Apprentice steelworkers and musicians Steve Thompson and Robin Hird formed Bullfrog in 1969. Being a Consett band their first ever gig was in The Freemasons Ballroom. Reportedly a wild west of a venue! Bullfrog played all over the North East gaining a huge following, and supporting big names including The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Hot Chocolate and Wishbone Ash.
Bullfrog finally attained the holy grail of a record deal but sadly failed to turn North East popularity into global stardom.
Steve(bass) takes up the story …“Ultimately, we had two record deals on offer from EMI and Cube.After a few years slogging around pubs and clubs in the North East we decided we needed to cut some demos and go after a record deal. So off we went to Multicord studios in Sunderland and laid down our entire repertoire of original songs.”
“We had also come second in a national competition and the prize was a recording audition at EMI Studios. EMI liked the recordings and started discussing a deal. Then we heard from Cube. They liked the demos we had sent and wanted to come see us at a live gig.”
“They came to Wingate Constitutional Club. It couldn’t have worked out better. They were swinging from the rafters and the band weregoing down great. Girls were banging on the dressing room door desperate to ravage our young bodies.”
“The Cube dudes were impressed and wanted to sign us there and then. We mentioned the interest from EMI. They said at EMI we would just be a small fish in a big pool. Come with us, they said, we’re smaller and can give you individual attention. They convinced us and we agreed to sign.”
“In due course we were booked into Island Records’ Basing Street studios. Many of our heroes had recorded there so it was quite exciting. Our producer was Roger Bain who had produced Black Sabbath of whom we were fans so another plus. Roger’s mate came along for the sessions, a guy called Gus Dudgeon with whom I was to work with several years later. Unfortunately, we made a string of dumb moves.”
“Dumb move one – we wrote a joke song called ‘Ridley Tiddly Tum’. Dumb move number two – we made a demo recording of the joke song. Dumb move number three – we played it to the record company. They declared it would be a massive hit and it was to be our first single. We were horrified but we couldn’t talk them out of it. But they were wrong it wasn’t a massive hit.”
“On reflection something else we did was probably a dumb move too. When you’re young you have a huge propensity for doing dumb things. We declared the single was a double A side and at every opportunity we promoted the actual B side a song called ‘In The City.”
“We did a film for BBC’s Look North driving around Newcastle in an open top car with ‘In The City’ blasting out. At every opportunity and interview we promoted the B side of the single. Our record company must’ve loved this. And so, it wasn’t to be and finally the band broke up in 1974.”
Steve then decided to concentrate on songwriting which led him to Wallsend’s Impulse Studios as House producer and eventually the legendary Neat Records who were responsible for launching the big four North East rock bands – Fist, Venom, Raven and Tygers of Pan Tang.
Steve explains his new project “It’s been over 50 years since Bullfrog’s first gig with 50 being a magic number in the music business. It’s the amount of years that must pass before recordings drop out of copyright. So finally, Bullfrog are free of that ill fated record deal so I’ve dug out the old master tapes and dusted them off”.
Steve added “These remixes of our 1972 demo tapes have been assisted by AI and I’ll own up to a small number of 2025 overdubs. The band now sounds how it would have done if modern day recording studios had been available when we first cut the demo tapes. And now you can enjoy the songs too – 50 Years On”
Bullfrog 50 Years On is available on 12 inch Vinyl album and a CD (with bonus tracks). You can hear previews of the songs and purchase your copy here >>>
John Foottit was born and bred in York in 1960 and now lives in Darlington with his wife Sandra.
I have been in Darlington for about 30 years.
Is music in the family?
There is no musical history in my family so I am not sure where it has come from. I had a couple of toy guitars as a kid and apparently my mother said I used to play nursery rhymes on one string.
Who were your influences?
Back in the day I loved Hank Marvin and the Shadows and I wanted to play guitar. I broke my ankle at 14 and I asked my mother for a guitar. That was it. The bug was there and I started to learn. I’m self taught and practice for hours. No instructional videos, dvd’s, YouTube etc it’s all by ear and books.
When I started an apprenticeship at 16, I was getting into early Queen, Thin Lizzy, Priest. I was lent an album by UFO featuring Michael Schenker. That was when serious practicing started.
When were your first gigs?
I was in my first gigging band at about 18. Nerve Senta we were called. We just played local gigs in York which had a good music scene back in the day.
I have been in some quite successful bands throughout the years with lots of material on YouTube. Mai Rouge, Change of Heart, Chrome Molly and my own instrumental album called ‘Equilibrium’. It is very influenced by my guitar hero’s Michael Schenker, John Petrucci, Joe Satriani, Randy Rhodes and George Lynch.
