72nd Year! 
72nd Year!
The Whole Story of The Famous Kinema Ballroom Dunfermline
(and the Cinemas of Dunfermline & Rosyth)
72nd Year! |
| Biogz 'T'
Here you will find some short biographies (Biogz) of solo artists whose surname commences with this letter or bands with names commencing with this letter (omitting any commonly used prefix such as 'The'). Click on the name below or scroll down the page at your leisure. T-Bones
Gary Farr – lead vocals, harmonica A British beat group not to be confused with an American group of the same name that had an instrumental hit in 1965 with ‘No Matter What Shape’. Gary Farr (whose father was British Heavyweight Boxing champion Tommy Farr) played folk & blues around the pubs and clubs in Worthing/Sussex area and formed ‘The T-Bones’ in february 1964 in Brighton, Sussex. Although Keith Emerson was a member for a time, the only recording to which he contributed ‘Together Forever’ was never released. Failing to make any kind of chart impression, they split in December 1966. Later Farr had a solo career and appeared at The Isle Of Wight Festivals in 1969 & 1970. Sadly he died in Los Angeles in August 1994. Singles: E.P. Ghoulz (2007/10) & John Warburg
High energy disco singer Taffy (real name Katherine Quaye) was born in 1963 in New York. She was best known in the UK for her hit single 'I Love My Radio (My Dee Jay's Radio)' (1987) #6 UK chart after success in France with the original version of the same song in 1985. She had limited success in Italy & Germany between 1984 & 1987 though only charting once more in the UK at #59 with 'Step By Step' in 1987.
'Talkin' To Walls' released a 7" single 'Mr Nice Guy' on Trigger in 1987, the same year they played the ballroom.
Dougie Cochrane - vocals Male duo who released a 7" single 'Song Of My Life' / 'Shapes And Shadows' on the 'Chapter One' label in September 1969.
Original Line-Up: Traditional Scottish musicians 'The Tannahill Weavers' are named after Scottish poet Robert Tannahill and were formed in Paisley, Scotland in 1968. The group has had many line-up changes, but continues with a strong Celtic flavour in the music, which combines bagpipes and other acoustic instruments with electric sounds. They have toured and recorded since 1976 and originally practiced in the McKay family's rented Council house at 41 St. Ninian's Road, Hunterhill in Paisley! Current line-up: Other members have included:
Rory Gallagher - Guitar & Vocals Richard McCracken - Bass Born 2nd March 1949 in Ballyshannon, Donegal, Ireland, Rory’s first ‘proper’ band followed membership of several school bands and was known as ‘The Fontana Showband’ and later as ‘The Impact’. With 1965 came residencies in Hamburg, playing Chuck Berry covers and the like. 1966 saw the formation of ‘Taste’ with Norman Damery & Eric Kitteringham though they were replaced before long with Charlie McCracken & John Wilson from (from 'Them'). Their eponymous debut album ‘Taste’ (1969) garnered little interest though their second offering, ‘On The Boards’ faired much better with a UK Chart high of #18 and this helped to establish Gallagher’s reputation as a formidable blues guitarist. Taste’s future came to an abrupt halt though when Rory decided to split in early 1971 after a final Taste album ‘Live Taste’. Charlie McCracken & John Wilson went on to form 'Stud' for a short while until McCracken joined the reformed Spencer Davis Group. Rory wasted no time in releasing his debut solo effort in May 1971 ‘Rory Gallagher' with assistance from Gerry MacAvoy (bass) and Wilgar Campbell (drums) and hit #32 in the process. Over the subsequent years other collaborators included: Fourteen albums later, including ‘Live In Europe’ (1972) his only top ten UK hit, through to his last, ‘Fresh Evidence’ in 1990, he died of liver transplant complications on 14th June 1995 caused or at least exacerbated by a long serious drink habit. Rory Gallagher was loved & respected in equal measure by fans & the blues fraternity for his no-nonsense ‘feet on the ground’ personality and professional integrity. He was known as ‘the working man’s guitarist’ for his attitude and appearance as he would usually sport a chequered shirt, jeans & tousled hair.
Cyril Tawney celebrated forty years as a full time professional musician on 4th May 1999. He was a submariner in the British Royal Navy and it was in entertaining duties that he found his niche in folk music. In 1959 he became the only regular serviceman to have his own fully networked TV programme and subsequently he bought his way out of service and began a professional folk singing/song writing career. He is well known for the classic folk song 'Sally Free And Easy'. Cyril died on Sunday 21st April 2005.
