Coventry Bands Introduction

Click here for the 

A TO Z INDEX OF COVENTRY GROUPS 

Introduction Note - THIS IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS.

This is a new location for the Hobo A to Z of Coventry Bands Site, as Google are closing their classic sites where it is hosted, in September 2021.It will take a while to reupload and arrange all the material from the former site, so please be patient. The old site is still up  Here https://sites.google.com/site/bandsfromcoventry/ until September. The A to Z index is in the links above and I'm slowly loading all the posts.
Trev Teasdel

To find any Coventry band click the A to Z Index above or here https://coventrybands.blogspot.com/p/coventry-bands-index.html

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The Swinging Cats

The Swinging Cats

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Toby Lyons aka Toni El Dorko- Keyboards

John Shipley aka 'Wayne Riff'- Guitar

Steve Vaughan 'Vaughan Truevoice'- bass

Jane Bayley - 1st Vocalist - (any more info on Jane welcome) Bim-Bane.

Valerie Webb (now Haudiquet) (Pussy Purrfect) - Vocals on these videos and on tour - see note below)

Paul Heskett - Sax

Billy Gough aka Troy Corner- Drums

Chris Long - Percussion??

(the stage names are still being verified!)

Steve Wynne original guitarist. 

NEW ARTICLE FROM THE ALBERT HALL TO THE SNOOKER HALL!!' on John Shipley and the Swinging cats by Pete Clemons and Milan Stojsavljevic.

Never on a Sunday - Swinging Cats

Below is very rare footage of the Swinging Cats performing live at the Pebble Mill BBC Studios in Birmingham performing 'Away' and a cover of 'Never On Sunday' by Connie Francis.

The single version of Away with Jane Bayley below

 

ABOVE - Never on a Sunday - Steve Wynne and Jane Bom-Bane 1990's version of Never on a Sunday on Bandcamp. Jane was the original singer with the Swinging Cats and while the featured singer on the singles never recorded her version of this.

Steve Wynne and Jane Bom-Bane

New - Message from Valerie Haudiquet (formerly Valerie Webb in the Swinging Cats days) -

"I looked up Swinging cats. There is a common misconception that the girl in the photos, and on the youtube clips from Pebble Mill are of Jane. They are in fact of me. I was also the one with the band when we won the Lanch Battle of the bands competition. Jane left before the last heat of the competition, and I stepped in for them. I also stayed with them for the tour of Britain and Ireland supporting Selecter, because Holly and the Italians dropped out at the last minute. I had less than a week to learn the songs and rehearse ready for that final heat! Jane did rejoin them again at a later date...but the person in the glittery blue dress, and the pink crocheted coat is most definitely me! We all had absurd stage names...mine was Pussy Purrfect. John Shipley was Wayne Truevoice if I remember right.

My name then was Val Webb. I was engaged to Jerry Dammers, and was with him from 1973 to 1980. So I was lucky enough to be there at the very birth of Two Tone. I too left Coventry in the late 80's. I still regret leaving. Lived at Albany Road during it's hectic heyday! Any how...any more info required, do get back to me. I have a lot of memories of the Two Tone era that I can share if you are interested. Val."

From The Rex Brough site

Years before Mike Flowers and the "loungecore" movement, this was a sort of "easy listening" ska band that recorded for two-tone. I remember them winning a competition at the Lanch, and being so much better than anyone else. John Shipley joined the Specials aka, Toby Lyons joined Colourfield, and Jane Bayley became Jane Bom-Bane, ”Queen of the Funky Harmonium” performing at the Brighton and Edinburgh Fringe festivals.

http://2-tone.info/artists/the_swinging_cats.html - 

The line-up seemed to change every week, so the above is a list of some of those who were at one time in the band, there was also Val Webb, a singer who was going out with Jerry Dammers at one point.

The Swinging Cats were another Coventry outfit, formed at the end of 1979 and after they replaced Holly & The Italians on The Selecter's March 1980 tour, 2 Tone offered them a single. The release 'Mantovani / Away' CHS TT14, sank without trace despite the first 20,000 copies being sold at the giveaway price of 50p.

Paul Heskett later toured with The Specials and played Sax on 'Sock It To 'Em J.B' & 'Braggin' And Tryin' Not To Lie' on the More Specials album and Flute on Ghost Town / Why? / Friday Night, Saturday Morning' EP 

Away / Mantovani - Two Tone 1981

Never on a Sunday -You Tube

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Swinging+Cats

The Swinging Cats with the original singer Jane Bayley from This then site.