How did the job with the Tygers come about?
The Tygers job came through knowing Huw (Holding) the bass player who I’ve known a few years. We play in a covers band together and one evening he asked me if I was interested in a guitar position that had become available with the Tygers. I knew a few of the band already through gigging and festivals. They knew me and knew I could play so there was no audition as such. We met and it was mainly about how we would get on as people working and travelling together.
What’s next for the Tygers?
The new album is recorded and the first single comes out on May 4th. It’s titled Electrifyed. As is the album. The album was recorded remotely, due to the logistics of the band being so far apart. Some was recorded in Italy, the Netherlands and back home in the North East. It was completed at Christmas.
The songs were pretty much written prior to me joining but I played all the rhythm guitar parts along with Robb (Weir) and 80% of the leads were mine.
It’s a bit heavier than a lot of the albums but is full of catchy hook lines and still has the character of a Tyger’s song. I think it will be received well by the Tyger’s fans. The people that have heard it really like the single Electrifyed. Did I say it is due out on 4th May!
Any gigs lined up this year?
We have just completed a four day Spanish tour supporting FM. It went really well and I’m starting to bed in with the rest of the band now.
We have three UK shows coming up this week. Shows in Europe for the festival season are arranged and we have a South American tour at the end of May for 10 days.
Where were you in the latter half of the 70s? New Rose by the Damned was the first single released by an English punk band, Monty Pythons Flying Circus became as big an influence on TV comedy than The Beatles had on music and before the end of the decade audiences were exposed to their surreal comedy film ‘The Life of Brian’. Sadly, millions mourned across the world as 1977 claimed the life of Elvis Presley.
However, here in South Shields also in 77, boxing’s Heavyweight champion of the world Muhammad Ali visited the town to have his wedding blessed at Laygate Mosque. And legendary punk band Angelic Upstarts formed and within a few year appeared on Top of the Pops and toured the USA. Before making it they gigged at the Bolingbroke Hall in the town. Another crew who played in that hall were The Borestiffers.
Who were The Borestiffers? The Borestiffers featured an early Wavis O’Shave he of later musical fame and appearances on live TV music show The Tube, other members included Heedfuzz, Braddy, Teddy Anteater and John ‘Fig Roll’ Davies who would rarely turn up. February this year was the 50th anniversary of that notorious gig played in front of several rival gangs of the town.
A surreal non-musical skiff-lish group playing empty suitcases, sooty guitars, bullworkers and even a kitchen sink, The Borestiffers in total recorded two cassette albums, played four gigs in South Shields, three at Bolingbroke in 76 and one at The People’s Palace in 77.But it was the initial gig that ended in a riot that remains in folklore memory.
Heedfuzz, Wavis, Braddy & Teddy.
I hear you had some trouble during your Bolingbroke rehearsal?
WAVIS: Two of hardest men in the town used to work out in the gym there and when they heard us making such a racket they turned up to see what was happening. All of the band went deadly silent and I had to explain. When they asked how much we charged admission I told them, a slice of bread, hard boiled egg or a stick of celery.
HEEDFUZZ: They wanted to sit in on the rehearsal of the first piece of our noise. Once we finished, they silently returned to the gym.
Who and how many turned up – any local ‘celebs’ of the town?
WAVIS: There was a fair turn out from about four different rival town gangs – Whiteleas, Biddick Hall, the Nook and Westoe.
BIG PHIL: There were about twenty members of the Whiteleas Estate Aggro Boys – most of them didn’t have a clue what to expect. I knew it was going to be nuts but the idea of trouble wasn’t in my mind, we were a well-known gang of lads who stood together in times of trouble.
HEEDFUZZ: About 50 or so attendees from various parts of the town. Turf warfare was a common practice during the 70s.
Teddy, Braddy & Heedfuzz
What songs were on the set list?
WAVIS: Most I recall were from the first Borestiffers cassette album ‘Black Shoes and Mongooses’ like Rubber Song where we dropped the stylus onto the rubber turntable and chanted ‘Rubber song’. Three different songs about shoes, one making it to my ‘Anna Ford’s Bum’ album, also Josepheener Tursepheeners with accompanied customised absurd dance.
HEEDFUZZ: We also did The Seven Puppets of Corbett – spoofing the Queen hit, and it was about The Sooty Show. Intro music was the Can Can followed by a loud recording of an outside back yard toilet flushing where we entered the stage, wandered round like lost souls, and then re-entered again.
Can you remember how you were dressed?
WAVIS: I had a Subbuteo floodlight strapped on my head and played a Sooty guitar.
