factory

Killing Floor & Factory – high & grammar school dance 15th July 1971

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supplied by Roger Carey

Andy Qunta….Think might be from ’71 though. Factory were “getting it together in the country”, i.e. not gigging, in July ’70, & decimal money wasn’t in till ’71. Like any of that matters!

Phil Gill…I was there- end of term gig and I also think it was ’71 and not ’70. There was an amount of pupil revelry resulting in some pictures of teachers on a corridor wall being smashed and possibly at least one expulsion. It was a great gig. I was 15 and highly impressed with both bands and the drunken anarchical japes which resulted in said expulsions.

Pete Fisher…. The heady days of HGS…..must have just done my “O” levels…..vaguely remember Killing Floor inciting a small riot, probably just a couple of fire extinguishers getting let off, and the holy photos of the staff (Henshall in particular) getting defaced…still have a ticket for April that year for the High School Dance, with Factory and Sam Tripp…

Gary Kinch…..Bless the High School Girls

Barry M Dyke…..I must have been there. My present wife was a High School girl and most of my mates were Grammer lads.

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Freeway, Sam Tripp and Factory – Summer Rave Hastings Pier – 10th July 1971

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Freeway Poster 1971

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poster supplied by Andy Knight, ad supplied by Bob Shipway

Andy Qunta… Wow! Those were the days! I remember Freeway & Sam Tripp! Great stuff!

Simon Walsh… And Factory too!..Great band.

Andy Qunta… Freeway were great! Sam Tripp too!

Bob Shipway… What a Summer Rave line-up!

Ross Holter… Freeway great band and then Shaft

Bob Shipway… Indeed! I was playing in Sam Tripp with Al Turner (vocals), Jeff Hobson (guitar) and Ollie (drums) that night. I can’t remember if this was before Shaft with Dave Shaw, Colin Pearce, Andy Knight and Jim Beadle or afterwards. Either way it was a super night.

Spencer Davis Group & Factory – Hastings Pier 7th July 1973

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supplied by Sarah Harvey

Sarah Harvey….July 1973. Remember them playing ‘Gimme Some Lovin’ and it was superb played live. Loved ’em. And of course a great band in support!

Phil Gill….I was at that gig, watching Ray Fenwick, It was the “Gluggo” tour, and “Catch You On the Rebop”, the single form the album was all over the radio. I really liked it – here it is.

Phil Gill….I was then 17. Fast forward seven years and Steve Demetri, Andy Caine and I end up playing on When The Boys Happy by Jo Jo Laine & The Firm with Ray Fenwick, Funny old world….

Terry Pack….I  saw Ray with Fancy, supporting 10cc at The Dome in 1975. He was excellent, as were Mo, Les and Annie.

Andy Qunta….I  just checked my diary, & it says Factory got a tremendous reception & did 2 encores! Wish I could actually remember it! Always liked the SDG & supporting them was very exciting!

Bernard Jeffery….I did see the original band probably one of their last gigs as I was very young and later met Steve Winwood when I was recording with his brother Muff producing at Island studios

Dennis Torrance… Another great band Steve Winwood and band. Also Factory brill band still are.

Jacquie Hinves… A very young Ray Fenwick. Gorgeous as ever.

Peter Houghton… Yes it was a great night and seeing Stevie Winwood

Roger Carey… I saw this gig as did Sarah who has sent this in… Don’t want to be contradictory but Stevie Winwood was long gone from Spencer Davis’ band by this time. It did feature the late great Ray Fenwick as pictured here; I was impressed by his stylish guitar work, he of course became part of Hastings music scene some years later…. Pete York , a very good drummer, and Ray would do a instrumental duo feature, I have some of this band on a radio broadcast I taped same year… Eddie Martin was principal lead singer as I recall and “Catch you on the Rebop” is a memorable song… And of course “Factory” one of the best bands based in Hastings, were on great form at this concert- they were always on great form -still going to this day!

Tony Qunta… Remember that gig very well!

Pete Prescott… I’d love to have seen that

Tony Macdonnell… Me too!

