ENS to Reluctant Stereotypes

 

ENS to Reluctant Stereotypes

by Pete Clemons

Pete Clemons - Any research on Coventry band The Reluctant Stereotypes may well result in you seeing the note 'morphed out of ENS' or similar. Rarely is it expanded on.

But who or what was ENS?. To begin with, musicians including Paul Sampson, Steve Edgson, Peter Bosworth, Paul Brook, Steve Haddon and Chris Dunne were involved at some point. But that list is not exhaustive and others may well have passed through the band.

Trev Teasdel Hobo site editor - Stop right there. I think I can fill in here! Let's expand - (we'll come back to Pete's article)

Steve Haddon wrote "Ens was formed by Pete Bosworth (guitar - brilliant John McLaughlin look/sound-alike) and myself (Steve Haddon). 

The original bass player didn't turn up for our first gig (at The Golden Cross) so he was ditched! Our first drummer was Johan (can't remember surname) who played the working men's clubs in a drums/keyboards duo. Johan's commitments made it difficult for us to fit in gigs, so he was replaced by Paul Brook. Paul came to our first audition but was still playing in another Coventry band (Analog) along with Steve Edgson & Mick Hartley, so despite him being brilliant, he couldn't join because of this commitment. When Paul Brook joined, we also gained Mick Hartley (Bass) and Steve Edgson (Clarinet) - actually Steve Edgson may have joined before the other two! Paul Brook still found it difficult to give us 100% of his time and, eventually, this led to us replacing him with Chris Dunne - our 3rd brilliant drummer in a row.  Sadly Pete Boswell died and was replaced by Paul Sampson. Pete Bosworth made a huge contribution to Ens and it really wasn't the same without him - so the name was changed to the Reluctant Stereotypes mark 1 before Paul King replaced Paul Sampson."

Trev Teasdel " Yes Steve Haddon is right the core of ENS came out of Analog but who were Analog? I can help here - summer 1974 I was producing Hobo Coventry Music and Arts Magazine and got a letter from guitarist John Rushton telling the magazine about Analog - the letter began -

"Hi Trev, I thought you might like some details of a new and truly original Coventry rock band to include in your mag - Hobo." 

And yes we did include the band and their details in Hobo summer 1974 issue and then gave them their first gig at the Hobo Workshop Holyhead Road Youth Centre in Coventry in the July and and another in September 1974. Bear in mind at this time Charley Anderson etal and Neol Davies were practicing their reggae licks in the basement downstairs some years before the Specials formed there.

Analog's line up was Mick Hartley - bass, Steve Edgson guitar / clarinet / Paul Brook drums (double kit) and vocals  / John Rushton lead guitar and backing vocals. They band were a jazz / Rock band influenced by bands like Colosseum. Paul Brook had written a 40 min suite called Custer's Last Stand which they recorded at Bird Sound Studio, Snitterfield. You can listen to these suburb tracks here - and bear in mind three of Analog went into Ens and later the early Reluctant Stereotypes.

JARGON · Analog {Coventry Band 1974} feat. Paul Brooke [Drums] ARCHIVE

https://soundcloud.com/jargon-1/sets/analog-coventry-band-1974-feat?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Analog at the Hobo Workshop Holyhead Road Youth Centre September 1974 from the Coventry Journal.

John Rushton's letter to Hobo Magazine July 1974

So now, back to Pete Clemons and ENS

Pete Clemons - I for one would like to know what the acronym ENS stood for. But, I think, it would not be unfair to describe ENS as something of an experimental art rock band. They were certainly avant-garde and had a style of their own.

In fact ENS once won the Melody Maker folk/rock area finals competition. In hindsight, the problem for them was that they won this contest and flourished during 1977. A time when the country was not quite in the right frame of mind for innovative and forward thinking music.

During 1975, as far back as I can trace any of their history, ENS were described as a 'bona fide university band' and 'worth a glimpse' as they were announced as support to Savoy Brown who had guitarist extraordinaire Kim Simmonds in their ranks. Also on that bill was Jet who were described as 'an up and coming Sparks/Queen outfit'.

