Record Attendance
Where, When, How, Who
From lowly beginnings in a workshop at Postlip Manor estate “Record Attendance”
or “R.A” as it became more commonly known was an enthusiastic and popular (I would
say that) purveyor of heavy and psychedelic music in the 60’s & 70’s.
“Church House” socials were always a bit of a hit and miss affair with the soul
faction vying for the record player with the heavy gang (Black music V Black Sabbath).
In between the live sets played by the groups that were regularly formed (and usually
disbanded within the week citing musical differences or that the current girlfriend
had changed hands) there was a need for a regular, quality music machine to feed
demanding young musical appetites. I can’t recall whether it was my idea or Derek
Pierce’s (aka Ginger) but the seeds of a new music dynasty were formed to serve
this public need, or at least to get Motown off the turntable. Working every night
for what seemed an eternity we slaved away, with considerable help from Dave Pierce
and Mike Symonds to design and build a mobile disco boasting a funky console, loud,
really loud, speakers (must have been at least 50 watts) and a light show to make
Pink Floyd quiver. And we played vinyl! The technical guys managed to create a mammoth
system of lights, including the obligatory strobe and UV tube (a bugger if you had
a false tooth but great for revealing undergarment secrets). The genius of this
rig was that the entire light show was driven from a keyboard, so as a key was pressed
a corresponding light came on. How can anyone who experienced it forget the sight
of Ginger (aka Rick Wakeman resplendent in flowing sequined cloak) assaulting, making
love and demoniacally thrashing the aforementioned keyboard to the sounds of the
disco (or was it in his head?) More of that later in the “Twyning” experience.
Back to Church house and the regular discos that were then spawned. I usually
played the top 30 fodder, bought from Joey Coyne at Cavendish House (he later became
THE name for a while on the Cheltenham circuit) whilst Derek erred more to the avant
garde side of things. This ultimately caused our flourishing musical partnership
to flounder. Heady with the success of regular Friday night sessions we started
to cast our net wider and take our brand of entertainment to other youth clubs,
and were soon booked for all sorts of parties on the circuit. I can’t recall which
was our first regular public engagement, it might have been the Pavilion (next to
the tennis courts in Montpellier, very handy if you made out) or Wednesday nights
at the Blue Moon in the High street above Burtons. Our loyal and faithful fan(s)
from the youth club followed us round and boosted the attendance (hence the name
of the disco!) at those fledgling gigs until the good folks of Cheltenham caught
on. Student nights were always full however, with the prospect of cheap beer, screaming
guitar solos and loads of gyrating lithe bodies (and the girls weren’t bad either!)
so we were never short of volunteers to hump the gear up the three flights of steps
that inevitably came with every booking.
I particularly remember one disastrous time when we were asked if “RA” would
change the style of music played at the Sunday night sessions at the Blue Moon.
I think it was Gerry Hipkiss (aka Hippo) that had built a fanatical soul and northern
following, playing rare imported US stuff that cost a fortune. There had been a
few incidents and the “Management” wanted to avoid any major fisticuffs by cancelling
that and cashing in on the success of the student night gigs. Once we were set up
and running a gaggle of strange young men with short hair carrying little cases
started arriving at the console. Imagine their surprise when the regular host was
replaced by a hippy disco and hairy DJ. I was under strict instructions NOT to play
anything that was requested by the regulars on the basis that the soul patrol would
not come back if they didn’t like what was on offer. Things rapidly deteriorated
and by around 10.00 the manager sidled up to me and suggested that I give the crowd
what they wanted to avoid any unpleasantness, (he forgot to mention that none of
the faithful had been told in advance about the changes to be made to their beloved
evening). Despite my protestations that I did not carry that sort of stuff I was
told to just get on with it. Luckily the secrets of the little cases was unravelled
to reveal collections of 7" singles on strange transatlantic labels, none of which
I knew or had heard off. Carefully counselled by my new found friends I was guided
through what to play, and in what order, and I (and the gear) survived the night
intact. During the next week the organisers had a very quick change of heart and
needless to say the strains of Wigan Casino’s finest echoed throughout the place
the next and subsequent Sundays.
