TAILORMADE
Crewe based pop band, released a single in 1981 called Sallyanne.
More information required.
SIMON TANSLEY
A lad from Gillow Heath who released a 40 track cassette album in 1982 entitled Genuine Mono/Guaranteed Useless. Just an acoustic guitar (badly played), and juvenile-sounding singing (sung badly). Track titles such as Life Is Like A Trail Of Blood, and Dreaming In My Dustbin. So bad it was good - so some people say.
TATTWA VISION
Featured on the mid-80s compilation album "To Boldly Go" with the track Privilege.
More information required.
THE THUNDERING HEARTS
MARTYN HEATH (ex THE NERVES, LIONHEART, & NICE ON THE ICE), PAUL EMERY, & DAVE ROBOTHAM. Supported Green on Red on their 1st UK Tour and were featured on Radio Stoke, and were touted heavily to appear at the Reading Festival, which never happened.
TIGER CLUB
Working name for the mid-eighties solo output of NEALE DOWN, ex ALL THE MADMEN, DECADES BY NIGHT, THE FRIENDLY CAMPAIGN, and THE CONE. Featured on the mid-80s compilation album "To Boldly Go" with the track 'Starve'.
NEALE also recorded solo demos under the names THE MADMEN ASSOCIATES, & SIX SEATER COMPUTER.
http://www.myspace.com/sixseatercomputer
NEALE also produced A NUL NOISE.
In 2010, the track Laugh Last appeared on an unofficial American release, CRISPY NUGGETS VOL.3:
TIME OUT
Based somwhere in Cheshire, these pop/disco/funksters were: SEAN 'ALBATROSS' COLLINS - gtr & vocals, PHIL 'ALPHONSO' JOHNSON - bass, MARTIN ' SUGAR LIPS' BROOKE - gtr, GARY 'G-MAJOR' MINOR - percussion. Contributed the track Still On Ice to the Stoke Musicians Collective's album CRY HAVOC.
TOKER
Managed by BRUNO BROOKES. Members included KEITH HAMMERSLEY, NICK READ, & JULIA CARTWRIGHT, who would all afterwards work together in LEARNING TO SPEAK.
THE TOMMYS
4 piece girl rock/punk band, managed by PAUL SPENCER, ex DARIO G. The band came together via SPENCER's Playground Studios in Crewe, South Cheshire. TANIA KAWALIT, from Congleton, played bass and was already jamming with drummer FRAN ROBINSON of Nantwich, when SPENCER introduced JESSICA BELL, originally from Blackpool, into the equation.
TANIA and FRAN had played with other girls who eventually went off to University. But with JESSICA now in the band as the band's Debbie Harry-esq front woman, the next mission was to recruit a guitarist.
They met STEVIE SHEPPERSON of Derbyshire, with family originating from Biddulph, after receiving her reply to their advert in Kerrang! magazine.
The band promised a lot, but failed to live up to expectations, eventually splitting in 2008. STEVIE joined Northampton based rock band OUT OF EMBERS.
TOWER STRUCK DOWN
This was an Indy band, and became part of the Liverpool/Manchester scene of the late 70’s early 80’s featuring RIVER WATERS, ex UNINVITED. However after a couple of years WATERS left the band, which then split up. A few years later the band was reformed with a different line up by MARK 'CAL' CALLAGHAN (lead vocals) as punk/folk/rock outfit. This proved to be very successful on both the club and festival circuit.
http://www.myspace.com/tower_struck_down
http://www.towerstruckdown.com/
Sadly, CAL died in 2011 - http://images-of-crewe.blogspot.com/2011/06/tower-struck-down.html
TOWNHOUSE
In existence for a short while in 1982, fronted by ex PLASTIC IDOLS frontman DAVE GASCOIGNE. ROGER McINTOSH, ex ESPRIT DE CORPS played guitar. Similar sound to CLASSIX NOUVEAUX.
