Better Days – John Barleycorn – The Crypt 8th March 1989

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!

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………

Mars – featuring Mick Mepham Prom-In-Aid 1986

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photos by Neil Cartwright

Michael Mepham….Wa-heyyyyyy, pix of me that I didn’t have before!!!! Top is Paul Tanner/guitar, Next are, from left, Liane Carroll – keys, Robin Heggie – bass and yours truly – guitar. Next l to r me, Garry Blakely and Steve Cooke – violins and Robin Heggie during the finale, Hands Across The Water. Next – me, Bottom, the late, lamented Michael Bettel – drums and percussion. Lovely chap and a great drummer. Died way too young.

Michael Mepham….Mullets a-gogo! Garry and Steve stepped in to play the string parts as cellist Ian couldn’t make it. Unfortunately, it wasn’t filmed or recorded, as far as I know, as the camera ran out of film before the track. The whole audience sang the chorus and we thought that maybe they’d be able to hear it in Africa. Great gig. Also, as I remember it, the event raised £3000 in the day. Fantastic for Hastings in 1986! Ian Dobson presented most of the bands and Joe Macilvenny not only sang with Better Days but also organized most or all of it. Marvellous memories of that gig.

Liane Carroll….awww….memories!!! x

Alan Esdaile….The photo at the top looks like the mike stand is going through Paul Tanner’s stomach.

Mick Mepham…..A bit like the church lightning rod that falls off the top of the church in the Omen and transfixes the priest ……