Marshmallow Tree (Tree)

were an Alternative Rock Band created from the remains of URF circa1968 - 1969

Bob Hodgeman Bass - Chris Ashman Vocals - Pete Sewell Drums -Cliff Homewood Lead Guitar - Eddie Maitland Keyboards - Nick Ashman Rhythm Guitar.

The band was renamed as Tree when Pete left to move to Oxford, then didn't go. He was replaced by Les Sampson. He temporarily joined 1981 then Tristram Shandy. . Strangely both of them ended up in Nottingham as the drummer for Tristram Shandy. Pete had left to join the The Mike Miller Big Band.

Tree continued until October 1969 when Cliff left , to eventually join Raw Material ( on "Time Is" Album called he is called Cliff Harewood) and Les to join Stray Dog

Click on Picture for MT Gigs, Stories Reunion & Pics

Discology - Demo Acetate - MT Blues /Hear me Cry. - - It still makes me cry ...Ed

URF

  were Probably the first Alternative "Rock" band (sic) in the area, as at the time most of the local bands were playing Soul and Rock Steady and Old style Blues. URF was created from the remains of Infinity and The Concords in 1968
Photo l-r
Bob Hodgeman Bass - Ellis Pelham Glasby Lead Guitar - Pete Sewell Drums - Nick Ashman Rhythm Guitar - Rock (mascot)- Chris Ashman Vocals.

Went on to form Marshmallow Tree

Gigs at Bridge Country Club, The Hole in the Wall, Dover Rd, Coach & Horses, Canterbury - To be continued

URF Reunion 2001

Left to Right - Ellis, Nick, Pete, Chris

Infinity was a small pop group formed in 1967/68 by Pete Sewell Drums and Nick Ashman Guitar to their number they added Bob Hodgeman Bass - Chris Ashman Vocals, Keith Adams and Mick Hinton Guitar - Ellis Pelham Glasby Keyboards & guitar joined later when Keith and Mick left - URF was formed

Gigs at the Odeon Bar

On that first get together at the Woodward Hall to rehearse a friend Willy, was going to be the vocalist but didn't quite have the hang of it, Chris the new roady was cajoled into having a go and took the job. Willy became a fine roady, he lived at Ducky Petes on Bouverie Rd East, above Bob's mum's flat -  To be continued

The Killer Rabbits

The Crazy World of The Killer Rabbits all started in 1983 when two musicians called Roger decided that their four piece rock combo, Rich and Famous, was too sensible. With Famous names, Captain Abnormal on guitar and Morgan Rabbit (The sensitive tag was to be added much later) on drums the crazy two formed a four (and occasionally three) piece called, firstly The Frantic Five and then briefly Six of One and Half a Dozen of the Other before settling on the name The Killer Rabbits. Morgan and Roger (1) had met when Roger (1) had guested in Morgan's mock-punk outfit Ted Turd and the Toolsheds. Soon Ted Turd's talented axeman, Johnny Sequins, joined, Captain Abnormal left, Nick "Seaside" Rabbit (who lived at the seaside) joined and The Killer Rabbits began to attract a huge following in several small villages and hamlets around Kent and London.

Killer Rabbits 1986? Back: Rog, Nick, Rog; Front: Morgan, Geoff the Point

The first record...With Geoff "the Point" on bass the band recorded their first single in 1984. "Captain Marvellous" was recorded in Canterbury and written by Sequins and Morgan, as was the B-side "Bill the Magic Bunny". The band had begun to "write" a number of "songs" at this stage, and all members of the band contributed in their own pathetic way. The above two songs continued to be featured in the band's live set for over ten years, until the demise of the band in fact.

Jeff left and now plays in "Stormy Monday" a Faversham outfit. Blind Lemon Riley joined to play bass and harmonica and sing and I'm pretty sure that Steve Crisp was there sometime too. It's all rather lost in the mists of time. Anyway Nick left after a while to live in London and the band continued with the line-up of Sequins, Morgan, Roger (1), Roger (2) and Blind Lemon Riley. This line-up played mainly Kent venues, pubs, colleges and others. The Nag's Head in Rochester and Audrey's Wine Bar in Canterbury were regular gigs during this time, and the band also played the University of Kent fresher's week gigs. There also exists a recording of the band interviewed on Radio Kent and Invicta radio on successive nights. Heads have rolled at both stations since.

The video and the "new boys" The band were captured (but unfortunately not imprisoned) on video by Chelsea College of Art in 1993, performing at "the Hand and Flower" in Chelsea to an ecstatic and inebriated audience.

Sequins and Blind Lemon left to write more serious music and soon joined Kent rockers "The Brothers Grimm" fronted by Gary Miller who had curiously once auditioned for the "Toolsheds" mentioned above. The new boys now joining were Deaf Lemon Bradford - leaving the Maidstone band "The Hurlimann Brothers" to play bass, and Anthea Ridgepole a.k.a. James from London on guitar. This line up of Roger (1), Roger (2), Morgan, Anthea and Deaf were to continue for the next eight years or so, the latter two always being known as "the new boys".

The Classic Album The band's classic album was recorded in 1988. Dodgy Derek's Desert Drive-in Dunk-a-Doughnut Stand was to become a watershed, a benchmark for all aspiring bands and an inspiration to the new crop of Britpop stars, who were just about beginning to start school and listen to music for the first time. Heady days.

Cult Status The band's appeal continued to grow and by the early nineties had reached cult status. They guested with such names as John Otway and John Cooper Clarke and for many years the World Wildlife Fund threatened to book the band for a huge blockbuster gig in outer Hertfordshire. Eventually the World Wrestling Federation admitted that there was some confusion over initials but the band, being weeds and cowards, wouldn't talk to them.