However I am guessing that ENS were maybe more at ease when, during 1977 they supported Henry Cow, a band who were trying to break free of all possible barriers to their music.

In, just short of 2 hours, five pieces of music of music was performed by Henry Cow. The shortest of them was the Lindsay Cooper tune 'No More Songs' which was dedicated to Phil Ochs. They played four long pieces, two of which were called 'Beautiful As An Army With Banners' and 'Living in The Heart Of The Beast'. The other two pieces were simply unannounced.

The gig had certainly been an evening of drama. Henry Cow had attempted to step outside of all that had been considered 'the norm' and simply experiment. With an audience that had a sympathetic ear, ENS had , without question, been received extremely well. But if ENS had felt like they were on a high, sadly it was not last.

Early 1978 saw Warwick University put on free entertainment in the Union Building. As it turned out it was an unfortunate example of student misbehaviour as ENS came in for criticism by those who considered them to be a 'bad band who could not satisfy their unruly inclinations'.

To be fair it was a sign of the time as it merely showed that some gig goers of the day lacked musical appreciation as well as etiquette.

Audiences had lost there way and had quickly forgotten that there was still music outside the realms of heavy rock and sniff rock. And ENS were more than competent to play their type of music.

It was unfortunate that those who were interested in listening to quality music had had their enjoyment spoiled by those who felt that they should voice their disapproval of the whole event.

Afterwards it was mentioned that 'One thing was certain, ENS won't play at Warwick University again unless we pay them 'danger money!'

Thankfully we have changed and, today, we seem to be more open and receptive to many different styles of music.

....

No audio of ENS but this is the early Reluctant Stereotypes with Paul Sampson on vocals before Paul King took over on vocals.

Frank Ifield

Frank Ifield

by Pete Clemons

Frank Ifield was born in Coventry during November 1937, emigrated to Australia 1946 and made his home in the Hills district of Sydney.

Before he was 16 Frank had landed himself a recording contract and, as a consequence, made many appearances on television and radio in that country. It was said that Frank Ifield couldn't resist a challenge.

And that challenge came in the shape of tackling and conquering a new audience in the United Kingdom that drove him to leave Australia where, as a top drawer entertainer, his future was secure.

So in November 1959 Frank arrived in England virtually unknown but eager to start again and determined to succeed. Initially a chart topping record eluded Frank. That said his first single for Colombia Records 'Lucky Devil' did enter the top twenty.

Subsequent TV appearances and nation wide tours made him well known to thousands. Then Frank recorded 'I Remember You' and everything changed overnight. This song had a distinct flavour all of its own which immediately grabbed the attention of the record buying public and it soared to number one.

Even after four number ones singles, between 1962 and 1963, Frank's chart success would not last. The advent of the beat bands saw the singing stars of the late 1950s and early 1960s soon finding themselves in the shadows.

By late 1963 and through 1964 The Beatles, The Rolling Stones were beginning to dominate the music scene and Frank had to reinvent himself.

And that change of direction was by becoming an almost automatic choice on the all round family entertainment programmes that dominated the small screens. And Frank was a regular until that type of entertainment had run its course.

Frank was also an advocate of the theatre. Particularly his beloved Coventry Theatre. 1976 saw the future of Coventry Theatre being threatened. February 1976 saw Coventry Planning Committee grant permission for an application to extend the building. This would mean it could be used as a Bingo Hall.

However Equity launched a campaign to keep the Theatre a live theatre. Messages of support were received from, amongst others, stars of the day like Frank, Peters and Lee, Noel Gordon John Alderton and Kenneth Moore.

But, of course, it was a short lived victory.