From Marco on Bass

" The Swinging Cats were formed by John Shipley, who along with Toby Lyons recruited like-minded individuals, and so created one of 2-Tone’s most flamboyant acts, even topping Madness and Bad Manners for on-stage quirkiness. The band won a Battle of the Band's contest in Coventry that gave them two days at Leamington’s Woodbine Studios and a spot on TV show Look Hear. They signed to 2 Tone records and released the irresistibly catchy Mantovani, with Away as its flipside.

According to an interview John Shipley did, “I already knew Jerry Dammers”, “He really liked us, and he offered us a two single deal, sadly the second release Greek Tragedy, never saw the light of day. We practiced in our drummer Billy Gough’s garage, full of canoes and mooses’ heads; there wasn’t enough room to swing a cat, and a name was born. We did have a terrific time touring with bands like Bad Manners and The Selecter. ...On July 21, 1980, The Selecter announced they were leaving 2-Tone to sign directly with Chrysalis Records. In a statement they released explaining the move they said, "Every 2-Tone single has reached the charts. This is a situation which The Selecter feels is ultimately stifling new talent, leading bands to feel that they need to stereotype themselves into what they believe to be the 2-Tone sound..." In turn 2-Tone Records released a statement saying that the label would continue "with the main objective of helping new bands". And true to their word a week after The Selecter left, the label signed The Swinging Cats, who ironically would pick up a few support slots with the post-2 Tone Selecter on their 1980 tour (replacing Holly & The Italians).”

The final tour was with The Specials - Christopher Long says this...

Christopher Long 
" I started of as go go dancer then added some bongo bashing & other percussion...I played on the single & live. Then we were offered to be the support band on the specials uk tour (which turned out to be their last) & there was a consensus in the band that we needed a different singer for that tour. like an idiot i volunteered as i knew all the songs. I say like an idiot only because it was quite a daunting task- playing to such huge & crazy audiences. the 1st date of the tour was at the corńish riviera (Newquay) to an audience of 5,000:-)
I think we did 36 gigs across the uk in 40 nights!"

Photo by Jill Furmanovsky

Singing Cats played on BBC by Pauline Black

http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/f7d287bf-1420-4fe5-9e2d-5983f4c69896

Valery Webb (now Hardiquet) - 2nd Vocalist

SWEENY TODD

 

SWEENY TODD

circa 1970-3

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Bob Young (lead vocals and guitar), Colin Young (bass), Nicky Trevisick (drums), Roger Prince (guitar), Baz Andruszko (accordion), roadies - Ricky and Dave.

Later became A Band Called George.

Sweeney Todd was revived in 1992 and recorded an album "A String Of Pearls"

From their former My Space site - 

SWEENEY TODD TO A BAND CALLLED GEORGE


Sweeney Todd was formed by Brothers Bob and Colin Young in Leamington Spa

A band Called George

Warwickshire England in late 1969 early 1970. We got the idea and name Sweeney Todd from the 30s film, starring Todd Slaughter (what a name eh!!)

The first line up of Sweeney Todd consisted of My self (Bob Young) on lead Vox and guitar, Colin on Guitar and backing Vox, John Cirriani on bass and backing Vox and a drummer from Sunderland whose name I'm afraid I cant remember. Sweeney Todd used to rehearse in St Paul's church hall on Friars St Warwick just up the road from The Seven Stars Pub.( I apologize to the neighbours ). We weren't there long; we got chucked out because of the racket we made. 

As Sweeney Todd we had various rehearsal rooms mostly church halls. There were no Garage bands then, and amps were either on or off.

If you wanted that nice loud crunchy guitar sound you had to crank it up to number eleven and the neighbours didn't like it.

So to get to your rehearsal room you also had to have transport as well. We were lucky, my dad gave us an old Bedford minibus. Just for fun we painted it matt black (blackboard paint) with runny blood red SWEENEY TODD letters on the back. The state of this Sweeney Todd van got me stopped by the cops about twice a day 

It wasn't long after this the Sweeney Todd van got swapped for a ford transit van, a dirty grey green one. nice and anonymous apart from the great iron bar and padlocks across the rear doors. This van later blew up on the way to the M6 some where near Birmingham. We were on the way to a gig at the Cavern in Liverpool. We had to hire a car to continue the Journey.