Roger Rabbit and the Mickey Mouse organisation The release of the film "Roger Rabbit" was a great boost to Roger (2)'s career with many requests for press interviews, but he never received a penny from Bob Hoskins, despite their uncanny resemblance. The band played on and there were many memorable memories to remember such as the clearing of a whole shelf of glasses by Roger (1) whilst flying from the bar at a pub in Woolwich, and the same Roger also inadvertently exposing himself at Wembley in front of some very impressionable old ladies.

Eric Clapton Eventually, the pressures of touring and playing four, sometimes five gigs a year became too much, and The Rabbit's heavy work load and endless touring began to take its toll. The "new boys" were often found playing in a loud Maidstone band, Pyromaniacs from Hell, featuring one Raymond on vocals and the two Rogers (1 and 2) could also be found performing illegally in a duo known as "The Wrong Brothers", stealing much of the Rabbit's act, or at least the bits which they had written themselves! Eventually the band decided to split. The band's widely publicised last gig was at the Old Ash Tree at Gillingham, in May 1995, and included guest appearances from Blind Lemon Riley and Steve Crisp (who hasn't been mentioned up until now but was in the band briefly in the very early days. Eric Clapton, who was in the audience that night, could be seen visibly weeping as the band played their last number, a definitive version of Layla. The following night, the band played at a club near Biggin Hill.

Like seeds blown by the wind...Roger "Grandad" Rabbit (referred to above as Roger 2) formed "The Lawnmowers" and several other bands. Morgan and the two Rogers performed in "Les Anoraks Bleu", and Morgan the drummist now takes his kit to gigs by a soul band called "Loose Change". Roger Radio (referred to above as Roger 1) moved to Nottingham and joined a Deep Purple tribute band. Then moved to Sussex where he now lives Deaf Lemon Bradford now plays in Maidstone's very own "Shaven Haven" with Johnny Sequins and Raymond. (Whatever happened to baby James?)

Reunions The Killer Rabbits played their first reunion gig at the Rainham Oast one year after they split. Everybody hoped that this would be the last one, but in October 1998, Radio, Deaf and Morgan joined for a brief appearance in the Faversham area. Then, in May 1999, came two further final farewell gigs in Maidstone and Medway. Followed quickly by another couple of final farewell gigs in March 2001.

Text Burrowed from the wabbits wonderfully witch website where we can weed the west of the story - Great pictures and teatowel design

Canterbury Tales

Hi Chris,

In 1969-1971 I played with a band named Canterbury Tales.

Canterbury Tales consisted of myself Mark Dean Ellen on drums, Bernie Hagley on Bass and Sax , Nigel Gilchrist on Hammond organ & bass, John Wheels Guitar. Later when Bernie left to go to the States with "Tranquility" we recruited a new Bass player. He was Trevor Horne who went on to form Buggles and made a couple of hits with gender bending bands.(Frankie Came >From Liverpool).But he never touched me, as far as I can remember.He did give me some some funny blue pills as I recall one time, which made me have fantastic pornographic dreams which I can still recall vividly.

We were resident Fri. & Sat. St. Mildreds Hotel, Westgate (now flattened).and Sunday nights the Queen's Hotel Cliftonville. (also flattened) We played the Coach & Horses Canterbury Wednesdays, That was if we could beat contenders Mickey Finn to the gig, no probs. we had a Transit & they had an old Commer.
1969-1971' which is also now flattened, during the week we did what musos did in the 60,s, Whatever that was, I cannot remember.. Neros in Ramsgate was another venue. A gig in Folkestone was good for nubile groupies.(Forgot the name of that one). Good times they tell me.

Bernie & I are now in Vanity Fare, Nigel is running a music hire company in L.A. John is running a Taxi Company in Perth W.Australia & I am having fantastic pornographic flashbacks.

Please use this in your where are they now thingy. If you need more details I can supply, but keep it clean.

The Fyrebirds

Formed in the early sixties, this was a five-piece outfit whose members were Ellis Pelham – Glasby (lead guitar, 12-string guitar & organ), John Atkins (rhythm guitar), Bob “Fumblefingers” Luckhurst (bass), Norman Swan (drums), and Richard “Dick” Paul (vocals).
Their first “gig” was the culmination of no less than two years (!) of rehearsal, during which time a considerable repertoire was built up comprising both vocal and instrumental numbers.

Pic. L-R; John Atkins - Rhythm, Dick Paul - Vocals, Norman Swan - Drums, Bob Luckhurst - Bass, Ellis Pelham - Glasby - Lead Guitar, 12-string Guitar & Organ.

Unsurprisingly, the band underwent some personnel changes during its lifetime, the first being the departure of Richard Paul, being replaced by Robin Hatcher who remained as vocalist until the band’s eventual demise. Also at about this time, Norman Swan took his leave of the line-up to be replaced on drums by Ricky Sharp, who had to leave after a few weeks due to circumstances beyond the band’s control, and he was replaced in turn by Phil “Twilly” Stokes who also remained until the band split up.
Shortly after Ricky joined, a matter of mere days, the band took part in the quarterfinal round of the Southern Counties Beat Contest at Maidstone. Supported by two coach-loads of nearly 100 of their supporters, they took first place with a score of 46½ points out of a possible 50. This was in July of 1965. In February of that year, an article about the band appeared in the Kentish Express, in which Bob Luckhurst was quoted as saying that they wrote some of their own material, and that Ellis wrote the lyrics: “He sings them and we all fall on the floor laughing. . .” This was completely erroneous, as Ellis has never attempted to write a song in his life! He also said that Ellis’ favourite group were The Hunters, and that Ellis said; “They’re fabulous and have a sound which is better than The Shadows”.; When asked about this, Ellis replied; “This is totally untrue! I never said that! It’s a complete fabrication. After all, it certainly wasn’t me who came up with the immortal line; “Baby, go put on your dome” . . . ! I’ve waited nearly forty years to put the record straight, and now’s my chance!”.