Mel Taylor performs tribute shows as Shania Twain or Sharleen Spiteri of Texas with a live backing band.
Alistair 'Zal' Cleminson - guitar Ted McKenna - drums (Black Rab - roadie Tear Gas may have been the first group based in Scotland to release an LP (rather than one made up of Scotsmen). Cleminson and Batchelor had been in a band called the Bo Weavles as guitarist and organist respectively along with Jimmy Brand (drums) and Ricky Archibald (bass) and George Gilmour (vocals). On the departure of Gilmour to take up theatre work, the band's name was updated to 'Mustard' and the ex-Poet Andy Mulvey took on the vocals. More personnel shake ups saw Munro come in from 'Right Tyme', Glenn from 'Jade', Campbell from the recently defunct Beatstalkers and Dave Batchelor switch to vocals. To emphasise this fresh start, the name was changed again and so it was that in early 1969 - Tear Gas exploded on the Scottish rock scene. As said, Tear Gas actually got to make (and release!) an LP ('Piggy Go Getter' SFMA 5751) - an unheard of event for a group based in Scotland other than the Alexander Brothers and their like. On the 'Famous G' label. Wullie then joined Berserk Crocodiles and Ted McKenna from the freshly collapsed Dream Police replaced him. Eddie Campbell quit and was not instantly replaced. A second LP, 'Tear Gas' on the Regal Zonaphone label was released by this revised line up. All tracks on the second LP are 'hard 'n heavy rock'. Again not terribly memorable apart from 'Love Story', a highlight of the stage act, whose arrangement was visited again by SAHB on the 'Penthouse Tapes'. One is left with the feeling that the band was a couple of years behind the times in their material and the union with Alex Harvey was the shot in the arm of originality they needed. After the failure of the 'Tear Gas' LP, Ted McKenna's cousin, Hugh McKenna, was drafted in on keyboards and backing vocals but Davie Batchelor soon left to go into production - he produced the Sensational Alex Harvey Band stuff. Hugh took over the lead vocals and this is the line-up that returned to Glasgow to join up with Alex Harvey after an unsuccessful stint in London. See The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Info courtesy of: www.rockingscots.co.uk Dave Batchelor would also produce The Skids.
Telford & Charmaine were a Scottish folk duo who appeared on 'The Golden Bird' Scottish folk collection albums with 'The Bitter Withy', 'Archie Fisher' 'Lesley and Andy', 'Tich Freer', 'Lesley Hale' & 'Barbara Dickson'.
Clifford Bevan - piano, trombone The Temperance Seven were formed at the Royal College of Art during 1957. The band usually had nine members (one over the eight!) and dressed in the style appropriate to the late 1920s jazz they played. The members shown above are typical of those in its chart topping hey-day. The members generally gave themselves fictitious titles. John R.T. Davies used the pseudonym Sheik Wadi El Yadounir and wore a fez. On the first hit numbers vocals were provided by 'Whispering' Paul McDowell who was replaced later by Allan Moody Mitchell. The band once appeared in Spike Milligan's 'The Bed Sitting Room' and spawned new interest in the styles of the 1920s. The original group fell apart towards the end of the 1960s, but new personnel- sometimes guested by original members- still play today. However, many members of the original band did re-unite- and play together- briefly for a BBC radio programme about themselves during 2003. Info courtesy of: www.45-rpm.org.uk
Thelma & the High Seas Showband
Thelma Hall - vocals, keyboards Later: Thelma & The High Seas Showband came from Larne in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland and were resident in the Kings Arms Ballroom in the late 6Os. They also toured Ireland, Scotland and the North of England. They cut the following demo EP: 'I'd Still Be There' / 'I Can't Go On' / 'In My Room' / 'Orange Blossom Special'.
