Coventry Bands 1960's to Now: Analog

Analog

BAND INDEX

ANALOG - Source - Hobo - Coventry Music and Arts Magazine / Workshop 1973 - 75
circa 1974-5

Quoted in HOBO magazine as being 'rock'.

Members of the Reluctant Stereotypes
Three members of Analog later (after some other bands) became members the early version of the Two Tone band The Reluctant Stereotypes ie Mick Hartley and Steve Edgson and Paul Brook. Steve Edgson remained with the final version of The Reluctant Stereoypes.

In the beginning...

In 1974, guitar player John Rushton sent a letter to me (Trev Teasdel) at Hobo (Coventry Music and Arts magazine, seen here. They had a piece in Hobo and by July we had given them their first gig at the Hobo Workshop - Holyhead Youth Centre, Coventry and a second gig on the Monday 23rd August 1974.

Letter to Hobo from John Rushton

"Trev, I thought you might like some details of a new and truely original Coventry Rock band to include in your mag - HOBO.

The name is ANALOG, and includes the following people;-

Mick Hartley - Bass, Steve Edgson - 2nd guitar and Clarinet and recorder, Paul (Babbling) Brook - drums (he plays a double kit) and vocals, and John Rushton (multi-track maniac) on lead guitar and backing vocals.

We are working on a 40 minute suite at the moment, as yet untitled, based on an original idea by Paul Brook. This will comprise the first half of the set, along with a super high energy instrumental entitled Custer's Last Stand. (Say no more!).

The suite contains mo9re words than Close to the Edge and has seven main parts.

Equipment is as follows:-

Mick Hartley - Sound City 120 Watt amp and cab. Paul Brook - Pearle double bass drum kit. Steve Edgson - Park Combination amp and cab. John Rushton - Park 100 watt amp and R.P.A. cab + horn unit.

We'll have a PA when we play live of course, as we can't afford the bread at the moment.

Cheers John A. Rushton. Earlsdon"

Below - The original letter.

There were strong jazz-rock and early King Crimson, Colosseum and Yes influences in the music.

You can hear their music on Soundcloud on this link - 3 Tracks recorded at Bird Sound Studios, Snitterfield. 1974. Click here to listen o9n Soundcloud.

https://soundcloud.com/jargon-1/sets/analog-coventry-band-1974-feat?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

In HOBO it was reported that the band had been rehearsing an original set for a year without playing any gigs.

From Hobo Magazine - May 1974 - Edited and written by Trev Teasdel

ANALOG

"A new original rock band freaturing Mick Hartley bass (Sound City 120 watt amp + cab), Steve Edgeson 2nd guitar / clarinet and recorder (Park Combination amp + cab), Paul (Babbling) Brook drums and vocals and concept (Pearl double bass drum kit) John Rushton (multi-track-maniac) lead guitar and backing vocals (park watt amp + RPA cab and horn unit. They are currently working on a 40 min suite written by Paul Brook. This will comprise the first set followed by high energy instrumentals. The suite contains more words than Yes's Close to the Edge."

and

" ANALOG is a band that have been rehearsing an original set for about a year, without playing any gigs. They have written and composed a 40 min long suite which they will perform in the first half of their set. This will be followed by a high energy piece. The line up consists of Mick Hartley bass (sound City 120 watt amp = cab); Steve Edgson 2nd guitar / clarinet / recorder (park combination amp + cab), Paul (Babbling) Brook - drums and vocals (Pearl double bass Drumkit); John Rushton (multi tracking maniac) lead guitar and backing vocals (Park 100watt amp = RPA cab and horn unit)."

Tribute to Paul Brook who passed away some time ago http://coventrymusichistory.typepad.com/blog/2007/05/paul-brook-coventry-drummer-musician-a-tribute.html

HOBO WORKSHOP - HOLYHEAD YOUTH CENTRE, COVENTRY

Analog played their first ever gig at The Hobo Workshop at the Holyhead Youth centre in Coventry on Monday July 8th 1974. This was the second of the weekly sessions at the Holyhead Youth Centre. They played a second gig for the Hobo Workshop on Monday 23rd August 1974.

This is a photo of the gig from the Coventry Journal with Analog on stage. In the photo at the back is the organiser Trev Teasdel (long blond hair) next to songwriter Phil Knapper - stripy shirt - older brother of Stu Knapper who later formed the punk band Riot Act. At the side of the stage is Bob Rhodes - a youth worker and co-organiser and musician and Liz Scott - a co-organiser.

The full cutting is below. The Hobo Workshop gigs were initiated by Hobo Magazine edited b y Trev Teasdel and Coventry Voluntary services Youth service represented by Detached Youth Worker Bob Rhodes and so the article is focused on the youth work more than the work of Hobo and the bands.