diversion

The Kult & Diversion – Ninfield Hall 8th November 1969

by

kult-poster-1969

 

poster supplied by Andy Knight

Robert Searle… Yes,i remember that gig

Jan Warren… WOW, there’s a blast from the past, The Kult were so good, love it!! 🙂 xx

Paul Coleman… Yeh, loved The Kult. Mick & Pete were personal friends of my brother Martin (Coleman) & came to our house a few times. I thought their record “No Home Today” was brilliant. Unfortunately my copy got destroyed by the sun. I’d love to get another. I remember Ninfield memorial hall gig & the coach trips laid on so we could all support them when playing farther away. Great times.

Jaffa Peckham… I clearly remember this gig. What a thrill to be in a band supporting my local heroes, Kult! Diversion were Andy Knight (drums), Digger ? (vocal), me on bass and Dai Hardin (guitar). Dai was a great guitarist who was newly wed, I believe, and stopped gigging shortly after this. In 1976, in Bedford, I played in a band with another superb guitarist from Wales, David Dutfield. In passing I mentioned Dai and was surprised to learn he knew him! I can’t remember whether it as a friend or by reputation, but I think I Dave told me he was a member of a legendary Welsh band, The Deviants. Anyway, a memorable night in Ninfield, and Kult were awesome as usual!

David Dutfield… Jaffa, Just saw this post and wanted to remind you that Dai Harding, with his brother Gerry, was in a band called the Vagrants. By the way, thanks so much for your kind comment – I have no problem reciprocating – you’re a fine muso and a great guy to know

Mike Curtis… I seem to remember seeing Kult at Moor Hall in Ninfield.

 

Syrinx – Bexhill 1969 and talk of Damaris & Diversion

by

Dave Nattress….One for Jaffa, (Geoff Peckham). Jaffa, do you remember your gig at Bexhill Down School with (I think) Pete Higham on guitar and Tony Ford on drums – you on Bass obviously. The band was called “Syrinx” – was it not. Can’t remember any tracks but quite probably a couple of Cream tracks as Cream was a fave of yours and mine. Would have been 1969? Our 5th and final year!!

Geoff Peckham…..Yes, the band was called Syrinx. A short-lived band, we played a couple of Youth Club gigs as well as the school. We rehearsed on the kitchen/cellar of the Tegor cafe, diagonally opposite Bexhill Central Station. We played Cream covers, as you say, (Strange Brew, I’m so Glad etc), Dear Mr Fantasy by Traffic and a Pete Higham original, “It’s a Terrible Life I Live”, among other stuff. Interestingly, Tony Ford’s dad often gigged with my dad on corresponding instruments.

Yvonne Cleland…..Rehearsed in the cellar of the Tegor! I love it!

Geoff Peckham….Yes, do you remember it, Yvonne? It was a Yorkshireman who ran it. When he bought it, it was called the Roget and to save money on the sign he just renamed it anagrammaticly. (Nice word!) He had a good sense of humour – once, he came down during a rehearsal and said “I’m not saying it’s loud, but they’re dancing on the beach!”

Dave Nattress….Spot on Geoff about the Roget becoming the Tegor!  I recall this now.  I think, in the very early 70’s it changed hands and became “The Boiler Room” – a little – very little “Discoteque.  I don’t think they had live bands there though – my recollection is that half a dozen people dancing filled the dance floor. Interesting that you used to rehearse at the Tegor.  When I joined Damaris – mid-70’s – we rehearsed in the cellar under Barraclough and Stiles, (Opticians) just round the corner in St Leonards Road.  We had sound-insulated the walls with old mattresses obtained from goodness knows where – rubbish dumps/house-clearance/lay-by’s and they were not of the newest/highest quality and ponged a bit to say the least.  Like you I guess, lugging all the gear up the steep stairs, through the shop and then the reverse, post-gig at half-past midnight, after a stop at Taffy’s chippie. Good old days.  We used to get a tug from time and time again from a man who lived in the flats above the shop – noise, and I guess didn’t like the tracks we were rehearsing!

Geoff Peckham….. Jack Bruce was a big influence in my formative years as a bass-player. And talking of interesting places to practice, my next band, Diversion with Andy Knight, used to rehearse in another café. It was the one on the beach at Glyne Gap. It was a really pokey but at least we didn’t upset any neighbours.