Leicester Acemen
Tom Long - drummer.
Tom has played in so many Coventry bands from the early 60's onwards.
His band include Jason and the Canaenites, The Fireflies, The Blue Beats, The Stringbeats, Pat Gissane Showband and Tuxedo Junction.
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Leicester Acemen
Tom has played in so many Coventry bands from the early 60's onwards.
His band include Jason and the Canaenites, The Fireflies, The Blue Beats, The Stringbeats, Pat Gissane Showband and Tuxedo Junction.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
The Leftovers
The Leftovers
Las Vegas Show Band
Las Vegas Show Band
Paul Ashfield - guitar,
John Redfern - bass,
Allan Shepard - sax,
Heydon Baker - trombone,
Steve ? drums,
Barry O'keefe trumpet.
Last Fair Deal
Last Fair Deal
They took their title from the country blues song "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" by blues musician Robert Johnson recorded in 1936.
The original line up in 1969 - 70 was - John Gravenor (Wandering John) - Vocals / John Westacott (Whistler) - Harmonica / Violin / John Alderson (Wandering John) - Dobro (Delta Resonator Guitar).
This three piece would in between the sets of the main band Wandering John as an acoustic blues session and separately at folk or acoustic gigs. They played the Transcendental Cauldron at the Coventry Arts Umbrella Club for instance and their 1969 Music Marathon. They also played Pete Waterman's Progressive Music night at the The Walsgrave - see the ticket below.
Songs included were Louisiana Blues, There's a Man Going Round Taking Names..
Quite refreshing and authentic versions.
Wandering John and Last Fair Deal had split up by early 1971 but by 1973 guitarist John Alderson had moved to Saudersfoot in Wales and formed a new duo called Last Fair Deal - see the card - with songwriter Piet Brinton, with different and original material. They entered the Melody Maker Competition in that Year and also sent a tape off to - I think - Island records. Nothing came of these initiatives but the duo played around some of the local venues and festivals in Wales.
Photo from the Melody Maker 1973
Below - early Last Fair deal at the Coventry Arts Umbrella Club 1969.
Once again by 2001 (the earliest I head of the outfit) back in Coventry John Alderson formed a new electric and acoustic version of Last Fair deal doing blues numbers once more. The electric line up included John Alderson on guitars, Tim James (ex Ra Ho Tep) on blues harp and saxophone and vocals, Steve Thomas bass, Jeff Durow drums.
The acoustic version consisted of John Alderson on dobro and Tim James on harp and sax and vocals. The pair often worked in schools offering blues sessions for music departments.
In 2010 Wandering John reformed for the 40th anniversary playing to a packed audience at the Coventry Sphinx club and the original Last Fair Deal played there in between sets as originally.
The concert was filmed by Nomad (Gordon Smith of Lyme Regis Internet TV) and near the top of the page you'll find footage of the Last Fair Deal.
The Labtechs
The Labtechs
Bill Keller tells us "The Labtechs were an innovative, Rugby-based band playing at the end of the 1970s. This EP was recorded at Bird Sound studios, in November '79. (Somewhere, I have a cassette tape of the sessions.) Robin Jones and I have very recently re-acquainted ourselves, after a near 40 year break."
Line up -
Robin Jones - Lead Vocals Guitars
Steve Nash - Drums / Percussion
Bill Keller - Bass Guitar
Paul Desmond - Keyboards / Synthesiser
Line up -
Robin Jones - Lead Vocals Guitars
Steve Nash - Drums / Percussion
Bill Keller - Bass Guitar
Paul Desmond - Keyboards / Synthesiser
Tracks
Side 1
Don't Wanna Go (Where Rob Don't Go)
Volts per Octave
Side 2
Stretch the Beam
The Other Side of the Wave.
Sunday, February 13, 2022
My Favourite Things
My Favourite Things
John O'Sullivan - vocals & guitar, Simon O'Grady - bass & vocals, Peter Burke - drums & vocals
Early band in 1978 was Shades - formed 20 Days - merged into Hungry I - changed name to My Favourite Things. See entry for 20 Days for more info.
Memories from John O'Sullivan (Via Rex Brough)
Following the Hungry i split, I relaunched my trio under the name My Favourite Things. A self-styled 'Beat Group for the Zen Generation' (whatever that means!), we played regular London gigs and released two 7" singles, 'Fruit Machine' & 'Syd' (the latter a joint single with Nocturnal Babies). The high point of the band was probably supporting INXS. The band played their last gig at the Golden Cross in Coventry 1996, the rhythm section opting to concentrate on marriage, steady employment and having kids.