By now the line up of Sweeney Todd consisted of Me on guitar, and kazoo, Colin on Bass, Roger Prince on guitar, harmonica, and mandolin, Fat Bas on accordion and I think Harry Heppingstall on drums. We arrived at the Cavern with only guitars. This was in the days when you took your own PA as well as all the back line. We used another bands gear for the gig. I'm ashamed to say I cant remember who they were. I do remember that they were very good  It all gets very hazy from here on in But, Sweeney Todd were in the famous Cavern, We were on form and feelin' good.  We had a dressing room but apart from Colin who had a pair of cowboy boots we didn't have any stage clothes to dress up in, although Roger did have some Brut aftershave.


We used to frequent a pub in Leamington called the Coventry Arms


The set we were using had the title track SWEENEY TODD in it. All other songs referring to SWEENEY TODD had gradually been dropped and replaced by other stuff of a much gentler nature and somehow the name Sweeney Todd didn't seem to fit what we were doing we weren't a heavy rock band any more.

So in a drunken stupor we decided to change the name Sweeney Todd to something more suitable..Some one produced a matchbox, one of those with the little sayings and proverbs on the back this one was about a young lady trying to find a name for her baby she said to her husband that she would like to call the baby George he said No, every Tom, Dick and Harrys called George. Well we all fell about laughing. From then on we were called A BAND CALLED GEORGE a revolutionary name for the time.

We dropped the SWEENEY TODD songs and changed the complete set and later that year released a single NCB Man on Bell Records (p) Island Music."

The Supernaturals

The Supernaturals

1985 -86

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Pauline Black - Vocals


Everett Morton (The Beat's old drummer) - Drums replaced by Rob Hill


Zip The Bassman - Bass replaced by Ray, a bass player from Rugby


Tony White - Guitar


Dave Gedney ("That boy gets everywhere!" - Tony)


John Shipley - Guitar (2nd Line-up)


John Greenhow (2nd Line-up)



Memories from Tony White via Rex Brough


"The first line-up supported Joe Boxers on tour. The second line up really rocked. NME described us as playing 'Guitar-based underwater spy-movie music' I really enjoyed this band - we supported The Communards on their UK tour in 1986 and played some great gigs around the country.


There was a lot of Press and record company interest in The Supernaturals at that time - closest that I personally ever got to 'making it' but it wasn't to be. John Shipley and Pauline fell out, everybody took sides and it got a tad nasty. God I really hate all that political nonsense. Upshot of it was that a new band emerged from the ashes called The Great Escape - Val (Ex swinging cats) was drafted in as lead singer and Barry (Rob Hill's old partner in rhythm from The Mix) replaced Ray on Bass. The new line up was now Val, Myself, John Shipley, John Greenhow, Rob Hill and Barry.

The Great Escape actually played some corking gigs in Cov in early '87 but finally split with myself Rob and Barry going over to the French Riviera where we played the English Campsite bars as Ted Zeppelin and the Marina Maniacs !!

I have to say that this was amazing fun, and actually earnt more dosh than any of us had ever seen from music before !

Suns of Rest

Suns of Rest

Contact via https://www.facebook.com/SunsOfRest/

Current band

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About

Daz Ferris - vocals
Sean Cunningham - Guitar
Dave Speedy - Bass
Sean Carroll - Drums

Summerwine

Summerwine

Changed name to Mercia.

1970 – 1974 Club band

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Dave Jones – Drums
Pete Twynham – lead
Ruffus ? – Rhythm
Ian Blake – Bass

The STRINGBEATS

The STRINGBEATS

c 1964 Source Broadgate Gnome

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Malcolm Leighton Watts plus others.

Watts was previously in Tony Martin's Echo Four

Tom Lane was the drummer - formerly of Jason and the Canaanites, The Fireflies, The Blue Beats and later of The Stringbeats, Pat Gissane Showband, Tuxedo Junction and currently with The Leicester Acemen

Stress

 

Stress

1981 - Synthie - Electro

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Stress comprised of Alan Rider (editor of the Coventry fanzine Adventures in Reality and Phil Clarke editor of Nuneaton fanzine Damn Latin.


Pete Chambers has a good article about them, here from Backbeat - Coventry Telegraph.

