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Coffin-Dodger Renegades: Bournemouth Beat 1980-1985
The English south coast town
of Bournemouth has long had a reputation for attracting the affluent elderly to
spend their final years on the planet basking in a seemingly pine-tree laden
paradise. As such, its genteel image has ensured that the country’s popular
music press would not touch the place (and its surrounds) with the proverbial
bargepole, instead choosing to focus on fractious provincial musical hotbeds
such as Liverpool and Manchester. However, despite being shunned by the media
(and having to battle against the general local apathy to anything new or
different), there were still local residents young and determined enough to get
their own bands together. Sadly, despite such efforts, very few participants in
the local scene ever “made it” – those odd individuals who did (such as Al
Stewart, and Andy Summers of The Police) had to move up to “The Smoke” to get
anywhere.
Those mentioned above were of
the sixties "beat" era originally inspired by the advent of rock 'n' roll.
However the explosion of punk and the DIY culture in the late 70’s kick-started
a whole new generation of noise-makers. The “Godfathers” of the Bournemouth
new-wave were (The) Tours, who amazingly had their independently-pressed 45
frequently played on the Radio 1 Peel show, and consequently won themselves a
contract with Virgin Records, although (perhaps inevitably) it all ended in
tears. However, this feature mainly showcases acts in the “second-wave”, as I
had moved along the coast to the town in 1981 (from where I came from it seemed
like a glittering metropolis - really), and apart from playing in and recording
with various bands, blagged tapes whenever I could of other projects from
friends and acquaintances I made on the local scene. To some my “hobby” seemed a
bit odd at the time, but in retrospect I’m pleased I made the effort - and not
just so the recordings can appear here. I actually do like most of the tracks
featured below to some degree, and enjoyed listening to them again whilst
transferring to digital format.
Anyway, during my time there,
the local music scene was probably as vibrant as it could be given the area's
relative lack of street-cred. There were several affordable recording studios
available (Misty, Arny’s Shack, Studio 95) where cash-strapped combos could
record demos (to be inevitably rejected by record companies), and live venues
(such as the Midnight Express and Upstairs At Eric's) that featured local
bands as well as “signed” touring ones – and we even got paid for performing our
own material, which is something today’s wannabe’s can only envy. It was also
documented by Coaster Magazine, an independent monthly publication set up to
promote alternative local events that the town’s more traditional (and
conservative) parochial press had no interest in.
However despite all this,
things petered out somewhat by the mid 80’s: the sudden closure of the Midnight as a live
venue at the end of 1983 was a major blow, also the advent of affordable
home-recording technology signalled the demise of the band ethic anyway (some
examples of this trend feature here). I therefore moved on, sporadically
revisiting the town over the following decade or so, before briefly residing
there again in the late 90’s. From what I have seen, local band activity has
since been far less overt than in my day (but then again I’m probably too old
and cynical now to be interested anyway). However, I believe the town has now
acquired some kind of status as a haven for dance ravers – most ironic, given
its previous rep as God’s waiting room.
Now onto the recordings themselves, in rough chronological order with all known info regarding places, dates, and personnel - if anyone out there wishes to correct or add to any details below, please get in touch (thanks to those who have already done so). Also any other comments are invited, especially from those featured here or who otherwise participated in the scene (offers of copies of other related recordings to add to this collection are particularly welcomed).
Click on the track title to listen. Please note: prohibitive costs restrict the tracks to approx 1-minute edits. Anyone interested in obtaining the complete recordings, please email me.
ENEMY SECT –
DOGFIGHT
Recorded in rehearsal c.1980. Personnel: Bev (vocal) Pete Kenton (guitar) Russell Elliott (bass) Adrian Hart (drums).
THE WASTERS –
GUILTY MAN
Recorded at John Dickinson's Studio Bridgewater c.1980. Personnel: Ken Palmer (vocal/guitar) Pat Tedd (guitar/vocal) Dave Emeny (bass/vocal) Pete Evans (drums).
