mallet hall

Factory – Mallet Hall Bexhill (early rehearsals) 1970

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supplied by Lol Cooksey

‘Jaffa’ (Geoff Peckham) Bass, Lol Cooksey Drums, Andy Qunta Lead Vocals 12 String Guitar, Tony Qunta Lead Guitar.

Yvonne Cleland… Lovely x Bexhill’s produced its fair share of musicians!

Phil Gill… Nice to see a pic of Tony Qunta playing the WEM Sapphire. You sold that guitar to me about a year later Tone, remember?

Geoff Peckham… Can anyone identity the bass I’m playing? I don’t remember it.

Phil Gill… Is it a Vox of some sort Geoff? I’m more concerned that you’re apparently possessed by demons in the first pic.

Geoff Peckham… That’s right – I think it is a Vox. Yes that’s a strange picture isn’t it. I sent it to Andy as a Halloween card! I blame it on Lol. He still has the power…..

Andy Qunta… Yes, Lol has always had the power!  I don’t remember that bass at all, Jaffa! I thought you always had a Fender Mustang! Don’t remember Tone’s WEM Sapphire either! I remember what I had for breakfast today though, so no need to worry yet!

Geoff Peckham… Yes, Andy. And I still have the Fender Mustang – always a pleasure to play but the pick-ups are shot so hardly any volume. Does anyone out there know of any way I can replace or repair them without spoiling the guitar? I think I had an Antoria bass at some stage, before buying the Mustang

Tony Qunta…. Phil, thanks for reminding me re selling the WEM guitar to you – I had completely forgotten about that! I’m pretty sure that was Andy’s originally. (photo no 4) My Miles Davis pose! 🙂

Phil Gill… It was a great guitar. I liked it a lot, but eventually traded it for this:

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Steve Kinch… great to see these old shots

Mick Mepham… You can get the pickups rewound I believe, as long as they aren’t hermetically sealed …..Also, the bass looks a bit like a Danelectro (maybe)

Phil Gill… Try my pal James Collins at http://www.jamescollinsguitars.com/ I think he’s in Mayfield. Or if you fancy a pick up expert and are prepared to post to USA, I highly recommend Curtis Novak. He made me a great set of Strat pickups: http://curtisnovak.com/pickups_bass.shtml

Mick Mepham… Jaffa, are you actually the devil in disguise? Those eyes …..

 

Die Laughing – first photograph – Mallet Hall Bexhill – May 1977

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Supplied by Lol Cooksey

First photo of Die Laughing, Mallet Hall Bexhill in May 1977. Terry Corder bass, Kevin Williams vocals, Lol Cooksey drums and Phil Thornton Guitar.

Trisha Ann…. That’s Mick Mepham on the drums isn’t it not Lol?

Roy Penfold… Certainly looks like Mick!

Alan Esdaile… Doesn’t look like him but definitely Lol.

Jim Breeds… I bought a Die Laughing 7 inch in Courthouse Street yesterday! You Got The Power/Hard Living Man on Ocean Records OC 003. Bit of a punt – I haven’t had a chance to try playing it yet to see if’s OK.

Phil Thornton… haha ! It was high energy back in the day and fun to be on guitar for a change !

Richard J Porter… Now known as the 6Ts with Harry Randall replacing Philip Thornton. Saw Harry earlier today.

Phil Thornton… As far as I know the 6Ts are harry, terry and lol. Different material than DL – my replacement was Mick mepham ! The early DL material also featured 60’s covers but it was very stylised and delivered with a punkish attitude – an interesting mix with kev’s angelic soulful vocals ( I wonder what happened to him ?) when Mick took over, original material became the main focus with a classic/melodic rock approach ! I remember they put on an outstanding performance for the melody maker rock contest (1978 ?)

Andy Ives… And what a great band they were too

Kevin Williams… Moved to London…….formed ‘Rye & The Quarterboys’ (8 piece soul band) then ‘The Hunger’ – ‘The Stand’ , now got a 5 piece called The Cry. So still above ground and still doing it.

Ernest Ballard… Phil Thornton on guitar i never knew that

David Miller… PGT manifests music via a bewilderingly wide variety of instruments and is also particularly exceptional on the guitar – he has been for as long as I’ve know him. I nominate him for the Todd Rundgren Multi-Instrumental Born To Synthesize award.