Backbeat: Soaking up the Stress - 80s style!
"Local electro-duo Stress, got together in 1981, comprised of Alan Rider who was editor of

the Coventry fanzine Adventures In Reality and Phil Clarke, the editor of Nuneaton fanzine Damn Latin.

Many assume the local scene of the early 80s was just about ska, reggae and guitar-based indie bands but, along with those styles, one genre that seemed to strike a chord was the electro-based band.

Artists like Eyeless In Gaza, Kevin Harrison, Attrition and Stress all made their mark, locally and nationally.

It’s no surprise that at least three fanzine editors were part of the above bands. The fanzine helped to galvanise the music scene and proved a perfect platform for the ubiquitous cassette compilation so favoured by the deeper thinkers of the day.

Using often basic equipment, Stress constructed some elaborate sound-scapes and earned themselves a healthy reputation.

Now, over 30 years later, Stress have released a vinyl “best of” entitled Conspiracy Theory.

I met up with Alan and asked him how this album came about.

Alan replied: “The LP came about, funnily enough, because of an earlier article in Backbeat on the book I’m doing on Coventry fanzines.

The boss of a vinyl label in San Francisco, Dark Entries, spotted it on the web and recognised my name. He was a long time Stress fan from 1981, so he got in touch and suggested we do a retrospective LP with his label. It’s a small world!

“We really wanted the LP to look like something that would have been put out in Coventry in the early 80s when there was a thriving indie music scene in the city.

“That meant a black and white cover and labels, a specially created new edition of my fanzine from back then (Adventures in Reality), and a badge, all as part of the package.

“!It’s like a slice of Coventry musical history”.

The album is available from The 2-Tone Village and Vinyl Destination in Coventry Market, and check out the Stress Facebook site. 

.....................................................

Alan Rider has collected all the copies of Adventures in reality together in one book - https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/adventures-in-reality/the-complete-collection

Alan Rider

says - "You can get hold of a copy of the new book on Adventures in Reality - a 480 page, A4 sized, bonanza featuring full colour reprints of every issue plus all the spin off zines, an interview, extras on techniques, posters and badges and more, by contacting me at Alanrider1@aol.com to get an autographed copy with a secret bonus, or by dropping in to Just Dropped in in FarGo Village to pick one up."

HERE

Stress - Help Comes Too Late. Label | Adventures In Reality, 1983

Stress - Help comes too late (1983)

More here - https://www.discogs.com/label/804710-Adventures-In-Reality-Recordings

Adventures In Reality Recordings
Profile:
U.K. Industrial / Experimental label from Coventry, that developed from the A.I.R. fanzine by Alan Rider and ran from 1981 to 1985.
After the release of the Mini-LP and the split of the duo Stress (2) he was one half of Alan Rider moved on to the band project Dance Naked before resurrecting the label in the early 90's.

Stereo Nation

 Stereo Nation

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Taz, a British Born Asian raised in Warwickshire UK, established himself as a recording artist with the release of his debut album ‘Hit the Deck’. He stormed the UK Asian pop charts for thirty-six weeks at number 1. The album went on to become one of the biggest selling Asian fusion releases of all time. Described as the pioneer of pop fusion, a lyricist, composer and producer, Taz quickly became the embodiment of cross-cultural music. He heralded a new era in which crossover music became the pursuit of many young British Asians. His music is best described as a hybrid of Traditional Asia fused with Western pop sensibility, infectious melodies and dynamic dance grooves. Some of Taz’s influences are George Michael, Prince, Jam & Lewis, Babyface, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, R D Burman, Gurdas Maan, Kuldip Manak and Zapp!!! To name a few…

Read more here https://www.last.fm/music/Stereo+Nation/+wiki

Stepmother

 

Stepmother

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Leamington early 70's


From drummer Jim Pryal
" I moved to Leamington in the early 70s and met up with a bass player called Harry Frazer and a singer/songwriter called Jamie Lord. With Mick Smitham we formed a band called Stepmother. I only remember Stepmother playing 1 gig with that line up and that was at the Regent hotel in Leamington. Quite an amazing gig. We also did a recording at Monty Bird's studio in Snitterfield. Good to see info about Jamie on other parts of this site. . For whatever reason, the band folded. "


Below - Jim Pryal

This is from The British Music Archive site - http://www.britishmusicarchive.com/artists/stepmother/

there is a track listing.

