Steve Kinch, Steve Demetris, Tony Qunta, Andy Qunta.
Andy Qunta… Ha ha! Those were the days! The pics were all taken in Alexandra Park, btw. FYI, here’s an exclusive – there’s a Head On album currently in the works! Better late than never!
John Wilde… Head On were special. A great line up.
Andy Qunta… John, Thanks! Big compliment from someone of your caliber!
Tony Qunta… Thank you John!
Kevin White… I remember seeing you guys in the late seventies in Hastings, you were a fantastic band and are great musicians. I look forward to hearing the album,will Laurie be the drummer?
Tony Qunta… Hi Kevin, Laurie wasn’t the original drummer. As well as Steve Demetris we had Mark Thirsk, who unfortunately also passed away some years ago at quite a young age. For the album we mostly have Roger Batting on drums and percussion, who I have played with a lot in various bands. There are also a couple of special guest drummers! (Spoiler alert! ).
Kevin White… thanks for the info, I like a bit of intrigue!! Look forward to hearing it
Steve Kinch… Always a good look, walking with folded arms Good times
Andy Qunta… & some of us with platform boots, big flares & giant mustaches!
Leigh Mitchell… Andy, spot on trend at the time
Jon McCallion… Remember it well, I printed the Head-On four-page leaflet for the band. I think I may well have some still now.
featuring Pete Prescott, Andy Qunta, Tony Qunta, Steve Kinch and Mark Thirsk.
Pete Prescott… I remember this gig. I was very nervous. They were amazing players. Nice guys as well.
Andy Qunta… I vaguely remember it too! Pete did a great job! Unfortunately I think it was the last gig we did. Couldn’t fight punk rock with prog rock! Fun while it lasted though!
Tony Qunta… I remember it too. A line up with great potential!
Ernest Ballard… Great band saw them a few times before I started playing drums (wink wink ). Long time ago now
Pete Prescott… We played a gig at a boutique in London. After the gig I got really drunk on punch (dangerous stuff). We got back to Hastings in time for me to go to work. The green cross code man was there. Huge guy. That was (I think) the last gig. Mark was an amazing drummer. Brilliant players. I felt out of my depth. I remember loving Tony’ s voice on “only you”. I’ve still got a tape of songs like “the burning of Atlanta” it was great being in the band with guys like that. And they were so funny.
Steve Kinch… Yes Pete, absolutely agree, Mark was a fabulous drummer with a great sense of humour.
Tony Qunta… Great memory Pete! Yes the green cross code man – was he in Star Wars or something? Thank you for your lovely comments about the band. Your vocals were fantastic with the band – it’s a shame the band didn’t keep going! ‘Dinosaur Promotions’!
Steve Kinch… David Prowse – He was only Darth Vader!!!! Great times! Hastings in the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s was the pefect environment for young musicians learning their craft. With hindsight, the late 70’s wasn’t exactly a good time to be attempting to get a “prog” band off the ground
Andy Qunta… True, Steve, but it was fun trying! Listening to the old tapes makes me feel it was well worth it! Pretty darn good stuff!
The band was Steve Demetri, Tony Qunta, Roger Carey, Tich Turner and guest guitarist Andy Smith (From The Roaring 80’s). Put together for one night only by Roger Carey.
Geoff Peckham… I’ll bet that was a good night! x
Pete Fisher… What a great memento – I recognise Roger’s writing. Detailed setlist can be a great help, if you have time to look at it. Remember having around 30 songs/new arrangements at the beginning of a tour once, and sellotaping 3 sheets of A4 together to accomodate them…
Barry French… Last night my good friend Len Benton & myself went to see Tich performing with his band Hi Fi Sneakers, at Sidley Working Men’s Club (Great must see soul band ). Tich remembers the Kings Head Gig, & was amazed that Roger has held onto the set list all this time & that the gig is still being talked about (The Power Of SMART)
Tich Turner… Blimey! Was playing in Sidley last night with HiFi Sneakers and Barry told me, the last time he saw me performing was at The Kings Head. I thought he was talking about a gig I did there with about 11 of us, we were doing a bunch of new songs I’d written and Ray Fenwick wanted to invite some guys down from London to see it. I think it was leading into The Roaring 8o’s. The Place was packed, [mainly by the band], but a great night. I don’t recall this gig at all. I’m wondering why we did it. Perhaps Roger can recall. And….hello to all of you.
