FISSION
BAND INDEXFISSION circa 1973-5
Line up -
Johnny Adams (lead/rhythm/acoustic guitars/vocals/songwriter),
Al Varney (bass), Rick Thawn (lead guitar).
Simon Lovegrove (drums), (later Mick Lynch and Steve?)
Ant Callaghan (lyricist/vocals)
Fission, who at one stage gained the interest of Island Records, had their unique brand of rock music influenced variously by Hawkwind / and Johnny Adam's classical / medieval guitar playing and Rick Thawn's jazz rock playing.
They mostly wrote their own songs by Johnny Adams and also with with lyricist Ant Callaghan.
Johnny Adams was the key member and founder and had played with a range of rock
and commercial bands including the Mick Green Blues band / Flying Circus and later played with the Blue Jays and pink band Squad (after Terry Hall left for the Specials c.1979) and many more as well as playing his songs solo.Al Varney started out as a DJ at the Coventry Arts Umbrella Club in 1970 - 72 running alnight Progressive Music sessions with his brother Steve Varney, and Fission was his first band after mastering the bass guitar. Later he played with Johnny Adams in The Blue Jays (a commercial band) and Colt 77 and many more over the years.
Rick Thawn formed a new jazz rock band with Paul Samson (not Paul Sampson (notice the spelling difference) who produced the Primitives) c July 1974, called Trigon.
Fission rented a farm house behind the Craven Arms in Binley where they wrote and rehearsed and lives. Often the scene of bizarre midnight outdoor sessions!
Among the many places they played were the Village (Colin Campbell), The Hobo Workshop Holyhead Youth Centre, for Q Artistes, The Royal Naval Club supporting Budgie, Whitley Abbey School, The Windsor Free Festival, the Navigation, the Golden Cross, Baginton Hall, and they supported Hawkwind at the Locarno in Coventry and they also play with Judas Priest, they were planning a tour of colleges and Austria but also did many other gigs.
Their set included the following Nos - What the Hell's Going on / Excalibur / Pink Skies / Space Chopper.
The occult was often one of the influences on their lyrical content.
From HOBO (Coventry Music and Arts Magazine)
"When asked by Q Artistes why they don’t play Slade and Rolling Stones, they replied ‘because Slade and the Rolling Stones play Slade and the Rolling Stones!” That told ‘em!
By 1974, through the efforts on drummer Simon Lovegrove, there was positive interest in Fission from Island Records. Sadly the band was falling apart from inner disputes and excesses and finally they split up. A great shame.
From Hobo Magazine - Edited by Trev Teasdel
INTRODUCING FISSION - Hobo Feature
The Following are from Hobo magazine -
From issue two of HOBO (Coventry Music and Arts Magazine) (July 1973)
(The band had broken up by the time the issue was published although they reformed with a new drummer)
" Fission - who hail from Coventry, are a band, who in my humble opinion, hold much potential if given the chance...
They consist of Johnny Adams on 2nd lead guitar, who is also a talented songwriter, Rick Thawn on lightening fingered 1st lead. Al Varney on bass guitar and stilts! Simon Lovegrove on drums and hairylegs! Ant Callaghan - on lyrics and vocals and other ANTics....
Their music, if it has to be classified, could be termed Jazz/Rock with classical / mediaeval influences, with touches of Hawkwind here and there (which hasn't really classfied it, but at least you know now they are not likely to play Long Haired Lover from Liverpool if you go to see them.)
All their material is self-composed within the group, apart from a few rock faves thrown in to get it off on. The group were formed about 3 moths ago and have had about four gigs, the biggest being the Budgie gig at the Royal Navel Club. They have other gigs lined up, one being with Hawkwind at the Locarno. Like all local groups that I've talked to Fission are victims of the same problems that have plagued the city for a long long time - a) Lack of suitable venues with the city to play at. b) Lack of suitable places in which electric bands can rehearse. Schools and Church Halls have been instrumental in supplying places but because of the volume of electric bands, they have been told to 'turn it down and down' until they are virtually acoustic, and are often not invited to return.
When viewing Fission, the fact that, because of this problem they have had very little electric practice, must be taken into account. Fission feel strongly, with a good many others, that facilities for group rehearsal rooms, where they can practice at their operating volume without being hassled should be got together.
Well, lads, we're working on it, but as always, we're swimming against the tide! Most members of the group hail from bands that are no more, and some who have carried on with replacements. Johnny Adams has played with such bands as Wiser Now, Flying Circus (with whom Rick Thawn also played), The Mick Green Blues Band (along with Simon Lovegrove.) And I promised faithfully that I wouldn't mention that their name is not to be confused with Fission-chips! Oh dear, sorry lads!!!"
Comment on Hobo Website from Simon Lovegrove
" This is a great piece of history. Thanks for the effort and appreciation.
Simon Lovegrove (former drummer with Fission)"
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From Hobo (Coventry's Music And Arts magazine) Issue No 2 August 1973
FISSION
Whose individual components are : - Johnny Adams - 2nd lead guitar / rhythm and acoustic guitars; Rick Thawn on lightening fingered 1st lead guitar; Ant O'Callaghan on lyrics / vocals and other Antics , Al Varney on bass guitar and effects pedals; Simon Lovegrove on drums. All the group compose and their music includes elements of rock / classical / jazz and medieval influences. The group are preparing for a tour of colleges and
other dens of iniquity in the near future.
From Hobo No 3 c Jan 1974)
WINDSOR FREE FESTIVAL and FISSION
Fission, who were the only Coventry band to appear at the Windsor Free Festival, where I believe, they went down quite well, have suffered personal changes. Rick Thawn, lead guitarist, has left and is now involved in a jazzier type of group (Trigon - who later played the Hobo Workshop and involved Paul Samson. The group have a tour of Austria in the air (don't forget your parachutes!).
Simon Lovegrove, drummer, plans to leave the group when the group find a replacement drummer. An organist from London maybe added as a replacement for Rick. The group recently played the Q Artistes Club and when asked by Q why they weren't playing Slade and the Rolling Stones, Ant (the vocalist) replied "Because Slade and the Rolling Stones play Slade and the Rolling Stones!" Nice one Ant.
Fission's first gig at Bagington Hall 1973 with Simon Lovegrove on drums and bass player Al Varney with the hat.
Below with Rick Thawn on guitar
Above Al Varney
Simon Lovegrove in 2007
Above and below Al Varney
Fission at the Hobo Workshop gigs Holyhead Youth Centre `1974
Fission at the Hobo Workshop gigs
Johnny Adams and Rick Thawn were in the above band.
Johnny Adams and Al Varney were in this band after Fission.
Rick Thorn played lead in the Trogon - Jazz Rock after Fission.
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