STEPMOTHER are now on the British Music Archive here Recordings: http://www.britishmusicarchive.com/S/302-stepmother1. Elderly Lady
2. Lady Midnight
3. Geraldine
4. All The Young Girls
5. Twilight
Recording date:
Group Members: Jamie Lord (gtr, vocs), Mick Smitham (gtr, vocs), Harry Frazer (bass gtr), Jim Pryal (drums)
Additional Info: Stepmother originated from Coventry circa 1969. Recordings made at Monty Bird's studios, Snitterfield, circa 1972.

Jamie Lord was a singer songwriter c 1974 - more about him here https://coventryfolkclubs.blogspot.com/2011/09/jamie-lord-cosmic-folk.html

The Strangers (90's band)

 The Strangers (90's band)

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We received this photo of the The Strangers from Amelia Jackson. Her father Roger Michael Jackson apparently played in this band, often at the Cheylesmore. The blocks on the stage seem to read Strangers, so we assume that's the name of this band. There is another later band (as far as I know) called the Strangers and I'm assuming they are not one and the same. If anyone can shed any light on this band or Roger, please let us know. Further info below.

We think Roger is on right of this picture with the guitar.

Amelia tells us that her father was 'in a ton of bands' from the 60's onwards, including this (so far unidentified band) -

Roger Jackson is on the right and next to him could be (but not sure) . Left we think is Freg Liggins, the Tenor Sax player who was with the Boll Weevils in the 60's. However we don't what this band was called. Any information welcome.

Here's some further info on Amelia's dad, Roger Michael Jackson, who passed away recently "He was born in Coventry in 1946 and lived there til the mid 90's. He was a bass/guitar player. Played a lot of the Cheylesmore. He spent most of his life in Coventry as a furniture polisher/assembler."

The Strangers (1961 - 63)

 

The Strangers 1961 - 63

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The Strangers
1961 – 1963
Shadows inspired group – won live groups competition in Warwick Park
Dave Jones - Drums
Dave McGill - Lead
Mike Faulkner – Rhythm / Bass

The Stormbreakers

The Stormbreakers

(aka The Establishment / The Congress)

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Became The Establishment

The Establishment Line up was: Keith Redfern - vocals, Noel Ford - lead guitar, Keith Gudger - rhythm guitar, Ed Willett - bass, Wal Freeman - drums. Later joined by Barry Kingsbeer


Dave Norris - ?


Establishment became The Congress around September 1965

From Nuneaton

Memories from Dave Norris

"The Stormbreakers" played their first gigs together since 1964 on Friday 8th & 15th Oct. 2004. Of the 5 in the band 4 are original members and one (me) is from an old Coventry band "The Mad Classix" of the same period. Our average age is 63 and the gigs are for charity, being the Mary Ann Evens Hospice and the County Air Ambulance. Of the members, the lead guitarist now lives in Wales and the singer in Skegness."


Barry Kingsbeer wrote on Comments to Godiva Rock article on CET
I was flattered to see a kind mention of the Chicanes here, schoolmate Kevin Connolly got a drum kit and took me round to his house to see it. At that point, being young and without fear we decided to form a band. I didn't play any instrument at that time but ended up on bass which has been my first instrument ever since. On leaving the band I joined The Establishment, formerly The Stormbreakers from Nuneaton. Left Coventry 65/66 and lost touch. I’ve lived in Stratford for the last 20 years and am still playing.


From Pete Chambers - Godiva Rocked to a Backbeat


" Formed 1962 and got to support the likes of Screaming Lord Sutch, the Hollies, The Undertakers, Emile Ford and the Checkmates (You tube link) and the Pretty Things. 1964 they took on former Vampires vocals it Johnny Washington and reinvented themselves as Johnny Washington and the Establishment."


Extract from Pete Chambers Backbeat - Coventry Telegraph


" Nuneaton's biggest beat band, The Stormbreakers, who later changed their name to The Establishment.

Lead vocalist Keith Redfern recalls those days: "We were the first group in the area, it was around 1964, we attracted a lot of followers, including other musicians. We were known as a group's group. We played all over the place, including Coventry's Locarno, The General Wolfe and Nuneaton's Co-op Hall. You name it we supported them, like Cliff Bennett, Johnny Kidd and even the Hollies."

