Monster Magnet

MONSTER MAGNET

by Pete Clemons

Coventry group, The Return of Monster Magnet, could certainly boast a wide variety of musical influences. The member of this eight piece came from folk, jazz, blues and rock groups. There was even a former Lanchester Polytechnic disc jockey amongst their ranks.

The group started up in 1972 when Paul Hooper, the then 24 year old drummer from Indian Summer, was asked by the Lanchester Polytechnic to put a band together for an end of term dance. He rounded up a few friends and musicians and set to it.

Almost everyone had played with one or another in various bands over the years so the musical and social foundations were already there and merely required building upon.

The band stayed together after the Lanchester booking. Paul said at the time 'At the moment its on a workshop basis and we still do bookings. In the near future we are hoping to go around some local colleges playing for charity. There is just about every influence at work form folk, progressive blues and free form. But no one style is allowed to dominate. Our music is mainly good time rock which people can dance to. We do some of our own material, Delaney and Bonnie, and Steven Stills numbers. And there are even a couple of old Beatles songs'. Paul described the band as rough and ready though, but of course, a very musically competent outfit. 'We're not out to get anything out of it save the pleasure of playing. As long as we cover expenses then we will play'.

Bob Jackson, then also 24, and Paul's band mate in Indian Summer featured on keyboards and vocals in Monster Magnet. And the groups lead and bass guitarists were Steve Cotterill and Roy Butterfield who both also played with Indian Summer during heir early days. Roy also played with the group April.

The line up was completed by Tim James, who played sax and electric piano in Coventry jazz group Ra Ho Tep and Bo Weevils, and who shares in the groups vocal duties. Bill Jackson, no relation to Bob, on vocals and keyboards and also a one time member of April. Mick Smitham on guitar and Tony Fletcher the former Lanchester Polytechnic disc jockey on bongos.

The group had ambition and were working on some new material with a view to putting it all down on tape. And, while playing live, they had been hoping to extend some of their numbers. They were also looking for a couple of girl singers or dancers but they seemed to be scarce mentioned Paul at the time.

Of course this is only a partial history of the group at soon after the time the group formed. Monster Magnet ent on for several years and, like most bands, made several line up changes.

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From Hobo Magazine 1973 - 74

Line up: Bob Jackson (keyboards),
Tim James - sax, harmonica, keyboard
Mick Smitham - Guitar
Ron Lawrence - Bass
Roy Butterfield - Bass
Paul Hooper - Drums
Tony Fletcher - congas
Phil Street - congas

From Hobo

MONSTER MAGNET c1973 

 COVENTRY SUPERGROUP
"Coventry's Supergroup of the 70's. A loosely formed group of Coventry musicians, fresh from touring or out a band or otherwise up for playing. Consists of ex members of Indian Summer / April / Ra Ho Tep and more. Mostly play in the Golden Cross."

FROM HOBO ISSUE 3 FEB 1974

MONSTER MAGNET
"Musicians from a selection of Coventry bands, past and present, have formed a local 'Super Group' calling themselves MONSTER MAGNET. The band, which first hatched at the beginning of 73, has a loose line up of about 9 musicians and only do selected gigs, owing to the size of the band and the cost of keeping such a band on the road. It also depends on the availability of the musicians involved as some are currently with other bands. It also gives musicians who are in between bands a chance to play whilst out of work. The line up (although this varies) consists of such 'devastating musicians' as Mick Smithem, Phil Street, Tim James, Paul Hooper, Col Williams, Steve Cotterill, Bill Jackson (Ex April lead singer) , Bob Jackson (no relation), Roy Butterfield, Ron Lawrence (Ex April bassist and later with Sniff and the Tears), Dave Pennycock and Little Jimmy Osmond and all! A cool band full of top Coventry musicians".

Tim James says on the Rex Brough site
"Monster Magnet [1972-1975 ish] comprised a variable number (5-15) of musos from other bands who shared a love of early US rock, soul & blues and would play with the band if other commitments allowed. Played "covers" by Johnny Winter, Stevie Wonder (early stuff), Steely Dan etc and played all over the country. I have a very blurred memory of this band but do remember Paul Hooper on drums, Ron Lawrence on bass (sometimes), Roy Butterfield on bass (other times), Mick Smitham on guitar, Bill Jackson on piano and depressing songs (which we always found an excuse not to play), Bob Jackson on organ, Tony Fletcher on congas, Phil Street on congas, and anybody else that came "along on the night." 

From Phil Randall Feb 2016 -
" Trev, worth noting that Monster Magnet were playing till at least 1976/7 as I wasn’t in the area till 1974 and used to work with Phil Street at Nuneaton Council.

Also,if you know anyone who knows where Phil is now, some of his old friends are trying to track him down
Cheers Phil Randall"