Paul Dengate… Better Days, a folk-rock band from Hastings, East Sussex, UK, was formed in 1982 and split in 1992.
This track, John Barleycorn (a traditional song) is from a set recorded live at The Crypt in Hastings on Wednesday 8th March 1989 when Better Days won the Battle Of The Bands competition, and just a few months before they toured the UK as support to Steeleye Span. The line-up in 1989 was John Burgess (vocals), Garry Blakeley (fiddle), Steve Cooke (fiddle), Paul Dengate (guitar), Andrew Griffin (bass) and Paul Warren (drums).
John Storer… Gosh … Garry Blakely! There’s a name from the past. Was friendly with both him and his older brother, Teddy, as they lived just around the corner from me. Enjoyed this clip and found several others of Garry’s excellent fiddle playing, and a great video of him and his son playing together
Mary Lipscombe… I’m fairly sure they played the beach concert that year as well.
Andy Gunton… This takes me back. Better Days were one of the first local bands I can remember seeing after moving down to Hastings in 1988.
Not a bad introduction to the Hastings music scene I reckon.
Clifford Rose… I saw them support Steeleye Span at the White Rock back in April 89. Better Days played the better set.
Paul Dengate… We played the beach concert a number of times. I’ll see if I can find which years.
Simon… Saw them at the Battle Folk Festival at The Black Dog, Battle. I bought the CD and listening to it right now. Garry B is married to a sister of a great friend of mine but didn’t know he was in the band!