 

Suzi Quatro & Factory Hastings Pier Friday 8th June 1973

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poster supplied by Mick Mepham.  Ad supplied by Sarah Harvey.

Andy Qunta...Great! Thanks for this Alan! Factory supported Suzi Quatro the week Can the Can went to number 1. Her producer, Mickie Most, came up to me after we played and shook my hand and told me to get in touch. We thought he was too “poppy” for us so we didn’t follow up on it! Often wondered if that was a mistake or not!

Yvonne Cleland….Remember watching her do this in the pier ballroom! Front row!

Pete Fairless….Still love it!

Mick O’Dowd….Saw her do this in Alexander Park at the Beer Festival.

Alan Oliver… Saw her the White Rock in or around 1987. Average!

Martin Waghorne… This is getting bad I think I was there as well.

Di Veness… I don’t think she was very good live. Factory on the other hand were brilliant. We had fun that night

Gil Mulvey… I was there, she was amazing! Factory were good and of course Stallion!

Ralph Town… Just a week after her birthday 🙂 We share the same birthday, me and Suzi.Plus Ian Hunter and Mickey Finn of T-Rex.

Julie Morris… I remember this so well!

Pete Fisher… I was there!

Lucy Pappas… Me too!

Tony Qunta… Yes remember it very well!

Leigh Wieland-Boys… I was there too!

Lesley Brown… I thought I saw Suzi but thought I must have dreamt it until I saw this!

Alan Vale… I met her when years ago I lived in london and she played at my local a couple of times very nice lady great bass player

Keith Veness… Great night

Bourne ScunnerJulie… I was there and went to see her at the Brighton Centre in April and she can still belt them out…

Alan Wood… First gig with wife one

Kim Tilbury… I was there great night!

Paul Cullen… I was at this one and I seem to remember Factory getting more encores than Suzi Quatro

Andy Qunta… Paul, bless you and your excellent memory!

Keith Veness… We were there

 

Factory & Effigy – Clive Vale Annexe. Fri 7th May 1971 & YMCA review 13th August 1971

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Supplied by Jon McCallion

Andy Qunta… Ah! Good times!

Phil Gill… I was there, probably with young Carey, Meachen and Shirley, as they labelled us at school. Sarah Harvey might have enjoyed the evening too.

Sarah Harvey…. I did indeed Phil and I had. completely forgotten about Effigy and to be honest cannot remember seeing them at all other than a vague memory that I didn’t think much of them. Factory as ever were THE band of Hastings at the time.

Chris Baker… Hah! Flight of the Rat was one of my “Flashy” solos! Those were the days! We only did a few gigs.

Phil Gill… As I recall Chris, you showed me how to play the pedal note riff from Flight of the Rat, one night at an Effigy rehearsal that Roger Carey and I attended. Was it School Road in Ore? Roger was buying Iain Cobby’s speaker cabinet and we came along to look at it.

Brigitte Lee… Where was Clive Vale Annex?

Chris Baker… Ha! Phil! My arthritic old fingers can’t play it so fast these days! Fun to so though. Still got that analog Park Fuzzbox too and the old Hofner!

Geoff Peckham… I remember we (Factory) were really impressed with Effigy. Didn’t they do a couple of other Deep Purple covers? Speed King, and Child in Time? According to Andy’s diary we played with them twice in 1971. May 7th at Priory Road School. Andy said that school gigs have been “…really great. This was no exception. Bit of trouble from old ladies and police about the noise but never mind. Effigy supported (or did we support them?) – not bad for their first gig.” The second was at the YMCA on August 13th. Andy mentions the awful acoustics and that “Effigy (with Tom) supported.” Could that have been the legendary Tom Jones? (The one from Stoke, not S. Wales!)

Phil Gill… And Steve’s drumming was *never* too loud. End of.

John Wilde…. Tom Jones, any info on his history or where he is now?

Geoff Peckham…. I got to know Tom in ’69 when his dad had an electrical shop in Western Rd, Bexhill. He told me stories about being in a pre-Black Sabbath band called Horny Moon (!) and other tales. He was a great character and raconteur. Like you, he had great stage presence – a great blues singer and harpist. He moved back to Stoke, and around 73-74 turned up at a Factory gig in NE Staffs University. I think he put us up for the night. Haven’t seen him since. Anyone else know anything? Be good to see you again sometime.