HEEDFUZZ: I had a top hat with a child’s pink telephone attached around the rim with elastic bands, and a tailcoat.
BIG PHIL: The gig itself was so surreal many of the lads just couldn’t cope with what they had witnessed – the weird outfits, the fact that the group couldn’t play. I was in heaven.
On the night was there a compere?
WAVIS; Nope, we had no one to spare but I doubt anyone would offer if we did, but we did have member of the Sunderland Hells Angels on the door as a bouncer who in later life featured on various TV shows as Martial arts instructor. His jacket was padded out with multiple parts of a lathe.
HEEDFUZZ: Spike Milligan would have been superb but he had earlier wrote to Wavis declining an invite to manage us thinking we were musical.
Heedfuzz, Braddy, Wavis & Teddy. pic taken in the famous South Shields landmark The Westoe Netty.
Why did you choose to play Bolingbroke Hall?
WAVIS: I had to tell the owners that we wanted it for a poetry recital otherwise I doubt they’d have given it us. Eight quid it cost. I thought it was the perfect size venue for an expected sizeable gathering and if there were any trouble which I’d predicted, they’d be plenty of space for people to fight! It inspired the Angelic Upstarts to book the place.
HEEDFUZZ: It was a suitable size and ideally situated in the centre of town ideal for public transport.
BIG PHIL: At the end it all erupted, and the place got trashed in unison by all the gangs there. On the way home everyone was laughing in bewilderment. We knew we had witnessed something out of the ordinary but most couldn’t grasp what! I was a bit upset about the mini riot but over the moon that I had witnessed so much absurdity in such a short space of time.
HEEDFUZZ: On the way to the show I met a kid who was going and he opened his wallet to prove he had a ticket as well as a slice of bread in there asking if it was really needed. I told him it was a charity gig for the Marine Park wildlife.
In the 1980s Alan was guitarist and songwriter in Newcastle bands Loud Guitars and White Heat – who signed to Virgin records and recorded one album.
For the past 10 years he has toured as a session musician with American singer-songwriter Jesse Terry. He has also produced a number of recordings as The Attention Seekers.
‘The Attention Seekers were formed around 1999, our first album was released in 2002 since then we have released six albums and a seventh is in the final stages.’
‘I am very fortunate in the fact that over the years I have built up a relationship with a number of radio stations in the UK, and USA. I measure the success of my releases by the number of plays they attract. It’s always a thrill to hear one of my songs on the radio like Seven Bridges, The Prudhoe Song, The Girl With The JukeboxMind and Sweet Anna Brown.’
In the 1970s Subbuteo teams and pop singles was what I spent my pocket money on. The first singles I bought were Elected and Hello Hurray by Alice Cooper plus Sweet and Slade who were always on Top of the Pops.
‘Good choices. I was a big fan of Alice Cooper. I discovered them on Old Grey Whistle Test performing Under MyWheels. The album ‘Killer’ is a classic. Slade finally won me over with How Does it Feel – a brilliant song.’
‘Examples of perfect pop singles would be All The YoungDudes – Mott The Hoople, When You Are a King – White Plains, Virginia Plain – Roxy Music, Fire – The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown and Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks. My first single was Woodstock by Mathew’s Southern Comfort. To this day it still sounds perfectly crafted.’
Tony Davis & Sam Blewitt,Cluny Studios, Newcastle.
‘In my opinion the three minute pop song is the ultimate art form. This feeds directly into the way I write and record. The flexibility of The Attention Seekers is the perfect vehicle for me to explore this concept. In the studio the song will dictate the line up.’
‘My ‘go to’ musicians include Trevor Brewis, Tony Davis, Sam Blewitt, Jesse Terry, Romaana Shakir, and Niles Krieger. I would definitely feel compromised if I had to use a conventional ‘rigid’ band line up.’
Trevor Brewis, Cluny Studios, Newcastle.
What have you got planned for this year?
‘I am presently in the final stages of completing a new Attention Seekers album, I have recording sessions booked for the end of April. Tony Davis’s Cluny Studio is my studio of choice. I am also working with ’The City Of Newcastle Male Voice Choir’ developing a choral version of ’Seven Bridges’.
‘Recently the choir invited me to play a guest spot at one of their concerts. I enjoyed the challenge of performing ’stripped back’ versions of my songs, and the impact of the choir adding their voices to the choruses was an experience I’m keen to repeat.’
For further information, news, photos, songs, video & gigs contact the official website >>>
The studio in Prospect House, Simonside is handy to get to as Bede metro station is only 5 mins away and it’s just off the main road between South Shields and Jarrow. I was feeling flush so I got a taxi there.