Singles
- 'Fruit Machine'
- 'Syd' (a joint single with Nocturnal Babies)
"The boys took the name My Favourite Things. Between 1992 and 96, they blazed a trail from Coventry to London and back again, generating a great deal of interest from industry and fans alike. Fan mail came in from all over the known world, (via the postman of course, this being long before the invention of things like electricity & email! By eck!) But ultimately, despite getting very close and constantly being referred to (mostly by themselves) as the next Cov band to make the big time, no banana sandwiches were forthcoming. They decided to sign themselves on the dotted line and released their own record, Fruit Machine / Memphis on 7" vinyl. Another song, Daydream Violence, was released on 7" EP by indie label 25 Records, but nobody knows too much about that, not even the band. Many fine gigs were played in Coventry, London, Brighton (sometimes all on the same day!) Their biggest gig was not a charity concert, it was as sole support act to Australian bigger boys INXS. Michael Hutchence said to them "Ah, there you are!" and they have never since forgotten, or understood, his mystical words. Their last record and arguably their finest moment was Syd (one side of a joint 7" single with Coventry legends the Nocturnal Babies). Syd was inspired by long time hero of the
band Syd Barrett (so...not Sid James then?) The band played their last regular gig at the Golden Cross in Coventry in 1996, to much whaling and splashing of fins, but...legend said they would return...and they did! Nov 4th 2009, the lads played live in Coventry once again. The legend lives on in it's own lunchtime! p.s. To anyone one who's actually read as far as here...thanks for stopping by, come back and see us soon, we'll get some tea & biscuits in for next time! Cheers!"
Early band in 1978 was Shades - formed 20 Days - merged into Hungry I - changed name to My Favourite Things. See entry for 20 Days for more info.
Memories from John O'Sullivan (Via Rex Brough)
Following the Hungry i split, I relaunched my trio under the name My Favourite Things. A self-styled 'Beat Group for the Zen Generation' (whatever that means!), we played regular London gigs and released two 7" singles, 'Fruit Machine' & 'Syd' (the latter a joint single with Nocturnal Babies). The high point of the band was probably supporting INXS. The band played their last gig at the Golden Cross in Coventry 1996, the rhythm section opting to concentrate on marriage, steady employment and having kids.
Singles
- 'Fruit Machine'
- 'Syd' (a joint single with Nocturnal Babies)
"The boys took the name My Favourite Things. Between 1992 and 96, they blazed a trail from Coventry to London and back again, generating a great deal of interest from industry and fans alike. Fan mail came in from all over the known world, (via the postman of course, this being long before the invention of things like electricity & email! By eck!) But ultimately, despite getting very close and constantly being referred to (mostly by themselves) as the next Cov band to make the big time, no banana sandwiches were forthcoming. They decided to sign themselves on the dotted line and released their own record, Fruit Machine / Memphis on 7" vinyl. Another song, Daydream Violence, was released on 7" EP by indie label 25 Records, but nobody knows too much about that, not even the band. Many fine gigs were played in Coventry, London, Brighton (sometimes all on the same day!) Their biggest gig was not a charity concert, it was as sole support act to Australian bigger boys INXS. Michael Hutchence said to them "Ah, there you are!" and they have never since forgotten, or understood, his mystical words. Their last record and arguably their finest moment was Syd (one side of a joint 7" single with Coventry legends the Nocturnal Babies). Syd was inspired by long time hero of the
band Syd Barrett (so...not Sid James then?) The band played their last regular gig at the Golden Cross in Coventry in 1996, to much whaling and splashing of fins, but...legend said they would return...and they did! Nov 4th 2009, the lads played live in Coventry once again. The legend lives on in it's own lunchtime! p.s. To anyone one who's actually read as far as here...thanks for stopping by, come back and see us soon, we'll get some tea & biscuits in for next time! Cheers!"
THE MUSTANGS
THE MUSTANGS
The MUSTANGS
circa 1965 Source - Broadgate Gnome
Beat group from Kenilworth
Line up: Mick ? (Martin Noble?) - guitarist/ vocalist, Pat Brook - bass/leader, Lynne Curtis - female vocals, Tony Fennell - drums
NEW, Nov 2015 Bass player Chris Allan, tells us that The line-up on the photo shown (from 1963) is as follows:
Back Row: L-R
Pat Brook, Leader/R Guitar, Lynne Curtis vocals, Colin Gozney drums, Chris Allen bass
Front Row L-R
Ricky Starr (Dave Barlow) vocals, Martin Williams Lead guitar, Mike Burns (Mike Smith) vocals.