Below is a non exhaustive list of some of Frank Ifield's highlights:

April 1960 Duane Eddy, Kathy Kirby, Frank Ifield tour of the UK

May/June 1960 Emile Ford and the Checkmates, Frank Ifield tour inc Rugby Granada Theatre

The Shadows, Frank Ifield Jan/Feb 1961

The Shadows, Frank Ifield April 1962 for a week in Liverpool

Everly Brothers, Frank Ifield late 1962


Headline tours:

Frank Ifield, Anita Harris late 1962

Frank Ifield, Lana Sisters early 1963 (inc Coventry Theatre)

Frank Ifield, The Springfields early 1963

May and again June 1963 Frank Ifield, London Palladium

By 1965 Frank was playing summer seasons at seaside towns such as Great Yarmouth and Bournemouth
Summer season 1964 saw Frank Ifield in Blackpool with Kathy Kirby

By end of 1965 and into 1966 Frank was starring in pantomime at the London Palladium alongside stars like Sid James, Arthur Askey and Roy Kinnear.

1967 holiday star time with Jimmy Tarbuck at Blackpool

A similar pattern of shows and regular television appearances continued.

I Remember You

Lovesick Blues

The Waywood Wind

She Taught me to Yodel

Cycle - A Band with Teesside and Coventry Connections

 Cycle - A Band with Teesside and Coventry Connections.

By Pete Clemons with Prologue by Trev Teasdel.

Cycle second generation — from left to right, Jim Broughton, Norman Smith, John Whittingham, Andy Chisholm, and Malcolm Harker.

Photo from Andy Chisholm's website for Cycle - Here - for more information and photographs -

https://www.chisholm.nl/cycle/cycle.html

Prologue by Trev Teasdel

There's a little back history that led to this article. 

Coventry 1971, I was putting on bands at Coventry Arts Umbrella and doing the door for Pete Waterman's Progressive night at The Walsgrave. 

Pete Waterman (long before SAW) booked Coventry top progressive band -  Indian Summer for the Walsgrave. They'd just recorded an album for RCA Neon - a short lived progressive label, via their manager Jim Simson, who also managed Black Sabbath. Indian Summer who  also comprised Bob Jackson - later with Pete Brown and Piblokto, Ross, Badfinger and The Fortunes. Paul Hooper who now drums for North east group Prelude who had a hit in the 70's and  Colin Williams - a first class guitarist.

Indian Summer 1971 - L to R Collin Williams / Malc Harker / Paul Hooper / Bob Jackson.

I asked Malc Harker, the bass player, if Indian Summer would play the Umbrella - they had in the past, but Malc told me he was leaving the band to join his father's Engineering business - Harker and Sons and the band would be without a bass player for a while. 

I had assumed Harkers was in Coventry and in 1980 I moved to Teesside to do my degree and while I heard about Harkers Engineering in Stockton on Tees, I had no idea it was connected to Malcolm until Pete Clemons interviewed Malc for an article on this site published in 2021. It was a revelation to me but Malc had already sold Harkers by then and moved to Seattle band. 

I learnt via the article that Malc had bought a property not far from where I now live in Great Ayton, up near Chop Gate on the moors called Chisel Hill Mill where he had recorded Chris Rea and also North East band called Cycle. 

Chisel Hill Mill

I was up there recently a friend and the views are tremendous and I  Googled the band 'Cycle' and discovered Andy Chisholm's great website on the band's with lots of photos of the time at Chisel Hill and then put Pete Clemons in touch with Andy with the idea of writing this article on and in doing so I discovered there were more coincidences - Pete already had Cycle's album and it was produced by Coventry musician Lee Dorian and here it is. 

Malc Harker "Music had to take a back seat when I took over my Father's firm - but I was still playing. Haywire was the first Teesside band I joined, playing acoustic folk-rock at venues such as “The Kirk” and The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge (home of Back Door). One day I saw an advert “Cycle needs a bass player” - so I went along."

You can read Pete Clemons 2021 article / interview with Malcolm Harker here and it compliments this new article - https://coventrygigs.blogspot.com/2021/03/malcolm-harker-ex-indian-summer-musical.html

CYCLE - by Pete Clemons

This particular article began as a chat between Trev Teasdel and Andy Chisholm. Andy had, I think, spotted an article I wrote about Coventry band Indian Summer. Andy spotted Malcolm Harker's name who, later, became associated with a band up in the North East called Cycle. Having had the Cycle CD in my collection I asked Malcolm Harker for his recollections and memories on that period. His reply follows............