Last time I was in this area it was 1982 and I’d just left school. With proper jobs being scarce at that time there were only Government schemes around like YOP’s – Youth Opportunity Programmes which lasted under a year.
The Careers Office sent me to an office building on Bede Industrial Estate which offered a number of practical courses. I took a 3 month course in Basic Industrial Electronics – how to solder and wire a plug that sort of thing. It’s come in handy.
I’ve been self employed for over 30 years so understand the highs and lows of working in a creative industry. I’ve talked to people on this site about ‘how do you survive in the arts?’And asked Martin the same question.
Martin Francis Trollope, Harbourmaster Studio pic. Alikivi March 2026
‘With two kids I try to have some structure to my work but am still available via text, email or phone every minute of the day really. The odd email comes in late at night ‘I think we can change the mix on that.’ It’s a 24 hour thing. People with creative brains man, it can happen at all sorts of times.’
Could you see yourself with a ‘proper’ job like an office or factory?
‘I was a very good barman at The Fountain in South Shields. The job wasn’t just about pulling pints. I was quiet at first but learned how to talk to people and have conversations. I’m quite good at making spread sheets, but I’m not sure about an office job.’
For a number of years Martin worked in Customs Space a community recording studio in South Shields, sadly, now demolished.
‘I started recording over 20 years ago at home then went to The Cave youth club with John Clavering (musician/producer) which became Customs Space. Unfortunately, the building was planned to be demolished and no plans were in place for the studio to move. The feeling was that the time was up.’
How long have you been in this studio?
‘Nearly 6 years. It was essentially a Covid thing. When that hit, I knew I wasn’t going to have a job after it. After being on furlough at Customs Space for around 8 months I went freelance. I used that time to get things together, put the wheels in motion and look around for studio space.’
‘Luckily Jen Stevens (vocal coach) and Jordan Embleton (photographer) who worked at Customs Space had found units here in Simonside so asked me to come down.’
Is this your dream job?
‘I’ve never really had ambitions but deep down I really wanted to do it. I suppose you never think it’s viable. The work is great though. It’s so varied from first timers to experienced musicians like Steve Thompson who you’ve interviewed. Not everything is recorded here some people bring stuff over that they’ve recorded in their house and we work on it here.’
As well as recording and mixing Martin offers guitar lessons.
‘I enjoy teaching all ages. I have seven people at the minute but my time is restricted with the amount of recording and mixing that I do. All I want to do is take the music that the musician is hearing in their head and put it down so they hear it back’.
‘I rarely push my ideas on them it’s all their work. They don’t want to take a CD home and wonder why they let the engineer put that sound on! I’m not offended when they say no I don’t want that. Although some have asked me to put a solo on cos they don’t play guitar! A collaboration is fun to do. As long as it comes out the way they want it to, I’m happy.’
MartinFrancis Trollope, Harbourmaster Studio. pic. Alikivi March 2026
Do your customers travel far to get to the studio or are most people local?
‘All over the North East is where they mainly come from. There is a death metal band called The Larches from Yorkshire, they should have an EP ready soon. There is also a guy from Leeds called Fun Park Fugitives who comes in and makes really good low fi indie. He’s got a really good ear for a tune.’
It must be worth it for him travelling a 200 mile round trip?
‘Sometimes you make a connection with someone. Making art is a very personal thing. When I make a song, I’m careful who I show it to. You are sharing a private thing. Especially if it’s not fully formed and complete. You have to feel comfortable around someone having bad ideas.’
When you were starting out can saying no to some work be hard to do?
‘When I started doing this, I took on some work teaching music in primary schools – up to 30 kids at a time absolute chaos but they enjoyed it. I said yes to a lot of jobs that’s why I ended up working on a lot of styles of music. That’s the challenge, you learn something. And a new connection can lead you to another job.’
How do you find making contact with other small business and networking at formal events?
‘I’m not great at starting conversations with strangers at these events but I realise the importance of them. But for me going to gigs is my networking event really. My advice to anyone starting a music career for want of a better word, is go to gigs, chat with the band, find out who organised it, see who runs the venue, maybe talk to the sound tech. Straight away you’ve found a load of information.’
‘Social media has its functions my customer base use it so yes for that purpose it’s good, but really talking face to face and experiencing a live gig can’t be beaten.’
For further information check out the official website >>>
These past few years have been golden for Emma – tours, awards, recording in Memphis, appearing on BBC Radio 2 with Cerys Mathews and in April she is getting ready to represent the UK in the European Blues Challenge in Poland.