John Wilde… Hi Tich. Best wishes and keep on keeping on!
Pete Davis… Used to see you down the York Bexhill with Steppin Out, I think you was called, with Del McCoogan…..
Pete Prescott… There was a gig at the kings head with Steppin Out that Ray invited some record company guys to. It was Nov/Dec 77. They didn’t show up.
Mike Waghorne… Must be 30+ years since I last saw you Tich hope you are well ?
Jan Warren… sorting through my records I came across this album Tony Qunta played several instruments, can anyone enlighten me??
Ernest Ballard… That was Charlie Hutchinson. Guitarist songwriter. He was married to the sister of Tony Brooks wife Tony ran Dragon Studios in Hastings. Tragically Hutch was killed in a a car crash in Hastings shortly after the album was recorded. He was a lovely guy. Steve D and Min have sadly passed away too X
Jan Warren… I also remember “Min”, he was a musician who lived in Hastings Old Town in the early 70s, he was lovely, sweet hippy – our friend.
Ernest Ballard… He played sax. Yes a great character.
Phil Gill… Well, I’m on it. What sort of info would you like?
Tony May… This is a very emotive subject for me as ‘Feels Like Rain’ is probably the record I remember most from my days at Stylus Records in Castle St. We had quite a few copies in stock and I always remember Nelson De Souza ( the boss) telling me he had taken them on ‘sale or return’ but that the artist had subsequently died and he could not do anything about returning those we had not sold. Sadly, I have never heard the album. If any of you here can remember anything more about Hutch or the recording of this record I would love to hear it. Thanks Jan for posting this!
John Williams… Min played in our band PLC yes he was nice.
Pete Prescott… I had a copy of the album but lent it to someone years ago and never had it returned. Min was a lovely guy, his funeral was unforgettable. So many amazing stories. Hilarious in places. He took a photo of me staggering along the sea front on the half marathon. Then when he saw me out months later he ran home to get it. I still have it with his inscription on the back.
The album was worth some money abroad at one time I believe. There are some good local legends in it. Now ! Who did I lend it to?
Roland Clarke… Min was a great character, always stopped to have a chat if I saw him in the street. I knew Charlie back in the day. He used to hang around the studio from time to time. He wrote and did this album before he was 25. I remember him giving me a copy on lp, however, I unfortunately lost my copy in a flat move. Charlie was about 6 years older than me but was tragically killed as a passenger in a car accident returning from a pool match. He was sitting in the back but the car hit a tree driving down London road in St Leonard’s, he was only 25 I believe.
‘Jaffa’ (Geoff Peckham) Bass, Lol Cooksey Drums, Andy Qunta Lead Vocals 12 String Guitar, Tony Qunta Lead Guitar.
Yvonne Cleland… Lovely x Bexhill’s produced its fair share of musicians!
Phil Gill… Nice to see a pic of Tony Qunta playing the WEM Sapphire. You sold that guitar to me about a year later Tone, remember?
Geoff Peckham… Can anyone identity the bass I’m playing? I don’t remember it.
Phil Gill… Is it a Vox of some sort Geoff? I’m more concerned that you’re apparently possessed by demons in the first pic.
Geoff Peckham… That’s right – I think it is a Vox. Yes that’s a strange picture isn’t it. I sent it to Andy as a Halloween card! I blame it on Lol. He still has the power…..
Andy Qunta… Yes, Lol has always had the power! I don’t remember that bass at all, Jaffa! I thought you always had a Fender Mustang! Don’t remember Tone’s WEM Sapphire either! I remember what I had for breakfast today though, so no need to worry yet!
