Group Therapy – 1967

 

Anyone able to confirm names?

Chris Baker… No idea, sorry. Played there a few times. Stonking crowd! When the policeman came to complain about the noise they picked him up and chucked him in the sea!

Alan Esdaile… I think Mick O’Dowd mentioned before that Robin Farrant(of Farrant & Reid) was in the band????

Mick O’Dowd… Yes he was. Can’t see him in pic though.

Trevor Spears… Looks like Paul Burton at the front,i think robin Farrant and possibly Merfyn Ashdown!  Think the drummers name was Bob Drewett?

Lloyd Johnson… It is Paul Burton…

Andre Martin… Yes Robin in the back, left hand side.

Pete Millington… Not sure whether Chris Sayer was in Group Therapy or not. Later in 1967 SPYKE were formed which included Chris Sayer, Paul Burton and me. The Sailing Club was also on our gig venues. Great times apart from the sewage coming up through the toilets at high tide.

Andre Martin… Now that really is a flash back Hastings Style – read into the advert the influence and choice of wording of one Mr Alan Jensen of The Disc Jockey Fame [and other activities]

The Confederates – Grove School practice 1965

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supplied by Peter Millington

Pete Millington… Confederates in 1965 L – R = Peter Millington, Paul Burton, Johnny Conroy, Terry Chedzoy, Trevor Spears – Remembering Paul Burton RIP who passed away on 14th January 2015.

Chris Baker… Blimey! They look about twelve!  

Pete Millington… Not quite Chris, I was 16 along with Trevor. Johnny Conroy was 15 and Paul and Terry were 17/18 – so long ago! We used to practice in the library at the Grove School. We had several pictures taken there for publicity after or before practicing. Sad that even where we practiced is now a pile of rubble awaiting re-development. It should have been listed and graced with a Blue Plaque LOL

Robert Searle… Great photo

Dave Nattress… Great photo indeed. I’m not or wasn’t acquainted with any of the guys, but have seen most of their names on SMART. But what an iconic photo – i know “iconic” is much over-used. A real, total 60’s “Beat Group” look. Smart matching suits and ties, smiles, smart haircuts, clean image, guitars, a Vox AC30? and an old Selmer combo. Wonderful example of it’s time and local stuff!

Harry Randall… What Selmer is that in the corner? It looks a lot like my thunderbird 30 I sold to someone down the old town loved those legs!

Peter Millington… A Selector-Tone 30 watt if that’s the same Harry

Harry Randall… Well now you know! The Thunderbird thirty came with catchy legs and selector tone buttons on top kept blowing rectifier tubes if my memory serves me if correct! That could even be my old amp! Whilst in “The Chain Reaction ” I had the Selmer Thunderbird 30 and John Petrie had the Selmer Zodiac both looked very similar I sold mine to a bloke halfway up all saints street in the old town.

Pete Fisher… great photo…not many people had a real Fender Strat and Precision bass back then,,,nice colours too!!

Pete Prescott… Great photo !

Peter Millington… Memories are very clear about this picture. We used to practice at the Grove School and this pic was one of many taken at a photo shoot there around April 1965. We changed into our stage gear and posed lol, before getting down to rehearsal business. Paul Burton had just joined after Tony Goodman departed and moved to Leicester. The other change was the addition of Terry Chedzoy on drums after Dave Johnson also left in early 1965.

Chris Barrett… Pete, great photo do you still own that bass ?

Peter Millington… I wish I did. Sold it in 1967

Harry Randall… This is me with my Selmer Thunderbird 30 and Watkins Rapier 33 circa 1965 ish ” The Chain Reaction”!

 

Tony and The Defiants photo session 65/66

all photos supplied by Eric Upton

Dave Gibb, Peter Head, Tony Kenward, Paul Burton, Eric Upton.

Eric Upton… We were booked to play with The Four Pennies at Hove Town Hall but they didn’t show and people wanted their money back. Then the replacement group turned up and it was an early gig for The Kinks.

 

The Tuxedos 1962 and 1988

photos © Eric Upton

Robin Grooves, Peter (Jonah) Jones, Paul Burton, Don Climpson, Eric Upton

Martin Richter… fantastic

Richard Holgarth… Dallas Tuxedo guitars as well…don’t see those too often.

Michaela Audette… Thanks for posting. Today is my Dad’s birthday – Don Climpson. I remember going to the pier and seeing him play for the 80’s show. It is nice to see 60’s and 80’s pics side by side. Thanks again.

Who remembers ‘Swift Half’ band asks Clive Bendon-Hill

I was the bass player and harmony singer with Swift Half in 80’s and 90’s with Paul Burton on guitar and harmonies, Chris Sayer lead guitar, singer and leader of the band. We also had a brilliant electric banjo player whose name I think was Paul and he came from Bexhill but I cannot remember the drummer’s name. I have a video of Swift Half at the Tower Pub where we played one night but cannot remember the date! I believe there is an album of Swift Half which I found a track from on YouTube today. Any info you can give me on this please and on the Hastings Swift Half band in their day when all the afore-mentioned were together? If anyone else remembers the band in its day, can they get in touch? By the way, apart from the VHS video I have I also have copies of all the lyrics that Chris hand wrote for all the songs we did together! Please do come back with any info, photos or recordings – just to bring back memories and the fun we had! Thank you so much! Clive

Paul Dengate… Could have been Paul Bishop on banjo

Alex Knight… Paul, was about to say this!! I think he lives in France now!! Paul Bishop was this you?? Maybe Gary on drums??