‘And In January just gone I went to Memphis in America to represent the UK at the International Blues Challenge. That was great, of all the times I’ve visited Memphis this was the first opportunity I had to play on the iconic Beale Street.’
‘I also played a live session on Memphis Radio with DJ Ric Chetter. He’s championed me for years and always gets me in the studio when I’m over in the States’ said Emma.
‘On a more sombre note, my visit to Memphis coincided with a wake for the late Don Bryant. As you know Don and I duetted on his song What Kind of Love for my ‘Memphis Calling’ album. It was a very moving day and it was a privilege to be there.’
‘I was able to meet up with friends from the record – Scott Bomar and Hubbie Turner. A few of us went out later for some food and to raise a glass to Mr Bryant….Mr.B..’
Since we last spoke you have lost your good friend and fellow vocalist Terry Reid, how has this affected you?
‘It was so sad losing Terry, he really was one of those people you thought would go on forever. He shone so brightly in every way. I was lucky to have him as a friend and mentor. Even writing this hurts, I miss him so much.’
Emma added ‘We used to chat on Whatsapp (he lived in California) and he would tell me all the tales about his life in the 70s with Taj Mahal, Crosby Stills & Nash and David Lindley when they were all young crazy lads. He had some brilliant stories and an incredible memory for detail.’
‘There will be a tribute concert in 2027 which his lovely wife Annette has asked me to perform at. I’ll probably sing the song we wrote together See You in The Morning – if I can hold back the tears.’
You are putting together a new tour for 2026 are you playing any new venues?
‘Yes! It’s great to be expanding my gig repertoire! Of course, Katowice in Poland is new I’ve never played there before. I’m also on a festival in Germany – Dreyland Festival. Then in the UK the Swanage festival, I’ve played as a guest before but this time headlining. And the Beer Blues Festival in Devon is a new one for me’ said Emma.
‘Also, there are a couple of clubs such as The Angel in Bardsey and the Chantry Brewery in Rotherham. It’s fantastic that promoters – some of whom are musicians – are starting new clubs. Then in December I’m back at the 100 Club in London which is always a cool night – the room just throbs with energy.’
For further information on singles, albums and full list of tour dates contact the new official website >>> www.emmawilson.co
Listen to the new album ‘A Spoonful of Willie Dixon’ >>>
Newcastle band White Heat released three singles and recorded one album, signed for Virgin records in 1980, opened for Judas Priest and headlined London’s Marquee. People remark of a band that ‘shudda made it big’. They set alight to the Tyne but sadly not the Thames.
Previous interviews on this site with guitarist Alan and vocalist Bob Smeaton detail the journey of White Heat and The Loud Guitars who followed.
Bob went onto a successful career in TV & Film while Alan told me ‘The Attention Seekers were formed around 1999, our first album was released in 2002, we have released six albums and a seventh is in the final stages’.
For the past 10 years Alan has also toured as a session musician with American singer/songwriter Jesse Terry.
Alan and Jesse backstage Newcastle Cluny 2023.
‘However, to my surprise, at a number of gigs in the Netherlands audience members shouted out requests for White Heat songs. Nervous Breakdown and 21 and Wasted were hastily added to the set. Our songs had travelled far further than White Heat ever did.’
‘I look back on my time with White Heat and The Loud Guitars with great affection and have revisited and re-recorded a number of songs from those heady days. Promo videos are on You Tube for Chain Reaction, Is It Too Late?, A Long Way From Home, Do Me A Favour and Out Of Me.’
‘Recently I travelled even further back in time to the pre- White Heat days when we were playing under the name ‘Heartbreaker’. I always felt that the song Hard To Lose should have been recorded. My former band members were more than happy for me to reinvent this live favourite and Your Poster On My Wall is the result.
‘In 2017 I was approached by Newcastle Utd to develop a new version of anthemic song The Blaydon Races. My version The Fans – The Blaydon Races was accepted and I was informed they would be using it till the end of the season. It’s now 2026 and still being played at every home game. It’s now officially the most downloaded-streamed version in digital history. As a Newcastle supporter I am beyond proud.’
‘Pre 2017 Newcastle United were a club underperforming and floundering under a curse. A number of theories including ’The Gypsies Curse’, The Witches Curse’, ’The Burial Ground Curse’ were all to blame for this continuing pattern of failure. However, I think the problem lay closer to home.’
‘The version of The Blaydon Races the club were playing pre 2017 was recorded and performed by musician Alan Price (The Animals). I have it on good authority that Alan Price was an ardent Sunderland supporter. This was the problem hiding in plain sight.’
