SMART

Chat group of like minded people who are interest in 70’s music and other eras, bands who played Hastings Pier.

SMART 11 report

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SMART 11 REPORT. The sun was shining and the memories were flowing. We knew a number of the regulars were on holiday or had other engagements but were presently surprise by a number of new people including Philip Meston, Nigel Ford and Steve Cooke. Andre mentioned his illustrated talk on The Happy Ballroom which takes place on Thursday 22nd May 7.30pm at the HUB on the seafront. Talking about bands that played the pier from the 50’s and 60’s and more. Anyone interested in coming along please email learning@hpcharity.co.uk or call 01424 435587. Love his regular write ups on the early pier gigs. Interesting talk with Andre & Geoff Peckham on how the old boys in traditional dance bands in the 50’s 60’s & 70’s taught the next generation of pop group members their craft. The dance bands were very often made up of nearly all freelance semi pros who provided the music scene with a rich talent. Andy Gunton is looking for information on anyone who went to the Nick Cave gig in 2004 on the pier, for a feature in the next The Stinger magazine and talking about new music, the quality of new local acts is of a constant high standard. Chris Sambrook was helping to go through a number of photo albums and trying to work out the names of the members of the band and also talk about the beach concert. Nigel Ford remindered us about the great gigs that used to take place at Battle memorial hall. Even remembering the bouncer on the door ‘Tiny’. Hopefully we will have some cuttings at some stage. Nigel’s radio show is also proving very popular on Hastings Rock. Philip Meston chatted away about the early dansette record players, still loving vinyl, happy memories of The Disc Jockey & Alan Jensen and talking about various gigs he went to. Sarah Harvey mentioned Ruff Copy playing a free gig for Hastings Rock on 24th May at The Robert De Mortain and more exciting news to be announced shortly. Chris Stovoid brought along a copy of the cd by psychedelic rock band ‘Mirage’ and talked about 13 Floor Elevators and The Misunderstood. Philip John is putting on Mott Road Crew Show in June at the Electric Palace cinema, talk and video of life on the road with Mott The Hoople, David Bowie and others. Mick Mepham came in with a massive bag of photos from the various bands he has played with over the years and a few oddities. Mick as a star player of cricket, lots of pieces on the band Magma and also odd ITV photos including Cats Eyes with Jill Gascoine & Leslie Ash! (You can catch Mick Mepham playing at The Clarence tommorow 18th May at 4.00pm). Steve Cooke talked about bands he was involved with and memories of Prom In Aid in 1986. Phil Gill was very pleased with the excellent ‘Stallion’ reunion at the recent gig at The Carlisle. and also great to see Anne join us. This is just a small percentage of what we talked about. and a great time was had by all.

Philip Meston….Enjoyed my first visit. Looking forward to the next meeting. Many thanks!

Sarah Harvey…Always a very pleasant afternoon with such lovely people. Thank you all.

Janine Anne Hemsley….Will make sure I get to the next one. I loved ‘ Tiny’. Does anyone know where he went. I think his name was Ian. ?

Tony May…..SMART continues to go from strength to strength and is bringing back many memories for so many. A SMART book has to happen surely

How many of these 70’s albums do you recognise?

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http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2014/may/13/70s-album-covers-quiz-albums-best-1970s-sleeves-art

Thanks to Yvonne Cleland for finding this.

Ralph Town…..12 from 15.Joni Mitchell,Chic and Joy Division would have done for me.

Philip Meston….I got 9!

Martyn Baker……14. I missed the Dire Straits cover.

Clifford Rose…..I got 14 out of 15. I had to guess on three of them!

Jane Hartley…..Pathetic 7

Andy Gunton….13

Alan Esdaile….13, I would have more wrong if it was not multiple choice.

John Storer….[Blows upon fingernails and polishes them on the lapel of his jacket]
15 out of 15!  (but then I have 13 of them in my collection – all bar Billy Joel and Miles Davis)

H R Giger Dies

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Andy Gunton….The artist H. R Giger, who died yesterday, didn’t just create the ‘Alien’.
He also produced some pretty iconic album covers, like the one below.
I remember buying this when it came out. Unfortunately the cover art was better than the album inside.