Lizzy's line-up at the time of their ballroom gig was: Other members included: Thin Lizzy is among rock music's elite and a synonym for classic rock. As one of the first bands to break out of Ireland, Thin Lizzy's music was hard, yet melodic; their lyrics romanticized stories of love, love-lost, and street life as well as Irish folklore. Their signature double guitar lead sound has influenced countless bands beyond the rock genre. With thirteen albums to their credit, they have had over fourteen top 20 hits in Europe while classic tracks such as "The Boys Are Back In Town," "Jailbreak," and "Cowboy Song" having become staples of American rock radio. Formed in 1969 by Dublin school chums Phil Lynott and Brian Downey, Thin Lizzy scored their first top ten hit in 1972 with "Whiskey In The Jar" (their reworking of the traditional Irish drinking song). This was the success that provided the opportunity to play the ballroom on Sunday 27th February 1972 supporting 'Arrival' alongside another band called 'Barabbas'. Several years later when Lizzy lost original guitarist Eric Bell, Lynott brought in two players, American Scott Gorham and Scotsman Brian Robertson. While the latter was replaced by a string of players over Lizzy's career (including Gary Moore, Snowy White, Midge Ure, and eventually John Sykes) the move to have two main guitarists playing harmony leads proved to be their signature sound. According to Gorham, not only did new guitarists have to be good musicians, they also had to bring in a bit of their own unique style. Lizzy's biggest break hit in 1976 with the classic track "The Boys Are Back In Town" from the album Jailbreak. Lizzy worked constantly releasing strong albums with more hit singles, however, hard living, drug abuse, and continuous touring eventually wore down the band. It was announced in 1982 that the tour for the album Thunder and Lightning would be their farewell and as luck would have it, Lizzy was once again on top. The year-long tour had them playing the major halls throughout Europe and Japan, along with the headlining spot at the Reading Festival. Despite sounding better than ever, Lizzy played their last show together on September 4th, 1983 at Germany's Monsters Of Rock Festival. In the years to follow, Lynott collaborated with other musicians and fronted a new band called Grand Slam, but the band never made its mark, nor was Lynott able to live beyond his Lizzy legacy. Phil Lynott died on the 4th of January 1986, from heart failure and pneumonia from years of drug abuse. He was only 35. Fortunately, the post Lizzy years proved fruitful for its other members. Sykes went on to join Whitesnake and record the band's best selling albums, Slide It In and Whitesnake '87. He then formed Blue Murder and followed through with a successful string of solo releases. Scott Gorham returned to London and started doing session work with friends before forming his own band, 21 Guns. Yet while each member was busy doing their own projects, they reformed in 1994 to do a series of shows to honour Lynott's name. The Response was so overwhelming, it was obvious that people still wanted to hear Phil Lynott's music, the music that Thin Lizzy created. In 2000, the band released One Night Only, marking the first live album under the Thin Lizzy moniker in close to seventeen years. Recorded on their European tour, the members of Thin Lizzy pay homage to their celebrated past with a new fire and prove their songs have stood the test of time. It also marks the beginning of a new chapter for the band with a world wide tour to follow. As for the future, Gorham and Sykes together are enforcing that Thin Lizzy's magic will always remain. In 2003 - 2004 The Boys Are Back In Town again with their Global Chaos Tour as well as doing North American dates with the legendary Deep Purple on their bananas tour. With Scott Gorham, John Sykes and the phenomenal rhythm section of Michael Lee on drums and Randy Gregg on bass, Thin Lizzy will hit as many countries as possible to once again honor Phil Lynott's legacy. Info from: www.sing365.com Brian Robertson would of course return to the ballroom with 'Wild Horses'. (Notice how I avoided the obvious joke? ... It wasn't easy!).