‘It’s no coincidence that since 2017 we have retained our Premier League status returned to the European Champions League and after 70 years in the wilderness have won silverware. Yes, indeed it’s all down to The Fans version of The Blaydon Races and not a Sunderland supporter within sight. That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.’
‘The relative success of The Blaydon Races has allowed me to independently fund recording studios and top end musicians – who aren’t cheap. It gives my songs the best chance of having radio appeal. Iconic station Radio Caroline named The Attention Seekers track The Prudhoe Song, song of 2025. Many thanks to presenter Steve Anthony.’
Multiple media outlets have used recordings from The Blaydon Races sessions including Amazon Prime, BBC, ITV, The Bauer Media Group and the 2024 SELA Quayside 3D light show event. An unofficial Saudi version is on YouTube.
Both The Blaydon Races and the Carry me home outro from The Attention Seekers song Seven Bridges were used creatively on the Carabao Cup ITV video as the soundtrack to the historic Victory Parade.
‘This has raised the profile of the song and recently Newcastle United have asked me to develop a bespoke mix of Seven Bridges to integrate into their half time playlist. It’s now being played. As a lifelong Newcastle United supporter I’m on cloud 9!’
‘One of the highlights of 2025 was performing Seven Bridges with City Of Newcastle Male Voice Choir, Some Voices Choir and St. Teresa’s Primary School Choir as part of their Christmas Charity Concert.’
‘I’m presently working with City Of Newcastle Male Voice Choir, developing a choral arrangement of Seven Bridges to be included in their repertoire and to be recorded and released. It’s quite a departure from the days of White Heat.’
Promo shot of White Heat with Alan on the left and Bob Smeatonon right of picture.
‘The first release of 2026 for The Attention Seekers is Sweet Anna Brown. While unsuccessfully trying to track down an old friend and finding myself disappearing down numerous rabbit holes it occurred to me that this would make an interesting topic for a song.’
‘We step into the controversial world of social media and whether we like it or not it looks like it’s going to be with us for the foreseeable future. The character Anna Brown is one long mystery and doesn’t appear to have any social media presence.’
‘I’m rapidly closing in on a new album to be released later this year. Music continues to colour my life and long may it continue.’
Sweet Anna Brown is now available to stream-download via all usual platforms. The Attention Seekers – Alan Fish – Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Trevor Brewis – Drums, Tony Davis – Piano, Organ, backing vocals. Produced by Alan Fish, engineered by Tony Davis. Recorded at Cluny Studios, Newcastle.
(John Heston in the Littlehaven Hotel, South ShieldsFeb. 2026. Pic. Alikivi.)
I’ve known John since 1970s living in South Shields and going to Tyne Dock youth club where rock music was blasted out of the disco.
‘Yeah, I was a bit of a rocker then. The first band I got a ticket for was Scorpions at Newcastle City Hall. I went on my own, I was only 11 – I’m 57 now. I had no concept of what a gig would be like’ said John.
‘When the band were on stage, I noticed something different. Was it an extra member? I didn’t recognise some of the songs. When they finished, I walked out when a bouncer on the doors stopped me “Hey son you not hanging around for the main band?” ‘I’d only watched the support band who happened to be Tygers of Pan Tang from Whitley Bay!’
‘Harry Hill the drummer of rock band Fist, his mother lived near me when I was a kid. When he used to come to see her, he’d drive into the street. A few times I would run over to get his autograph cos the band had just released a single. I met him years later he was really nice. We had a laugh when I told him about it. “What! You were that little squirt who used to come over all the time?”
‘Buddys nightclub in the town had an under 18’s disco and what caught me ear was bands like Stiff Little Fingers, The Jam and The Clash. Alternative Ulster from the Fingers blew us away. Unfortunately, as I was just getting into them these bands were starting to split up! I was a curse, too late for the party’.
One day in 1985 I was in Newcastle record shopping when I was surprised coming across a band busking at the Grey’s Monument. I wasn’t sure at first but it was The Clash.
‘Yeah, I’d been up Newcastle that day but missed them. The busking dates and locations were unannounced. I did meet Mick Jones’ band Big Audio Dynamite at the Mayfair – they handed out cans of Red Stripe. But we missed the last bus so had to walk home afterwards. About 10 mile!’
‘I’ve met Joe Strummer when he was on his solo tour. Had a smoke and drink with him backstage at Newcastle Uni. They say never meet your heroes but glad I did cos he talked patiently to us and answered our questions. I like that, open and relaxed not like now paying for a meet and greet.’
Since being a teenager John has been attracted to music.