THE CLINIC –
YANGTZE
Recorded c.1980. Personnel: Hew (vocal/guitar) Ted (vocal/guitar) Pete (bass or drums (?))
THE FUTURE CLASSICS –
ESPIONAGE
Recorded live at The Exeter
Bowl August 1980. Personnel: Ken Palmer (vocal/guitar) Alan Lockett
(guitar/vocal)
THE SWITCH –
NOT RECEIVING YOU
Recorded at
WHITE YOUTH IN ASIA – DAYS OF YOUTH
Recorded c.1980. Personnel: Hew (vocal/guitar) Ted (vocal/guitar) Marc Long (drums (?)) A.N. Other (bass)
7EVEN – DANCING IN THE RED ZONE
Recorded at Misty Studio c.
early 1981. Personnel: Paul Chambers (vocal) Alan Lockett (guitars/vocal)
Kevin Ellis (keyboards) Steven Jeffs (bass) Mike Barnes (drums).
THE INSTANTS – FAR OUT GAMES
Recorded at Misty April 1981. Personnel: Joe Morelli (vocal/guitar) Mark Pentling (guitar) Gavin Underhill (synth) Russell Elliott (bass) Paul Morgan (drums).
PLAY FOR TODAY –
WORSHIP
Recorded c.1981. Personnel:
Lorraine (vocal) Dave Gillespie (guitar/synth) Trevor Ricketts (bass) Chris Foot
(drums).
THE CHOIRBOYS – LIVING DEAD
Recorded c. summer 1981. Personnel: Paul Case (drums). Other personnel unknown.
OBSERVANT TRAINS – IT’S YOU
Recorded c.1981. Personnel: Marc Long a.k.a. Marc Ford (vocal/instruments/programming(?)).
THE CHASE – FIT TOGETHER
Recorded at Dave Foster’s
Studio c.1981. Personnel: Adrienne Loehry and Sarah Quilter (vocals) Steve Smith
(keyboards/vocal) Paul Holman (guitar/vocal) Andy Place
(drums/vocal).
MENU – WAITING FOR A STRANGER
Recorded c.1981. Personnel: Andy Janik (vocal/guitar) Rob Poole (guitar) Richard Furter (bass/vocal) Andy Park (drums) A.N. Other (saxophone).
KISSING SHARKS – THERE’S NO DANGER
Recorded at Misty c.1981.
Personnel: Paddy O’Toole (vocal/guitar) Mike Cotton (vocal/bass) Pete Evans
(drums).
KHMER ROUGE – TURN IT OUT
Recorded at Misty April 1982.
Personnel: Pete Kenton (vocals/guitar) Helen Willis (vocals) Gavin Underhill
(keyboards) Russell Elliott (bass) Mark Bishop (drums/congas).
GHOST KLUB – LISTENING TO THE LANGUAGE
Recorded at Misty 1982. Personnel: Stephen Palfrey (vocal) Ian Hannen (guitar) Julian Robinson (guitar) Vaughan Williams (bass) Martin Gale (drums).
STRAWBERRY 5 - RELAPSE
Recorded live at The Midnight
Express May 1982. Personnel: Tim Brown (vocal/harmonica) Mark Conroy (guitar)
Henry Brown (synth) Brian Edge (bass) Mark Bishop (drums).
LOCO – TEAR DOWN THE MYSTERY
Home demo recorded c.1982.
Personnel: Alan Lockett (vocals/guitars/bass) Dr Rhythm (drums).
RHINO JIVE – SO LONG SINCE WE WERE YOUNG
Recorded live at The Midnight Express January 1983. Personnel: Peter Goslin (vocal/synth) Adam Crew-Gee (guitar) Guy Snook (bass/vocal) James Surridge (drums) Sarah-Jane Woodward and Andrea (backing vocals).
Home demo recorded on Akai
2-track reel-to-reel c. early 1983. Personnel: Joe Morelli (vocal/guitars) Guy
Cresswell (bass) Dr Rhythm (drums).