Group line-ups: 1963 Fayette Pinckney, Linda Turner, Shirley Poole Few in 1963 would have expected that three talented teenage girls from Philadelphia would come together to form the origin of a group that would continue into the next century, but that was the beginning of the Three Degrees, an act that, through more than 40 years and multiple line-ups, has become one of the most internationally popular and long lasting Soul groups in history. Fayette Pinckney, Linda Turner, Shirley Poole, then in their early teens, were brought together by veteran writer/producer Richard Barrett as the vehicles for his vision of creating the next great girl group. Turner and Poole were quickly replaced by Helen Scott and Janet Harmon, and Barrett began the process of moulding the trio into a regional favourite, training them extensively and booking them at record shops and talent contests throughout the Eastern United States. The group was signed by Philly-based Swan Records in the mid-60s and scored a regional hit with “Gee Baby,” working with a number of great local musicians, some of whom would become the backbone of the Philadelphia soul movement of the 70s. In 1966 Scott temporarily left the group and was replaced by Sheila Ferguson, already an accomplished solo singer, and Valerie Holiday took over Harmon’s slot. The act was then signed by Roulette Records and in 1970 scored their first major national hit, a top 5 remake of the Chantels’ “Maybe.” They followed later that year with the popular “You’re the One,” and landed a brief appearance singing in the Gene Hackman hit movie The French Connection. A major career move for the Three Degrees was their signing by Gamble & Huff’s up-and-coming Philadelphia International Records in 1972. They made an immediate splash with the disco hit “Dirty Ol’ Man” before joining with MFSB (the Philadelphia International house band) to record the Soul Train theme song “TSOP,” which became an across-the-board #1 hit. They then followed the next year with what would become their signature song, the sophisticated ballad “When Will I See You Again,” one of the greatest songs ever to come from Philadelphia, and the group’s biggest international hit. The Three Degrees continued with moderate success at PIR before moving over to Epic Records in 1975 and then to Ariola. During the next decade their success in the U.S. was limited but they became bigger than ever in the U.K., where they continued to score with hits such as “Giving Up, Giving In” and “Woman In Love.” Prince Charles proclaimed them his favourite group (they were guests at his wedding to Princess Diana) and they were consequently labelled by the British Press as “Charlie’s Angels.” Helen Scott rejoined the group (replacing Pinckney) in 1976, and the line-up of Scott, Ferguson and Holiday continued for a decade, when Ferguson left the group, ultimately being replaced with Cynthia Garrison and resulting in the line-up (Valerie Holiday, Helen Scott and Cynthia Garrison) that continues to this day. The group continued to record throughout the 90s, their most recent release being a 1998 Christmas album. The influence and popularity of The Three Degrees is sometimes lost on US audiences who are largely familiar with the group for only one great song, but the trio has played an important role in bringing Soul music to the world and continues to be considered around the globe as one of the most important ambassadors of American Soul Music, more than four decades after its modest origin.
A Jazz group featuring the Hawaiian steel guitar.
Steve Scott-Lee An all-brothers boy-band trio from Abergele in Wales UK. After Andy performed the Cat Stevens hit ‘Father and Son’ on a BBC pilot show The producer suggested that Steve and Ant join Andy in a trio. Their debut single ‘Take It Easy’ (April 2002) peaked at #11 in the UK main chart and the follow up, ‘Touch Me Tease Me’ (September 2002) found #16, Sony dropped them. Not to be discouraged, Andy Scott-Lee entered ITV's reality singer show ‘Pop Idol’ in 2003 and reached the final 10 before the public deselected him.(Steve, Andy and Ant’s sister is former ‘Steps’ member Lisa Scott-Lee).
John 'Speedy' Keen - vocals, drums Although this group took its name from their keyboard player it was (former 'Who' roadie) John Keen that sang vocals and wrote much of their material. Songwriter, Keen had written the song 'Armenian City In The Sky' for the Who and was subsequently encouraged by Pete Townshend to form the group. It was Pete Townshend who produced their massive UK#1 'Something In the Air' which was originally entitled 'Revolution' but later renamed because The Beatles released a single of the same name. He arranged its strings, played its bass under the pseudonym Bijou Drains, and hired for it a General Post Office (GPO) engineer and Dixieland jazz pianist Andy 'Thunderclap' Newman and the fifteen year old Glaswegian lead guitarist Jimmy McCulloch who became the youngest ever Scot to play on a number 1 single! The record benefitted more than a little from the quirky piano style of Andy 'Thunderclap' Newman and captured post-flower power rebellion, marrying McCulloch's sweeping acoustic guitar and glowing electric guitars; Keen's powerful drumming and falsetto vocals, Newman's legendary frostbite in boxing gloves piano solo and Townshend's electric bass. For live performance Keen & Newman were joined by Avory on bass & Jack McCulloch (Jimmy's elder brother) on drums. National and international tours with followed, and one tour supporting Deep Purple. In the UK and US, a follow-up single, 'Accidents' / 'See It All' (Track 2094 001), came out in May 1970, and charted at No. 44 for only a week, but did not chart at all in the USA. In 1970 they released two further singles 'Wild Country' / 'Hollywood' and 'The Reason' / 'Stormy Petrel'. An album, 'Hollywood Dream' was also released. Sadly, the group were never able to repeat the success of their original single and the group split at the end of 1971. Jimmy McCulloch eventually joined Paul McCartney's 'Wings' and John 'Speedy' Keen began a solo career, as did Newman, before concentrating on producing. Info courtesy of: www.45-rpm.org.uk & John Warburg (2006/9)
Jon Campbell Debbie Millar - vocals The Time Frequency or TTF (formed 1989 and originally called Thru The Fire) were the first techno band from Scotland. They quickly established a strong club fan base by touring Scotland extensively to packed houses. They had had seven UK chart entries like ‘The Power Zone EP’ #17 and ‘Real Love’ #8 both in 1993 although by the third quarter of the year fans began to lose faith and accusations of profiteering were levied at founder Jon Campbell for re-releasing ‘Real Love’. Band members became weary of constant arguments and cracks appeared resulting in Mary Kiani’s replacement with Debbie Millar from Bournemouth. They released only one album ‘Dominator’ in 1994 (UK #23) and @Real Love’ would be re-released a second time, to chart for a third time at #43!