‘I was never one who wanted to sound like Jimi Hendrix. The guitar was a songwriting tool for me. I remember when I was around 12 walking in the West Park, South Shields and this loud noise was coming from a distance. I followed the sound which led to a hut. I opened the door and there was a band inside rehearsing. It just hit me. I immediately thought I wouldn’t mind doing that.’
‘It was songs I was interested in, not just the guitar, I wondered how did they put them together? I was interested in the nuts and bolts of the song.’
We talked about great 80s music TV programmes like The Tube which I was lucky to get free tickets for to be in the studio audience. Watching rock bands like Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest and Gary Moore was great but this was the time that The Alarm, The Cult, Killing Joke and Big Country were making a different noise.
‘The first Big Country album really helped me learning guitar. It was a big influence.’
Previous interviews have revealed a family member who used to sing in the clubs or a granny who had a piano in the front room – but not in John’s case.
‘Me mam says I don’t know where it has come from cos there is no history in our family of any musical talent. I think it was just the generation I grew up in. I thought being in a band was beyond me. The punk attitude of going out to just do it made it more possible.’
‘Thing was there was no money around. I only had a cheap guitar from a shop in South Shields called Second Hand Rose. The scratch plate was made from the perspex from a bus shelter window. I don’t know what the strings were made of – possibly chicken wire – but they toughened my fingers up.’
‘It was just getting the feel of playing guitar along to records. I got a book out the library which showed me a few chords. I never got a proper guitar until I was 18. As I say writing songs was what I wanted to do and I started looking around to work on this with somebody.’
(Cloud 10, Laygate 1995 with John on the left pic. Alikivi)
‘I had a mate, Paul Stephenson, who wrote lyrics so we worked on them with some music for about two years. His brothers were a guitarist and drummer and we contacted Neil Newton to come in on bass so formed a band called Cloud 10. We found rehearsal rooms in South Shields this was around ’94.’
‘There was a good scene in Shields then. Plenty of bands like The Calm, January Blue, The Fad, Lemongrass and Nosh at venues like The Vic, the Amphitheatre and I remember playing a showcase gig for community radio station Seven FM at Temple Park Leisure Centre.’
‘After a few gigs we were getting noticed and a guy called Danilo Moscardini, who had a music page in the Sunday Sun newspaper, got in touch after hearing our demo tape. He managed Sunderland band Kenickie at the time who had a few hits. The singer/guitarist Lauren Lavern works on the BBC TV One show now. But after initial interest from record companies it faded away and me and Neil went our own way, forming a band called Speedster’
‘Pre-internet it was adverts in local music shops ‘looking for drummer’ that took ages. Then Neil left to join The Chasers with ex Wildheart Danny Mccormack and I joined The Last Men on Earth with Chris Wraith, Martin Payton and Wayne Burgess. We played around the pubs doing a mix of our own songs with a few covers which earned us enough money to buy new equipment and book in studio time.’
(The Last Men on Earthwith Chris Wraith, John Heston, Martin Payton, Wayne Burgess).
‘We were playing a few days a week around the North East and we got down to Camden in London. Again, this band fizzled out and me and drummer Martin Payton talked about getting something together.’
‘As Panic Report (Richy Harbison – keyboards, guitar & vocals, Steve Moore – bass & vocals) we went a similar route as Last Men on Earth by playing originals mixed with covers. From this we got ourselves a decent recorder where we got a few tracks down on CD. Obviously not as good a sound as studio but we spent more time on the tracks and didn’t worry about looking at the clock ticking. Studios are expensive.’
‘We did eventually book into a pro studio and have recorded two CD’s with our new one ‘Kingston to Coventry’ (pic below) which we are releasing on vinyl in a few months. The master tracks are sent away and the wheels are in motion. We will be arranging a launch party in the summer.’
‘For gigging the Panic Report have supported Toyah and Bad Manners at Newcastle Academy. We have played at Stone Valley festival (Bad Manners, From the Jam, Cast, The Professionals with Paul Cook, Bob Geldof). When I was 16 and people said you would have been in a band playing gigs alongside these people I wouldn’t have believed them.’
‘Although not long ago we done a gig down Bishop Aukland with only ten people in the audience, but you still play and just get on with it and enjoy it. We love what we are doing.’
‘A gig I enjoyed was when Angelic Upstarts supported us at Mensi’s 60th birthday at his pub the Alexandria in Jarrow. It was unbelievable. We couldn’t believe it when the big man asked us. Mensi wanted to go on before us then relax before the whole gig finished. It was a great night. The place was rammed’.
