NORTH EAST MUSIC

LOOKING FOR LIZZY – Search on for Guardian demo tapes info.

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An interesting message has been sent in by Douglas Sharp from Hanover in the north of Germany…

“I have a demo tape with the song ‘Doot Doot’ recorded by the band Freur at Guardian studios in 1983 for Tyne Tees TV. Producer and Engineer T. Gav. 15ips master with the note RESTRICTED”.

“Do you know anything about the session? It would be interesting to find out more about the demo tape”.

Douglas Sharp was born in 1952 in Leeds, Yorkshire, and started out as a trainee geophysicist for a German company in London in 1972 when the North Sea oil boom was in full swing. He moved back with them to their German headquarters in Hanover in July 1974.


“The firm closed down in 2004, after that I decided to start up my own translation business here, which is still going strong”.

Guardian Studio was based in the Durham village Pity Me, and features heavily on this site. In the 80s cult NWOBHM compilation album Roksnax was recorded there along with a host of North East bands including Spartan Warrior, Mythra, Hollow Ground, Saracen, Battleaxe, Toy Dolls and Satan.

Tygers of Pan Tang recorded demo tapes for their record company MCA, plus ‘The Audition Tapes’ with guitarist John Sykes and vocalist Jon Deverill.

Where did you come across the Guardian tape?
“It was sometime around the late 90s when I found it in a skip just down the road from Tyne Tees TV – along with a Thin Lizzy demo – while I was on holiday in Cullercoats where my sister used to live. I hope no one accuses me of nicking them!” explained Douglas.

Have you found any info on the Lizzy tape?
“The tape was recorded at Wessex Sound Studios in London, and is now in the hands of the Thin Lizzy fan club in Oswestry. They are trying to find someone with a reel-to-reel tape deck to play it on and discover whether it’s a “legendary lost recording!”

Douglas added “My sister worked as a researcher at Tyne Tees TV, her boyfriend was a film maker, Derek Smith, I helped him out with the German end of researching and translating bits and pieces for one of his films about artists interned on the Isle of Man 1940. It won RTS best documentary award 1990”.

The research sounds interesting…

“To be honest – I love it! Derek asked me to see what I could find out about the exiled Germans, so I started trawling all the sources I could find here. He said he was going to mention me by name in the credits, but maybe he forgot!

Any other projects that you are working on?
“Together with a retired miner and dowser from Huddersfield, I worked for a couple of years on finding locations of all the former fireclay and coal mines, pits and shafts in the West Riding of Yorkshire and turned the data into a map, which has since been shown during presentations at places like the National Coal Mining Museum”.

“In the same vein I’m currently helping a YouTuber in the Leeds area who’s working on the history of a no longer existent late 19th early 20th century mineral railway in the village of New Farnley, near Leeds, where I was born. Digging out old photos, maps – including my own and family histories”.

“But yeah It would be interesting to find out about the Tyne Tees demo tapes. I’ll get back to you if I hear anything new”.

If you have any info on the tapes leave a message on here or drop a line to garyalikivi@yahoo.com and I’ll pass it on to Douglas.

Alikivi   February 2024

LIVE BLOOD – New album from Tygers of Pan Tang

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First rumble of thunder out of Whitley Bay was way back when their first single was recorded at the legendary Neat records in Wallsend. Now after nearly half a century the NWOBHM flag bearers Tygers of Pan Tang are not ready to throw the towel in just yet as they prepare to unleash a live album.

Vocalist Jack Meille explained “Recording a live album after all this time? I never thought I would experience it but with the Tygers I have learnt that the impossible is possible. ‘Live Blood’ captures all the energy we deliver while playing our favourite songs live and raw!” 

Recorded in summer 2023 at The Patriot in Wales, with guitarist Robb Weir, vocalist Jack Meille, drummer Craig Ellis, guitarist Francesco Marras and bass player Huw Holding, the set includes Euthanasia, Love Don’t Stay, Paris By Air and Love Potion No.9 from their first albums plus Edge of the World, Fire on the Horizon and A New Heartbeat from the latest album ‘Bloodlines’.

‘Live Blood’ will be released on April 26th 2024 via Mighty Music. The double LP includes three exclusive bonus tracks, it’s also available on CD and digital formats. Pre-orders and full track listing are available here.

Robb Weir added “Every time we play a show we’re asked when are we going to record a new live album. Our live show adds a new dimension to the old songs and allows us to stretch out a bit on the newer numbers”. 

The album will be preceded by two singles – the live favourite Gangland from their legendary album ‘Spellbound’ and Keeping Me Alive from ‘Ambush’.

For more info > 

Tygers Of Pan Tang – TargetShop

or check the official website >  

Tygers Of Pan Tang – The Official Site

Alikivi    February 2024

BLOOD TIES for the GODFATHERS OF THRASH – RAVEN

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After 50 years in the business what gets you up in the morning?

It’s in our blood. We love being on the road and the whole process. But it’s really all about those few hours on stage. We may have been doing this for 50 years but believe me, it never gets old and we never take it for granted. We are incredibly lucky and humbled by the fact that we get the opportunity to go out and play our music all over the world! …explained Chief headbanger John Gallagher (bass & vocals)

Released in June 2023 All Hell’s Breaking Loose is Raven’s latest and 15th album.

The new album has been received incredibly well, possibly the best reviews ever and the fan reaction has been equally manic!