Chris also says
"Yes, there were 3 vocalists at the time! Lynne was the best looking (and Pat Brook's girlfriend for a long time). I actually introduced her to the Mustangs. Her parents ran the New Yorker coffee bar in Leamington, where I lived then and still do. One night I heard her singing an impromptu song with some members of The Challengers, who were there. Afterwards I asked her to come to a rehearsal with the Mustangs. She promptly joined us and we got a lot more bookings!."
circa 1965 Source - Broadgate Gnome
Beat group from Kenilworth
Line up: Mick ? (Martin Noble?) - guitarist/ vocalist, Pat Brook - bass/leader, Lynne Curtis - female vocals, Tony Fennell - drums
NEW, Nov 2015 Bass player Chris Allan, tells us that The line-up on the photo shown (from 1963) is as follows:
Back Row: L-R
Pat Brook, Leader/R Guitar, Lynne Curtis vocals, Colin Gozney drums, Chris Allen bass
Front Row L-R
Ricky Starr (Dave Barlow) vocals, Martin Williams Lead guitar, Mike Burns (Mike Smith) vocals.
Chris also says
"Yes, there were 3 vocalists at the time! Lynne was the best looking (and Pat Brook's girlfriend for a long time). I actually introduced her to the Mustangs. Her parents ran the New Yorker coffee bar in Leamington, where I lived then and still do. One night I heard her singing an impromptu song with some members of The Challengers, who were there. Afterwards I asked her to come to a rehearsal with the Mustangs. She promptly joined us and we got a lot more bookings!."
Drummer, Tony Fennell told Broadgate Gnome, "This was a long time ago!!!! 3 guitars and drums plus girl vocals. I must have started the band 1961-ish and left 1963-ish. Apart from demos no recording deals. I lost track of the band when I left to dep. for other bands. We played local venues - Coventry Locarno - sharing bills with The Challengers, Avengers, Matadors. - Chesford Grange - Played at Northern venues and Skegness supporting Shane Fenton & The Fentones. Other local venues I can remember were Coventry Matrix, Leofric Hotel. Don’t know of any bands members joining any other bands.
"I played with the Mustangs in Coventry in the 60’s. We had a girl singer called Lynne Curtis who I recall recorded for Larry Page (Manager of the Orchid Ballroom). Pat Brookes was bass guitarist and leader . We played most venues in the area and often appeared at The Coventry Locarno."
Pete Chambers from Godiva Rocked to a Backbeat
"Kenilworth's big rock n roll band of the early 60's.Lynne Curtis fronted the band for a time as did Ricky Starr and his DA haircut! Lynn went on to release the country influenced Decca 45 House for Sale. The Mustangs were one of the first ever bands to use echo effect. Martin Noble borrowed his dad's Telefunken reel to reel tape recorder and inserted a switch that made it play back within a spilt second - instant echo! They could only play for 45 mins as the tape would run out. They decided Fender guitars were American and old hat so invested in Burns guitars which the Shadows used (big mistake). They were certainly well made and finished. We also invested in Vox AC 30 amps and speaker cabs. We met Vince Martin who was at the tail end of his singing career but who could still make Ricky Starr look second rate, especially in his gold lame suit. Vince did a few gigs with us and livened up the band no end."
Ted Bean joined The Mustangs and The Incas from the Challengers.
Lynne Curtis
House for Sale / Decca F 11869 - Released March 64
Tracklist
A - House For Sale. Written-By – Klein*, Hoffman*
B - My Little Boy. Written-By – Tilzer*, Lewis*, Dillon*
House for Sale "Country tinged" according to Pete Chambers.
Record man says " I've just stumbled on an old press clipping about Miss Curtis. She was from the Midlands (Kenilworth actually) and an American release on President was apparently planned to coincide with the UK release. I can't see that that ever happened and two other tracks she recorded at the same time (according to the press story) 'Gonna Make A Man Outta You' and 'The Night of The Dance' seem to have remained on the shelf." http://www.45cat.com/record/f11869
NME review Mar 27, 1964.
President Records production
XDR.32138 : Kassner Music Ltd.
XDR.32140 : Francis, Day & Hunter.
Link to the SINGLE audio - but not sure if this link is safe - haven't tried it myself - At you're own risk! http://onetunes.ru/rid-cgfgide/House-For-Sale
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