‘We’re playing on the Mensifest soon. The organisers are looking to get a festival in remembrance of the Upstarts singer who sadly died a couple of year ago. The gig will be at the Unionist Club, South Shields. There will be about seven bands on with Crashed Out headlining. The tickets are going well the organiser is hoping to make it an annual event.’
‘We’re more or less busy through the year with festival dates and there’s promoters still getting in touch to arrange more.’
Since he was a teenager playing music has been in John’s blood and being able to still be doing what he love’s for over 40 years, he says is a privilege.
‘I’ve done around 700 gigs since starting and I’m ready to keep going’.
‘Kingston to Coventry’ available on vinyl this summer. Check The Panic Report social media for details.
Southside Promotions present ‘Mensifest’ on 21st February 2026 at The Unionist Club, South Shields. Line up featuring Crashed Out, Red London, The Fauves, The Panic Report and more. Tickets £15. On the door £20.
Class Gymnast are Jon Melvin (Vocals), Mark Cliff (Drums), Jordon Ridley (Bass), Andrew Yates (Guitars) and John Dempsey-Curry (Guitar).
“We’re mainly South Shields lads, although I suppose our spiritual home is Sunderland – we’ve rehearsed at The Bunker on and off for the best part of two decades” said guitarist John Dempsey-Curry.
What are your hopes for this single?
“I’ll be honest, it’s just nice to get some music out there. We started this ‘project’ in 2019 as a way of playing some older songs and ended up writing and recording new music. Right when we started trying to do anything of substance, the pandemic happened and we had to slow right down. We’re not fast at the best of times, but we ended up writing and recording around one song a year, and never really doing anything with it. This is us finally committing to something.”
How long have the band been playing music for?
“We’ve all been playing together in some form for a while. Three of us were in a band called The Volts in 2000 for a couple of years. Four of us were in The Broken Things back in the early 2000s. A few of us started a band called Maps Are Fiction / The Dead Generosities in the 2010s. A couple of us are in the going concern The Union Choir. I believe The Broken Things may be making a brief comeback as part of a charity gig alongside some other bands of that time shortly, which will be exciting.”
What do you think about the state of live music today?
“We’re all in our 40s and most of us have kid(s) so getting out to see gigs is hard. Playing them even harder. I know from other folks I’ve seen posting pictures (on social media) that there’s still a thriving small band scene, so I know there’s a scene out there, but it does feel very much like there’s a lack of venues dedicated to this kind of thing like there was ‘in my day’. I’m very probably wrong on that though!
Have the band planned any gigs soon?
“On the live music front we are playing the Ship Isis in Sunderland on 31st January with two other bands – American Wrestling and Becca Rubin.”
Produced by Martin Trollope – aka Harbourmaster – ‘Fugue State’ the debut single released 26/1/2026 and same day music video premiering on You Tube at 6pm. Pre-orders on Apple music 19/1/2026.
May 4, 2026, marks the centenary of the first full day of the 1926 General Strike where millions of British workers withdrew their labour and challenged the establishment. They believed a better world was possible.
To mark this historical event the same team that brought successful plays Wor Bella, Carrying David and Hadaway Harry are staging Centenary at the Glasshouse.
“We have a great team and the show will be fantastic. We did a very popular show about four years ago called ‘Boris Out’, and look what happened to him!” said playwright and Theatre producer Ed Waugh
“One hundred years ago millions of workers and their families went on strike. A General Strike poses the question of state power, the 1 per cent – the privileged Establishment or the working class – those who actually create the wealth in society.”
“Despite the heroism and sacrifice of the trade union rank and file, the union leaders in the TUC realised the question of state power was at stake – the Russian Revolution nine years earlier had sent shockwaves throughout the world. These TUC cowards sold out the strike unconditionally after only nine days.”
Ed added “Their pusillanimity led to a carnival of reaction against the trade unions and workers by the Tory government. The miners continued their strike for another six months but were starved back to work. We haven’t had a general strike in this country since. But we’ve been close”.
“We have to learn the lessons of 1926 for the next time, which is on the horizon. The 1926 General Strike was a hugely important period in working class history.”
‘Centenary’ will include songs, comedy, stand up and recitations to celebrate the nine day strike. A big addition are musicians Paul Weller (The Jam) Alan Hull (Lindisfarne), Tom Robinson and Paul Simmonds (The Men They Couldn’t Hang) have personally given permission for their music to be played at the show.
“We are delighted to have been given personal permission from these great songwriters. It will be an evening of brilliant musical and comedic entertainment and inspiration.”added Ed.
Tickets are available for ‘Centenary’ at The Glasshouse, Gateshead at 4pm or 8pm on Monday May 4th 2026.
ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST MUSIC & CULTURE 