E.B. DANCE – AFRICA
Recorded live at The Academy
February 1983. Personnel: Tony Myers (vocal/saxophone) Nick McAvoy
(vocal/saxophone) Terry Spiers (saxophone) Paul Smith (guitar) Paul Darville
(bass) Mark Spiers (drums) Mike Cullen a.k.a. Plim (percussion).
BLUE NILE – SAILING ON ICE
Recorded at Arny’s Shack
March 1983. Personnel: Vicky Hamilton (vocals) Alan Lockett (guitars/vocal) Gavin Underhill (synth) Russell Elliott (bass) Mark Bishop (drums)
Sarah-Jane & Andrea (backing vocals).
PETE & HELEN – HOW DOES IT GO AGAIN
Home demo recorded 1983.
Personnel: Pete Kenton (vocal/guitar) Helen Willis (vocal) Adrian Hart
(keyboards/programming).
LOVE ON THE DOLE – COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN
Recorded live in Poole July
1983. Personnel: Joe Morelli (vocal/guitar) Tony Lucas (synth bass) Nick
Waugh (drums) The Dolettes (backing vocals).
SK
Recorded at Misty October 1983. Personnel: Lee a.k.a. Sketch (vocals) Alan Lockett (guitars) Gavin Underhill (keyboards) Russell Elliott (bass) Mark Bishop (drums).
NICK WAUGH – IN RETROSPECT
Recorded at Studio 95 c.1984. Personnel: Nick Waugh (vocals/acoustic guitar/percussion).
DANZE FRAKCHA – WE CAN WISH
Recorded at Studio 95 April 1984. Personnel: Nick McAvoy (vocals/saxophone) Tony Lucas (guitar) Gavin Underhill (synth) Nick Hamper (bass) Chris Veals ("Simmons" drums) Plim (percussion).
JILL – TALK SOME TRASH
Recorded at Dave Foster’s 1984. Personnel: Jill Cavelle (vocals) Alan Lockett (guitars/synths/programming) Mark Bishop (percussion).
IDIOM TRIBE – TURN THE TABLES
Recorded at Studio 95 1984. Personnel: Tim McAuliffe (vocal) John Webb (guitars) Martin Burden a.k.a. Budge Magraw (bass) John Small (drums) Nick McAvoy (saxophone).
BELLAFON – BELLAFON
Recorded at Studio 95 c. summer 1984. Personnel: Jayne Bennett (vocal) Brett Green (guitars) Phil Millward (bass) Steve (drums).
IN AT THE DEEP END – IMAGES
Recorded at Arny’s Shack c. summer 1984. Personnel: Martin Warman (vocal/guitars) Guy Cresswell (bass) Mark Bishop (drums).
JOE MORELLI – ROAD TO UTOPIA
Home demo recorded on Akai 2-track reel-to-reel c.1984. Personnel: Joe Morelli (vocals/acoustic guitar/synth) Dr Rhythm (drums).
HOUSE ON FIRE – LIVING LIKE STRANGERS
Recorded live at The Rooftop (formerly Upstairs at Erics) 1985. Personnel: Graham Davies (vocal/acoustic guitar) Paul Read (guitar) Martin Davies (bass) Nick Waugh (drums/vocal).
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The above list may seem extensive, but for every act featured here there were at least two more active on the local scene, most of which I never even saw (or heard), never mind acquiring a recording of - in retrospect, wish I'd tried a bit harder now! Notable absentees include (relative) big-shots such as (The) Cosmetics (featuring former Tour Richard Mazda, who went on to carve out a career as a producer, whilst other members later had chart success with Tom Robinson and Terence Trent Darby) and Biz Internationale (who released a 45 on a major label and supported Tina Turner on tour: they were fronted by another ex-Tour and local legend Ronnie Mayor, whose "We're not worthy" status meant I never had the bottle to ask for a tape, despite seeing the band perform at least twice).