The Mixed Feelings

January 21st 1967

Ellis Pelham - Glasby (keyboards) - Mick Cork - (bass) - Bill Regan (drums) - Dave Pain (vocals)
Pete Hourahane (lead guitar) who replaced Ian Milton

Playing Motown and Soul The Mixed Feelings became regulars at both Tofts Club (Grace Hill) and the Leas Cliff Hall, backing Unit Four Plus Two, the Four Pennies, the Yardbirds (with Jimmy Paige) and others.
At Tofts, they also supported the likes of Spencer Davis, The Who, and The Cream (Clapton/Jack Bruce/Ginger Baker)
It is thought they had to pack up when Dave Pain moved away with his work.

1981 - Ellis Pelham - Glasby - John Barnes (Bass) - ? - ?

Arthur Kays Originals 

Arthur Kay's Original Gigging band The Originals comprised of
Pic L-R - Eddie Maitland Keyboards - Arthur Kay Bass and vocals - Terry Cutting Drums - Paul Mylnarz Sax - Perry White Keyboards - Bob Coltart Guitar & vocals.

For the background of Arthur Kay's Originals see Arthurs potted history

The Checkers

Say "checkers" to an American and he thinks of the game we call darts;( do they mean draughts...Ed) say the same thing to a country dweller and they will probably relate it to a hostelry. But say "checkers" to teenagers in Dover and Folkestone and Deal and there is a near-scream from the girls as they jump, for The Checkers, is one of Folkestone's most popular beat groups,
The Checkers are unusual amongst amateur and semi - professional groups. They have no plans to turn professional for some years. Each member wants to complete his craft apprenticeship - and therefore have prospects of a steady job, before they try to make a living on the stony path of pop music.

Lead guitarist is still at Morehall Secondary School, Folkestone. Bobby Evans, who, lives In Harbour Way, Folkestone, is only 15 years old. Dave Caswell, an 18 year old G.P.O. Engineer of Wood Avenue is rhythm guitarist and bass guitar is played by 15-year old and just out of school Terry Sexton, an apprentice carpenter, who lives in Church Rd Folkestone. Drummer Derek Goodwin is about one of the youngest drummers to beat it out pop dances. He's only 14 and still studying at Morehall Secondary School. He lives in Royal Military Avenue, Folkestone. The Checkers' vocalist is Peter Godden, a 20-year old glazier, of Broadmead Road, Folkestone. Peter, with Bobby Evans, has written an original number, titled "Lonely Heart," which is fast becoming a rave at teen dances and youth clubs.
Original Bass player Martin Vincent was replaced by Terry Sexton who bought his first guitar from Terry Hughes
Manager - Stan Howard
Click for more pictures and posters of The Checkers

The Travellers - Folkestone

Martin Jones and Boz Leggett joined Rock'n'Roll group The Travellers with Neville Takes on bass and drummer Roger Ames. They also acquired manager Dennis Pimlott. Roger Ames soon left for New Zealand and was replaced by Mick Goodey.

L-R: Roger Ames, Bozz Leggett, Martin Jones & Neville Takes

L-R: Martin Jones, Bozz Leggett, Roger Ames & Neville Takes

During their first year The Travellers were resident band at the Empress Ballroom for 31 weeks. Due to the public confusion between themselves and "Pat Barry and the Travellers" of Ashford, the band was asked to change their name. For a short period the band called themselves "Satan and the Zombies" but got re-named "The Sundowners" by the Empress Sunday club fans.

Formed from Folkestone band The Travellers

The Sundowners were one of Folkestone's most influential bands of the 60's through to the mid 90's.

.The Sundowners were probably the most known and loved band Folkestone ever had. In their 2nd year they replaced Pat Barry and The Travellers as resident band at Tofts Jazz Club in the Pleasure Gardens on Bouverie Road West . until around Christmas 1963. This club attracted attendances of 1500 dancers, 3 nights a week. Amazingly performing at Tofts 110 times that year the band also found time to appear at many of the other dance clubs, public and private functions throughout Kent.

In summer 1963 the big break came when the chief engineer of Dover's Southern Television Studios recorded the band and sent the tape to London. Roger returning from New Zealand re-joined the band. Almost immediately The Sundowners had a 3-year contract with agency the George Cooper Organisation and a 5-year recording contract with Pye. Their test recording was mastered straight to disc and released September 24th on the Pye/Piccadilly label. - (Baby Baby / House Of The Rising Sun (Piccadilly 7N 35142) 1963 ) Martin's own composition "Baby Baby" was chosen as the "A" side with an old folk number "House of The Rising Sun" on the "B" side. The Sundowners were the first British band to record this song; they had no idea at this time that "The Animals" would follow their lead so successfully. At the time, reviewers called House of the Rising Sun "a ditty" and not as commercial as the "A" side. Bet they wished they'd kept their mouths shut. The Sundowners agents refused to name the songs on their second single until it was released, maybe to prevent it happening again?

Turning professional meant a new life for the boys. During the next year they performed in the best venues touring the UK with stars; Joe Brown, Dee Dee Sharp, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, Heinz, Manfred Mann, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Crystals, Dusty Springfield, The Tornados and others. Their transport was an old converted ambulance purchased for £90, they travelled over 40,000 miles and slept in bunks. Martin being the smallest got the crib at the front of the van where his nose would touch the roof if not careful. The roadmanager, Dennis Pimlott slept in the cab.

TV appearances in 1963 included "Thank Your Lucky Stars", "Ready Steady Go" and "Juke Box Jury", "Scene at 6.30", "Dad You're a Square", "Saturday Club" & "Day by Day".

Folkestone Herald
24/08/1963 Folkestone Herald - Pic of - Sundowners Martin Jones (guitar) Bozz Leggett (Rhythm) Roger Ames (drums) Neville Takes.