Alec Hutton - electric fiddle, mandolin A popular Glasgow-based folk group. Tam's brother Mick Quinn joined in 1969. Info courtesy of: www.nigelgatherer.com
Jamie O'Neill - lead vocal, lead guitar In December 1982 Jamie & Jim joined forces with Richard (Dick) Hewit from Jody to form 'Sound & Vision'. Biog info coming very soon! Visit TNT
Jack Richardson - (bandleader) alto & tenor saxophone and clarinet They were by far the most prolific performers at the ballroom having played on some 3779 occasions between 1946 & 1958! They also played on Scottish Television's 'Dance Party Roof' programme. Jack Richardson led the band until around 1949 when he and his family emigrated to Australia. A Ballroom competition to find new vocalist for the band in 1957 was won by Mr. Stuart Cameron. The Top Notchers became Billy Hunter & His All-Star Band when Billy Hunter's brother Cecil left to become the Kinema Ballroom's manager (from May 1959 to 1973) and would become infamous locally as 'the man who turned down The Beatles'! Jack Sinclair replaced Cecil on bass and Jock Graham replaced Jack Richardson who moved to Australia. Billy Hunter received a medal award from The Melody Maker as The Best Trumpet Player In Scotland! (See image above). Tommy Wallace (senior) is father to Tommy Wallace (junior) who played drums with The Red Hawks. He also has three other sons and a grandson, all of whom play drums! Tommy Wallace (senior) still plays occasionally, at the tender age of 87! Horace Demarco went on to form Horace Demarco & The Kool Beats who played at the ballroom 192 times. Horace also appeared on Scottish TV in the sixties.
The Torpedoes (aka The Buzzards) David Kerr - vocals, guitar The Torpedoes played the ballroom once on Thursday 16th March 1978. David Kerr was at school with Stuart Adamson & Bill Simpson of 'The Skids'. Hopefully more info to come - Watch this space! Many thanks to David Kerr.
Harry Cullen - lead vocals This trio was from Edinburgh. Shortly afterwards two members of the group formed a band called Both Sides (unrelated to the Dundee-based group of the same name). Lead singer of Town Choice, Harry Cullen became manager of the Oxford Bar in Edinburgh. Town Choice were of eight finalists in the 1971 Scottish Folk Group Annual Championship (the dream child of Bill Houston and Watt Nicoll which was never repeated). There were an astonishing eighteen heats, with semi finals being held in Glasgow and Dundee, and the grand final in the Usher Hall Edinburgh, with The Corries as guest artists. All proceeds went to the Scottish Council for the Care of Spastics. The winners of the Championship were The JSD Band, whose prize was an album deal and contract with EMI. Town Choice & the other six finalists received six-month contracts and were featured on an LP 'Folk Philosophy' performing the following songs: 'Kid's Colour Bar' (Harvey Andrews) & 'For Bobbie' (H J Deutschendorfer). Info courtesy of: www.nigelgatherer.com
Carol Decker - vocals, songwriter T'Pau was a late-1980s rock group who originated from the towns of Shrewsbury and Wellington in central England. They had a string of top 20 hits in the UK, and several hits in the United States and Europe. The band took their name from a Star Trek character and formed in 1986.
