supplied by Lance Collins
rock a nore
rough sea at Rock-a-Nore Hastings
Supplied by Pete Fisher
Pete Fisher… I think these are early 70’s.
Alan Esdaile… I used to go through that door to work!
David Martin… Gallops there. it’s probably my dads car outside. He spent more time in there than anybody.
Upstairs Niteclub (Capels) Rock-a-Nore, Hastings 1980’s
Malcolm Mcdonald… great little club that…was a shame it was short lived…
Sheila Maile… Went there in 80 s
Fred Marsh… out the back door of The Nelson up the steps
Samisen Return to Rock A Nore – The lost recordings 1976
Sarah Harvey… Recorded at THE BOX in Silverhill. Samisen ‘Rock-A-Nore’ in 1976!! The background to this song was actually based on Conan Howard’s (Bass Guitar) story about where he lost his virginity rather than any sentimental connection with the iconic Hastings area. I am a prog rocker at heart and I write songs and have done since the 1970s…..and here is the proof!! In the 1970s I wrote many prog rock songs, and most of them were in the epic prog-rock style. In those days that’s what you did as a band. One day I will rework them and perhaps perform them…. who knows. This video depicts the various line-ups of my very first band SAMISEN. The song was recorded at THE BOX in Silverhill in 1976!! ‘Rock-A-Nore’ is a prog rock piece written by Sarah Harvey and Conan Howard based on Conan’s story about where he lost his virginity rather than any sentimental connection with the iconic Hastings location.
– Graham Barrett (Vocals – RIP)
– Sarah Harvey (Lead Guitar – Happy Maureens)
– Ralphy (Rhythm Guitar and backing vocals)
– Bernie Smirnoff (Drums – Kingbathmat)
– Conan Howard (Bass Guitar)
I am proud of the songs I have written down the years
Jan Warren… Me too Sarah, I am Prog and Psychedelic Rock too, I remember meeting you at the SMART meet in Hastings, hope to meet you again soon!
Conan Howard… sorry SARAH, you only helped to write this, as it was my original idea.. CONAN HOWARD , as proved by all the bass work.. now go to the back of the class and sit on the naughty step you bad girl … love Conan x
Sarah Harvey… Conan has become such a grumpy old wotsit in his old age 😂 I did say we co-wrote it and ok, if you want the rights to the original idea I won’t get my lawyer on to you this time. 😜 xxx
Peter Thomson… Always enjoyed hearing (and watching) you lot knock this one out.
Conan Howard… must admit though Graham Barrett did come up with all the words,, good old Graham ,bless you where ever you are now. WHAT a Hoot SARAH ,good stuff indeed . all meant in good fun.. I have the right to be grumpy at 70 years old , what else is there? love Conan xx
Stallion -Martin Casson Agency promo photo – Rock-A-Nore Hastings 1975
Tich Turner, Phil Thornton, Roger Carey, Steve Demetri, Vic Bridger.
Promotion picture when they were signed to ‘Martin Casson Agency’.
Roger Carey… they asked us to wear suits for the promo photo.
Gaynor Duke… Tony Bridger
Glenn Piper… Anthony Victor Bridger hence the “Vic”
Andy Qunta… Can’t see exactly, but it looks like Tich might have been the only one who complied with that request!
Pete Prescott… Should I tell my Tich/skeleton story ?
Martyn Baker… Yes, of course you should Pete. I’m all ears!
Pete Prescott… Here goes. So it’s Sep 77 and I’m down in Hastings from north Kent where I live to audition for a band Steppin Out. It’s a Sunday afternoon. I go to a place in Silverhill called The Box. The audition seems to go well, I’m asked about my past. I mention that my last band made it to the final of the Melody Maker competition a few years previously. “Oh” says Tich “we were on that year too!” Just as I’m about to say “do you remember that complete tosser in the skeleton outfit that had everyone pissing themselves?” Tich says “you might remember me…I had a skeleton outfit on!” I was that close to never living in Hastings (and having no teeth !). I have to say that the time I spent in Steppin Out was an eye opener for me. An education. I wasn’t really up to the job. Tich was (and No doubt still is) a fantastic front man. I liked his singing. I couldn’t think why they wanted another singer. I had never sung harmonies and was bloody useless at those. I was very static on stage in those days. Pretty redundant. Rich also wrote sing great songs with Roger Hubbard who was the guitarist. It was an amazing band. Tich should have been successful. Wearing that skeleton outfit was something I would never have done. I didn’t have the balls. He did. Singers like Peter Gabriel or David Bowie wore make up and costumes and stunned people. I realised then that that could never be me. So hats off to the skeleton outfit !