Geoff Peckham… Yes, Andy. And I still have the Fender Mustang – always a pleasure to play but the pick-ups are shot so hardly any volume. Does anyone out there know of any way I can replace or repair them without spoiling the guitar? I think I had an Antoria bass at some stage, before buying the Mustang
Tony Qunta…. Phil, thanks for reminding me re selling the WEM guitar to you – I had completely forgotten about that! I’m pretty sure that was Andy’s originally. (photo no 4) My Miles Davis pose! 🙂
Phil Gill… It was a great guitar. I liked it a lot, but eventually traded it for this:
Steve Kinch… great to see these old shots
Mick Mepham… You can get the pickups rewound I believe, as long as they aren’t hermetically sealed …..Also, the bass looks a bit like a Danelectro (maybe)
Phil Gill… Try my pal James Collins at http://www.jamescollinsguitars.com/ I think he’s in Mayfield. Or if you fancy a pick up expert and are prepared to post to USA, I highly recommend Curtis Novak. He made me a great set of Strat pickups: http://curtisnovak.com/pickups_bass.shtml
Mick Mepham… Jaffa, are you actually the devil in disguise? Those eyes …..
Richard Turner asked… anyone remember the box a rehearsal room in silverhill ?
photo Chris Meachen
Steve Demetri, Tony Qunta, Phil Gill, Ashley Pepper and others at The Silverhill Tavern after a recording session.
Pete Prescott.…first place i sang in in hasting with steppin out sep 77.tich wes kevin hoad roger hubbard martin baker and a guitar player i cant remember.played loads there.met ray there.he was producing the band.met andy caine there.the toilet didnt work.it was full to the brim with s#+t.the smell ! loved it there ha ha !
Diane Knight… That takes me back !!!!
Phil Gill… This pic above was after one of the pre-studio rehearsal sessions for Charlie Hutchinson’s “Feels Like Rain” album. No recordings were done at The Box in Hastings, it was recorded in Poole during January 1980. L-R, it’s Allan Thorpe (producer), me, Steve D, Tony Q, Charlie H and Ashley P. Here’s a pic (below) Chris took during the rehearsals which illustrates the seductive and glamorous inside world of rock & roll….
Pete Fisher… Great photo Phil! Especially the shadows behind you! Luxurious rehearsal space too…not!
Phi Gill… Have to say that if I’d had any inkling in 1980 we’d now have the internet, I’d probably have tried to avoid standing next to graffiti of a giant flying penis insect when the camera was about.
Nick Webb… blimey that takes me back too , Charlie and I where good friends often stayed at his place in Cornwallis Terrace .
Recorded 30 January 1971 – Oak single RGJ718
No relation to the late 60’s CBS/MGM group of the same name, this particular Factory were based around the talents of the Qunta brothers – Andy on lead vocals and acoustic twelve string guitar and Tony on lead guitar and electric violin, supported by a rhythm section of Geoff ‘Jaffa’ Peckham (bass) and Laurie Cooksey (drums). Andy and Tony had previously visited R.G.Jones, the owner of Oak Records, in October 1968 and March 1969 as prime movers in a school band called Perfect Turkey, who recorded an Oak acetate coupling ‘Stones’ and ‘Perfect Turkey Blues’. Factory recorded four songs – ‘Time Machine’, ‘Castle On The Hill’, ‘Mr. Jones’ (no relation) and ‘Road Sweeper Joe’ – in a three hour session on 30 January 1971, with the first two tracks issued as a single that sold out its limited pressing of 99 copies within a few weeks. With its science fiction-derived lyrics,prototipe heavy metal sound and harsh,metallic vocal (an extraordinary performance from Andy Qunta), ‘Time Machine’ eerily predicted David Bowie’s forthcoming album ‘The Man Who Sold The World’, although the opening chords were surely borrowed from Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Green Manalishi’. During their lifespan, Factory attracted considerable interest within the music industry: their live performances were attended by such luminaries as Mickie Most, Robin Gibb, former Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell and Roger Daltrey, who was sufficiently impressed to invite the band to record at his home studio. By the time Factory shut down in 1976, Geoff Peckham had been replaced by Steve Kinch, who joined the Quntas in a new band called Head On. When this project fell by the wayside of 1979, Kinch and Andy Qunta played with Hazel O’ Connor before the bassist joined Manfred Mann’s Earthband in 1985. Tony Qunta has been a session guitarist since 1982, although he still finds time to lead a band called High Level Drive, whilst brother Andy had a six year spell with Australian group Icehouse, co-writing their hit single ‘Crazy’ and John Farnham’s anthemic ‘You’re The Voice’. One of Factory’s final gigs, incidentally, had featured a support set by a bunch malcontents bearing the unlikely name of the Sex Pistols. Within a matter of months, punk would seek to reverse the excesses of the progressive rock dinosaurs, signalling a return to three minute pop songs and more intimate live venues as well as a comprehensive demystification of the musical process. With punk inspiring media outrage to match coverage of the Stones’ emergence, ellied to the obvious generic antecedents provided by mid-1960’s R&B and garage bands, it genuinely appeared that, however fleetingly, the musical wheel had turned full circle.