John Jones - lead vocals Formed in 1969 in Wolverhampton, England Trapeze were a hard rock band, two of which were ex Montanas. Their eponymous debut album was released in 1970. Shortly thereafter Rowley & Jones rejoined The Montanas. Following disappointing sales of their second album 'Medusa' and third 'You Are the Music...We're Just the Band' (1972) Hughes left for Deep Purple to be replaced by Pete Wright. The addition of Rob Kendrick preceded their fourth album in 1974 'Hot Wire'. Other albums followed until their demise in late 1978. They reformed in 1991.
"I still have a copy of the 'Home' EP signed by Willie one day in Cockburn Street" - Paul Research (Scars). (Click on any image to view a larger size)
Willie Adamson (Will) - lead vocal Later: Tony Whelan - drums Ghoulz (Colin WK Gourlay) roadie, photographer, archivist Trax played The Kinema Ballroom 6 times: Sunday 25/03/1979 (supporting The Skids) Other notable gigs: 8th February 1979 - Supporting 'The Skids' at The Marquee, Wardour St London To quote Gary Bushell of UK national weekly music newspaper 'Sounds' in an article entitled 'Scotland Uber Alles' dated November 3rd 1979: "TRAX are a punchy Dunfermline five piece labouring under a falsely ascribed Skids copyist label (the first single 'Home' is the most Skidsoian number in their set, honest). 'I saw them play the last night I was in Edinburgh - and their 13 song strong set was well-impressive. Sinewy modern rock is the aptest description for their driving, impressive, bursting, bruiser of a sound. One to catch." Read the whole article here. Trax were centred on Dunfermline, Scotland and first appeared in February 1978 with original drummer Neil Thomson, as 'Straits', playing a variety of power-pop covers and original tunes around Fife including three gigs as 'The Zips'. They played with other local band The Delinquents (later 'Delinx' - featuring a young Bruce Watson - later of 'Big Country') amongst others and support duties included several dates with 'The Skids'. I always thought Stuart Adamson had quite a soft spot for Trax. After Ricky (Jobson) & Stuart saw them play a local gig, they offered the band the support slot for the Scottish dates of their forthcoming 1979 UK tour and a date at the famous Marquee Club in Wardour Street London on 8th February 1979. This was later expanded to all twenty dates of the tour and the decision was made to go professional. Unfortunately the drummer preferred to play Scottish Schools rugby and the tour was lost except for The Marquee, the two shows at Tiffany’s in Edinburgh on Monday 19th March and the Kinema on the 25th March 1979, which unsurprisingly turned out to be Neil Thomson’s last show with the band. It was on that momentous night at The Marquee, when cognisance of another band (five girls from York) called 'Straits' hit home just hours before the gig. Panic set in and a hasty name change saw them take the stage as 'Trax'. Their touring schedule continued throughout 1979, totalling more than 70 gigs with new drummer Tony Taylor, who joined April 1979, having previously played with local rock outfit Charybdis. The 21st of September 1979 saw the first of two batches of 1000 three-track 'Home EP's released with picture sleeve (on their own indie label 'Lonely Records') entirely financed by their manager Sandy and members of the band. Recording sessions took place at Cargo Studios, 16, Kenion Street, Rochdale on 14th July (coordinated by Johnny Waller who later wrote for 'Sounds'). Cargo Studios is famous for bands such as The Duritti Column, A Certain Ratio, The Gang Of Four, The Scars, Dead or Alive, DAF, The Diagram Brothers, The Mekons, New Order, Nico, The Stone Roses, James & The Chameleons while Joy Division recorded 'Atmosphere' there and The Fall believe they recorded some of their best music there. Trax' 7" 'Home EP' was engineered by the studio's owner, John Brierley and the first thousand pressings sold-out rapidly, swiftly becoming Radio Forth's Record Of The Week and enjoying three airings by John Peel at BBC Radio One. A further 1000 copies were hastily pressed and many sold through Rough Trade in London. Late delivery of the picture sleeves caused a considerable problem and an article appeared in the regular consumer column 'Fair Deal' in 'Sounds' on January 26th 1980. The 'Home EP' was seen recently for sale in at online shop for $200 (Aus) or £106! They were often accused of being too similar to The Skids however, as can be seen from the quote above, by the time of Garry Bushell’s ‘Sounds’ piece, they had very largely emerged