Static Emotion – 1969

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supplied by Chris Sambrook

Featuring Chris Sambrook, Tony Qunta, Andy Qunta & Dave Austin.

Andy Qunta….Wow! Never expected to see this fab card again! Thanks, Chris Sambrook!  Well, I know we played the Gun song, “Head in the Clouds”, because I remember Lol Cooksey saying that was one of the main reasons he wanted to have a band with Tone & myself – just so he could play that song! Hopefully that wasn’t the only reason! Probably not, because Factory lasted over 6 years! Chris Sambrook seems to have a very good memory, Maybe he remembers more songs than I could! Hope so!

Chris Sambrook….Hi Andy. Head in the Clouds was and still is a great track. Besides Head in the  Clouds I believe our set list at that time included Nights in White Satin,Crossroads, Communication Breakdown. I’m sure we also played a song from Tons of Sobs, can’t remember which track now, its all a bit hazy. Static Emotion was the first band I played in and probably a bit out of my depth [no change there then] but it was  great experience.

Andy Qunta….. Thanks for adding to the Static Emotion setlist! I do remember playing those songs now! I think the song from Free’s Tons Of Sobs could be either Walk In My Shadow or The Hunter perhaps! Great fun playing all that stuff with you Chris!

Here’s The Gun track they were talking about…..

Martyn Baker… Love the 4 digit phone number. Everyone in Hastings must have known almost everyone who owned a phone in those days!

Andy Qunta… There must surely be photos of the band somewhere, but I don’t know where!

SMART 31 coffee meet report

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Busy busy, a great turn out for our 31st meet. Among the newbies this time were Doug Prentice,  Lee Merry, Steve Fitzy and John Williams. Lee was reminiscing about the many bands he has promoted at The Carlisle. Steve was talking about the groups he has been involved with including Ghostriders and currently popular rock n roll band Ricochet. John Williams popped in and had some great photos of his 1980’s bands Hot Pursuit and P.L.C. Sarah Harvey was compiling a list of popular 1970’s progressive rock tracks for her Tuesday radio show on Slammin Tunes. Andre was trying to find out if Georgie Fame definitely played the pier on the 14th October 1966, as he is yet to find anyone who remembers going. Colin Bell had some interesting stories to tell of Georgie Fame when he was working with Alan Price and also Colin had some photos of himself with Denny Laine. Chris Sambrook had with him a rare poster of John Martyn from the beach concert in 1992.  Paul Dove had a photo of a band he was in with Tony Ford and Nigel Dance around 1971/72 from the Regent Hotel. Roger Carey brought along a very rare photo of him playing with Liane Carroll and Dave Trigwell. The band were called ‘The Upstarts’ and was taken in The Pig In Paradise in 1987. Tony Qunta was talking about the time he met Eddi Reader of Fairground Attraction. I had with me well worn and battered copies of Easy Rider LP and The Kinks Sunny Afternoon LP, Mick O’Dowd had with him a new cd of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra which he throughly recommends and Pete Prescott was talking about the Brooke Sharkey forthcoming gig with Poppy and Claire Hamill at The Azur on the 4th November. Wasn’t time to get round and chat with everyone but this is just a small bit of what I remember. Anything interesting that you were talking about that I missed, then please feel free to add.

Josie Lawson… Hope you all had a good chin wag at the meeting

Mick O’Dowd… Wow! What a great Meet Alan. One of the most interesting yet. Good newbies and a slimmed down Linda Day. What more could you desire. Had really interesting chats with 2 of the newbies and hope to see them in future. Well done Alan you pulled it off again! Well done!

Eric Harmer… Sorry I couldn’t make it Alan catch I next time. If you want a jam anytime I am up for it mate X

Darren Johnson… Great to catch up. I should have some more reviews for you soon Alan.

