It was the year that punk rock was tearing up the UK. The Sex Pistols to down play Warwick. Yes, Warwick Uni Ents Society were offered the band for their Xmas Party provided the gig was unannounced. It was a major scoop but then the problems started.
The tour dates were rearranged by a week, the students would have returned home. This meant scrapping the arrangements put in place at Warwick. It was decided to switch to Mr. George's club in Coventry city centre. However, Warwick Uni did have it on good authority that if Ents team were offered the Pistols again they would accept them if conditions are met.
The Warwick Xmas Party was not scuppered though. It did go ahead and, replacing the Pistols, were the excellent Bethnal. Bethnal had recently completed their first album and very good it was too. On the night they brought the crowds to their feet.
Bethnal were not exactly a regulation issue new wave band. To be more precise, Bethnal were a four piece band who sang about life in '77. They were formed by Nick Michaels (lead guitar & vocals) and Pete Dowling (drums), while they were at school in Wood Green, London. They were later joined by Everton Williams (bass) and George Csapo (lead vocals, keyboards, & violins) both also from the same school.
Parallels, although very apparent were drawn to The Who. In the main because they chose to produce a version of the classic 'Baba O'Reilly' which Pete Townsend claims to prefer to his own. But it was, I thought, an unfair comparison. The other song on the album which drew attention was the single 'We've gotta get out of this place' - an old Animal's number.
There was so much excellent material of their own on that album. Their songs were undeniably political as titles like 'Soldier Boy' and 'Where do we Stand' professed. But unlike many of the 'new wave' bands that had sprung up, this does not lead them into an angry mindless tirade against society. Their lyrics are considered, as is their music, and the result is a well structured album which is both provocative and melodic.
Over at Canley College, their own Ents team had put on a second fun date. This time with Ricky Cool and the Icebergs the popular 1950s revival rockabilly band. Ricky Cool (real name Richard Coolham) brought with him a natural born wit. His between numbers banter was as funny as any comedy routine around at that time.
Ricky was backed by six excellent musicians, including the famous 'Tennessee Stud' on pedal steel guitar, the notorious EI Rancido. The ‘Doctor on keyboards, Kenny Megre, Johnny Iceberg on drums and Alec the bassist. Ricky play : blues harp (mouth organ to you) and the rare Fender Codgicaster (only two ever made apparently).
It was advertised that for the Canley party there would be a 'Highest Stiletto Contest', 'Free Style Jitterbug competition' and an 'Ice Cream Soda Bar'. Additionally there would be a disco and the evening would a 1950's US forces style with G.I.. Uniforms were warmly welcomed. Music would be heard to be playing loudly till 3.00a.m.
A happy new year to anyone who cares to read this.
The Belgrade Theatre opened their new intimate live music and theatre space, 'The Venue', later renamed to The Depot, during early October 1980. This innocuous looking building that sat on a, then, car park across the road at the rear of the Belgrade Theatre had, I understand, previously stored props and costumes.
The first presentation it staged was with a production of 'Sorry' by Vaclav Havel, a play about a dissident writer in Czechoslovakia. Vaclav Havel was, at that time, been Czechoslovakia's greatest living playwright. During that occasion Vaclav was currently serving a 4 and a half year prison sentence for his involvement in the dissident Charter 77 and related Human Rights groups. His plays had been banned throughout Eastern Europe during a period of time when things were very different.
It was also promised that The Venue would be presenting live music by Coventry bands each Monday Night. And so it happened. Later on during that month saw the Reluctant Stereotypes opened a series of Monday night gigs.
The venue was given high praise. It was described as very accessible, had a great atmosphere and some really good bands signed up to it. Plus, the gigs were an affordable £1.00 to get in.
The hype sheet for the Stereotypes read as follows: 'They have been together in their present form for about ten months. Founder-member and Big Daddy of the band, Steve Edgson, remarked, I've been playing in bands for eight or nine years, and more has happened in the last few months with the Stereotypes than in all that time with other bands. The writing talent is down to the two Paul's - Paul King, vocals (ex-Coventry Drama School) and Paul Samson, lead guitar and vocals (ex-apprentice fitter!). Steve Edgson on clarinet, a rather earnest nice-guy, brings together a consistent, individual sound in the band's music. Base guitarist Tony Wall and drummer Colin Heanes, complete the 5 man set-up. No labels for the music but touches (?) of jazz, rock, ska, reggae... The band is a band; the vocalist is something else: very stylish, very beautiful, he incorporates formal mime in his presentation, and makes Kate Bush look like a learner in the process.
