lol cooksey – SMART

Fokker Triplane – The New Regent, Brighton. 3rd Oct 1982

January 26, 2024January 26, 2024 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Lol Cooksey

Lol Cooksey, Terry Corder, Gary Broughton, Dick Parkhouse.

Yvonne Cleland… That’s TC!

Phil Gill… I know two of the Fokkers.

Phil Thornton… so do I ….

Tim Moose Bruce… saw them on the pier. they were support act for Budgie 1981 or 1982

Will Cornell… Can’t read the other bass drumhead…if it says “Mutha” I’m afraid he’s either set them up backwards or he got his gear mixed up with that belonging to a hardcore hiphop/rap act……

Tony Court-holmes… lol with hair

Linda Day… I was in same class at school as Terence Corder.

Mick O’Dowd… He became a teacher I believe Linda

Stephen Winterbottom… I was in a couple of bands with Gary back in the day and I’ve been trying to track him down and get in contact… Anyone know if he is still in the Bexhill/Hastings area?
If anyone has contact info for him it would be awesome!!

Alan Esdaile… Happy to pass on any information to Steve.

Ernest Ballard… Ah Gary Broughton. Remember gigging with him n Dave.

Stephen Winterbottom… still trying to track down Gary Broughton… seems to have vanished ….

Schnoz… Remember Gary and “The man with the golden tooth” (temporarily forgotten his name sorry) i did operate the desk for them along with Simon Halsey back then and later again as Die Laughing with other members Dave Wood and Richard (big dick) Parkhouse ,i remember the Budgie support event on the pier

Die Laughing photos from Lol Cooksey.

June 13, 2023June 13, 2023 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Lol Cooksey

Reunion photo – sitting on the stairs of The Carlisle. 13th June 1988
Stage photo – Melody Maker Rock Contest Final, The Venue London 1st July 1979 and Lol & Mick around 1981

Yvonne Cleland… Mick….That’s a hairy chest. Great one of Laurie x

Andy Qunta… Great pics! Lol – Great shot!

Tony Qunta… Lol Awesome pose!

Glenn Piper… Hastings own ‘Keith Moon’ and I mean that most respectively 🙂

Geoff Peckham… That’s our Lol!

Richard J Porter… Terry and Lol, 6Ts, still going strong with Harry!!

Kev Towner… You look like you’re just about to do a stand-in for the old Solvite ad Mick!! LOL

Mick Mepham… Lol, Pier maybe?

Sheila Maile… The colour photo, Are they the 6T s in their younger days they are a good band with their fancy dress. I like the Andy pandy theme tune at the end of the gig

Alan Esdaile… Yes Sheila, the 6T’s, Mick Mepham’s not with them now but Terry Corder, Laurie Cooksey and Harry Randall are still constantly gigging and their next local dates will be Shearbarn Holiday Camp on the 20th August and The Comet on the 27th August 2016.

Andy Qunta… Those Die Laughing guys still look exactly the same to this day!

Andy Ives… Loved this band I even have a CD Album of theres

6Ts – Hellingly Social Club 22nd November 1986

November 22, 2022November 22, 2022 by Alan Esdaile

photos supplied by Lol Cooksey

Featuring Lol Cooksey, Bruce Cameron, Tel Corder, Dick Parkhouse

Robert Searle… Great photos, another place gone

Pete Houghton… Great photos of the 6Ts

Terry Corder… It’s gone but not such a loss. My memory of that night was and audience of 4, playing cards all night and ignoring us. Oh, I forgot the bar staff of one.

Andy Qunta… not a very social social club then!

Robert Searle… I played there three times ,didn’t like the acoustics. I was lucky, I joined a Hailsham band who used to called Charade,they had a great following.The name was changed to Haze when I joined on bass guitar, then Easy Street.

Andy Qunta… Easy Street sounds familiar, now you mention it! What years were they in action?

Robert Searle… Early 70s who consisted of Me on bass,Dave Easton on vocals,Les Harding guitar,Colin Rotheroe guitar,Dave Funnel drums who was replaced by Roy Winchester. Dave Easton vocals, and me on guitar,Stuart Moir drums vocals, Mick Ingrams bass,and Rev Stockdale keyboards became Centre Page.

