rubber band – SMART

Black Raven/Rubber Band – Colin Bell talking about the band in Hastings & St Leonards Herald 20th September 1973 & gig cutting from the YMCA.

September 20, 2023September 20, 2023 by Alan Esdaile

Write up supplied by Nick Prince

Alan Esdaile… Worked with Rubber Band on a number of gigs including St Thomas’ Hospital in London. I think they came from Forest Row. They were signed to Martin Casson Agency and played the pier lots of times. Can’t find any photos, possible Andre has some or some of Black Raven?

Colin Bell… Yes, Alan is quite right they did hail from Forest Row, I kept in touch with Dave for some years, but don’t know about now. They did the best version of Bowies Suffragette City ive heard, not including the original of course! Miki Dallon who owned and run Youngblood Records was a great character, I worked for him for a while, getting paid was er..fun. Don’t think Rubber Band will be retiring on their royalties…….

Andre Martin… Alan your right, the leader/vocalist came from Forest Row, I think his father owned a motor dealers/workshop, that is why the had such excellent signwriten transport if I recall Paul played an instrument on the recording, something like a penny whistle. I also think that we have several ties with the Young Blood International Label – Sabotage, Mac & Katie Kasson and these boys.

Mick O’Dowd… Didn’t they change their name especially for the gig with “He who cannot be mentioned” to Rubber Band?

Hastings & St Leonards Herald Thurs Sept 27th 1973. supplied by Nick Prince.

Andre Martin… Good press cutting – tells more of the story

Peter Millington… a bit more history to put into Confederates/Spyke/Jinks timeline. Problem is I don’t remember a regular gig at the “York and Crypt”. Will have to dust off the old memory banks LOL

7th July 1973

Mac & Katie Kissoon, Rubber Band and Nicky Thomas – Hastings Pier 25th August 1973

August 25, 2023August 25, 2023 by Alan Esdaile

Alan Esdaile… Did Dandy Livingstone appear instead of Nicky Thomas?

Sheila Maile… Remember their song. Your my pigeon your my dove.

Jan Warren… Waaheyyyy, Rubber Band!!

Nigel Sherwood… Nicky Thomas appeared

Sylvia Sinden… Did Katie sometimes sing as a backing singer for Eric Clapton?

Alan Esdaile… Yes she did Sylvia and some great clips on You Tube.

Mick O’Dowd… Mac & Katie were a great brother /sister act. Very talented and great voices. Unfortunately they were saddled with cheesy pop songs to record which never let them express their true talents. Katie became a backing singer for alot of acts in the same mould as another wasted talent Madeline Bell. I remember seeing Nicky Thomas on The Pier Alan but i’m sure he was headlining.

Martin Richter… darn – missed it

Peter Fairless… Their hit from 1973 (in the Netherlands!) was Song For Everybody.

David Edwards… Katie became a much in demand backing singer and was with Van Morrison for a number of years

10cc – Hastings Pier 22nd December 1973

December 23, 2022December 23, 2022 by Alan Esdaile

cuttings supplied by Sarah Harvey

photo source: Beeld En Geluid Wiki – Gallerie: Toppop 1974. Licentie afbeeldingen Beeld en Geluidwiki

Wall Street Shuffle from a BBC recording in 1974…

Jim Breeds… Rubber Bullets and Rubber Band. See what they did there? 🙂

Alan Esdaile… Its art for arts sake Jim.

Richard Brimm… Kevin Godley of 10CC lives in Tenterden I’ve seen him several times in the summer at Beany,s farm shop buying cherries

Jan Warren… … and Rubber Band!! 🙂

Tony Pettifer… Jan, I remember it well

Black Raven – The Regent Hotel July 1973 and publicity photo

July 13, 2017July 13, 2017 by Alan Esdaile

Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Andre Martin… Black Raven and from our Publicity Book from July 1973, a different image – but the same 4 lads from Forest Row.

Tony Pettifer… 45 years! Ooer

Mud & Chicory Tip – Hastings Pier December 1973

January 15, 2017January 15, 2017 by Alan Esdaile

Andre Palfrey-Martin Collection

ticket supplied by Mick Mepham, mud photo TopPop (Dutch television show) in 1974 Beeld En Geluid Wiki – Gallerie: Toppop 1974

Mick O’Dowd….I remember both of these well. Not very large attendences but Chicory Tip did hand out some cheap bubbly at midnight!

Titus Luxor… Just been listening to Chicory Tip. Some good stuff. Some songs sound really dated (of course) but a very interesting band especially with the Giorgio Moroder element.

Gill Harrod… Shirley, did we go to these? I know I did, I think it was with you and Eileen!

Jan Warren… ………. and, again, Rubber Band are supporting act!! – we got to know them really well as my hubby was resident DJ in the hotel before it became “Scalliwags”, and he was like a “roadie” to MUD when they played at “Dreamland” in Margate – I remember “Rubber Band” well, they released a single called “Moonwalker”, the singer (Dave?!) was very “Bowie-type” and I think they lived in Forest Row (near East Grinstead) in Kent, I remember us driving them home after a gig??!! – has anyone got any pics or news of Rubber Band?? – I’d love to know??!! 🙂 xx

Andre Martin… When we first signed the group they were known as Black Raven and from Forest Row – I will see what cuttings I have in the archive and forward to you.

John Coleman… I was there! That was a long time ago! Utterly brilliant bands on the Pier! Will never forget !

Tony Pettifer… We were from Forest Row we were Black Raven before Andre & Paul had us change names.