Linda Day… Was great to see everyone Paul Dove Brian and Rowena Wood Pip Adams and not forgetting Mick O’dowd plus Alan of course x

Mick O’Dowd… Check out the Melbourne Ska Orchestra album. They are a 26 piece Aussie outfit who really no how to get on down! Recommended.

Hot Chocolate and Heatwave – White Rock Theatre Hastings 2nd December 2016

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ticket information… https://whiterocktheatre.org.uk/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=832F6712-A121-40D5-A21C-83B6CC0BF9E7

Hit makers  Hot Chocolate  perform a spectacular soul and disco night performing all their timeless classics. Expect to hear:  Everyones a Winner ,  It Stared With a Kiss ,  You Win Again ,  Louie ,  Emma , Could Have Been a Lady , and the classic  You Sexy Thing , plus many more. 
Support comes from Heatwave who will perform their hits Boogie nights,  Mind Blowing Decisions ,  Always and Forever  plus more, along with DJs playing classic soul and disco anthems, this will be a must see show for any 70s music fan.

Mick O’Dowd… Spotted today poster for Hot Chocolate & Heatwave at The White Rock in December. Anybody know who’s replaced Errol and what the new line-up is or is it another”tribute” type band with no original members?

Jim Breeds… I saw that poster in a few places too while we were driving around. I looked them up to see if there are any of the original members still in the band (there are). Latest vocalist is one Kennie Simon. To me it’s one of those bands that was all about the lead singer and to carry on gigging without him is milking it. Just MHO.

Allyson Breeds… I had a lovely Hot Chocolate at Hanushka in George Street, does that count?

Jim Breeds… Was it during a Heatwave?

Alex Chapman… I knew Eric Johns in the mid 70s and the last that I heard he had moved to Australia. Some of the Original lineup are playing

Matt Thomas… Cant replace the vocals of Errol but they had some great tracks that will probably be recreated perfectly

Tony May… I doubt the ‘Heatwave’ on the bill will have many original members. The history of the band is littered with tragedy and their original lead singer, Johnnie Wilder Jr is dead. The original line up featured Rod Temperton – writer of Michael Jackson’s – ‘Thriller’.

Hastings Seafood & Wine Festival 2016 – Music tent on The Stade Beach 16th Sept to 18th Sept 2016

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Mike Raxworthy says…

Friday…. The Launch Party for The Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival Weekend! Featuring The 10 Piece TWO TONES band supported by the 9 piece MIGHTY SOUNDS.
Tickets are £8 in advance at The Tourist Information Centre in Aquilla House – on the seafront near Iceland….or £10 on the door. We have a big licensed bar with real ales and a great party atmosphere!

Saturday… Here’s what we have on Saturday afternoon in my Entertainment Tent! 12 noon we kick off with Thee Jezabelles – 1.30pm The Sister Suzi Band – 3pm: The Sam Calver Band – 4.30pm: Kat & Co.(from USA) – and finishing at 6pm with The Hot Detroits (Eastbourne)!!
There are of course over 50 stalls sellings delicious seafood, English Wines, and the Billingsgate Seafood Training Kitchen….not to mention the Beer Festival going on in my marquee! A special tent with fish related activities for the kids and lots of other surprizes on site. Dress as a Norman or Saxon and claim a free glass!

Sunday…. So here’s what I have for Sunday in my music tent….
Up early for the Jazz Breakfast featuring one of the jewels in the Hastings Music Crown – the superb Liane Carroll and her trio. This is truely a very special event. Doors open at 9am – yes 9am! Tickets are £15 in advance at Hastings Tourist Information Centre, Aquila House on Hastings Seafront. Under 18’s: £10. For this you get two hours of ‘Liane Magic’, a selection of savory and sweet danish pastries, tea, coffee and orange juice and a wonderful atmosphere, rain or shine!
Starting the afternoon session at 1.15pm (for this you’ll need your £1 in advance weekend wristbands or £2 on the door – FREE FOR KIDS) I present The Salts! Sea Shanties just like you’ve never heard before! At 2.45pm: All the way from Belgium…Ilja Neve playing his own unique brand of R’n’B and upbeat blues! 4.15: Direct from London…The Hi-Fi Sneakers! Older locals will recognise Tich Turner returning to his old stomping ground with a great set of rare Northern Soul songs and some great self-penned material. The weekend finishes with my own personal favourites at 6pm: Blues Brothers – Soul Sisters. Make my weekend – turn up – have a great time and dance the weekend away!