 

The Confederates – St Clements Caves Hastings 1965

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supplied by Pete Millington https://pet842.wixsite.com/confeds-to-jinks

Pete Millington… The Confederates playing in the St Clements Caves, Hastings – Summer of 1965 — with Johnny Conroy, Paul Burton, Pete Millington, Dave Johnson (hidden on drums) and Trev Spears.

Alan Esdaile….Always a great sound playing in the Caves, the problem was it was a long way to take the gear and the leads ended up all covered in sand.

Royal Albert….My dads band midnight shift played there not that I was about lol

Alan Esdaile….I remember doing disco’s in the caves with Colin Bell. During the Arthur Brown song ‘Fire’ I used to set fire to my hands with lighter fluid which is fine for a few seconds but with everyone cheering you on, you left it burning too long. Talk about blisters with yellow puss, argh! That was one thing I didn’t try again.

Michael Mepham…..The very same Caves I played in with Die Laughing and where I met a young lady whose surname was Schneckenburger. Ahhhh, those were the days

Rosalie Copeland… Oh my gosh – remember them so well! We used to follow them around town when they played gigs!

Chrissie Daniels…Hi, I am the General Manager at Smugglers Adventure and would love to create a big signage board with pictures such as the above. If anyone is interested in sending me any pictures and a backstory we can of course credit you. My email is chrissied@bluereefaquarium.co.uk

Dave Nattress… Played the caves a couple of times with Samisen – it was felt to be a prestigious gig venue back in the day, but yes, getting the gear in and out was a game, even though we were young and fit back then – and the central cavern bit where the bands played was in itself quite a distance from the main entrance. But…really good memories, packed with foreign students and the sound was better – less bouncy with loads of bodies around – live bodies that is – well most of them.

Peter Fairless… Ask Chrissie if gigs are still a possibility?

Clifford Rose… Only ever went to one concert in the caves, and that was Fred Wedlock 02/05/87. He was very funny live.

Ralph Town…  I saw a chap called Strange, in the caves. He was in early eps pf Men behaving badly and the 1989 Batman movie. As well as our own Mr.Mepham 🙂

John Wilde… Yes The Breathers supported Steve Strange in the caves probably 1979/80.  Hang on maybe it was some other combo but I def remember supporting the Strange One RIP

Ralph Town… I think it was Richard Strange.  I’m not so sure it was Steve Strange. I remember the act involved this chap looking like Tom Bakers Dr.Who with movies played on a screen. Under the heading of ,”The wonderful world of …….. Strange”. I saw Mick in there with one of his bands but was probably traumatised as some scrote stole my copy of Kiss Alive vol 1.So was more focused on the loss.

Alan Esdaile… Brilliant gig with The Breathers at the caves John, I pretty sure it was Richard Strange and not Steve Strange.

Wendy Weaver… We met Fred Wedlock once when we were having a drink with the Yetties. He was an extremely funny man when he wasn’t performing too :). Good old West Country humour.

 

The Tuxedos at Hollington Methodist Church Hall in 1963

1963 Tuxedos at Hollington Methodist Church Hall

supplied by Peter Millington

Pete Millington… L-R Pete Jones. Eric Upton, Robin Groves, Don Climpson (at back waiting for Shadows cover performance to end) Paul Burton. – Taken at 8:10pm used to start early in those days as the last bus home usually went at 10:00 – 10:30pm, also, the caretaker had to come and lock up.

Spyke – Pete, Chris & Paul 1968 and 1969

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supplied by Jinks the Group website.

Peter Millington, Chris Sayer & Paul Burton.

Yvonne Cleland…..Lovely one of Chris

Chris Baker….Excellent band! Remember them well.

Peter Shaw…..Looks like Val Doonican at the front helping out in the Blue Peter studio! Chris was a talented player and with musicians Ginger and Paul should’ve appeared on TV!!

Peter Millington….You are spot on Peter Shaw. Our gear was held together with “sticky back tape” when we first started as SPYKE, so I can relate to the Blue Peter link. I’d sold all my gear when The Confederates ended after Johnny Conroy emigrated to Canada. Within weeks of it all going out the door at a knock down price and me spending the proceeds on my first car, Paul and Chris asked me to start again – hence the DIY gear lol

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supplied by Jinks the Group website

An early picture of Spyke playing at the White Rock Pavillion (Hastings) supporting Bob Miller and the Miller Men in 1969 — with Paul Burton, Peter Millington. and Chris Sayer

Andre Martin…..Great looking stage set as usual thanks to the stage crew of the day, now I wonder who was working with them !!

Janine Anne Hemsley…..Omg. I was with Bob Miller but on the early 80s. Don Lang was also playing with Bob. Great times.

Spyke – White Rock Theatre1968

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supplied by Jinks The Group website. https://pet842.wixsite.com/confeds-to-jinks

SPYKE – 1968 L-R Paul Burton – Peter (Ginger) Millington, Chris Sayer – Playing in support of Bob Miller and the Millermen – ITT Annual Christmas Dance – White Rock Theatre.

John Storer… My Mum and Dad went to this

Robert Searle… Was Terry on drums Pete

Peter Millington… No, Robert .We were a trio for about a year then a duo after Paul left then I managed to convince Chris that a drummer would be a good idea. Spyke played without a drummer for about 2 years. I have to say, playing bass and holding a consistent beat in front of the ITT dancing crowd of 1000+ was testing. Good training though.

Yvonne Cleland… Lovely Chris x

John Kingdon… What a memory, dear old Chris, God Bless him and Henry both sorely missed.