Ritz – early 80’s Chatsworth Hotel. photo Paul Dengate.

539997_449847485031077_683981152_nphoto Paul Dengate 

Ritz playing a Christmas gig at the Chatsworth Hotel.  Paul Dengate, bass guitarist Martyn Baker is to the right, out of picture, Judith vocals and Martin Stringer and Andy Knight.

John Wilde…..That woman forgot to get dressed. Its Xmas for Christ sake, where is her skirt?

Chris Pook…..Looks like Judith singing. Post Beez Neez!

Diane Knight…..where’s Paul Dengates razor blade ????

Martin Stringer… Oh yes, I remember it well.

Peter Bridger… Brilliant band – used to go see them all the time

Mick O’Dowd…. Good old Judy!

Pete Shaw… Why has Andy upturned his bass drum front skin? Had he been to Australia? Doh!!

Andy Knight… Judith (Clark) if you see this can you get in touch plse, Tx Andy Knight

Stuart Moir… Did you turn your kick head upside down for a reason Andy ??

Andy Knight… I hadn’t noticed that Stuart, how strange

 

 

Better Days – Prom-in-aid gig – Queens Hotel Hastings 1986

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supplied by Mick Mepham

Gary Blakely, George Copeland or Andy Griffin?, Joe MacIllvenney, Paul Warren, Paul Dengate and Steve Cooke

Dave Kent….the bass player has been identified as George Copeland. I think it’s actually Andy Griffin who also probably played with Flat Battery & The Jump Leads. Anyone confirm this?

Mick Mepham…..I should think Paul Dengate would be able to say for sure.

Steve Cooke…..Quite right Dave, it is Andy Griffin. I must say that the fiddler on the right appears to have the least dress sense out of all of them.

Yvonne Cleland….I  remember the fiddler on the right from junior school………

Fairlight Studios 1978 to 1982 have we got your tapes?

Andy Knight says…. Paul Dengate and I ran Fairlight Studios from 1978 to 1982. I have a number tapes (reel to reel) recorded by people I am no longer in contact with. Any chance anyone may the whereabouts or know who might. They are Ann Maxine, Harry and the Dicemen, Ivory Rose, Gen Kiddies, Trilobites (Jonathan Jukes), John LeBreton, Hestinga, First Bite (Derek Macey), Chris and Bryson. Best, Andy Knight.

Mike Mitchell… Brett Taylor  might know how to get in contact with Nick Barnard, drummer with The Dicemen. And Dave Baker and Wally of The Trilobites are still around Hastings and Bexhill… Chris Boorman who drummed for them is somewhere up north these days and Frances Jukes knows Jona’s whereabouts.

Tim Moose Bruce…. May be able to find Derek Macey. Mate of mine was in a band with him in the 80s.

Andy Qunta…. Unfortunately I don’t know any of those people. As a side-note though, I remember going in there late ’81 or early ’82 and recording a demo of a song called Statistics, which was subsequently recorded by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band for a single, and the opening track on their album “Somewhere In Africa”. Of course, I have great memories of Fairlight Studios! Thanks, Andy!

David Kent… If I remember rightly, John Stiles at Stiles Garage in Battle was the bassist with The Gen Kiddies.

Tim Moose Bruce… He is now a music lecturer at sussex down college in Eastbourne.

Reg Duff… I remember coming to the studio with First Bite (my first ever stint on electric guitar after Plum Duff) be interesting, although probably painful to hear it now!

Chris Sambrook… The Gen Kiddies were a great band. They were from Battle and Hastings. . Kevin O’Connor was Vocals haven’t seen Kevin for years. John Stiles and Dave Craven and the late Chris Turner on Bass. They were all a good laugh when playing gigs and never took themselves too seriously. Favourite song ‘Who you looking at, why are you looking at me like that”

Jon Wilde… Great bunch of guys. Missing Chris Turner. Any photos anyone?

Richard Turner… B nice to c any pictures of the hen kiddies

Nick Barnard… Hi Andy and Paul. Sorry for the delay in responding. My sister who has recently returned from New Zealand made me aware of your post back in August. I was drummer with The Dicemen along with Harry Rogers (lead singer / guitarist) and Richard Burley (bass guitar). I would be interested in any tapes you have  Get in touch when you get a chance. Cheers.

I will pass on your email address Nick.

Chapel Gate Green… In reply to Chris Sambrook, Chris Turner’s voice was so powerful – ” Ooo yoo lookin’ et ”
Remember it well along with ‘Radio Control’ & ‘Just another day’. I was the synth player (Blair). Haven’t seen the guys in the years since we split 🙁 I remember recording with you. ‘Radio Control’ was our musical answer to the CB fad that was big back then.