Unknown Band Name (Audio Bus?) and Members, Beach Concert Hastings

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photos © Eddie Hazell Estate . photos for sale for donation to St Michaels Hospice.

Anyone help with naming the band and the members?

Karen Sweatman…  think the male vocalist used to sing in a local band called Shine in the mid 90s? Not certain though and this looks later.

Phil Gill… Glen Hoile and Kate Rytlewski. Don’t know the drummer and can’t remember the band name.

Alan Esdaile… Were the band called Audio Bus?

Steve Demetri – 1952 – 2012

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photo by Chris Meachen 

Born 27th August 1952.

Alan Esdaile….Happy Birthday to the late Steve Demetri. So many happy memories of a very special person and friend. Always in my thoughts.

Janine Hemsley… Amazing Guy xx

Andy Qunta… Happy Birthday, Steve! Miss ya! You were a lot of fun, to be sure. Gone but not forgotten! x

Leigh Wieland-Boys… Wonderful man, wonderful memories xx

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supplied by Leigh Wieland-Boys

John Wilde… Scared the chit out of me.Traveling 6 inches off the ground in a fiberglass car @ 1000mph!  Our Steve x

Steve Kinch… Knew Steve from our days at Priory Road School. Got up to all kinds of shenanigans through the years – some musicaly related, and others not so musical :/ They were fun and exciting times. Sadly, for one reason or another, we lost touch in later years. I do have a lot to thank Steve for. Happy birthday ol’ mucker x

Leigh Weiland-Boys… Steve D introduced me to you in 1975 Steve, you both came up Saturday’s when I was working as a cocktail waitress, probably your one & only time in there! Frightening to think that was 41 years ago! Xx

Jan Warren… Great photo – Hastings in the 70s!! – sorry I didnt know Steve?!

Andy Caine… Happy birthday Steve!! Hope you’re enjoying yourself!

Gary Kinch… I remember Steve driving his white MGB GT to school. I remember him taking me to the headmaster for some discipline. I worked in the Golden Hind when Steve was running it. I certainly remember that Lotus Europa, it must have been about 1973.

Chris Meachen…. I remember how difficult it could be getting out of it, particularly if he’d parked next to a slightly higher than average kerb. My solution was to get my bum onto the pavement and then roll backwards.. Not elegant but I wasn’t a contortionist…

Jon McCallion… Remembering a good friend on this day and all the good times in the band the cars and the girls. Never forgotten.

Andy Knight… Steve and I used to go drum lessons in Dartford in this car, didn’t take long!

 

 

Johnnie Stuart Disc Jockey – 1970’s

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Johnnie Stuart Disc Jockey – 1970’s. Worked at Queen Of Clubs and other venues. Anyone remember Johnnie?

Mick O’Dowd… Remember him.

Roy Penfold… Remember seeing the name daily, if not weekly in the Observer. Can’t say I ever saw him (mind you, I wasn’t particularly sober by the time I hit the clubs….)

Ian Mantel… Wasn’t he a driving instructor for BSM as a day job? Seem to recall he did the Roadshow for the Town Carnival in the park and Old Town Carnival on Winkle Island.

Kevin Burchett… I remember Johnnie he did work as a driving instructor and also was a dj in Scalliwags

Jim Hobbs… I remember JF. He was a very good DJ and I never understood why he didn’t spend more time working on his radio career. Maybe someone can get him to give us his story.