Here’s a (probably not exhaustive) roll-call of other early-to-mid 80’s Bournemouth and Poole popsters (plus those from the contiguous area also involved), mostly plucked from the pages of Coaster (I still have the back-copies in my possession) - like those featured above, most if not all wrote and performed original material to some extent, the styles of music ranging from raw punk to jazz-funk:
Da Biz (morphed into Biz Internationale) / Apres Ski (mostly ex-Biz Internationale) / Hollows (morphed into Kissing Sharks) / Rive Gauche (morphed into Rhino Jive) / The Accused (morphed into Prima Voice) / Prima Voice / Impossible Extras (a Prima Voice offshoot) / Fascinators (another Prima Voice offshoot) / CaVa CaVa (amazingly secured a major record contract thanks to then-top-DJ Peter Powell, but consequently sank without trace despite massive industry hype) / Self Abuse (reformed a few years back and are still going strong) / Intestines (have now been around for over 30 years) / Charm School (mostly ex-Chase) / The Skavengers / Contacts / Rikki and the Cufflinks / Elysian Fields / Freedom Fighter / Surfin’ Dave / The Living Daylights / Agent Orange / XS / Scratch (featuring Paul Stacey of Oasis fame) / Scribbly Scratch / The Outsiders / Luther / Shyboys / Dancing-In-English / Dancing On The Ceiling / Dansette / Martial Law / Martian Schoolgirls (featuring one “Jim Slip” – probably not his given name) / The Mad are Sane / De Rigueur / Ici La / Parasites / Animal Haircuts / Zen / Axecution / Dissidents / Tim Holliday and the Last Resorts (ho ho) / The Marxist Brothers (morphed into Unrest Work and Play) / Day One / Electric Boy / Men In The Garden / Hi Roller / Avante / Truffle / The Grip / Demented / Josh and Jon at the Junkyard / Butcher / Blue Cadillacs / Gringo / Damocles / The Flares Of Satan / Mission Implausible / Confessions of Sin / Pleasure of the Void / Micky Fudge / The Press / Subhumans / Manhattan Slide / Credits / Tortured Youth / The God Squad / Rix / Helicopter Men / Jack In Irons / The Illegitimate / Hippo / Licks 'n' Vixen / Crying Shame / Bazuzu / Chain Reaction / Dylemma / Magnetics / Slupia Nova / The Unit / Dance Problem / Rocky and the Hurricanes / Model Citizens / Watch / The Third Side / Roadworks / High Risk / Dick Strempo / The Government / Mr Blase / Item 16 / Man Bites Dog / Red Square / Driving Force / Frank Slob and the Slobettes / The Big Sleep / Agagaga / Single Out / Pig On Heat / Chasing Frames / The Void / Shock to the System / Unicorn / Belladonna Milkshake / The Ears / Rooms Over Passageways / Fury / Silent Attack / Random Hold / Opera / The Executives / Shicane / Molten Death / Gerry Hackett and the Fringes / The Human Tortoise / Surge / Peeping Toms / Florida / Cabin Boys / The Processors / Treason / River Run Red / B4 / Rib Joints / Toxic Shock / Waveband / The Erics / Nature's Rave / Readers Wives / TV Slaves / Point Blank / Mousey and the Cheesy Bits / The Pressure Group / Takano / Ulterior Motive / Tales From The Riverbank / The Chuck Janski Five / Rich Bitch / Syndicate / Yip Yip Coyote / Wotzat / The Conspiracy / Givin’ Hed (ooh er missus)... and that doesn't include the folkies and "straight" jazzers! N.B. if anybody out there knows of any related websites for anyone credited here that I've not already linked to, then please get in touch...
Brief reviews of gigs by some of the acts mentioned can be found by clicking here. Several of those listed above were also featured on an early 80's compilation LP called The Apprentices Dance (only released in the States). And if you have a general interest in the UK post-punk DIY scene, then check out the Messthetics series of CD's (again, an American label - it seems the Yanks have a lot more respect for this music than we do ourselves...)