from The Skids’ shadow and had developed their own sonic identity. This perception was never particularly accurate anyway and stemmed from their shared hometown and press laziness when describing them, preferring to pigeonhole rather than write original, imaginative text. Several times the stage was shared with 'Delinx' and 'The Subject' (featuring Peter Wishart, later of 'Runrig'). Other notable gigs took place with 'The Fall' at the Astoria Edinburgh, 'Another Pretty Face', 'The Revillos', 'The Cuban Heels' & 'The Freeze' until personal differences resulted in a protracted disintegration, which accelerated when Tony Taylor split in January 1980. Another Tony (Whelan) was swiftly drafted in as replacement drummer in February 1980 but plans for a month-long UK tour in May via the 'Cosmos' agency collapsed. Their final demise took place on 14th July 1980, seven weeks after their last gig (with The Rude Boys) when Willie left followed by Deke & Tony following arguments over dedication to practice sessions. Unfortunately nothing came of attempts to regroup despite Bruce Watson auditioning for the position of bass player! (He then got a phone call from Stuart Adamson and embryonic sessions for Big Country got underway). Neill, Willie, Deke, Tony & Willie Gardner of The Zones formed a band (almost called Geneva) but it never got off the ground. During their short life, 'Trax'/'Straits' wrote around 40 original songs (of which I have 30 recorded - the last two were never entitled) and covered material by The Pirates (All In Together), The Buzzcocks (Get On Our Own), The Motors (Bring In The Morning Light & Dancing The Night Away), The Stranglers (London Lady) & Dr Feelgood (Back In The Night). By far their most popular cover was the Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers song, 'One Track Mind'. Straits/Trax had three managers during their two years together: Ian Thomson (original drummer's elder brother) / Sandy Fenwick (co-editor of 'Kingdom Come' fanzine) & Mike Douglas (aka Pano) one-time Skids manager & now Slurpy Gloop) Neill Martin went on to success with 'Baby Knives' (Neill Martin, Mike Peden, John Robertson, Billy Wilcox), The Happy Family (Nicholas Currie, Neill Martin, Paul Mason, Ronnie Torrance, & David Weddel), & Momus (Nicholas Currie & Neill Martin) and now 'Dr Martin' is a lecturer in Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Tony Whelan played in a couple of small Edinburgh bands, the best known of which was 'The Wild Indians' who released an own-label EP. He then joined Liverpool band 'Care'. They were mainly 'Wild Swans' front man Paul Simpson and Iain Broudie from 'The Original Mirrors'/'Big In Japan' (who later formed 'The Lightning Seeds') . After a couple of modestly successful singles and an unreleased album (later released as 'Diamond and Emeralds' to exploit Broudie's success) Care broke up in 1983. Tony still lives & works in central Scotland. Click the red flashing light EP:
Alan Blakely - rhythm guitar, keyboards, vocals Len 'Chip' Hawkes - bass, vocals When Brian Poole parted company with the Tremeloes it looked as though the group would struggle for survival without him. However, whereas Poole sank almost without trace by the end of the 1960s, the Tremeloes continued in the same hit making vein they had when Brian Poole had shared the stage with them. Shortly after the split the Tremeloes also suffered a further personnel change leading to an eventual new bass player, Len 'Chip' Hawkes (born November 1946 in London). This change brought with it a competent vocalist and they began building an impressive list of chart entries which ran on in to the early 1970s. The group though popular were hardly progressive or innovative. Sadly, in an effort to show that they were changing and becoming more progressive they denounced their earlier material, alienating some fans. This may have hastened their demise, and by 1974 the band had dispersed. They have since reformed and played in The Carnegie Hall Dunfermline with Brian Poole. Info courtesy of: www.45-rpm.org.uk
Mick Tinsley - vocals Later Tom Fox - bass 'The Trendsetters' were formed in November 1963. In 1964 they changed their name to 'Hedgehoppers' in reference to low-flying as four of the five members were Royal Air Force pilots at RAF Wittering. When record producer Jonathan King became their manager in 1965 the name was changed once more to 'Hedgehoppers Anonymous'. He wrote the satirical protest song 'It's good News Week' Decca (1965) which became a #5 (and their only) UK chart hit from five released.