Phil Gill …”With its science fiction-derived lyrics,prototipe heavy metal sound and harsh,metallic vocal (an extraordinary performance from Andy Qunta)…”. What great write-up – he’s right.
Glenn Piper… Oh the memories 🙂
Andy Qunta… Not sure what that “harsh metallic vocal” was all about! Maybe I was just trying to make up for the fact that I wasn’t playing an instrument, and wanted as much “air time” as poss!
Robert Blackham… Hi, am I right in thinking that Andy Qunta, Tony(or Mendy?)Qunta and Dick Bloom were Epsom College’s Velvet Hush band in 1969? “Broken Heart” and “Lover Please” were the songs on their Oak single. Bob Blackham (Epsom 67-72).
Geoff Peckham… I thought your band was called Perfect Turkey at Epsom, Andy and Tony?
Andy Qunta… We were originally Perfect Turkey, but we changed it to Velvet Hush later on.. Hi, Robert Blackham! How do you know about such things? And by the way, do you by any chance have a copy of Broken Heart/Lover Please? The latter is on the double album, Best of Oak Records, but none of us have a copy of Broken Heart, and haven’t heard it in decades!
Featuring Chris Sambrook, Tony Qunta, Andy Qunta & Dave Austin.
Andy Qunta….Wow! Never expected to see this fab card again! Thanks, Chris Sambrook! Well, I know we played the Gun song, “Head in the Clouds”, because I remember Lol Cooksey saying that was one of the main reasons he wanted to have a band with Tone & myself – just so he could play that song! Hopefully that wasn’t the only reason! Probably not, because Factory lasted over 6 years! Chris Sambrook seems to have a very good memory, Maybe he remembers more songs than I could! Hope so!
Chris Sambrook….Hi Andy. Head in the Clouds was and still is a great track. Besides Head in the Clouds I believe our set list at that time included Nights in White Satin,Crossroads, Communication Breakdown. I’m sure we also played a song from Tons of Sobs, can’t remember which track now, its all a bit hazy. Static Emotion was the first band I played in and probably a bit out of my depth [no change there then] but it was great experience.
Andy Qunta….. Thanks for adding to the Static Emotion setlist! I do remember playing those songs now! I think the song from Free’s Tons Of Sobs could be either Walk In My Shadow or The Hunter perhaps! Great fun playing all that stuff with you Chris!
Here’s The Gun track they were talking about…..
Martyn Baker… Love the 4 digit phone number. Everyone in Hastings must have known almost everyone who owned a phone in those days!
Andy Qunta… There must surely be photos of the band somewhere, but I don’t know where!
).
Good times
‘Dinosaur Promotions’! 
Great times! Hastings in the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s was the pefect environment for young musicians learning their craft. With hindsight, the late 70’s wasn’t exactly a good time to be attempting to get a “prog” band off the ground 
And by the way, do you by any chance have a copy of Broken Heart/Lover Please? The latter is on the double album, Best of Oak Records, but none of us have a copy of Broken Heart, and haven’t heard it in decades!