Terry Corder… It was social if you played cards

Factory – Mallet Hall Bexhill (early rehearsals) 1970

October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Lol Cooksey

‘Jaffa’ (Geoff Peckham) Bass, Lol Cooksey Drums, Andy Qunta Lead Vocals 12 String Guitar, Tony Qunta Lead Guitar.

Yvonne Cleland… Lovely x Bexhill’s produced its fair share of musicians!

Phil Gill… Nice to see a pic of Tony Qunta playing the WEM Sapphire. You sold that guitar to me about a year later Tone, remember?

Geoff Peckham… Can anyone identity the bass I’m playing? I don’t remember it.

Phil Gill… Is it a Vox of some sort Geoff? I’m more concerned that you’re apparently possessed by demons in the first pic.

Geoff Peckham… That’s right – I think it is a Vox. Yes that’s a strange picture isn’t it. I sent it to Andy as a Halloween card! I blame it on Lol. He still has the power…..

Andy Qunta… Yes, Lol has always had the power! I don’t remember that bass at all, Jaffa! I thought you always had a Fender Mustang! Don’t remember Tone’s WEM Sapphire either! I remember what I had for breakfast today though, so no need to worry yet!

Geoff Peckham… Yes, Andy. And I still have the Fender Mustang – always a pleasure to play but the pick-ups are shot so hardly any volume. Does anyone out there know of any way I can replace or repair them without spoiling the guitar? I think I had an Antoria bass at some stage, before buying the Mustang

Tony Qunta…. Phil, thanks for reminding me re selling the WEM guitar to you – I had completely forgotten about that! I’m pretty sure that was Andy’s originally. (photo no 4) My Miles Davis pose! 🙂

Phil Gill… It was a great guitar. I liked it a lot, but eventually traded it for this:

Steve Kinch… great to see these old shots

Mick Mepham… You can get the pickups rewound I believe, as long as they aren’t hermetically sealed …..Also, the bass looks a bit like a Danelectro (maybe)

Phil Gill… Try my pal James Collins at http://www.jamescollinsguitars.com/ I think he’s in Mayfield. Or if you fancy a pick up expert and are prepared to post to USA, I highly recommend Curtis Novak. He made me a great set of Strat pickups: http://curtisnovak.com/pickups_bass.shtml

Mick Mepham… Jaffa, are you actually the devil in disguise? Those eyes …..

Die Laughing – first photograph – Mallet Hall Bexhill – May 1977

October 24, 2019October 24, 2019 by Alan Esdaile

Supplied by Lol Cooksey

First photo of Die Laughing, Mallet Hall Bexhill in May 1977. Terry Corder bass, Kevin Williams vocals, Lol Cooksey drums and Phil Thornton Guitar.

Trisha Ann…. That’s Mick Mepham on the drums isn’t it not Lol?

Roy Penfold… Certainly looks like Mick!

Alan Esdaile… Doesn’t look like him but definitely Lol.

Jim Breeds… I bought a Die Laughing 7 inch in Courthouse Street yesterday! You Got The Power/Hard Living Man on Ocean Records OC 003. Bit of a punt – I haven’t had a chance to try playing it yet to see if’s OK.

Phil Thornton… haha ! It was high energy back in the day and fun to be on guitar for a change !

Richard J Porter… Now known as the 6Ts with Harry Randall replacing Philip Thornton. Saw Harry earlier today.

Phil Thornton… As far as I know the 6Ts are harry, terry and lol. Different material than DL – my replacement was Mick mepham ! The early DL material also featured 60’s covers but it was very stylised and delivered with a punkish attitude – an interesting mix with kev’s angelic soulful vocals ( I wonder what happened to him ?) when Mick took over, original material became the main focus with a classic/melodic rock approach ! I remember they put on an outstanding performance for the melody maker rock contest (1978 ?)