09/11/1963 The Sundowners Back the Great Dee Dee Sharp
The Sundowners' popularity may have disintegrated chart wise, but they still claim great deal of support in personal appearances.
Fifty of their fans fron Folkestone and Dymchurch hired a coach and travelled to Hastings to see them in their newly acquired professional status.
The Sundowners appeared at the Pier Ballroom, backing the dynamic American singer Dee Dee Sharp
This little coloured girl with the big, big voice Is a a marvellous singer, but she did not quite fit in with the instrumental arrangement which had made The Sundowners what they are.Even so, the tour has been extremely successful and the evening proved most entertaining.

Second Single - Come On In / Shot Of Rhythm And Blues (Piccadilly 7N 35162) 1964
Distrib/Label - Jamie 1271 SUNDOWNERS, THE Come On In / A Shot Of Rhythm & Blues 2/8/64

Third Single - The "A" side Where Am I, was written by Peter Lee Stirling later known as Singer/songwriter Daniel Boone ("Beautiful Sunday").
Where Am I / Gonna Make The Future Bright (Parlophone R 5243) 1965

On compilation appearances have included:
A Shot Of Rhythm and Blues on Pop Inside The Sixties Vol. 3 (CD)
The R&B Era, Vol. 1 (LP & CD);
Baby Baby on Rare 60's Beat Treasures, Vol. 5 (CD).

Two further singles and no massive chart success The Sundowners eventually returned home. They continued their local residencies including "The Neptune" and "The Leas Club".

New Musical Express Articles - 3 January Issue No. 886 1964 by Alldis, Barry Ifield's Oldies [Searchers, Dean and Jean, Shirley Bassey, Kris Jensen, Ginny Arnell, Little Eva, Peggy Lee, The Sundowners, Martha and the Vandellas] 4

At a later date Martin and his friend and partner Peter Hickey opened the "Sundowner Club" on the 2nd floor of the Empress Ballroom site, which later had to move to the bottom of Dover Road due to town and road restructuring. The club gave opportunity to new bands to start their own careers in the music business, an ideal still required today.

Other members of the band through the years included John Stiling (Bass) - Snowy White (drums) - John Berry (bass)

The Band stopped playing about 1995

The Ways & Means
Canterbury

l/r - Tony Allison. Les Stankovich, Roy Delo, Dave Legg (lee).

Picture was taken for the promotion of their first single "Sea of Faces". c/w "Make the radio a little louder".

Yes I've got it - Ed............
Pye 7N.17217 1966 "Sea of Faces".(Fowley/Parker) Apollo c/w "Make the radio a little louder" (Linde/Bloom) Robert Mellin.

Anyone who knew them will tell you they were, by far, the best band around, bar none......Mick Janisch.
The band especially former member Terry Silk, were responsible for introducing myself to Bob Levy, which resulted in "The Koalas"....Mick Janisch. Press Cutting

The Koalas

Margate
Mick Janisch (vocals) / George Gurden (drums) / Chris Martin (bass guitar) / Bob Levy (lead guitar).
Played in the Thanet area from around late 1966 to 1968
Pink Floyd played the Canterbury Techncial College on 19/11/66 Margate based local band called 'The Koalas' supported
Pic. left taken by the old "sunbeam man". remember him ?
Pic. right taken a couple of weeks before they supported "Pink Floyd", at the Canterbury College.
l-r Chris Martin - George Gurden - Mick Janisch - Bob Levy.

Just Four

Ray Fairbrass - great singer/bass player
I would like to know what he`s up to these days. Mick Janisch. ( Koalas).

Spectre Quin

Herne Bay
Band members unknown.
Pink Floyd played the Canterbury Techncial College on 11/3/67 Herne Bay band called - (Spectra Quin / Spectre Quin / Spectre Quinn / Spectre Quin????) Team supported

Cortinas

The Cortinas were one of Medway's popular semi-professional bands in the early sixties and had a classy image with their musical skills and line-up of distinctive matching white Fenders which was pretty unusual in those times.

The line-up as seen in the photograph from left to right is
Tim Hamilton (rythm guitar), John Flux (lead guitar), Jon Pearce (bass guitar) and Mick White (drums).

Tim and Jon went on to form part of Bern Elliot's band The Klan and Jon later moved on to the Plus Four with Erky Grant, which eventually became Candy Choir.

John Flux moved on to broadcasting and Jon Pearce after leaving Candy Choir in 1967, joined Kent Police and retired in 1998 as a Detective Chief Inspector.

Photo thanks to Jon Pearce

The Cortinas(1)

Maidstone and Frindsbury

Tim Hughes Rythym
Norman Lead
Roger Cable Drums
Tony Storme Vocals
Alan (Rocky) Lane Bass

The Cortinas (2)

Bern Elliott Vocal
Tim Hughes Rhythm/Vocal
Alan (Rocky) Lane Bass (replaced)
Mick White Drums/Vocal
John (Flux) White Lead/Vocal*
John Silby Pearce Bass/Vocal/Lead
*Billy Kent ex Butlins Redcoat

Plus Four

The original Plus Four line-up All four were vocalists providing a 'before their time' harmony quality.

Pic. left to right
<<<<Jim Hatt (bass), Eddie Wheeler (lead guitar), Danny Beckett (drums), Brian Hatt (rhythm guitar)

1965' left to right Jon Pearce, Danny Beckett, Eddie Wheeler, Brian Hatt>>>>

CandyChoir
S London/Medway
Pic. left to right
Brian Hatt(rhythm guitar), Eddie Wheeler(guitar & vocals) , Danny Beckett(drums), Jon Pearce(bass)

The Candy Choir was the renamed group known as Plus Four and the change of name came about in the mid-sixties when their music became predominantly 'west coast'. Much of the group's repertoire included Beach Boys, Jan & Dean and Four Seasons material. The original Plus Four line-up was Eddie Wheeler (lead guitar), Brian Hatt (rhythm guitar), Jim Hatt (bass) and Danny Beckett (drums). All four were vocalists providing a 'before their time' harmony quality.