One of those venues, Nuneaton's Co-op Hall Ballroom, was at its height the musical mecca for the area. Run by madcap promoter Reg Calvert, it saw its fair share of excitement, playing host to The Beatles who were the support to Tanya Day and The …" The Stormbreakers. Keith Gudger joined the Nuneaton band on the strength of a talent contest in 1962; he was spotted by Wall Freeman and asked to join the band. They lined up like this: Keith Redfern vocals, Ed Willett second lead guitar, Noel Ford lead guitar, 'Nov' on bass, Keith Gudger on rhythm guitar and Wall Freeman on drums.
Early gigs included the Nuneaton ambulance hall: "I recall we used to practice in Noel Ford's front room," said Keith Gudger. "We moved his poor mum and dad into the kitchen as we took over their living room, bless them. We did cramped spaces pretty well though, we had a small Morris J2 Van, we changed the seats around and managed to get all the band in it, plus girlfriends and equipment."

By this time Nov had left as bass player, so Ed switched to bass and they became a working five-piece. They got to support a host of top names such as Screaming Lord Sutch, The Hollies, The Undertakers, Emily Ford and the Checkmates and the Pretty Things.

"We had the foresight to get ourselves a good PA system as soon as possible," reveals Keith. "It paid off, one gig in Stoke on Trent we were supporting Brian Poole and The Tremeloes and they asked if they could borrow our PA. We had a 100-watt system; theirs was a tiny 50-watt, both pretty puny by today's standards. In 1964 we changed our name to the Establishment and were part of Friars Promotions, and Vince (Martin) Holliday (who still owes me 10 bob by the way), took us to France to play the US bases for three months. The first hotel we stayed in turned out to be a brothel. It was a crazy time, we were young and it was the first time we had been away.

"As we moved to the next port of call, we ended up in Paris, not where we wanted to be. Our old van had damage to the column change, and the electrics started playing up. So there we were in this quiet zone in Paris and our horn started sounding on its own. We were running around like headless chickens trying to stop the noise, then someone grabbed a handful of cables and we carried on our way with no horn sounding, but sadly with no headlights either.

"We got to know a lot of the GIs where we played, it was during the Vietnam war, so many of those guys were training to go there, it was a chilling thought that many of those we met probably never came back."

In 1965 Keith left the band, and continued for a while with Johnny Washington as frontman under the name George E Washington and the Establishment. In 2004 they had their first reunion concert and from that they started gigging again. So that brings us back around to the Call Up the Groups gig, your chance to hear the band

...............

The Establishment

circa 1964-1965

From Broadgate Gnome -

They were also known as Johnny Washington and the Establishment.

Beat group previously known as The Stormbreakers.

From Nuneaton

Line up: Keith Redfern - vocals, Noel Ford - lead guitar, Keith Gudger - rhythm guitar, Ed Willett - bass, Wal Freeman - drums. Later joined by Barry Kingsbeer

Five piece outfit managed by Vince Martin. Dena Gaye (Dilys Birch) joined them in July 1964 (she had trained as an operatic singer with Coventry Operatic Society) and they toured France, playing US bases. 'She has a great voice and the band have an individual sound' said Martin.

Won the Midland Beat Championships in October 1964 and recorded demos in London April 1965 (including 'This Love I Feel' )

Became The Congress around September 1965

From Pete Chambers - Godiva Rocked to a Backbeat

"Formed in 1962 and supported Screaming Lord Sutch, The Hollies, the Undertakers, Emile Ford and the Checkmates, and the Pretty Things as the Stormbreakers. In 1964 they took on former Vampires vocalist Johnny Washington and reinvented themselves as Johnny Washington and the Establishment, Also supported Brian Poole and the Tremeloes in Stoke and they borrowed their PA - they had a 100 watt PA system and the Trems only had a 50 watt PA."

Barry Kingsbeer
I was flattered to see a kind mention of the Chicanes here, schoolmate Kevin Connolly got a drum kit and took me round to his house to see it. At that point, being young and without fear (some might sat without a clue) we decided to form a band. I didn't play any instrument at that time but ended up on bass which has been my first instrument ever since. On leaving the band I joined The Establishment, formerly The Stormbreakers from Nuneaton. Left Coventry 65/66 and lost touch. I’ve lived in Stratford for the last 20 years and am still playing.

Stone Foundation

Stone Foundation

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This is a link to the website - current band http://www.stonefoundation.co.uk/about/

And their Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stonefoundation

Supported The Specials in 2011. Neil Jones, Neil Sheasby, Ian Arnold, Phillip K Ford, Spencer Hague, Gary Rollins, Gareth John, Robert Newton.