Alan Esdaile…yes it was School Road Ore where the rehearsals took place, in the old church hall which was full of antiques and clobber and the band squeezed somehow in the middle. I think their was a giant stuff bear but maybe wrong? Geoff Peckham date is correct as Friday 7th May 1971. Clive Vale Annex was part of Priory Road School and the gig took place at Clive Vale. Jon McCallion sung with Effigy at this gig and glad you remembered Tom Jones. I got a review somewhere which I will post on the YMCA gig shortly.

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Medicine Head and Factory – Hastings Pier 12th March 1976

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medicine head 12th march 1976

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ticket supplied by Mick Mepham,          review supplied by Sarah Harvey.

Tony May… A personal appeal here for some help from you all. I am looking for pictures of the band Medicine Head which appeared in the local newspapers from their Hastings pier gigs during the 1970’s. One particular picture is said to include my friend, Simon Griffiths (otherwise known to a lot of you as Karl) who was a bouncer on the pier for a short time in the background. I do not have many pictures of Simon (only those from the Bexhill Observer of 1977) so would really appreciate any of him from any time period. If anyone here can help I would be very grateful.

Andy Qunta… Wow! 40 years to the day! I don’t really remember this gig, but I’m sure I wasn’t thinking that 40 years from now, Factory will be about to release their first album!

Steve Kinch… I don’t recall ever playing with Medicine Head… then again, I don’t remember what I had for breakfast.

Peter Fairless…. As well as the 12th March 1977 they played in September ’74, too. What a great band!

Jim Munday… Yes, but not very good at sums… 

Chris Meachen… Nice blokes, one of the very few acts that bought us a drink for dragging their gear on…

Gerry  Fortsch… That was a bloody long haul to get your gear on the pier, I remember it well.

Chris Giles… Medicine Head great group …enjoyed watching them and their music brilliant …had forgotten I’d gone and seen them

Budgie & Factory – Aquarius 14th February 1973

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handbill supplied by Iain Cobby

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cuttings supplied by Sarah Harvey

Andy Qunta… Wow! What a gem! Thanks for finding, Iain, & thanks for posting, Alan! I  also like the ads for the Disc Jockey, Aquarius, and especially Ace Promotions! If my memory serves, that was Graham How’s company around the time he was designing the “Factory man” logo! Good times! I was wondering what I was doing that day! Budgie were always great, and lovely guys!

Graham How… And Ace Promotion’s philosophy and belief in Hastings peoples’ love of good live music came true. Big time! Was proud to be part of Ace Promotions and I still have my business cards!

Glenn Piper… Ace Promotions gave me my start as a Pier roadie – thanks Graham. I was there, I remember it well (which is surprising in itself ) After the gig had a good time with Budgie.

Tony Court-holmes… same as Glenn where did our youth go

Nigel Ford… I was there, (if this was the only time they were at the Aquarius, I believe ?) as I came back from Plumpton Ag College bringing Pete Kingshott with me in my first car, a red/white Herald 12/50 from our residence there. Then back there later that eve as on early morning duties the following day. It was definitely that winter as I was only there the one year.

Clive Richardson… After one of the Budgie gigs on the pier, they came back to my parents house and Burke Shelley washed his hair in the kitchen sink.

Gracious, Strife, Total, Factory all-nighter Hastings pier 25th June 1971 ticket

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Supplied by Keith Veness

Jaffa Peckham… I remember this night. I’m sure we (Factory) and the other bands were great, but Gracious were excellent. Hastings College favourites and I loved them every time I saw them. I got to hang out with one of their roadies, who was very erudite and un-roadie-like! Another memorable night on the pier. Thanks for posting.

Andy Qunta… Yes, Gracious were brilliant! Still listen to their albums.

Alan Esdaile… Gracious were amazing. Remember Martin Kitkat from the band. I think he went on and worked behind the scenes with Genesis later on??  Was this the night that The Equals were to appear?