Artie Trezise (from St Andrews) started out his professional life as a teacher before deciding to add professional commitments to his family ones. He married Cilla Fisher (sister of Archie Fisher) in 1974 and they turned professional. Together they have appeared in many festivals throughout the world including Europe, the Far East, Australia, Canada and America and released several albums during the seventies culminating in the award for ‘The Melody Maker Folk Album of the Year – 1979’ for ‘Cilla and Artie’. Artie Trezise and Cilla Fisher are now better known for their "Singing Kettle" series of children’s entertainment shows and at one time were performers with The Great Fife Roadshow with artists such as: Jimmy Hutchison, Rab Noakes, Pete Sheppard, Artie Trezise, Cilla Fisher, John Watt, Davey Stewart, Davie Craig, Noel Farrow and Jim Herd, playing folk clubs & village halls.
Reg Presley (Reginald Maurice Ball) - guitar, vocals The Troggs had a primitive rock and roll sound for the late 1960s; doubtless some of their numbers would have sounded right if played almost ten years earlier. Their strong Hampshire accents enhanced their rustic appeal and they were never overburdened with an expectation to be 'progressive' despite the era. They had started life as the Troglodytes, but after the loss of two members and gaining Britton and Staples from the remnant of a group called 'Ten Foot Five', they abbreviated to the Troggs. The group signed to the management of Larry Page who secured them an opportunity to record with CBS. Unfortunately, the resulting single - both sides of which had been written by Reg Ball- was largely ignored by record buyers. However, by then Page had started his new 'Page One' recording company and had secured distribution through Fontana. The group's next single 'Wild Thing' proved to be a refreshing contrast to the songs being produced by other bands of the time and it gave them their first hit going all the way to #2. The band then followed this with another Ball original, only by this time he had adopted the name Presley. Its sound contrasted well with their first hit and took them to #1, effectively consolidating their position as chartbreakers. A string of hits followed which further underpinned their songwriting skills, particularly those of Presley. However, by 1968 the group's popularity had waned and though the flow of singles continued unabated the hits were absent. By the early 1970s the Troggs became subject to major personnel changes, but none improved their fortunes. They continued as a live act however, but as the 1970s drew to a close so too did the supply of 45s. Info courtesy of: www.45-rpm.org.uk Reg Presley has become a keen researcher into the phenomenon of 'crop circles'.
Frank Aiello The Truth were a British duo from London who took their name from a Ray Charles song, “Tell The Truth”. They recorded for Larry Page and their recordings were issued on Pye then Deram and finally Decca. They were not a song writing unit and their singles were cover versions of songs by Donovan, The Kinks, The Left Banke and The Beatles. They stopped recording in 1968. Steve Gold later legally changed his name to Steve Jameson and re-emerged in 1974 with a top 40 hit “Goodbye, Nothing To Say” under the name Nosmo King And The Javells. He has more recently turned to comedy and performs under the pseudonym Sol Bernstein. ‘Girl’ / ‘Jailer Bring Me Water’ PYE (1966) UK Chart position #27.
Jonny Brown - vocals, guitar "With songs that tell tales of unhinged northern street life, dripping with sardonic humour and reckless desperation, Twisted Wheel are taking their incendiary, compulsive, no holds barred, live set on another national tour". Named after Manchester's northern soul nightclub, Twisted Wheel are a gritty indie rock band from Oldham in Greater Manchester, England, formed in February 2007 by Jonny Brown and Rick Lees. Their first gig followed only a week later and less than a year later they signed to Columbia Records. Their debut single, 'She's A Weapon', was released in April 2008 just before they retired into the studio in June to record the eponymous debut album 'Twisted Wheel'. They then released a five-track EP 'You Stole The Sun' in July 2008 before embarking on some serious live work including festivals and supports for Kasabian, The Pigeon Detectives, The View, Oasis and The Enemy. The next two singles were 'Lucy The Castle' released in November 2008 and 'We Are Us', released in March 2009. The album was released on 13 April 2009 and peaked in the UK album chart at #45. More releases are eagerly awaited with an EP and second album on the horizon for 2010 as well as rumours of an additional band member. "The band describe themselves as a mixture of 70s punk (Sex Pistols, The Clash, Stiff Little Fingers) and 60s rock and roll (Rolling Stones, Kinks, The Who) with a pinch of Oasis thrown in".
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