In 1965 Jim Hatt decided to pursue other interests and he was replaced by Jon Pearce, formerly of the Cortinas and Bern Elliot's band The Klan.

Candy Choir were a recording session band as well as live performers and backed artists including Crispian St Peters, Johnny Kidd and Barry Ryan.
Candy Choir toured the world working as Crispian St. Peters and Barry Ryan's backing band.
Eddie Wheeler joined Vanity Fare

The Trespassers (circa 1962)
clockwise, from left - Richard Thompson (rhyhtm/harmony vocals), Ian Taylor (lead) who replaced Ian Hall , Tim Grover(drums) , Dave Pain (vocals), Mick Cork (bass)

The pic was taken at Harvey Grammar when we did a PTA do. Legendary maths teachers Spider Beck asked: "Do you do any Freddie and the Dreamers? We like Freddie and the Dreamers in our house!" You had to know him, and to be there. Thankfully he bopped along as we belted out If You Gotta Make A Fool of Somebody, complete with that silly Freddie Garrity dance! - Yep I knew him, that must have been a sight.....Ed

Original Trespassers
Dave Pain (vocals), Ian Hall (lead),Richard Thompson (rhyhtm/harmony vocals), Tim Grover (drums), Mick Cork (bass)

Formed originally by HGS school pals Dave, Richard and Ian who asked Mick Cork to join on bass at some time in the very early 60s.
I'm not totally sure when and where Tim came along, but it was probably just as well as he was the only one old enough to drive at the time!
After months of practising we were ready for our first gig, a barbecue at Hythe Cricket Club (The Grove) one night in the summer.
Then........
Doing what was no more than a spot of glorified work experience at a factory on Bowles Well Gardens, Richard - a really intense guy - but excellent musician - from Dover chopped the top of his thumb off only a matter of days before our public debut! Tommy was in tears, but we pulled ourselves together and got Dave Caswell to stand in. It all went well, though not as well as it might have, and because Painey didn't rate Twist and Shout we got legendary Folkestone fast bowlers Cliff Stephens out of the crowd to give the punters what they were shouting for!
All very well, but we'd not worked out to end the b-song!
Painey gave in and learned it and, on our next date at the Hythe Albion sung it SIX times, by request, and duly lost his voice!
Dave was an excellent singer, if a bit country (he'd grown up in Canada). Our repertoire then included stuff like In Dreams (Orbison) and standards like Scarlet Ribbons and The Party's Over to show off his voice.
Ian (Hall) suddenly left with his family who emigrated to Australia, it seemed, at very short notice, and for a booking on the Friday at the East Cliff Pavilion (for a Seeboard social) we had no lead player. Then Tim remembered that the Mirror had run a story about a lad from his road (Surrenden Road, Cheriton) about this guitar mad kid who'd runaway to London/Liverpool to try to get into a band.
We tracked him - Ian Taylor - down, persuaded him to come home; practised one night and played the next!
Ian Taylor was inexperienced but an excellent musician who went on to replace Noel Redding in the Ones (yes he was that good) before becoming a doctor of music and all kind of other clever things, connected with various universities and music schools.
We had some very good times at places like the All Welcome Hut - Brenzett - memorable only cos I can still recall the smell of the toilet! - plus a whole variety of other places.
We packed up when Richard went off to uni and Dave moved away because of his job.
Good times. And, if I have to say it myself, cos no-one else will, we were not bad! ....Mick Cork

The Mystics
Formed from The Trespassers

The Mystics, with Dave Pain (singer), Ian Milton (guitar), Bill Regan (drums), Phil Kirk (keyboards), Mick Cork (bass) played all kinds of stuff (Animals, etc), making use of the addition of a keyboard player in Phil, who was pretty good, though Ian Milton left at some stage and was replaced towards the end by an old friend , Trevor Wright. Before that, though, they had become fairly well established in east Kent under the management of Roger West.

Bill had come out of Henry (which also featured Johnny Etchells) and was reputed to be on of the best drummers in Folkestone for quite some time.

Although they had plenty of laughs, Mick fell out with the rest, over - guess what - a girlfriend who was getting the way and was chucked out!!! Disgraceful. They got local legend Johnny Berry in on bass, but didn't last too much longer.

Played locally at places like the Hillside Club, formerly Pfizers where Bill once jammed with Noel and Hendrix late at night. One of the happier times.

Captain Black - at Pfizers Club (about 1975)
L-R - Andy Reynolds, Richie Bilous, Bill Regan, Mick Cork

Other members - Keith Harwood - Steve "Doris" Read

Originally Mick Cork joined Keith Harwood (then known by his real name, Keith Uren) and Andy Reynolds, a couple of local folk singers. Gradually Billy Regan got involved and Captain Black was formed.
Captain Black was named after some wierd pipe that Keith Harwood owned. On one practice night Keith was asked "What the hell's that you've got in yer gob?" . "It's a Captain Black" said the great one. They built up a fairly big following, especially at the sadly no longer Neptune (in Dymchurch) where the local football club adopted us as their own.
Next they managed to get hold of an outstanding talent in Richie Bilous, who had grown up in Cardiff with Andy Fairweather-Low (Amen Corner), and who had played with Tom Jones in his very, very early days. Richie had been in a duo with a lad called Jim.

Captain Black, with Andy, Bill, Richie, Mick Cork, and roadie Steve "Doris" Read on bongos/conga drum, did very well. Again they had a big following at the Neptune, in a later guise, as well as the Golden Arrow (now Jester) plus all kinds of either venues, near and far.