I
was mightily relieved to return to students night and played “My” music with a reborn
vigour and enthusiasm, leaving the specialist stuff to those in the know . Over
the next few months our reputation grew, but despite that the bookings came flooding
in, and soon we were out and about 3 times a week, which put a strain on our day
jobs at GCHQ. Belated grateful thanx to all those good folk who put up or covered
for their half dead colleagues (did they notice) and for all the many gigs that
came our way as a result of working in an organisation that employed such a large
number of people (figures still not available due to the Official Secrets Act!)
“R.A.” also managed to secure a monopoly at the Civil Service S&S clubhouse at Tewkesbury
road and mopped up a host of engagement, birthday, wedding and Christmas do’s, ensuring
that maximum effort was employed in putting on a good show (just in case you met
the customer in the corridor the next day) It really seemed to me and Derek that
we were stars but in hindsight I believe we were just acting out our fantasies on
stage, maybe that is the definition of performance! (deep man!) Gigs had primarily
been in the Cheltenham area but as the word spread we started to export our brand
of lunacy farther afield and like so many business’s it was word of mouth that took
us to pastures new. Somebody who knew us was on the village hall committee at Twyning
and offered us a monthly gig there, and another and another. Within a short space
of time the hall was heaving and was the hit of the summer for us and the locals.
Looking back now I can’t help thinking that the villagers must have been starved
of entertainment. Most stories have a sad bit and it was during this period that
the aforementioned fall out with Derek occurred. “Prog rock” was giving way to “Glam
rock”, and whilst I was keen, (dare I say eager), to don the silver platforms and
ruffled silk shirts, Derek was becoming increasingly disenchanted with the play
list. Rock historians may well argue about the exact time and demise of his live
performing but suffice to say midway through a gig Derek strolled off stage with
nary a backward glance, and was heard to mutter that he “couldn’t play this crap
any longer”. The Rock ‘n Roll attitude firmly kept alive in Cheltenham ! I had always
gone along with playing what the public wanted, (if they were paying I was playing)
but Derek felt he had a responsibility, nay a duty to lead the audience into more
adventurous and eclectic material. With the passing of time who can judge who was
right or wrong? maybe we should leave that to our collective conscience (society)?
Derek not only went on to have several notable residencies in underground clubs
in Bath but made and produced records (chart singles with his own band “Beat System”)
toured abroad and won critical acclaim and success with his series of electronic
experimental albums. Way to go Derek (see his website for more details)
Like
the true pro (luvey) that I was I decided to carry on solo and DJ’ing became a major
part of my nocturnal life, still ably abetted by Dave & Mike and the willing band
of roadies. Gigs grew in size and stature and I am proud to have performed alongside
groups such as Wishbone Ash, Osibisa and Slade at CheltenhamTown Hall (for railway
fan and local promoter Ian Beard). I shall never forget Noddy Holder turning to
me and saying “Who are you and what the F**K are you doing on our stage!” Any road
up, I carried on peddling the same recipe of stuff and even developed a “love of
Motown” (nothing like a sinner repented) and went on to enjoy 25 years of playing
to the public, working with a medium I loved and made a decent second income from
it to boot. I shall endeavour to complete these DJ ramblings soon and hope to recall
some memories from those halcyon times at “Eagle Star” clubhouse at Quat Goose Lane
(bookings courtesy of Nigel Pope), “The Sun” in Winchcombe (remember man mountain
Secland?) and summer outdoor gigs at the “Rising Sun” car park. Also some life changing
experiences resulting from residencies at the “Overton Lodge” (with fellow house
mate Wayne) “The Queens Hotel” Christmas dinner dances, and the marquee circuit
with my erstwhile fellow DJ Andy Turvey (aka radio and TV star) post “Church House”
days.
Paul