes)


Sam McNulty (ex-Squad) – Vocals and guitar, Nigel Williams (from the Wedge café) – Guitar, Larry Lupin (ex-Gods Toys) – Bass guitar, Steve Edgson (ex-Analog, Pink Umbrellas, Reluctant Stereotypes) – Clarinet / Guitar, Martin (from Wedge cafe) – Drums (replaced by Rob Hill ex- everyone), Ted Duggan – Drums for a short period.


Dominic Hazel – original bass player.

Memories from Mike Crabb (Via Rex Brough)

“I remember their alcohol fuelled Friday night residencies at The Giraffe House(Rose & Crown) with great fondness.”

Later Sam McNulty and Steve Edgson formed The Two Giraffes – see this video.



Gypsy Lee

Posted on by
Reply

 Gypsy Lee

Ticket from Pete Waterman’s Progressive Music gig at The Walsgrave Coventry.

BAND INDEX

Gypsy Lee were a heavy R & B outfit who played Pete Waterman‘s progressive music night at the Walsgrave pub on Tuesday September 1st 1970, along with Rod Felton (Electric) and Last Fair Deal ( an offshoot acoustic blues trio associated with Wandering John.


My only information on them is from this night at the Walsgrave. I used to do the door at the Walsgrave for Pete and was there on the night. The place was packed and Gypsy Lee went down a storm, especially their cover of the Lemon Song by Led Zeppelin.

The highlight of the night for me was when the young Pete Waterman joined them on stage with his flute! They launched into Rock Me Baby, with Pete on a raucous vocal and staccato flute – Jethro Tull style.

Pete had sang and played with a number of bands before he became the top DJ in Cov – the Pilgrims in the mid 60’s and Tomorrow’s Kind in 1967. Pete seemed to know the guys more than just because he had booked them so it’s possible there were some old band mates in this band, but i can’t be sure of that!