TRASH
This lot from Stafford were there right at the beginning of punk. Played on the same bill as THE VERDICTS and THE VEINS in '78 at The In-Set. Covered The Velvets' "White Light...White Heat" in their set. Not to be confused with the band of the same who released two singles on Polydor in '77/'78.
THE TREES
At least one of the band comes from Leek.
More information required.
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JACKIE TRENT
Born YVONNE BURGESS in Chesterton in 1940.
Co-wrote THE POTTERS song We'll Be With You in 1972.
Full info: http://www.jackietrent.com/
THE TRENT VALE POET
A 21st centry John Cooper Clarke for the Potteries. His real name is MARK BAILEY. Also performs under the name THE TRENT VALE POET BAND.
www.myspace.com/thetrentvalepoet
www.myspace.com/thetrentvalepoetband
TRIBAL OUST
Formerly known as FRENZY.
More information required.
TROUSERDOG
Hard to get much sense out of this bunch, this might be the line-up: WARREN - Vocals, RICH - Guitar, JIM - Bass, CHRIS - Drums, GLEN - Guitar/Synth. CD released called HOW I BECAME A SEX PEST. And thats as good a description of their music as you'll get. TROUSERDOG have a sound that cannot be easily pigeonholed into any of the thousands of genres and sub genres that there seem to be these days. They have a sound that is both original, but strangely familiar in a lot of ways. CD reviewed here: http://stokesounds.blogspot.com/search/label/Trouserdog
TSUNAMI
A jazz rock/funk 4-piece who played instrumentals only, gigged extensively around the Potteries. Formed sometime in the late seventies. Line-up: BILL MIDDLETON bass, BRENDAN DAY drums, BILL SUTTON keys, JOHN SINCLAIR guitar. JOHN SINCLAIR died on Xmas day 1982. BILL MIDDLETON ended up working as a gamekeeper in Wales, and passed away in 2006.
T.V EYE
Crewe, early 1977 - ANDY PENNANCE and STEVE REYNOLDS form T.V. EYE and along with MICK TAYLOR, ANDY (BUCKO) BUCKLEY and STEVE PALMER they churn out Stooges, Ramones and Velvet Underground numbers to anyone who will listen at local venues, occasionally weathering verbal and even physical threats at a debut gig in Manchester. They are eventually joined by DAVE (MD) ROBBINS on lead guitar in late '77. With a nucleus of STEVE, DAVE, ANDY and BUCKO they record their first session at Central Sound in Manchester from which the Rock Section EP is cut. After one or two name and personnel changes they eventually become THE COLOURS OUT OF TIME.
TWO'S UP
Songwriting duo from the late 60s/early 70s. Released a 4-track E.P. in 1981.
More information required.
UMBRELLA SUN
ADRIAN THURSFIELD, MARK BOSSONS (ex PLUS SUPPORT & THE PLAGUE), & PHIL HEEKS.
http://www.myspace.com/umbrellasun
THE UNINVITED
Sandbach punk band in a kind of Ruts style - ROGER GIBSON - vocals & gtr, MARTIN EDWARDS aka RIVER WATERS - gtr & backing vox, ADRIAN BUCKLEY - bass & backing vox, STEVE BARNES - drums & backing vox. Contributed the song Doing The East Berlin to the Stoke Musicians Collective’s album CRY HAVOC. Added a seperate lead vocalist some time in '81.
UNITED NATIONS
'Melodic' rock band from the late 80s,
PAUL McCAFFERTY - Lead & Backing Vocals
GARY DAVIS - Guitars & Backing Vocals
PETER HANKEY - Bass Guitar
CHRIS STONIER - Keyboards
CHRIS MOONEY- Drums & Backing Vocals
Released an album in 1985 on Magnet Records, THE FIRST MOVE
URBAN STUDIES
Information required.
UXB
GARY CHELL vocals (ex DEDKATZ, BREADLINE), DARRELL GREENAHLGH, bass (ex BREADLINE), MARTIN SOLOMON gtr (ex VERDICTS), and NICK on drums.
