JUST JAKE

 

JUST JAKE

Advert for Just Jake in Hobo Coventry Music and Arts Magazine 1973.

BAND INDEX

JUST JAKE c 1973 -74

Was a band that was centered around the skills of two of Coventry's top lead blues guitar players. First of all John Alderson and then Chris Jones. Both guitar players had a track record of being in class Coventry bands in the earlier 70's - John in Wandering John and Chris in his own band The Chris Jones Aggression.

Line up -

Lead Guitar - John Alderson / later Chris Jones

Keyboards - Martin Barter

Bass - Dave Wickes

Drums - Richie Medlock

John Alderson

The originally formed around John Alderson until he moved temporarily to Saundersfoot in Wales after which Chris Jones stepped in and gave the band a more funky feel.

The band was covered in Hobo magazine during this period -

From HOBO ISSUE 2 AUGUST 1973

"A vocal group in the vain of Genesis and Yes, producing interesting and original material. It features the talents of Martin Barter on Keyboards, Chris Jones on lead guitar,Dave Wickes on bass and Ritchie Medlock on drums. They all assist on vocals and help in composing their material with a lyricist friend. The band will be back on the road soon after suffering the loss of their former lead guitarist - John Alderson (Formerly of Wandering John).John has split Coventry to live and play music in Saundersfoot, Wales. I'm told that Chris is doing an excellent job, so I wish John and Jake all the best."

Also reported in this issue

Just Jake will be operating under a new name (not yet decided on) owing to the personal changes mentioned above. (Eds note - I think this was Wave but I can't be sure).

JUST JAKE were down to play the Windsor Free Festival in August 1973 along with other Cov bands Trilogy, A Band Called George, Fission and Trev Teasdel and Don't Talk Wet (In the end Fission were the only Coventry band to play the Windsor festival that year). Hawkwind / Pink Fairies / Longdancer / Skin Alley / Skin Driven Thing / Third Ear Band / Kraan were also on the bill.

In an unpublished issue of Hobo c October 1973 (not sure of date) it was was further reported -

"JUST JAKE no longer exist, Martin Barter (keyboards and Richie Medlock (drums) are currently working things out with Trilogy, whilst Chris Jones, lead guitarist and Dave Wickes, bassist, have joined the the Jazz Rock group Khayyam (formerly Wave). The group have residencies at the Earlsdon Cottage on Thursdays and the Carousel in Hinckley on Monday nights. Other bookings include Ronnie Scotts, Pheasantry, Speakeasy and possibly the Rainbow. Apologies to Dave Wickes for calling him Dave Sweet last time and apologies to friends of Dave Sweet who thought he'd suddenly become a pop star!!"

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Quote from John Alderson

" After a couple of years, the band split and I met Martin Barter (keyboard player/vocals and formed Just Jake. In 1973, I left to live in Pembrokeshire where I played slide blues around folk clubs. I moved back in 1976 and met up with Martin Barter again and joined Ottoman- but we didn't conquer the world!"