The venue attracted the likes of The Swinging Cats, God's Toys, Urge, The Mix and Attrition.
The next production at The Venue was titled 'Have a Nice Day'. It ran during November 1980 and it was performed by the Belgrade Theatre in Education Team. Again ticket prices were held at £1.00.
The following year saw productions such as 'Dangerous Girls' and the acclaimed 'Risky City' written by local playwright Ron Hutchinson. Risky City alluded in particular to Coventry. Additionally the play incorporated music by the 'up and coming Wild Boys'. Most of the action was set in a Night Club. The plays director, Michael Boyd, believed that 'the group s music had the right balance of aggression and containment', for a play dealing chiefly with the harsh realities and violence from the contemporary clash between youth and society. It was well worth seeing. And maybe demands to be revisited.
The importance of Coventry punk rock band, Squad, cannot be
understated when it comes to local music history. Formed during November 1977
and struggling on through till around 1980 they played many gigs locally in a
variety of venues. Often on the same bill as The Automatics.
Lead singer Gaz 'Gus' Chambers appeared to have a love/hate
relationship with Coventry where they thought that they were seen as a joke.
And that assertion couldn't have been further from the truth. Reviews of Squad
outside of Coventry were more than favourable.
Gus once commented, via Alternative Sounds, about a scene he wanted to build up
in the city. But then he railed against the 'tits' that turn up to each gig and
spoil it for everyone. 'Fans' were also accused of being more interested in
what was happening in the audience rather than in the music.
Money was also an issue too. During the same interview Gus mentioned how Squad
couldn't possibly progress as a band when half the audience were getting into
gigs for nothing. Like a lot of bands back then they were ripped off by their
own fans who would enter venues without paying.
Gaz began at Warwick university 1974/75. He was an incredibly
principled guy. Quite quickly he began to stamp his mark on the campus. Several
times he stood, for the broad left, in Coventry Area Student Council (CASC)
elections. Tuition fees were a particularly bug bear. Time and again Gaz railed
against them.
1977, and after running the election favourites closer than expected, it was
reported that a celebration event by the eventual winners was marred by an
eventful appearance by Gaz. 'The representative of the Coventry Area Students'
Council, was not invited to the gathering, as he is not a member of the
executive'.
The report continued 'Chambers was seen, quite late in the proceedings, to
enter the room surreptitiously and help himself to liberal quantities of food
and wine. The union president discreetly informed Chambers that he was not
invited and asked him to leave. Chambers took the hint, but picked up an
unopened bottle of wine as he made for the door. When asked to leave the bottle
behind, Chambers, in a fit of pique, tossed his loaded plate onto the floor,
tipped his pint glass of wine over a table, dropped the glass onto the floor,
and departed'.
Gaz did become CASC general secretary towards the end of his
time at Warwick.
On leaving uni Gus returned to the Warwick campus soon after as his band,
Squad, were support to The Specials during February 1979. Squad (I have assumed
line up 3) were described as a 'high quality, high energy punk band'.
'The drummer, bassist and rhythm guitarist provided a very
high beat upon which the singer super imposed his distinctive voice. The best
song in their set was an adapted form of 'The Bells are Ringing for Me and my
Gal'. 'Millionaire' proved that the band's rhythm held together even at high
speed, not a characteristic of many punk bands. Other songs included 'The
Flasher' which was the trigger for an outbreak of rowdiness'.
It appears that scuffles escalated during Squad's last number, when a minor
disturbance broke out among thirty or so fans. This continued for some time
until stewards formed a wall in front of the audience to prevent them from
leaping onto the stage. An eye witness, re-marked "The stewards showed
remarkable restraint under extreme provocation."
However the Arts Fed house manager claimed another side to
the events. 'Two of our stewards refused to wear Anti-Nazi League t-shirts. He
also accusedGus Chambers, as being
responsible for some of the charges towards the stage.
Guitarist Ade Dix let me have a few notes from post Squad
days: 'I didn't see Gus for years after the punk thing moving forward to the
early 80's but I remember seeing him down the Dog and Trumpet and he said that
he had been working in a Siberian salt mine, I don't know how true that was but
I wouldn't put it past him as he was some character!. I know that he went on to
play with albeit briefly with another band ( I'm thinking they were some sort
of Napalm Death type metal band) as I recall seeing an article and photo
somewhere, I think that they had a record deal, could be wrong?