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Phillip Meston…..Agreed, not one of ELP’s better moments! Have to admit to owning this and many more of their albums though…

John Storer…..Always thanked the overblown ELP for killing off progressive rock and opening the door for punk, but would actually forgive them everything for the sublime “From The Beginning” from Trilogy

Will Cornell….A collection of Giger covers would be great…but: Let’s not forget the infamous poster that came inside with the DK’s “Frankenchrist”. The poster that eventually deep-sixed the band itself.

Tony Court-holmes….epic

Jim Breeds….Gosh, yes! I didn’t have the album, but I still have the free 33 1/3 flexidisc that NME gave away!! If I remember the story correctly, there was no track called Brain Salas Surgery on the LP. It was then released of the free flexidisc as one of two tracks. The other track is “Excerpts From BSS”, split into 8 pieces. The paper cover on the disc is the same as the album, but opens up down the middle to reveal further art work and the single. I don’t know whether the original album did that too. I could scan it to demonstrate what I am trying to describe if anyone is interested (and scan the disc too).

Colin Norton…..Hi Guys, I also have a copy of the flexi…. Sorry

Jim Breeds…..My flexi value is tumbling in front of my eyes. Another pension plan hits the rocks

Steppin’ Out – Dance Dance Dance & Hurt Again 1976

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https://soundcloud.com/martyn-baker/steppin-out-dance-dance-dance

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Dubbed from an old cassette, (Originally recorded in 1976 – Hastings).

Written by Martin Stringer arr. Steppin’ Out.

VOX – Martin Stringer, VOX – Tich Turner, ALTO SAX & B/V- Wesley Magoogan
LEAD GUITAR & B/V – Roger Hubbard, RHYTHM GUITAR & B/V – Little Stevie Whitefield
DRUMS – Andy Knight, BASS GUITAR – Martyn Baker

Janine Anne Hemsley….I love it

Andre Martin…..Interesting – very mid 70s disco structure would gone down well with the glam/disco music in that time – good find.

Martyn Baker….Here is a recording with the final lineup. Kevin Hoad had taken over the drumstool, Pete Prescott had replaced Martin Stringer by then. We decided to split the band up shortly afterwards.

https://soundcloud.com/martyn-baker/steppin-out-hurt-again

935003_10151699947769287_870860994_nphoto supplied by Pete Prescott

Pete Prescott……I remember that gig.i was very much in awe of everyone in the band.also i was still living in north kent.i used to travel down wednesday nights and weekends.tich was amazing as a frontman.didnt know why they needed me.throw in wes and roger h.amazing band.i moved to hastings on christmas eve 77.the band split up on new years eve ha ha ! i was left stranded in a town i didnt know.bit tough for a while.but it picked up a year later with the jims.i think we did smoke on the water at that gig with ray for the first time.he had that yamaha.great guitar.

The Happy Ballroom – illustrated talk Thursday 22nd May 2014

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The Happy Ballroom – Illustrated talk  by Andre Palfrey-Martin – Thursday 22 May 2014
Local Historian and volunteer archivist at Hastings Museum, Andre Palfrey-Martin, who used to DJ and promote on Hastings Pier, will be giving an illustrated talk on the ‘Happy Ballroom in the 50s and 60s’
Appearing on ‘The End of the Pier Show’ shown on BBC One recently, Andre has spent many years researching the music and entertainment on offer in Hastings. He will look at various bands and groups that appeared on the Pier during those decades.
The talk is being held at the newly opened HUB situated on the Promenade between Robertson Street and The Pier Project. Doors Open 7.00pm – Talk starts at 7.30pm.Tea and coffee provided. Please book at least 24 hours in advance by emailing learning@hpcharity.co.uk or calling 01424 435 587.

 

White Rock Theatre – Season of Stars 1993

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supplied by Matt Thomas

Janine Anne Hemsley…..Marvelous

Alan Esdaile….Some big names here and only a couple of cover bands.

Jim Breeds…..Gosh, yes. Even Norman Wisdom!

Matt Thomas…..I recall one ot the towns councillors gettin a few of the ‘blue’ comics barred from the theatre but that was quickly over ruled as they soon realised they were putting bums on seats and making a bit of money