VA-T-EN
Pronounced 'Vatienne', who were led by their singer WELBY, who was reknown for wearing a red beret which he claims was given to him by Captain Sensible. Other members were BAZ & IAN. Early 80s post punk.
THE VEINS
Penkhull based punk band dating back to '77. Gigged around the area up until 1979. Influenced as much by the New York scene/Velvets, etc, as by the English punk scene. Released a single on Bum Records - Speed Of The City b/w Sick in 1978, followed up with Lose Control To Rock 'n' Roll b/w Champagne on Redball in '79. Known for a time as INTRAVEIN. A sort of ' review' of Speed Of The City can be read here (The endnotes are hilarious!, about half way down the page): http://punkbusinessmanager.com/2009/03/14/intravein.aspx
Line up :
NICKY McKINNEY - vocals, DAVE JENKINS - gtr, DAVE BROOKES - gtr, JESS THORNHILL - gtr, STEVE THORNHILL - bass, JOHN - keyboards, CHRIS - drums. RICHARD BRYAN played drums at one point. MAFF also played drums. Managed by NIGEL BAMFORD, one time bassist with DISCHARGE. Band disappeared late '79. CHRIS BAILEY (BEYOND THE WALL, ALL THE MADMEN) was originally approached to be the vocalist, but declined the invitation.
STEVE THORNHILL eventually joined THE PRODUCT. DAVE JENKINS is rumoured to have also.
THE VENUS BEADS MARK HASSALL (drums), ex SINGING CURTAINS & THE ROSEHIPS, ROB JONES, vox/gtr, and ANTHONY PRICE (guitar), ex ROSEHIPS, SINGING CURTAINS & THE SAINSBURYS. Released two albums, INCISION, & BLACK ASPIRIN.
http://wilfullyobscure.blogspot.com/2007/10/venus-beads-incision-1991.html
ANT PRICE died in 2010.
THE VERDICTS
Sometimes known as THE VERDICT. Stoke's first punk band - a 4 piece fronted by MARK RENAUDON; what he gained in the vision to form the band, he lacked in originality, with a live set comprising Beatles, Stones, and John Martyn covers, and a smattering of originals. Decca records at one point were interested in signing MARK as a soloist, and he later formed the 'new-wave' band RENE, and was also involved with FLIGHT 505, & tribute band STONED AGAIN. Bass player was DAVE EVANS, ANDY EVANS played drums, MARTIN SOLOMON played guitar.
Legendary gigs at The In-Set in Stoke, a cassette release of their final gig 'Live At The In-Set' did the rounds in the late 70s, featuring their infamous song 'Stoke-on-Trent'. MARTIN SOLOMON later played with UXB.
VERMILION HAIR
Formed in Feb’80, took their name from a hairdresser’s shop in Crewe, from where the band originated. Very much of the times, futurist influenced band. Participants in the early “Battle Of The Bands” competitions organised by The Stoke Musicians Collective, and recorded a session for Peter Powell’s Radio 1 show. Five piece, with a female singer - BEV CLARKE, a female synth player, & 3 guys on gtr/bass/drums, one of which was a guy called ADRIAN, who went on to play with LOWLIFE. Contributed 2 tracks to the Stoke Musicians Collective’s album CRY HAVOC – Private Eye, and Hidden Meaning.
THE VERMIN
THE VERMIN consisted of STAN on vocals, JACKO on bass guitar, CHIG (IAN CHADWICK) was the drummer and FISH (STEVE BROOKES) was the guitar person. Did a couple of gigs.
FISH & CHIG formed THE SKEPTIX.
VICARAGE GARDEN
JASON on gtr/vox was the leader of this 90s indie band who released a few singles.
http://www.twee.net/bands/v/vicaragegard.html
THE VICTIMS
Stafford based punks, had a cassette album out in 1983 entitled 'Bollocks To The Council The Victims Have Played'.