For whatever reason, the two singers Richie and Andy Reynolds, decided to leave after finding they could earn good money as a duo (The Reyn Brothers) Richie later performed solo as Richard Reyn and also as guitarist/vocalist with the City Blues Band

Keith Harwood later decided to go solo, and enjoyed a truly wonderful career on his own until in 1998 he collapsed on stage at Seasalter, near Whitstable at the age of just 48.

State Organisation
Became Tristram Shandy

Les Peel vocals - Bill Regan - Tony Gardener

Tristram Shandy

Folkestone
Were State Organisation -

L-R Dave Bowley guitar - Arthur (Roly) Sparkes bass - Pete Sewell drums - Andy Kealey guitar.

Others: Manager Barry Musk who introduced RCA - Dave Shackle who replaced Bill Regan Tony Scott(Scotty) - Tony Gardener(deceased) - Les Sampson

The band went through many personel changes before settling with Arthur (Roly), Andy, Dave & Pete who wished to go professional and signed to Mecca which took them out of the area to Leicester, Newcastle then Nottingham where they stayed for 4 or 5 years. Andy Arthur & Dave still reside in Nottingham. Andy and Dave still playing Athur retired. Pete after travelling the world as a musician has now returned to Folkestone, plays in a successful band and also operates a drum tuition school.

Discology:
Hunky Funky Woman/Don't be too Hard On Me. Released worldwide except Britain ( RCA CPKS1438) 1973
Sacharine Sandy Fingers and Thumbs/ MisterBlue Released World wide including Britain (Tiffany Records 6121 505) 1974

Nottingham Evening Post wrote

GROUP HOPES FOR HIT
Colwick could well find itself on the pop map if all goes well for a group called Tristram Shandy.
For the group release their first British record on Friday and the composer of the song they hope will be a hit is David Bowley.
David who plays piano & guitar in the group has lived in Colwick for a year, while the group have been resident at the Palais De Danse in Nottingham. The village already has one famous son in Paper Lace drummer and singer Phil Wright, and David is hoping that his song Sacharine Sandy Fingers & Thumbs will prove as big a success as Paper Lace's two records have been.
David is joined in the group by Peter Sewell Andy Kealey and Arthur Sparkes all of who live at The Park, Nottingham.
The Four originate from Kent and have been together as a group for about 3 years.
ON CONTINENT
They describe themselves as a pop harmony group and before becoming resident at the Palais they were resident in Leicester and Newcastle,
before that they played all over England as well as on the Continent.
Although their new record is their first one available in Britain they did make a record some time ago.
Which was released in just about every country but Britain
They have also recorded an LP which has not yet been released. ( And still hasn't been released........Ed )
All the songs recorded by the group are penned by David and many of them are incorporated, into their act.
With David on piano or guitar, the line-up is completed with Pete on drums: Arthur on Bass guitar and Andy playing lead guitar.
REQUESTED
They can be heard on four nights a week at the Palais and are finding at the moment that Mecca, to whom they are contracted are also finding work for them on their three nights off.
Although Sacharine Sandy has only just been released the group have been playing it for a year and David stated "It goes down well everywhere we go. It is one of the most requested numbers in our reportoire. It is a number that appeals to all age groups,
As the boys wait to see if their record will be a hit they have I plenty to think about with the possibility of television appearances and
Radio interviews in the near future.

Trunk

Trunk were based in Rye around the early 70's. The band consisted of Kevin Williams (vocals), Graham Willams (vocals), Steve Blattman ( lead guitar), Gerv Seymour (lead guitar), Kev Miller ( bass, not in the picture) & Simon Hill (drums).

The band were billed as a Rock Harmony group and played all sorts from the Who to the Eagles and trod the boards around the Kent and East Sussex border.

The band split in 1977 after Kevin Williams joined Die Laughing and went off to tour Germany, he now fronts his own soul band Rye & The Quarter Boys once based in London but now only appearing at special venues. Gerv Seymour left the area but was involved in the music in Norfolk running a music pub. Simon Hill played with various folk bands after the demise of Trunk, not known what he is doing today

Kev Miller gave up playing after the split. Graham Williams lives in New Zealand and although had a short career with Last Orders, a rock band with Phil Allchin and Steve Blattman in the late 70's, is no longer involved in performing.
Steve Blattman spent the last 30 years playing in local bands including Galaxy Tramp, Last Orders, Red House, Hippo Band and most recently the Rhythm Doctors who are currently doing the pub circuit in Kent & Sussex.

Last Orders

Late 70's Phil Allchin - Steve Blattman - Kev Miller

Couriers

Steve Marriott (Lead Vocals) - Gary Swinard - Les Sampson (drums) - Dave 'Wiggy' Trott (Bass) - Andy? ginger bloke good guitarist quote Dave Shackle

Sharpees
Bill Mead (bass guitar and lead vocals) - Pete Goody (lead/rythm guitars and vocals) - John Smith (drummer and vocals)

Website www.sharpees.com

A North kent based band made up of three ex-members of Rebel played at most of the Kent venues in the early Eighties then started to record all original material at Graham Q Jones' Oakwood Studios in Herne Bay. The recordings were sent to various management companies and the band were offered a contract with Fischer Z Management in London and European tour as support to FischerZ plus a singles deal with A&M records.
Everything was in the right place including an albums worth of material ready to go but the band unfortuanately split up on the eve of signing all contracts.
In 2003 the album as recorded at Grahams has been remastered on CD The Sharpees Album has now been licenced to Red Admiral Records through the services of Cringe Music (publishers) via One Kent
Details: 11 track CD called" Strangers" - Red Admiral Records - REDAD CDA545 - The Sharpees

Rebel
Chris,
Just to let you know that our old band REBEL are to reform with a new line up ,and will now be looking to start gigging within the next 4 weeks. the sound are very Tom Pettyish with a few of the original numbers including Rocka Shocka from our time with the well known East London label Bridgehouse Records.
If any of your website readers remembers Rebel from playing places such as Bowlers Arms Margate, Ship Gabriels Hill Maidstone, Marquee , Hope and Anchor , Greyhound London and quite a lot of the old London rock pub circuit they might have bought the single which is now selling for £85 in England and $93 in the States so if there are any floating around hang on to them.
I will let you know of the gig list in a few weeks time.
thanks Bill Mead

Kilroy
Folkestone 1968

Pic. L - R

Ed Parry (guitar vocals)
Melvin Watts (guitar vocals & later Bass)
Bob Lind (drums)
Jackie Small (lead vocals) joined and left

Click for their story and more photos

Square One

Chris Southern (vocals) - Stuart Fennell (organ) - Pete Dugdale (bass) - Bob Dominy (drums)
- Steve Taylor (lead guitar)?