Danze Frakcha press cutting 1984
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Update January 2010:
In the interests of expanding this site, I recently managed to acquire a copy of the above-mentioned LP The Apprentices Dance (at considerable expense, but less than the going rate for what has become a collector's item). It volunteers relatively little information about those featured on it (7 acts contributed 2 tracks each), including the significance of what to me is a puzzling and irrelevant title (answers on a postcard - sorry, in an email, thanks). According to Coaster magazine, Ronnie Mayor put together the compilation on a "very stringy shoestring budget" - at a guess, the other acts involved "donated" their (demo) recordings in exchange for forthcoming royalties after the album's release. But if that was so, I'd be surprised if they ever saw a cent from it! Anyway, below are sample sounds from the album, with what info I could glean from the sleeve:
TOURS - LANGUAGE SCHOOL
Recorded at Spaceward Studios May 1979. Written by Ronnie Mayor.
CONTACTS - YOUNG GIRLS
Recorded at Movement Studios July 1980. Written by Janik/Dobson.
SURFIN' DAVE - STATESIDE CENTRE
Recorded at Misty Studio March 1981. Written by Dave Colman/Kevan Mayor.
DA BIZ - ON THE BEACH
Recorded at Movement and Rockfield Studios 1980. Written by Ronnie Mayor.
PAUL CHAMBERS - TAKE A TICKET
Recorded at Movement Studios May 1980. Written by Paul Chambers.
HOLLOWS - HOLLOW MAN
Recorded at Misty Studio May 1981. Written by O'Toole/Cotton.
CAVA CAVA - A MAN IN SORROW
Recorded at Misty Studio February 1981. Written by Paris/Hixon/Hixon/Hallet.
Not having heard anything by the acts on this album prior to getting hold of it, I thought it would be an interesting exercise to write a review - you can read my thoughts on it on discogs.
Also, if like me you wish to indulge in further reminiscences of the Bournemouth band/gig/club scene from days gone by (and you don't mind perusing those dreadful "community" sites), then check out "The Third Side and Beyond" and Hampshire & Dorset Musicians Past & Present (that's a bit of a mouthful - it should have just been called "Bournemouth Muso's"!)
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Update summer 2010:
1 - I have contributed quite a few photos to the H&DMP&P Facebook group page (link above), some of which are not on this site...
2 - The Bournemouth Evening Echo has published not one but two features on the 80's Bournemouth band scene in recent years (partially based on my own recollections), which shows just how times have changed - click on the titles below to view:
And The Beat Goes On (2002) - printed in the Echo magazine, from phone interview conducted by BEE reporter Nick Churchill
Sounds Of '80s Respooled (2010) - another Nick Churchill article using material taken from this page (online version here)
3 - You might be interested to hear that reissue/archive specialists Cherry Red Records have put out a (mostly previously unreleased) Tours CD compilation... a mere 30 years after the tracks were originally recorded!
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Update April 2011:
A fellow participant (who wishes to remain anonymous) has kindly sent me copies of Bournemouth music scene-related recordings (owned by himself and other friends and acquaintances) that were actually pressed and released as 7" 45's or EP's - here's a few selected samples (thanks to all those concerned):
THE TALKIES - MONDAY MORNING
From Aerco EP AERE-1108, released 1978. Personnel: Richard Mazda (vocal/guitar). Other personnel unknown.
THE SKAVENGERS - PARTY GIRLS
From Identity Discs EP ID 001, released 1980. Personnel: Pete Christie (vocal/guitar) Chris Haines (bass/vocal) Dave Parsons (drums).
COSMETICS - GUILT
From Virgin 45 VS 340, released 1980. Personnel: Richard Mazda (vocal/guitar) Mike Barnes (drums). Other personnel unknown.
RONNIE MAYOR - THEME FOR A HOLIDAY
From Do It Records 45 DUN 15, released 1981. Personnel: Ronnie Mayor (guitar). Other personnel unknown.
BIZ INTERNATIONALE - STAY TRUE
From WEA 45 K 19253, released 1982. Personnel: Ronnie Mayor (vocals/guitar) Bob Harder (keyboards) Graham Millman (trumpet) Martin Bradford (saxophone) Ian Sandy (bass) Nicky Buckle (drums) Paul Beavis (percussion).