VISIONS IN GLASS
A 4-piece electro/synth band from the mid-80s, comprising FLECH on vox, JOHN on gtr, and two others.
V-SOR X
MORGAN BRYAN, a Lichfield lad at Alsager College, was the main man behind this post/punk outfit. Released a single in 1983 entitled Authors 2, sometimes playing at The Vine around this time. Recently reformed.
Its all here: http://www.dxdx.com/vsorx/index.html
WALTER MITTY GRAINGER REECE aka ED COLI – vocals, piano, synth, ROGER McINTOSH – percussion, KEVIN JERVIS – drums, CLIVE BUTTLE - guitar, and PATRICK REGAN – tenor sax . Recorded Screaming Till The Sun Goes Down at Penkhull’s Bumble Studio in 1980, it featured on the STOKE MUSICIANS COLLECTIVE’S album CRY HAVOC released on SLIP in 1981. The band performed at the CRY HAVOC concert.
GRAINGER continued working under the name ED COLI, SONS OF MONKEYS and also THE EMPTY PIANOS. PATRICK & CLIVE also worked under the title “THE CATALECTIC PARAGOGE”.
WATCHING THE AZAELAS GROW
A post punk band that was around in 1982/83.
THE JOHNNY WATERHOUSE BLUES BAND
Regulars at many local venues in the 80's and 90's - esp. Bridge Street Arts Centre featured ex HUNTER drummer JOHN CRIMES.
RIVER WATERS
RIVER WATERS, otherwise MARTIN EDWARDS, played in THE UNINVITED, ABOUT TIME, TOWER STRUCK DOWN, & INDIAN SUMMER, before forming the band that carried his name, performing a hybrid of progressive rock, space rock, world and folk music.
In 2011, he reverted back to MARTIN EDWARDS, with plans to record under the name KING OF DREAMS.
http://www.reverbnation.com/kingofdreams#!/page_object/page_object_bio/artist_1667588
BOB WEBB
BOB WEBB started playing with blues bands and pop bands in 1965. Turned professional in 1967 playing with soul band STEVIE'S FIX (THE FIX). Only started to write his own songs from 1975 writing with SNELSON & CULLEY for a band called MILLERS THUMB, which was a folk band. He then started to write rock songs for local bands and for his own band (A BAND CALLED DORIS) in the eighties. Then back into the folk world again writing for a band called FERNERY FAIR, writing pretty modern folk songs (1988). From 1990 to 2000, He's been writing for a band called INVISIBLE PEOPLE and THE BOB WEBB PROJECT, also WEBB AND PEACH.
His latest project has been to write for his recentley formed band THE HORLIX BROTHERS, also now working with BAK-A-GEN. Plus working on solo album with a number of solo gigs
Live work over the years has seen him work with lots of American vocal bands on tour in the UK, plus working as support to many top bands here and abroad.
WHITE DOOR Electro/synth rock three-piece, released the single Kings Of The Orient b/w New Jealousies on Clay Records in '82. Other singles include Windows; Jerusalem; and Flame In My Heart. Also released an album entitled Windows.
MAC AUSTIN - vocals (ex GRACE), HARRY DAVIES - synths, flute, & percussion (ex GRACE), JOHN DAVIES - synths and strings.
WHITE KNUCKLE RIDE
NICK EGAN, bass, & LES CRITCHLOW, drums, both ex HUNTER. Also DAN MACHIN on guitar & keys.
THE WHITE LIGHTNING BLUES BAND
Contributed 2 tracks to the Stoke Musicians Collective’s album CRY HAVOC – Neat Scenes, & Shake It Again. The band wrote these notes in 1981 for the album:
“Stoke’s R & B band – 4 years of various line-ups playing electric blues to fairly empty rooms over rather ramshackle pubs. In the end even a love for the music wasn’t enough.These are the last offerings from a phantom band. One and a half highly untypical band songs indicating the direction just before the apocolypse of Oct 80. A lot cleaner and more funky than most will remember. A kind of coda and another dull thud in the history of British Blues.”