... More and Pictures

Jasmine Childe

Nick Unsworth - Guitar and Vocals Paul Creed - Guitar and Vocals Sean Flynn - Bass Guitar Clive Munns - Drums

JASMINE CHILDE was formed by school friends Nick Unsworth and Clive Munns around 1972. The were joined by guitarist Paul Creed in 1973 and after much searching for a good bassist they managed to secure the services of Sean Flynn a year later.
The band played their original mix of pop and prog rock songs every Friday and Saturday at The Elephant pub with the occasional show at Medway Art college and Canterbury Uni before basing themselves in The Hague, Holland for 6 months.
Having played on the European rock scene they returned to the UK with the idea of securing a deal with a major record label. Unfortunately, during their time away Punk had taken the country by storm and the band broke up in 1977. They reformed in 1986 to play two concerts raising money for Live Aid and recently got together again to celebrate their 50th birthdays!
In 2008 they plan to begin re-recording some of the songs with a view to making them available for free download.

Axis

L - R Stewart Beaumont - Ian Crump - Billy Redding - Andy Wenham - Hugh Drury - Keith Parry

Axis was formed in a hurry – no one can be certain quite why, in Ashford Kent, in about 1967, rehearsed in a garage and played wherever a hall could be hired, broken into or an audience bribed. It is suspected that the founder was Billy Redding, who was born in London at the age of two, which was a surprise to his mother, as she was on holiday in Margate at the time. The band is proud of its innovation and artistic integrity and that it never played in the same shed or worked for the same promoter twice. The owners of the sheds and the promoters were equally proud of their record on that.The band never sought a recording contract, being far ahead of their time and unappreciated. As a proto-Punk Blues band with its roots in Soul, (and branches in a High street near you), they found that this genre never gained general acceptance west of Willesborough Hospital.

Although at least two members were too stoned to notice, the band folded after about 18 months, as it was becoming too expensive to hire halls and play to the floorboards – Axis had unwittingly become the initiator of an art-form known as the ‘rehearsal-performance’. This dispensed with the need for an audience on the night, leaving the band free to improvise at will. (Or - at Will, as he often turned up looking for free booze and loose women – or was it the other way around?).

The Bootleg Years Included on this album (one tape only issued) are loose approximations of some of the chord sequences of the following numbers:
Dock of the Bay
Albatross (God knows why!)
Down in the Valley
Green Onions (the symphonic version with a 25 minute drum solo)
Mojo?
Many of the correct notes can be heard, but in the words of Eric Morecambe - ‘not necessarily in the right order’ Other unidentified but vaguely familiar noises are to be heard, including – if you listen to ‘Nuts’ version of Albatross carefully - a passing seagull - Jonathon Livingstone, I presume. We especially appreciated Stuart’s bassline which was cunningly pitched out half a semitone throughout.

The Band
Lead Guitar – Billy "Cheesecutter" Redding - Went to work in a mental hospital after hearing this tape.
Vocals??, Harmonica, Saxophone and defector to Mother Earth - Andy "Gutbucket" Wenham - Moved on to become a pillar of the Financial world (at least I think they said something that sounded like pillar)
Rhythm Guitar and overdue library books – Keith "Nuts" Parry - Rumoured to have become a taxidermist…or was it a Librarian?
Bass Guitar and bread rolls– Stewart Beaumont - Now working for the Government…… now there’s a good laugh!
Drums and other items not usually available on prescription - Hugh Drury - Last heard of in a Gypsy caravan in Southern Ireland looking for a roll-up
Saxophone and transport manager – Iain Crump - Still waiting for a proper job and the time to learn how to use more than 3 of the keys and remember two of the tunes
Guest Vocalist and deputy transport manager, (trading as Cliff Richard) – Graham Soar - An accountant for the second time …..but who’s counting
Entourage – Will Ward….. well, he turned up at a couple of gigs Alive and well and making picture frames, despite appearing on Top of the Pops (Didn’t we have a lovely day the day we went to Bangor………etc) holding a bassoon which never got blown.
Electronics and Pyrotechnics - Keith ‘Thirty Speakers’ Hammond - Probably became Brain of Britain or went into therapy
Promoter, for a fortnight or so - John ‘Gombo’ Webb - Still ‘on the nest‘ no doubt
Sound System – courtesy of the back of a Rediffusion van and Keith’s mother’s knitting machine
Vox AC30 - courtesy of John Brind (why? and who was he?)

Quotes across the years:
‘Why do you call it Axes?’ (Stewart’s mum)
‘Like a fine wine, Axis is a band whose music should be laid down …….and then set fire to!’ (Music correspondent of the Kentish Express)
‘Axis has a background of learning, but sadly not about music’ (Ashford Advertiser)
‘Thanks for making us look professional’ (Gary Swinard)
‘I can’t come down I’m on the nest!…do you need 2 GoGo dancers? – her sister’s available ’ – (‘Anon’).
‘What the hell was that noise and what were they doing using our kit????’ (Long John Baldry – Bridge Country Club 1968)
‘Are all those guys with leather coats and shaven heads really bald hippies?’ (John Mayall, Tofts Club, Folkestone 1969 )
(We didn’t think so either – we did a runner! (Ed.))