Sadly the next thing I heard was that he had passed away, he must've only been
in his thirties, he was about our age as we're all the original Punks'.
Squad were an incredibly fluid band. Using pieces of
information from different sources I have attempted to document the evolving
line up's of the band during its lifetime. They are not meant to be a
definitive. It is open for debate. I am fairly certain other line up's
represented the band. But I do think it is a decent start.
Squad 1
Drums: Billy Little
Bass: Sam McNulty
Guitar: Scully
Vocals: Terry Hall (left to join Specials Dec 1977)
Squad 2
Drums: John Hobley
Bass: Sam McNulty
Guitar: Ade Dix
Vocals: Gus Chambers
Squad 3
Drums: Rob Hill
Bass: Sam McNulty
Guitar: Danny Cunningham
Guitar: Scully
Vocals: Gus Chambers
Squad 4
Drums: Rob Hill
Bass: Sam McNulty
Guitar: Danny Cunningham
Vocals: Gus Chambers
Squad 5
Drums: Marc Hatwood
Bass: Sam McNulty
Guitar: Danny Cunningham
Vocals: Gus Chambers
Recorded Red Alert (McNulty)/8 Pounds a Week (written by
Chambers/Ade Dix – uncredited) 1978. It cost £440 to make 2000 copies. Despite selling
out the band made nothing.
Squad 6
Drums: Rob Hill
Bass: Sam McNulty
Guitar: Danny Cunningham
Vocals: Gus Chambers
Recorded Mi££ionaire/Brockhill Boys (written by Chambers)
1979
Squad 7
Drums: Steve Young
Bass: Sam McNulty
Guitar: Danny Cunningham
Vocals: Gus Chambers
Squad 8
Drums: Steve Young
Bass: Nick Edwards
Guitar: Danny Cunningham
Vocals: Gus Chambers
Squad 9
Drums: Steve Young
Bass: Nigel Mulvey
Guitar: Johnny Adams
Vocals: Gus Chambers
Finally, returning to Gaz's days at Warwick university,
another incident was reported as follows: 'I hear that certain members of the
"Broad Left" let it "all hang out" at a recent gathering in
a Tocil Flat (pronounced Tock Hill). Other occupants of the flat, curious as to
what was going on, were confronted by Gaz Chambers wearing only a smile
........ A peep inside the door would have revealed other .... er 'members' in
a similar state of undress'.
An inspiration for the Squads song 'The Flasher'?
My thanks to Ade Dix, Danny Cunningham and Steve Meehan in
helping me compile this article.
Despite returning to her home city of Coventry Gilly Darbey
explained how, having lived there for several years now, she now becomes
homesick for her adopted New Zealand and not so much the UK. Understandable I
guess.
Gilly was back in Coventry to visit family and took the time,
via borrowed kit, to play a couple of gigs. In this instance the foyer of the
Albany Theatre was treated to a pulsating and incredibly entertaining
afternoon.
This unique and engaging character brought with her a range
of stories about New Zealand
and others aspects of her life. Gilly captivated
the audience as she breathed new life into the songs yet, at the same time,
remained graceful and full of a natural energy. Humour was never far away
either. At times she was very funny.
Gilly's voice had range and control which enabled her to improvise where
necessary. Her choice of songs also varied. They spanned between her own
through to those written by Bob Dylan and Charlie Chaplin.
During the proceedings Gilly excitedly explained how, over in
her adopted country, she has teamed up with another familiar name who has moved
out there. Vicki Clayton. Together they perform as 'We Wayward women' or 'We
Wayward Divas'. For those interested, and with the power of the internet making
the world that bit smaller, I am sure YouTube can provide more about this
duo.
This free spirited lady was not, it appears, for turning back. I noticed Keith
Donnelly in attendance so I admit to having this romantic notion that there
maybe some kind of brief Waterfall or Nothing by Chance reunion. But it was not
to be.
1.Blow Me Home
2.Hurricane
3. Rockabilly
4. I Miss My Son
5. I Got You Horse (about a cavalcade in New Zealand)
6. Isolation Blues (Covid Song)
7. To Make You Feel My Love (Bob Dylan made famous by Adelle)
8. Oil in the Generator (About a partner who rejected her. Kept his feelings in
a box)
9. Bailey
10. Lets Just Breathe (Willie Nelson)
11. Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell)
Encore
12. Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
The set list above is by and large correct. I may have
misheard a couple of song titles so I improvised. Either way it was an absolute
joy to see Gilly. And hopefully she enjoyed it all too.