Andy Qunta… I don’t think this was Equals night, but I could be wrong. I read somewhere that Martin Kitkat was very disappointed that Gracious weren’t more successful. I was too, actually!

 

Half Human Band, Factory, Stackridge – Hastings Pier 20th & 27th July 1974

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supplied by Mick Mepham, HHB promo photo unknown venue, Stackridge photos from the gig by Chris Meachen

poster supplied by Peter Houghton

Andy Qunta….Funnily enough I don’t remember the Half Human Band, although I don’t know how I could forget a name like that! I remember Stackridge though! They were great! Factory supported them at least once! Thanks to Mick Mepham for finding this, btw!

Geoff Peckham…..I remember the name Half Human Band, but no matter how much I scrunch up my face, I can’t summon up a memory of them. Now Mutter Slater and Stackridge playing Purple Space Ships Over Yatton present no such problem!

Martin Waghorne…..I can remember watching Stackridge @the De LA Warr Pavilion, one track I remember is ‘Mr Mick’.

Tony Qunta…..I never realised we were a half human band!

Andy Qunta…..Which half was human, & what was the other half?

Sarah Harvey…..Super human?

Phil Thornton.….Stackridge were great !

John Storer…My abiding memory of the Stackridge gig, which was great fun. is of seeing half the band smashing dustbin lids together during one track

Chris Baker…..Saw Stackridge twice I believe. They were a great band!

Mick O’Dowd…..Saw them at Wembley Stadium with Elton John , The Beach Boys & The Eagles + others.

Terry Pack…..I  was at that Wembley gig, too, Mick. And the Pier gig above. The Wembley gig was incredible: Stackridge, Rufus, Joe Walsh, Eagles, Elton John, Beach Boys!

Phil Thornton……yes Stackridge – great band ! I was at this gig and when they played at the De La Warr Pavilion – I think Stallion supported them at one point ! btw – they are still going, I have a recent album – excellent stuff !

Martin Isaacs….Sorry you can’t remember Half Human Band. My only memory of the gig was the van (we called it The Pig) going through one of the planks on the pier, and we feared we’d not goet it out – but we did … Check out the HHB page on Facebook!

Mick O’Dowd….Yeah Terry it was a great day at Wembley including the weather. Did we actually SEE these bands as there were no large screens in them days and I was on the half-way point on the pitch? Stackridge were a highly underated band who deserved more recognition.

Dave Nattress… Stackridge – seems like they gigged everywhere constantly in the 70’s and I saw them a few times but in the hazy past I can’t recall where or when although one I’m sure was at a festival and once at the pier. Don’t remember the DLW – slapped wrist to have missed that on the home turf. Didn’t have any of the albums as vinyls but delighted to have mopped up 6 albums on CD over they years including “Radio 1 In Concert “and “The Radio One Sessions” . I used to get to London a lot – working – and Stackridge was on the list of stuff I always had with me that I wanted to get hold of, so back in the day before the WWW, Amazon and others and a lot of mail-order shops, Tower Records, HMV, Virgin all clustered in and around Oxford Street/Piccadilly – Tower I think was Piccadilly and also in Kingston-upon-Thames, used to occasionally have one or more in stock

Mick Mepham… Let There Be Lids – Dustbin Ones!

Pete Houghton… I saw both stackridge and curley on the pier and both band’s signed a poster of the gig and when I saw Half Human Band they signed a photo of themselves

Tony Court-holmes… I was there i think

Michael Stone… As a young boy I saw the Half Human Band live on the back of a trailer at a primary school in Vauxhall Street, London in the 70’s and they left an indelible impression on me. I desperately wanted to be a drummer, so I asked Martin Griffin if I could play his drums after the gig and to my great surprise he said “yes” ! Unfortunately, I had to go home before the end of the show and missed my chance. However, Martin did not forget me and asked my friends “Where is your mate ? He can play my drums now” ! I would have dearly loved to have met him again and thanked him for the memory he left me with. Do you know if the Band made any recordings and if they are available ?