Line-up at the time of recording was JIM GILLESPIE – vocals, DAVE BOULTON – guitar, JOHN STONIER – guitar, DAVID SIMPSON – bass, & TIM SIMPSON (ex BEYOND THE WALL) on drums.
Former members included BOB HILDITCH, TONY EVANS, PERCE, RANO, TREVOR PINSON, JANET AHMED, & ED LANE.
TIM SIMPSON later joined THE KILLJOYS. JOHN STONIER went on to play with THE HEADSET, and THE HIDDEN PERSUADERS.
BOB HILDITCH committed suicide in 2000.
WHITE SPIRIT
On the early Stoke Musicians Collective/Battle Of The band scene.
More information required.
ROBBIE WILLIAMS Tattooed bloke who likes birds & booze and supports a cac football team? Must be a Potteries lad then.
Was in Take That, then went solo.
If you really need to know anything else, his website is the place - second thoughts, don't bother, it'll only encourage him.
http://www.robbiewilliams.com/
WILLIE'S WIFE
Featured on the mid-80s compilation album "To Boldly Go" with the track Don't Go Away.
More information required.
WILLY NILLY A band of Bowie/Roxy/Velvets wannabees from the late seventies, formed by DAVE GASCOIGNE, MICK PENKETHMAN and ROB WILD in Feb 1978 which after two gigs became THE PLASTIC IDOLS- the addition of JOHN SIMPSON and DAVE WINDSOR signaling a name change. .
THE WITAN
Around since the early 70s, and throughout that decade. JEFF KENT, local writer, fronted this band which were into ecology/anarchy. Had a single out on Witan Records called Butcher's Tale.
THE WOW
Featuring ex-members of SPY vs SPY.
THE YA-YAS
Also known as CAPTAIN CAT, and HEY RED BUS. NICK DEGG wrote this:
"The first incarnation was HEY RED BUS formed in Hanley in 1985, we used to see each other at gigs, record fairs, and early Hacienda nights. PHIL HEATH (Gtr & Vocal) and PAUL HORVATH (Bass) were the nucleus, and NICK DEGG (Gtr) and MARK BOSSONS (Drums) joined soon after. The first gig was at The Antelope on 1st Aug 85 followed by a clutch of other local gigs, before support slots with James, and Green on Red at The Gatehouse/Stafford.
The sound was pretty different for the time, being more atuned to a Manchester/Liverpool audience. Only five years later on hearing The La's 'There She Goes' I realised how far ahead we were, as thats the closest I have heard anyone sound since.
In late '86 PHIL wanted to concentrate on his guitar playing, which was already superb, so JON HILL came in on vocals, and MARK left to be replaced by PAUL BURGESS on drums. Also we swapped from Rickenbacker and acoustics to a Telecaster and Gibson semi accoustic so the sound became fuller and more "Stonsey". It was around this time we became CAPTAIN CAT.
I left in early '87 and lost touch, but do know that they recorded "That doesn't go there" 12" EP as THE RUBY TUESDAYS, but I know nothing of THE YA-YAS days.
As an aside…
Following a gig with a couple of members of Green On Red in Manchester, the band and friends had a kick about the next morning. We realised that there were a few decent players amongst us, and thats how Leadbellys FC were formed (We even did music and football before everyone else). It's a pity we didn't form a few years later..."
YEAH JAZZ Uttoxeter indie band from the mid 80s, released a number of excellent singles. Band members have included KEV, TUCKER, CHATS, TEL, STU, CHIEF, FRED, DAVE LEE, & HELEN.
http://www.twee.net/bands/y/yeahjazz.html
YOUTHS FROM NOWHERE
From Middlewich, Joy Division/Fall influenced band from the early 80s