Still Life

 STILL LIFE

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Line Up

Martin Cure - Vocals  /  Graham Amos - Bass /  Terry Howells - Organ


Alan Savage ~ Drums

Album

Still Life - (Vertigo) - 1971

1. People in black (Howells) 2. Don't go (Howells/Cure) 3. October Witches (Howells) 4. Love song no. 6 (Howells) 5. Dreams (Howells/Cure) 6. Time (Howells/Amos)


Also issued:

1. LP, Vertigo-Philips, 6360 026, Germany, 1971, "Big Swirl"
2. LP, Vertigo-PolyGram, RJ-7266, Japan, 1977, "Spaceship", OBI rolled
3. LP, Akarma, AK 237, Italy, 2003
4. CD, Repertoire, REP 4198-WP, Germany, 1991
5. CD, Universal Victor, UICY-9053, Japan, 28.03.2001, "British Rock Legend Part 2"
6. CD, Akarma, AK 237, Italy, 2003, vinyl replica
7. CD, Repertoire, REP 5100, Germany, 01.12.2006, vinyl replica with poster, only 3000 copies
8. Cassette, Vertigo, 7138 026, UK, 1971
You ' ll also find Still Life on "Superheavey no.1" Vertigo 6360061, Peru, 1971, with songs: "Don't go", "Love song n.6"

From Rex Brough - "A progressive band formed by Cure and Amos from the Peeps and Rainbows. The album on vertigo is very rare. Martin Cure later was lead vocalist for the 80's Heavy metal band Chevy. For more info, visit Piotr's excellent site on the band."

From Wikipedia

Firstly back to the roots. Bassist Graham Amos, vocalist Martin Cure began their musical adventure in 1963 in the Coventry band called The Sabres. They later formed The Peeps in 1965. The other two members of the band were Roy Albrighton (guitar) and Paul Wilkinson (drums). The Peeps recorded five SPs for Philips (1966–68). In 1968, they recruited Terry Howells on organ (ex-Ray King Soul Band). The drummer P.Wilkinson left the band in 1968 (he joined a band called Flying Machine). With new drums player, Gordon Reed (ex-Vampires), group's name was changed to Rainbows. They recorded two singles for CBS. The Rainbows had some gigs in Hamburg, Germany and when they were finished the guitarist, R.Albrighton decided to stay in Germany (later, he formed a band called Nektar). When Rainbows came back to England, the drummer G.Reed left the band. So then there were three musicians: Amos, Cure, Howells. They changed a band name to Still Life and wrote the songs which turned into the album. But the band had not a drummer. Alan Savage was contacted to do the session and he had about a week to learn the material prior to recording. Album was recorded at Sound Recording Studios, near Marble Arch, London Savage was involved with the recording on the following dates: 1 October 1970, 2 October 1970, 5 October 1970, 6 October 1970, 13 October 1970. The Album was mixed Monday 26 October 1970. Obviously, the other members were doing overdubs, vocal etc.on the dates in between. S.Shane did produce the LP. The Band had a contract to make a six LPs. But unfortunately the band drifted apart. What happened with members of the band? Graham Amos was living in England, but he died in June 2003 (his funeral was in Cambridge Crematory at 10:30 am on 4 June 2003). Terry Howells now lives in Switzerland. Neither of them is involved in music anymore. Alan Savage lives in Northampton, still in music business as drummer. Martin Cure joined Cupid's Inspiration in 1971. In 1979/1980, he and his friends from Cupid's Inspiration formed group called Chevy. In 1981 they had a record deal with Avatar Records and recorded one album and three singles. In 1983, Martin played with group Red on Red. Now, Martin has PA Company but still does occasional gigs with Cupid's Inspiration and The Rouges. In letter from 27.11.2002, Martin wrote: "I'm sure there is no more unreleased material available and certainly no live material recorded by Still Life from those times".

Stiletto

Stiletto

Blues / rock

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Graham Walker; Lead guitar & vocalist


Dennis Burns; Rhythm guitar & vocals


Arun Bhundari; Bass guitar & vocals


Jim Pryal; Drums & vocals



"A good covers band with a bent for Thin Lizzy. I remember seeing this band in the Dog and trumpet and wishing we could could play as well as they did. Jim Pryal later was in Hot Snacks." From Rex Brough

From Dennis Burns Typepad blog


This track is from Stiletto (Graham Walker, Arun Bhandari, Jim Pryal and myself) with a cover of an Orleans song called "What I need". Again it is from a rehearsal sometime in 1978 (I think...).