Chapel Gate Green… Hi Andy / Paul, Just found this post after all these years. I have a poor, very well played demo cassette of Gen Kiddies that we made with you. I think it was Radio Control, Who You looking At … plus ??? Tape is in deep storage somewhere in the barn. Would love to hear from you re the masters. Haven’t seen or heard from the band since splitting. Are the guys still around? Never took a single photo of practice sessions (at Mountfield Gypsum) nor at our gigs and have never seen any taken by others. Would love to see some if they’re out there. I remember well going to audition with them … played a bit at the practice session, they went off for a private talk then returned and said “f***ing hell, we’ve got a synth player”. Well chuffed all round. I really loved that band. Miss you guyz. Blair

Andy Knight… I need to look in my archives, will let you know

 

Updated Steppin’ Out Recordings. supplied by Martyn Baker

Martyn Baker… Here’s an updated link to the songs of Hastings band Steppin’ Out recorded by Paul Dengate at The Box Studio, Silverhill Hastings. Listen to Pete Prescott sing on the final song “Hurt Again”. He had only just joined the band. Great singer!

Pete Prescott… Wow ! This brought back memories. I was very a young and inexperienced 20 year old. Never sang harmonies. Very much out of my depth. Amazing band. Shame it ended just as it was getting good. I’m moved to Hastings in Christmas eve 77. the band ended in new years eve ! There was a photo session in the old town of the band. Have you got any of the photos ?

David Edwards… There was certainly some talent in this band but what went wrong to cause it to split can’t believe Pete’s one appearance was the kiss of death?

Pete Prescott… Long story. One guy, I think should have left the band alone. I was clueless about events till after it was over. So many bands have the same story. It was a great band. Roger Hubbard, Wes, Tich, Martin and Kevin. Really good live. I felt I was a pointless link. Very young and inexperienced. Pretty crap on stage. Tich was the star. I wondered why they had me in to be honest.

Kay Green… Oh wow!

Tony Qunta… Love this!

Pete Fisher… Nice slide guitar…

Chris Wood… Love it, it’s been a long time since I’ve heard this. Cheers

Catsfield Steamers rehearsal

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supplied by Paul Dengate

Paul Dengate… I have this picture to hand, taken after the time I ran the Box. It’s a Catsfield Steamers rehearsal: Kevin Hoad on drums, John Burgess (later vocalist with Better Days), Brian Chainey just visible behind John, Jane Downes and myself (playing the Gibson SG mentioned in a post on this page a few days ago). Umpteen other Steamers would also have been there.

Yvonne Cleland… I used to work with JB. He’s now the rector at Fairlight church. Catsfield Steamers were a cracking band.

Paul Dengate… The Steamers are still playing, though not so often since Will, Jane, Jo and myself left at the start of this year

Tim Moose Bruce… I like the Plastix on the graffiti o the wall. Remember them as a Bexhill punk band.

Andy Caine… Hi Paul, is that the SG I bought from you?

Paul Dengate… Yes

Chaser – folk rock band – 1994

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photos supplied by Paul Dengate

Andy Knight Drums, Garry Blakely Fiddle/Voc, Paul Dengate Gtr, Pete Fyfe Vov/Gtr, Neil Cartwright Bass, Dave Roberts Melodeon.

Neil Cartwright…. We played the Black Horse, the Beer Festival and the Trowbridge Pump Festival that year.

Hastings Folk Fest – 2nd to 7th May 2017

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Paul Dengate… Don’t forget the Hastings Folk Fest starts on the 2nd May, the day after the Jack In The Green procession. There is a major concert by Fairport Convention in St Mary In The Castle on the 6th May (promoted by Spyboy), plus free gigs and sessions in our favourite Old Town venues.  www.hastingsfolkfest.org for more info.

programme details… http://hastingsfolkfest.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/A3-folded-programme_poster_final.pdf

Ritz – Ain’t Nothin’ and Car Won’t Go supplied by Paul Dengate

 

https://soundcloud.com/paul-dengate/ritz-aint-nothin/s-ZoXAc

https://soundcloud.com/paul-dengate/car-wont-go/s-qSA9V

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Martyn Baker… Sounds a lot better than my dodgy old cassette version Paul . Nice job mate. I’m guessing you have a lot of old recordings?

Paul Dengate… This was from an old DAT copy of the master (15ips?) that I’d copied to the PC a few years ago. I just happened to have extracted this track. I think Car Won’t Go (recorded at Phill Cordell’s) is on SoundCloud – I’ll post the link.

 

RITZ various & The Crown review.

Martin Stringer, Marytn Baker, Paul Guimbeau, Paul Dengate, Judith Clarke & Andy Knight.

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Paul Dengate photo

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1996 review  -supplied by Phil Little. Music Files.

Phil Gill… I sort of vaguely remember this gig.

John Laidlaw… You stood in for me, Phil? I thought I’d remember that… if only because I’d have been worried they wouldn’t want me back after.

Phil Gill… You’re very kind, but you needn’t have worried. I have a low mandolin threshold.

Peter Bridger… I was at that gig. Still have the cassette I bought – but nothing to play it on!