Coventry Music Articles by Pete Clemons: Asgard in London

Asgard in London

by Pete Clemons

Prologue by Trev Teasdel (Editor)

Back in 1969, Asgard used to rehearse midweek in the little wooden theatre at the back of the Coventry Arts Umbrella Club in Queen Victoria Road. I used to sit in and watch them. Sometimes Neol Davies (later of the Selecter) would join them on acoustic or sitar! The kind of music this three piece would play was firstly largely their own material in the style of the Nice and early Pink Floyd. They play most of the local venues including the Lanch Poly and Warwick University but I was not aware of their wider activity until I created a piece on the recent A to Z of Coventry bands when Richard Kilbride - the bass player and their road manager Bob Mansfield sent me a lot of information. Their manager Paul Padun was a friend of John Peel and through Peel they got to play Mothers in Birmingham and festivals and with Principal Edwards Magic Theatre in Cornwall, the Roundhouse in London, Torbay Blues Festival and Victoria Park. More information this will be on the new Coventry bands 1960's to Now. There is a cutting of John Peel's column for Disc and Music Echo mentioning Asgard on here. The line up was Bill Walker Organ, Terry Westwood drums and Richard Kilbride on bass and sometimes vocals. Only Richard is still with us sadly. The band made some acetates for John Peel's Dandelion label but sadly the band split up before they got to make an album. Yu can here the acetates below. The reason for this new article is that Pete Clemons found some adverts in melody Maker and International Times and Richard Kilbride has provided some new information about the some of the bands London gigs 1968 - 1970. Over to Pete Clemons.

NOTE - this is not the same progressive band that recorded on The Moody Blues label.

Pete Clemons
I was always aware of a connection between Coventry band Asgard and John Peel. But I hadn't realised how deep that relationship went. Until, that is, till I stumbled across an advert in an old national music magazine. It mentioned Asgard were playing a venue in London. That developed into discovering several engagements. After contacting Richard Kilbride it turned out to be the tip of the iceberg.

Richard explained 'Our manager Paul Padun got us in with an agency. Can't remember who. I think his relationship with John Peel opened several doors too. We did a few gigs with him. Victoria park CND rally and the Torbay jazz and blues festival to name two'.

The gig I stumbled across, which turned out to be a lengthy residency, was at the Railway Tavern, Angel Lane, Stratford (Friday) E15. As far as I can make out these nights began in 1968. Asgard hosted the evening and guests included bands like Mandrake Paddle Steamer and another Coventry band, Tim James's Ra Ho-Tep.

The event continued into 1969. By now the event was known as the Asgard Arts Lab which included Gromit Light Show. Mandrake Paddle Steamer were still regular visitors but bands like the Strawbs, Third Ear Band, Jody Grind, Hard Meat and Audience were also putting in guest appearances.

Then Richard dropped Blaises Club into the conversation and how Asgard had also done a residency there.

Now demolished, Blaises was located in the Kensington area of West London. To be precise, it was in the basement of the Imperial Hotel at 121 Queen’s Gate. It was also an important meeting place for musicians, agents, managers and writers.

'Blaises', Richard explained, 'that would have been 69/70. It was before we had our Long Wheel Base transit van, I know that as we used to go down in an old Bedford. I think it was Wednesday nights but can't be sure. I will ask Bob Mansfield, our roadie. He remembers everything. I know we also did the Roundhouse. A sort of all weekend festival. Kevin Ayres borrowed one of our mikes and tried to keep it. We also did Eel Pie Island in the week. It was virtually empty. Just about 50 turned up. Things looked up a bit after Peel took an interest in us. Did gigs with Principal Edwards Magic theatre a few times etc'.

I mentioned to Richard that it must have been a fantastic time but also an absolute nightmare with all the travelling. He replied: 'It was. In the Bedford we travelled in the back with the gear. Sitting on it and a couple of stools being thrown about and slipping off. It was luxury when we got the transit with aircraft seats in the back'.

I then asked Richard what a typical night at Blaises consisted of. He responded: 'it was a DJ for half an hour then us for half an hour until 2 am. There was a fetid damp dressing room the size of a bathroom we had to sit in while the DJ was on. It was purgatory. I hated that gig. I think we got out of it by saying we weren't going to turn up if it carried on. We did covers, mainly instrumentals. There were a couple of ours we kept in. The less psychedelic of course. 'Green Onions' was one I remember, a couple of Nice numbers. Small Faces. Julie Driscoll, 'This Wheels on Fire'. etc. Then drive back to Coventry. They used to drop me off at Canley where I worked mowing for the council. We had a hut opposite the shops and I had a key, so would grab a couple of hours kip before the days work'.

Next year Richard has vowed to contact roadie Bob Mansfield and tax his brain. 'He had to stay sober so remembers so much more'.

I for one look forward to the results. As I mentioned above, I really feel I have only touched the tip of the iceberg here.