The Breathers – final line up 1981

The Breathers in their final phase acting as support for The Sensational Alex Harvey Band at a gig in Mountain Ash, Wales. Red Ferrari gtr, Kevin Hoad drums, Bryn Gregory  vocals, Ric Hool bass.

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Photos supplied by Ric Hool

Andy Knight….What about those long rehearsals at Fairlight Studios Rick and where are you now?

Ric Hool….Hi Andy, Yes, too true, the Fairlight rehearsals were measured in days, not hours, as The Breathers found replacements for, firstly, Steve Demitri and then Izzi Peptone.Kevin Hoad made good the drumming stool and heroically stuck it out with Red Ferrari and myself. The difference between the rehearsals above Steve’s cafe and those at Fairlight were well demarcated: the former being hugely creative in terms and the making of the Breathers whereas the latter were spent in reparation.

Mick Mepham….Isn’t that Jim Bell on guitar? Excellent player and nice guy too.

Tony Qunta….Yes it is – last time I spoke to him was about twenty years ago!

Kevin Hoad….OMG.Never seen this Photo. The singer was guy called Bryn.(Welsh you know) can’t remember surname.We did Welsh tour and support to Sensational Alex Harvey Band.The Famous Digger was our Roadie.Great Guy.

Ric Hool….In reply to Kevin’s last sentence regarding roadie Digger. Returning in 1989 after 5 years of living in Spain I took a pine kitchen table to a place in Silver Hill to be stripped of its polish, effectively converting it to a scrub-top table. The guy came out, kitted-up in a mask (protection against the caustic fumes) but the eyes were familiar: it was Digger. He did the job and stories were exchanged. It was great to meet him again.The table is still in use and central to our family home, a cherished totem of every-day life. Some might think this ‘folksy’: I consider it springboard for a rock lyric, ‘The Stripped-Pine Table’.
C’mon Mick Mepham, put yr plec around a riff and curl yr tongue around a lyric.

Mick Mepham….Ok, that’s a project. Watch this space (but don’t hold your breath!!!)

Kevin Hoad….Was this on our Welsh tour support to Sensational Alex Harvey Band? I remember we we’re put up in a Caravan with no window! Snowed a lot. Me and Digger had snow on our sleeping bags in the morning. Think  you and Jim had the En Suite with the wood burning stove.

Ric Hool…..Welsh Tour it was, but we toured there a few times. I’m interested in your details about accommodation. memory wipeout, but interested, tell me more…Do you remember the gig at Whitland Town Hall, Wales (Izzi Peptone still in the band) when we were accommodated at Nik Turner’s(Hawkwind) farm?  All groups will identify with ‘road survival’ – sometimes I wonder how we actually did survive. I remember at Whitland, ‘Alamo’ from Hastings turned up. Does anyone remember him? Izzi Peptone certainly will.

Alan Esdaile .. .I also remember Digger driving me when I had a disco to do in Yeovil, Somerset. Last minute as my regular driver had trouble with his van. Tony Bridger came along as well and had a great time.

Having recently sent a cd taken from an old Breathers tape to Ric, he commented….The Breathers CD is everything it should be, ‘A rip of energy’, from group members pin-balling off each other and extending that situation outwards to a listenership. The lyrics and playing stride away from the previous era of rock pomposity: thank goodness for Punks; Beats; Mods; Cubists; Dada. The Breathers rode high on the shoulders of those artistic movements. It was all about challenge, internally and externally. Conditions were never comfortable. What can I say but, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Ric Hool….I am pretty certain I took the table to a place at the end of Seddlescombe Road, between Ponswood Road and Silver Hill traffic lights. Was there a pine stripping place there?  The memory lapses between Digger and myself establishes a creative springboard, and the opportunity to prod Mick Mepham with the chorus for ‘The Stripped-Pine Table’
Stripped-pine table….Set with half-forgotten thoughts….Stripped-pine table….Set with broken knives and forks….Stripped-pine table
….With a meal of memories              Go for it…Best  Ric

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Tim… Ric, you dont know me but I certainly remember you guys from way back when. Do you know what ever happened to Jim Bell? – used to know him back in the day but you know how things go, lost touch as is alway the case. Tim – Keyboards, Hastings circa 1980 – Current

Message has been passed to Ric & Jim

Mick Mepham… Alan, the last time I heard from Jim he was in a project named X2C and was living in London. That’s quite a few years ago now, don’t know more than that. He was really helpful to me in the 80s and I wouldn’t be able to do what I can now if I hadn’t had his help. Good man!

Jim Bell… Thanks Mick, good times.

Tim….Jim!! Hello, how are you? Ive been trying to find you for ages! Im not entirly sure you will remember me, it was a very long time ago. We first met really early 80′s in the Warriors Gate Pub, I was going out with the land lords (Bob Posner) daughter ‘Jayne’?? I would be great if you could get in touch and we could catch up, Id love to know what you have been doing for the last three decades – I hope that is ok, as long as your not too busy.

Rhian Chamberlain… Hi would it be possible you can remember what date in 81 this gig was as I was there but unable to remember the exact date? Thanks in advance Rhian.

John Wilde… Best wishes to Jim and Ric. Both top guys. Jim a brilliant guitarist and gentle soul. Ric had a great vision and work ethic. I was a slacker with a runaway ego. I dont think I did them justice but I thank you both for giving me the opportunity to shine and to kickstart my future. The Breathers. Good times.

Jim Bell… In reply to Tim. Hi Tim Sorry about the late reply, Yes I remember you guys. I think I was with polly then? As with all of us, life happened. It would be great to touch base. If you get this please drop me a line at jdb@alloutmusicuk.com. All the best. Jim

Dave Weeks… Kevin Hoad on drums by the looks of it

5 thoughts on “The Breathers – final line up 1981”

  1. Ric, you dont know me but I certainly remember you guys from way back when. Do you know what ever happened to Jim Bell? – used to know him back in the day but you know how things go, lost touch as is alway the case.

    Tim – Keyboards, Hastings circa 1980 – Current

    Reply
  2. Jim!! Hello, how are you?

    Ive been trying to find you for ages!
    Im not entirly sure you will remember me, it was a very long time ago.
    We first met really early 80’s in the Warriors Gate Pub, I was going out with the land lords (Bob Posner) daughter ‘Jayne’??

    I would be great if you could get in touch and we could catch up, Id love to know what you have been doing for the last three decades – I hope that is ok, as long as your not too busy.

    Tim

    Reply
    • Hi Tim

      Sorry about the late reply, Yes I remember you guys. I think I was with polly then? As with all of us, life happened. It would be great to touch base. If you get this please drop me a line at jdb@alloutmusicuk.com. All the best. Jim

      Reply

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