Unfortunately, my tape of Stiletto only contains 4 tracks, and these from a rehearsal towards the end of our time together when we were trying out new songs (hence more "warts" than normal). This song is the only one that I remember actually made our last set list (after a bit more rehearsing... ;o)

What I Need - Stiletto - Listen to the track on Dennis's blog..

https://a4.typepad.com/6a0134878ea33d970c0134878eb17c970c-pi

From Jim Pryal

" I joined a band called 'Stiletto' - another covers band based in Coventry and Nuneaton. We were a popular local pub band and always did well in the 'Dog and Trumpet' in Coventry with Thin Lizzy covers going down a bomb, literally, as we used to use those maroon type explosive devices that made a serious bang! Stiletto were Graham Walker on vocals and guitar, Dennis Burns on rhythm, Arun Bhandari on bass. We had regular work including sharing the bill at Warwick Uni with Ruby Turner, Mungo Jerry, The Sinceros and more. You have to picture Graham with a false nose that lit up and a cloak launching into 'Delilah" - hilarious! One time we had no maroons, so our roadie Phil 'Do the dog' made something up out of weedkiller. My God!!! When it went off we had to evacuate Wyken hall as the whole place filled with dense acrid smoke! During this period, Arun and I did a recording via Chris King with 'Black Parrot Seaside' at Pathway studios, London. Wreckless Eric and Elvis Costello had done tracks there and Dire Straits had recorded 'The Sultans of Swing' album there. We were on hallowed ground. Just a small place with an eight track recorder as I remember. We recorded a very funny song about being reincarnated as a vacuum cleaner! I still laugh now thinking about it! I just had a mail from Geoff Veasey - so great to hear that The Parrot are still performing."

Steve Tayton and his Jazz Quartet

 Steve Tayton and his Jazz Quartet

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Steve Tayton (Saxophonist clarinetist fluteplayer composer) is one of the top jazz musicians from Coventry. This outfit played the Coventry Arts Umbrella August 1970 among others of course. Steve Tayton has played in so many outfits including Stavely Makepeace (of which Lieutenant Pigeon was an off shoot). He also played in Coventry Jazz rock bands Wave and Khayyam (who toured Europe in 1973 / 4 and played Ronnie Scotts in London and The Earlsdon Cottage in Coventry. Later he played with Pzazz and so many more.

His book https://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/author/steve-tayton/

Pzazz live at the BBC 1980 - legendary Steve Tayton on sax, Paul Brook, drums, Kevin Dempsey (ex Dando Shaft) guitar, 

Below Steve Tayton self isolating and playing on line.

Stevenson's Rocket

Stevenson's Rocket

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Line Up 

Kevin Harris - Vocals / Alan Twigg - Bass / Mick Crowshaw - Guitar / Steve Bray - Drums -  Dave Reid - Keyboards

Rex Brough says -

Coventry's answer to the Bay City Rollers! Pete Waterman, while he was working as A and R man for Magnet spotted them at Tiffany's. They'd served their time playing the "beer and burger" club circuit, yet their age range was still only 16 to 18. Pete Waterman wrote and produced their solitary top thirty hit. "Alright baby" is a classic slice of exuberant mid-70's pop. The band also appeared on PW's own hit "Good-bye-ee". Live, their set featured 50's chestnuts like "Heart and Soul", "Teenager in love", and the later single "Poetry in motion". I reckon it's the Waterman influence at work there.

In a copy of music week circa Nov 1975, the band were saying they'd like to be able to write their own stuff. I remember even seeing them on Top Of The Pops - Great, but what happened next!?!?

Alwyn W Turner came up with some answers! "The bass-player now lives in the Isle of Wight and I've tried getting hold of him via his son - whose email I have - but no luck so far. I'm interested because (a) they weren't a bad little band, but mostly (b) they genuinely had reason to believe that they were going to be huge stars ... and then nothing happened."

Singles

Alright baby / Teenage Dreamer - Magnum 1975

Here I am / Don't love seem strange - Magnum 1976

Poetry in Motion / Teenage guy - Magnum 1976