June 1969 Copyright ©MMIXXD UP
Submitted by Ian Crump

Renaissance Faire
Folkestone 1975
Originally - The End

Spud Taylor(bass)
Dave Pain (Vocals)
Norman Swan (drums)
Cyril Sutton (guitar)
Phil Marriott (keyboards & guitar)

Road Runners
Gary Swinard

Badge
Bob Coltart - I think that Ron Jeffery was singer at one point.....bc

The Wild Sect  - Formed in 1964.
left to right Rod Jones (guitar/vocals), Colin Dowsett Bass/vocals)
& Williiam Whitewood (drummer)

Line up - Rod Jones (guitarist and vocalist). Colin Dowsett (Bass guitar/Vocals). William Whitewood (drums). Les Peel (Vocals). Dave ?? (Keyboards).

Above pic. shows the group appearing at the Assembly Halls in Whitstable, Kent in 1964

Left - left to right new member guitar player Steve Taylor brother of Ian Taylor (from Cheriton)
Rod Jones (guitar/vocals)
William Whitewood (drummer)
with Colin Dowsett (Bass/vocals) (just seen at the very bottom of the picture)?

The End

Folkestone - Formed in 1964
slogan BE THERE AT THE BEGINING TO SEE THE END

THE END:  The founder members were Cyril Sutton (lead guitar & vocals), Terry Hughes (rhythm guitar) Richard "Dick" Paul (vocalist ) Norman Swan (drums) and Pete "Spud" Taylor (bass & vocals) was then invited to join. Terry left the band in May 1966 so John Atkins played rhythm guitar briefly who was replaced by Rod Jones (guitar and vocals) .

1966 - Line up - Rod Jones (guitar and vocals), Cyril Sutton (original lead guitar & vocals), Pete "Spud" Taylor (bass & vocals) , Norman Swan (drums), Richard "Dick" Paul (original vocalist ) 
Others Later - Phil Marriot (vocals), Danny Clarkson (roady)

 The End rehearsing at The Chichester Hall, Sandgate, Kent in 1966.

Line up from left to right is Peter Taylor (bass guitar/vocals), Richard Paul (vocals), Norman Swan (drums), Cyril Sutton (guitar) & Rod Jones (guitar/vocals).  

The End were the resident group at Tofts in Folkestone in the mid sixties supporting many of the well known artistes of the day such as The Alexis Corner Band, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac etc.

The End also appeared at all the major venues in Kent to include The Dreamland Ballroom , Margate, The Coronation Ballroom, Ramsgate, The Beat club in Ashford, The Leas Cliff Hall Folkestone, The Corn Exchange in maidstone, etc to name but a few.

See Also Renaissance Faire & The Circuit

The Circuit
The Circuit was formed in Folkestone 1966

left to right,
Roger Bowden (keyboards)
Michael Wilkins (bass/vocals)
Les Peel original vocals replaced by Dick Paul
Dave Shackle (original drummer) later replaced by Brian Coleman
Rod Jones (Guitar & Vocals)


For pictures and full details of the band Click Here

Sons Of Chopin

Formerly The Circuit

Poster showing the Sons of Chopin with addition of keyboard player (name forgotten)

From left to right - Rod Jones (guitar/vocals),  ???? ???? (keyboards), Michael Wilkins (bass/vocals), Dick Paul (vocals) & Brian Coleman (drums)  
The Sons of Chopin signed to the Del Taylor agency & Management and toured as artistes in their own right.  They also were used as a backing musicians for recording artistes The Lamb Brothers

Right - Promo sheet  from the Del Taylor Management & Agency relating to The Sons of Chopin.

Lamb Brothers

Lamb Brothers (vocals) Rod Jones (guitar/vocals),  ???? ???? (keyboards), Michael Wilkins (bass/vocals), & Brian Coleman (drums)

Pure Gold 

Line up -
Rod Jones guitar/vocals), Brian Coleman (drums), Alan Ward (hammond organ/vocals)), Roger Morris (bass/vocals) & Peter Bull (vocals).  

Press uttings relating to Pure Gold from the New Musical Express.

Pure Gold were signed to President Records part of the Edward Kassner Music Company.   

Press cutting from The New Musical Express showing details of Pure Gold's record release on  President Records.

Regulus

The Occasional One Band

Reg Laws Alibi

Rogue

Inhibitions Prologue
Dave Shackle drums - Pete Dugdale organ & vocals - Chris Southern vocals - Steve Taylor lead guitar

... More and Pictures

Vogue
Kevin Bowyer Bass - Steve Bennett Guitar - Chris Daughters Drums

Valley Forge
Kevin Bowyer Bass - Steve Bennett Guitar - Chris Daughters Drums - Peter Ball guitar.
Peter left in 1975 after a gig at the East Cliff Pavilion.

Barry Catt also did a couple of gigs with them in place of Pete in 1975,
1) Whitegates old peoples home and The Deck Bar

Staires

Bob Coltart guitar & vocals - Ian Cheswright drums & vocals - Ray Perrin, Bass

Maroondogs

Bob Coltart guitar & vocals - Kevin Bowyer Bass & vocals - Ian Cheswright drums & vocals

The Maroondogs built a massive following over their 20 year as Kents most popular function band, and deservedly so. The dogs were a very tight and versatile unit, never short of work or repertoire. Over the years the band spent weeks in the studios in Kent either recording their own material for personal use or for one of the many records, tapes and CD's produced for their fans. Some of the jingles produced for local radio stations will live forever.
Use the links above to find out more about the individuals.

Ian left the band in early 2001 to persue a "real job" after complications with his hearing due to all that skin bashing over 1000's of gigs.
Bob sadly passed away in 2001.

The Maroondogs name will carry on with a new line up and an excellent band they are but it will never be the same.