Some Of My Best Friends Are Canadians – Feeling Sheepish 7″ single 1980

Suppled by Digger

Phil Thornton, Dave McKnight and thanks to Terry Pack, Dave Millertron and Glen for sheep! 

Phil Thornton… That’s a blast from the past ! The ‘A’ side ended up on a compilation called ‘Sky Girl’ (years later !) on Rough Trade.

Dave Miller… I’m still a Canadian and can bleat with the best of them

Terry Pack… I played bass on this session. Dave McKnight was a very nice guy. I don’t remember much about the session, though.

 

Expandis – Hastings Carnival 1983

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supplied by John Wilde    David Miller, John Alexander Wilde and Philip George Thornton.

Phil Gill……Photo taken a split second before the bus ploughed into the stage.

and from 1981 – Moment Of Passion

Yvonne Cleland… My mum could have made two pairs of trahsers out of those strides 🙂 🙂

John Wilde… Great memory, thanks Alan. Oh if only I had saved that gear. Loved those pants! Great times.

David Miller… Loved that day, that event and that performance.

Phil Thornton…  was going for the ‘space priest’ look which has fallen out of favour in recent years … cant get hats like that anymore ! Just noticed I’m playing an acoustic 12 string !! I must have been going through a phase !

Phil Gill… Eko Ranger 12? I used to have one of those…. I’ll say no more.

Andy Qunta… Those are surely award-winning trousers that John is flaunting!

 

 

Minotaur – 1978

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supplied by Phil Thornton & David Miller

MINOTAUR – 1978 Dave Miller- Vocals guitar, Glen Baker – Guitar, Andy Ebsworth – Drums, Ric Luther Smith – Bass, and Phil Thornton – Keyboards. The live photo is from The Victoria Palace Theatre, London Feb 19th. 1978

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 photos supplied by Dave Miller

Alan Esdaile… Dave auditions for The Walking Dead, a few years too early.

Yvonne Cleland… Phil looks like Charles the 1st!

Dave Miller… The walking poseur, more likely….what a bunch. Phil’s mum made that jacket for him, I’ll have you know…

John Wilde… and trousers to match or was that a vicious rumour?

Del Buck… I loved Minotaur – I think I still have a cassette that Dave gave me somewhere. In fact I was in a band with Dave at school – he was something special even then. Love to you man, wherever you are.

Dave Miller… Del Buck, a fine man, an exceptional guitarist and an all-round very good guy.

Mavy Jones… Does anyone know how I can get in touch with Ric Luther-Smith???

Terry Pack… When RJG, the leader of the band I was playing with in 1978, heard Philip, he was miffed that I hadn’t recommended him to his band. When he asked me why I hadn’t, I replied ‘Because he’s a friend.’ It didn’t go down too well.

David Miller… Ouch – I’ll bet that didn’t… Can’t see that being a good fit neither. Re the introduction – yes, and for far more too…

More Expandis rarities 1983 supplied by Roger Carey.

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photo, poster and play list all supplied by Roger Carey

More Expandis rarities. supplied by Roger Carey who played bass for the band in 1983.

Photo from Vines Cross Festival near Heathfield (Top of the bill was The Enid) L-R David Miller guitar/vocals, Roger Carey bass, John Wilde vocals percussion, Phil Thornton keyboards/vocals. Poster – Rumours Club Hastings 22nd July 1983 & Alexandra Park 23rd July 1983. Set lists. Probably from a gig in London and a gig in Bath. Notice the van hire charges totally £40.00.

John Wilde… Wahooo. Nice save Roger!

David Miller… Great pic of a great day and other fine stuff – nice one, Roger….

Yvonne Cleland… What a picture, what a photograph! Good find, Rog! x

The Abysmal Sisters – 1980

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supplied by Martin Stringer

Phil Thornton, Kevin Hoad, Tony Bird and Martin Stringer.

Phil Thornton… Well thanks for digging this out Martin ! (I don’t remember ever seeing this before) didn’t we have a bass player ?

Alan Esdaile… It would be interesting to know the story behind the props.

Tony May… A definite touch of The Bonzo’s by the look of this pic! (lol)

Martin Stringer… Hi Phil, hope all well with you and yours.  Can’t remember a bass player.

Tony Bird… the fifth member of the band was Mick Ingram and the photo was taken at my studio called Wing at Ninfield circa 1980 and the props what part of the studio decoration. Now that’s recycling.

Julian Richards… cannot forget the Abysmal Sisters , great music , lots of humour ! I went back to Bexhill in September 2014 for 3 weeks , live in Perth , Australia , my best mate Richard Crawley took me in to see Tony Bird , he even gave me a copy of the A/sisters on CD , what a great surprise , still sounds bloody good even after such a long time . Great to see Tony is still in business , you bloody Legend !!
regards , Julian Richards ( Formerly of Bexhill )

You can hear Tony talking about The Abysmal Sisters on my recent radio show… https://www.mixcloud.com/alan-esdaile-johnny-mason/johnny-mason-60s-and-70s-show-on-chr-with-special-guest-tony-bird-180719/

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

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.