Andy Ives… And what a great band they were too

Kevin Williams… Moved to London…….formed ‘Rye & The Quarterboys’ (8 piece soul band) then ‘The Hunger’ – ‘The Stand’ , now got a 5 piece called The Cry. So still above ground and still doing it.

Ernest Ballard… Phil Thornton on guitar i never knew that

David Miller… PGT manifests music via a bewilderingly wide variety of instruments and is also particularly exceptional on the guitar – he has been for as long as I’ve know him. I nominate him for the Todd Rundgren Multi-Instrumental Born To Synthesize award.

The 6Ts – Peasmarsh & Hurst Green 1990

September 19, 2019September 19, 2019 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Lol Cooksey.

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

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.

Die Laughing – No Laughing Matter cassette

June 1, 2019June 1, 2019 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Mick O’Dowd

Not sure of year but line up at this time was Terry Corder – Bass Guitar/Vocals, Richard Parkhouse – Lead Guitar/Vocals & Lol Cooksey – Premier Drums/Vocals.

Mick O’Dowd… Another from The Cassette Cupboard( only 1 more to go at present). Die Laughing after Mick Mepham “left”.

The Fabulous 6Ts from Josie Lawson

July 12, 2016 by Alan Esdaile

photos by Josie Lawson

Terry, Lol & Harry.

Josie Lawson… I took these photos of the fabulous 6Ts back before 2009 when I was up and running non profit with Ebb & Flow community magazine… I had a brain op that year, retired, changed the name to Ebb & Flow (The New Voice)…and now continue with it as a hobby like my other creative word challenges with no rush, no deadlines.The Patron, name and advice still stays with it.

Factory Reunion reviews – The Carlisle 16th October 2015

October 18, 2015October 18, 2015 by Alan Esdaile

photo by Jim Breeds – Hastings and Area, Past and Present

photos by Sarah Harvey

photos by Chris Meachen

Alan Esdaile… WOW! They smashed it! What a brilliant night. Well done to Andy, Tony, Jaffa & Lol. Now when’s the next one?

Jim Breeds… Awesome.

Andy Qunta… Thanks, Alan & SMART! We had a great time, and we are working on a “next one”! Will keep you posted!

Lucy Pappas… A fabbie night! When’s the CD coming out? xx

Andy Qunta… We’re hoping the album will be out in a couple of months or so, Lucy!

Mike Curtis… Wonderful night! Factory are still soooooo good.

Yvonne Cleland… Factory blew the roof off. Incredible!!! So glad I was able to be there, wouldn’t have missed that for anything!

Chris Meachen… It was truly magnificent! I’ve taken hundreds of pics which I’ll have to go through & then upload a few, but it’s been a fantastic evening, meeting up with so many old friends too! Just brilliant. With the number of local musicians in attendance, you could probably have reassembled several other bands!

Pete Prescott… Great night. And great seeing some old faces. It was like a SMART meeting with a fantastic band.

Dave Nattress… Totally astonishingly brilliant gig by Factory last night – just about 2 hours of incredible stuff. World class. 41 years apart and this – can’t wait for the album!!! To anyone who missed it – you really shouldn’t have. Very best wishes to all the guys and thanks for a truly wonderful show. A great sound as well.

Andy Qunta… Thanks, Dave!

Tony Davis… A great gig guys. So nice to see a good crowd full of old friends! Looking forward to the album and next gig – please make it soon.

Mick Mepham… What a great evening chaps!!! What 40 years???? Magic stuff.

Colin Bell… Forty years melted away, you boys set the place on fire! It was a pleasure to introduce you.

Andy Qunta… Thanks, Colin!

Sarah Harvey… What a brilliant night. Nostalgia, memories, emotion, wonderful music and wonderful people.Factory are true legends. Not forgetting Chris Meachen who has photographed so many bands and artists down the years. If it wasn’t for Chris a lot of memories would have been lost forever. Yet another legend.

Clare Bennett… It was so brilliant! Xxx

Kev Towner… A tough night for me getting up there – but worth the effort ten times over!!

Michael Pannell… Hear hear Chris the legend….

Wesley Magoogan… Great show indeed.