Greetings from Seattle. What an amazing coincidence!

The story’s true, I’m here to say

I was driving that Model A

I left Coventry in '71 and went back north to join the family business. But I still wanted to play bass in a rock band. So I replied to an ad. in the Teesside Evening Gazette:

'Cycle needs a bass player'

Being newly-returned I didn’t know that Cycle were a heavy metal band from the original land of heavy metal - blast furnaces, shipyards, pit villages and all the other heavy jobs. Cycle had a reputation - and volume to make themselves heard above all this.

Unlike Indian Summer, they were also heavy drinkers. All the local bass players were intimidated, so there were only 2 applicants - me and a guy who had just been released from jail for something druggie. Perhaps surprisingly, I've never been in a druggie band.

So I got the job - but on 1 condition: I had to buy the old bass player Ronnie’s Laney amp. The WEM amp I had just wasn’t up to such heavy lifting. I subsequently discovered it also covered the hole in the van floor where the rain came in - another task my wimpy WEM couldn't handle.

Since you have the Cycle album, you know the other band members. Norman was a great powerful drummer and a rigger at ICI chemical works. John the guitarist (RIP) was really good, but I took that for granted as I was used to playing with Col. Williams. John was also a powerful singer and Special Needs teacher - exactly the skill set required to manage a hall full of drunken coal miners. Andy Chisholm, who became a life-long friend, was the roadie and sound man - with the first back-of-the-hall mixing desk of any local band.

We also had a serious PA with reflex bins. - another local first. Andy sang harmony vocals from the desk - including the Major Tom parts on Cycle’s pretty good version of Space Oddity. There were several Heavy covers - but no Bloody Sabbath!

And we were loud - VERY LOUD. But at the steelworks and pit village Working Men's Clubs no one cared how loud it was - unless we interrupted the bingo!

I’m on the title track, 'Cosmic Clouds', also playing the vibes, which featured on a couple of the Indian Summer album tracks. 'Walking Through the Darkness' and 'Dawn of a New Life' were recorded at my studio, Chisel Hill Mill. Incidentally, Chris Rea recorded some demos at Chisel Hill Mill.

Chisel Hill by Chris Rea

The funky influence was my fault as I liked Steely Dan: 'Reelin’ in the Years'?. We didn’t play it - but Paul Hooper does in the West Coast Band, which still plays the same North East Working Men's Clubs - even though all the pits and most of the heavy jobs have gone.

Andy Chisholm: Sadly of the list of Cycle members, John Whittingham, guitar, Ronnie Patterson, bass, Norman Smith, drums, Malcolm Harker, bass, Andy Chisholm, sound and synths - (we all did vocals), Dave Stokes, roadie, and Jim Broughton, roadie and keyboards, only Norman, Malcolm, Jim, and myself survive. There can be no revival of the band now without the others.

And the Coventry connection doesn't stop there. The reissued Cycle album came out on the Rise Above Relics label a specialist subsidiary label of the Rise Above Records run by none other than Napalm Death vocalist Lee Dorrian

My thanks to Andy Chisholm and Malcolm Harker

Indian Summer Album RCA Neon 1971

Dawning of the Last Life - Cycle 

Cosmic Clouds - Cycle

In the Beginning - Cycle

More from Cycle on their Channel

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mJV5Gsv6G7SSJRvg3-weP9yksUhPQ2TBw

Lee Dorrian of Rise Again Records band Napalm Death.

Lee Dorian of Rise Above Records with Napalm Death - Scum.

Malc Harker (left) at Harkers and Sons Ltd Stockton on Tees.

The Lion Inn Blakey Ridge North Yorkshire Moors.

Chisel Hill Mill studios in the 70's via Andy Chisholm's website for Cycle 

https://www.chisholm.nl/cycle/cycle.html

And Malcolm Harker on bass via the same site.

Indian Summer at the Coventry Arts Umbrella 1970

Up near Chisel Hill - the views - Roseberry Topping in the background

Chisel Hill Mill today.