The Prisoners – photo 1979

supplied by Dave Nattress

Andy Leaney guitar, Dave Nattress vocals, Mick Bridgeland drums, Robin Heggie bass.

Dave Nattress… After Samisen split, Mick Bridgeland and I teamed up with Andy Leaney and Robin Heggie on bass. We set about writing a set load of post-punk, abrasive, incisive shortish tracks. I don’t think we did any covers. We played quite a few gigs around Hastings as The Prisoners, The Yorkshire Grey, The Yelton, (as was), Chatsworth, and Crypt etc.

Mo Blackford… Thanks Dave for posting. My first real friend and great influence was Robin Heggie. He was a very cool chap, who introduced me to Paul McCartney among other people. He had engineered a couple of Paul’s albums and had previously played bass in The Hollywood Killers. Anyway. we formed my first band in the UK together. Initially called Red Shoes, we changed the name to The Stand (cerca ’82) and did loads of gigs around Hastings. The Stand also included Bernard Jeffrey (Hollywood Killers) on drums and Kevin O’Connor on vocals.  I’ve tried on a number of occasions to locate Robin. Maybe somebody knows something! It would be much appreciated. Cheers!

Alan Esdaile… Does anyone remember The Prisoners and know of the whereabouts of Robin Heggie? I did search but if he is the Robin that lived in Milton Keynes  then not good news. Can anyone help? Could do with some good news.

Mark Gilham… Sorry Alan. Not good news at all. Robin passed away a few years ago now. 🙁

Andy Knight… I didn’t know that, Robin and I played in Missing Persons together I know it is v late but RIP

Mike Mitchell… and whatever happened to Mick Bridgeland? Least I heard he had moved to Amersham…

Martin Richter… sad news about Robin – he was a lovely guy.

Dave Nattress… Sad to have it confirmed about Robin, but I must admit I was thinking the worst. He was a great guy and bass player, lreally looked the part and we all had a frantic and great time getting The Prisoners going. Also, of course, Andy Leaney. Andy and I had a great connection also, smiles on the face as I remember these 2 old friends our fun times going for it, the stupid band names that Andy particularly liked to come up with that we all rejected!! Great sadness and regret that they’ve gone – like so many more on the local scene, and nationally and internationally all connected through the music. So many people who were the bricks in the huge wall that was built up over so many years. Some of the bricks have crumbled away, but then, more are being added all the time.

Read more

Beez Neez – Reception 1st July 1977 & Bonfire Oct 1977

11061250_1625134304386027_5975131334258198232_n 1897023_1626129987619792_181830142580694338_n 

   

supplied by Mick O’Dowd

Mick O’Dowd… This is the Reception for Beez Neez in 1977 with one of the first line-ups containing the late Andy Leaney and Barry Upton. Lead singer Geoff Stevens and girls Julie Harris & Mandy Etherington.

Julie Findlay-Jones… hahaha car park 10p

Joaquim M P Filho… Is Barry Upton the same one who played with Brotherhood of Man?

Mick O’Dowd… Not as far as i’m aware. Over to you Barry Upton!

Barry Upton… I wish. On another note , why did they stop playing as a group ?

Mark Harris… I honestly can’t remember when we stopped playing, as for why, I think it was because we were all very young and struggled with commitment. Once Beez Neez finished, Split Image formed with some ex-Neez members, not me to start with, I left Neez because I had become self employed and was too busy. However, after a couple of years or so, I was approached to join Split Image as bass player (which was different because I was drummer in The Neez), which I did. At that time, I think the line up was Dave Miller, Steve Russell, Tony Dufton, Mick (drummer) and me. Being honest, between The Neez and Split Image, there were quite a few line up changes so it’s difficult to remember what happened and when!!

Dawn Leaney… Andy Leaney was my husband… but this is way before we were married. He often talked bout The Bees knees So nice to read this.

Kevin Burchett… My sister had them for her 21st birthday at Netherfield Village Hall many moons ago

 

Rude Knot To – Beach Concert – late 1990’s

rkt 5  rkt 6 rkt 3

rkt 2  rkt 4 rkt 1

rkt 9 rkt 7 rkt 8 rkt 10

photos © Eddie Hazell Estate .

Jeff Davis,  Andy Leaney,  Martin Stringer,  John Laidlaw.

John Laidlaw (photo 6) Yup, that’s me. Playing with Rude Knot To, could be 99, 00 or 01 (although I suspect it really is 2001) – difficult to remember when you’re in a band with Jeff Davis and Martin Stringer.

Dawn Leaney….My late husband Andy Leaney (photo 2) with his beloved Ovation guitar playing at Hastings Beach concert.

Andy Walker…Is that the same John Laidlaw that was in The Tony Ashton Trio with Pete Shelton?

John Laidlaw… I don’t recall either the Tony Ashton Trio, or Pete Shelton – sorry!

Dawn Leaney… Anymore photos of Andy Leaney on that day? … I remember being in the audience! 🙂 xx

Alan Esdaile…. If anymore crop up I will send to you Dawn, anyone else got any?

Jeff Davis… The only time John and Andy played together with Rude Knot To, was on tour in America. Andy joined the band when John moved to USA. Rude Knot To Toured the USA on five occasions. Aided by the Twang Dragons who we brought over to play in England.

Jeff Davis… I have attached a Rude Knot To track from the album Distance Lands an epic John Laidlaw solo. gives you some context of what this trio was about.

s!AvePqp5u2GAsqFE0FvwhIoZ4h76e

 

The 6Ts – Peasmarsh & Hurst Green 1990

img721img722

supplied by Lol Cooksey.

The Cock Inn Peasmarsh summer 1990. Terry Corder, Lol Cooksey, Andy Leaney. 3rd photo guest vocalist Bruce Cameron.

img723

img724

Supplied by Lol Cooksey .

White Horse Hurst Green 19th September 1990. Andy Leaney & Lol Cooksey.

Dawn Leaney… So lovely to see these old photos. . Good times remembered! Special memories of Andy. Still missed so much. 🙁 xx

Trish N Kevin Sherwood… Good to see pictures of Andy playing with the band, he was a very nice man.

Terry Corder… That’s when we were waiters!

Alan Oliver… Many a (very) late night did Andy entertain us in my pub. Top bloke.

Dave Nattress… Great picture of my dear old band-mate Andy Leaney – Prisoners then The Charts – may God be looking after you well old friend. Misty eyes thinking of our good times and many laughs.