My modest and mysterious fellow ex-scenester has also donated more recordings to the cause - here are a few more selected snippets:
THE MOPEDS - I'M A PERVERT
Recorded 1978. Personnel: Andy Janik (vocal/guitar) Dave Parsons (drums/vocal) A.N. Other (bass/vocal).
INTERFERENCE - VISUAL
Recorded c. late 1970's. Personnel: John Lilley (vocal/guitar) Paddy O'Toole (keyboards) Mike Cotton (bass) Pete Abrahams (drums).
THE 53 RUMANIANS - THE THREE RUMANIANS
Recorded c.1980. Personnel unknown.
TOCAIROGO - FRIENDSHIP
Recorded at Arny's Shack c.1984. Personnel: John Lilley (vocal/guitar) Ian Sandy (keyboards/bass) Dave Parsons (drums).
In for a penny, in for a pound: here's some more tracks from my own collection that never made it when the site originally went online (including a few by ex-pats done just after the period in question):
JOE MESSAGE - JUDY WAS A PUNK
Home demo recorded c.1980. Personnel: Joe Message (vocal/guitars/keyboard/rhythm).
MIKE DOBSON - REMEMBER THE HEAT
Recorded c.1981. Personnel: Mike Dobson (vocal/guitar). Other personnel unknown.
LIAM KING - UNDER THE PRESSURE OF LOVE
Recorded at Studio 95 1983. Personnel: Nick McAvoy (vocals/programming) Nick Hamper (bass (?)). Other personnel unknown.
FASCINATORS - STANDING IN THE LIGHT
Recorded at Misty (?) c.1985. Personnel: Mick Whitlock (vocals (?)). Other personnel unknown.
BURNING BEAT BABIES - SHE'S FALLEN IN LOVE
Recorded in London c.1986. Personnel: Mark "George" Cokes (vocal/guitar) Jeff Smith (bass/vocal) Mark Bishop (drums).
VICKY & GERALDO - ALL NIGHT ALL NIGHT
Recorded in London c.1986. Personnel: Vicky Hamilton (vocals) Geraldo D'Arbilly (vocal/instruments/programming).
BEAT MANIACS - SATISFIED
Recorded in London 1987. Personnel: Paddy O'Toole (vocal/guitar) Mike Cotton (vocal/bass) Mark Bishop (drums).
BAND UNKNOWN - TITLE UNKNOWN
Recorded c. mid 1980's (?). Personnel unknown.
It may possibly pique your curiosity that I have recently been contacted by Luther, whom some may recall being an active local musician back then. He claims that my overview (and recollection) of the scene is biased, and asserts that his own bands were "bigger and better" than the likes of Cosmetics and Biz Internationale (and should get due credit accordingly). I have invited him to submit some recordings that I could feature on the site (whereby listeners could decide for themselves, at least in musical terms if not status), but sadly none have yet been forthcoming...
One more thing: if you were involved in the Bournemouth early 80's music scene then you will probably be aware of (or even have participated in) the annual Bournemouth Beat Contest held in the Winter Gardens at the height of summer (and organised by legendary England "John Bull" mascot Ken Baily). Some acts that entered (such as my first Bournemouth band The Instants in 1981) may have had genuine aspirations to actually win, but others approached it in a less-committed manner, taking it as an opportunity to indulge themselves in one-off projects/collaborations of an experimental/weird nature, as typified by this video - as Bones might have said to Captain Kirk: "It's art Jim, but not as we know it!"
Please Note: The author states that works of intellectual property by other parties (who may hold legal copyright) are featured on this site only for posterity, and not for financial gain. Should those concerned object to the continued presence of their work on legal or moral grounds, it can reluctantly be removed from the site (but not necessarily the expressed personal views relating to that work). In Plain English: If you have a problem with stuff displayed on this site that you were involved in, then contact me and hopefully we can work something out to mutual satisfaction...
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