This year the trio are preparing for a road assault on the USA and Europe. Sharing the UK bill are Girlschool, that will bring back memories from 1982 when Raven opened?

Yeah looking forward to the UK dates in February. It’s a triple headliner with Girlschool and Alcatrazz so that’s gonna be fun as we are all mates and of course we’ve toured with Girlschool a few times!

What songs are on the set list – any surprises?

We are slotting in more new songs as we go and hope to add at least one or two oldies that we’ve either rarely or never done live too.

Are there any venues/cities that you haven’t played before?

We’ll hit the usual stomping grounds of Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, London, Birmingham and Southampton – which I think we only did once before in 1982 which was with Girlschool!

Following that is the US tour in March through to May which will be a stormer and Japan at the end of May followed by a brace of Euro festivals!

Check the official website for albums, merch & tour dates >

https://ravenlunatics.com/

Alikivi    January 2024

THE CASINO ROYALE COLLECTION with former Greedsville songwriter & guitarist Clive Jackson.

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Back In September 2023 Ged Cook from Newcastle was looking to track down Greedsville to discuss re-releasing their 1994 album. His idea was to make it available on digital platforms as originally it was only out on CD.

Steve Wallace, (guitarist, For Gods Sake/Penetration) heard about this and knew the Greedsville lead singer Peter Turner so put him in touch with Ged explained Clive.

(Clive talked to this site last June about Greedsville).

A SLICE OF LIFE in conversation with ex Greedsville songwriter & guitarist Clive Jackson. | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST CULTURE (garyalikivi.com)

Clive added…Ged is involved with Demolition Records which has links to Sony Music. He is the brother of the late Eric Cook, who along with Tony Bray signed both For God’s Sake and Greedsville to the Bleeding Hearts label in the 1990’s.

What started it all off was when Ged discovered a box full of Eric’s DAT Master tapes of band’s that were on the Bleeding Hearts label. Initial contact was made between Ged and Peter then the rest of Greedsville to see if we were all o.k. about its release. Everyone was fine about it and the album was released on all major platforms in December 2023.

Why do you think Ged was interested in re-releasing the album?

Knowing that it had never reached an audience in the digital era he was aware you could only buy a second hand CD  online and thought it was too good an album to not get out there.

Luckily, the original DAT Master Tape had not deteriorated and a straight transfer to online, digital formats took place.

Although not ‘remastered’ the original album was mastered to such a high quality at Trinity Heights studios by producer Fred Purser and Andy Carpenter (bassist, Greedsville) there were no sound quality issues.

What did you think when you first heard Ged’s plans?

Along with the rest of the band I was very surprised at hearing about Ged’s interest, its 30 years since anything has happened. 

I think discovering and listening to Eric’s recording archive motivated him and he felt that it deserved a worldwide, streaming/download accessibility.

What are your hopes for the re-release –  getting the band back together?

Although the band as a whole are pleased that it’s available on all major platforms now, it doesn’t have a promotion or marketing strategy attached to it. This means it’s a distribution situation only, the numbers regarding streams and downloads are a key issue. 

To be brutally honest at present, there is no real desire or incentive for the band to reform in any capacity – but who knows what the future might hold!

The Casino Royale Collection > https://open.spotify.com/album/0EvzQ7Xw0mB0JT3XJYuqWB?si=mdxXvIVdQPOjO5enYReyag&nd=1&dlsi=43907d992ea04fd8

Alikivi    January 2024

HIDE – new album release from Amateur Ornithologist

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North East prog popsters Amateur Ornithologist release new album Hide on 19th January 2024, with the single Time To Talk out on Friday 12th Jan.

Amateur Ornithologist are a weird pop group. Starting as Daniel Clifford’s solo project, AO has grown to perform as anything from a five-piece to an octet. Due to their adventurous approach to densely-layered, harmony-filled pop the band have earned comparisons to Talking Heads, The Beach Boys and local heroes Field Music

Fusing pop, orchestral, jazz and rock influences to create a grand melodic sound, the band have found a home for their unique musical expressions.

The band have featured on the cover of NARC Magazine, sold-out live shows, BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio, Radio Wigwam and a host of radio stations.

Hide reveals ten adventurous songs they’ve crafted creating an album that’s “widescreen” and “richly melodic” (NARC Magazine) with “lush and varied instrumentation” (Dirge).

First single, If It Looks Like Magic, is a slice of gothic post-punk about the Cottingley Fairies and received airplay from BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio. Follow-up The Word is Love deals with deceivingly simple matters of the heart to an acoustic Latin backdrop. Third single Time To Talk (12th Jan) charts the difficulties of modern communication, reflected in sharp key and time changes, jerky rhythms and squealing sax.

Hide also features collaborations with musicians from across the North East scene. A Hidden Path, Hide and When They Fall feature cello by Marianne Kell (Belle Skies) and violins by Patrick Lawrence (Detroit Tourist Board). Drums were recorded by youngster Harrison Mitchell (The Strands), with rhythm guitar, percussion and backing vocals by regular collaborator Georgia Foster Adams.

AO’s successful crowdfunding campaign saw the band offer handmade crochet birds and avian Lino-prints in return for the money needed to make and release Hide.

In his South Shields studio, Harbourmaster co-produced the album with lead songwriter Daniel Clifford during summer 2023. Gravel footsteps, handclaps and percussion were recorded for a number of tracks by Crowdfunder supporters, who were treated to cups of tea and biscuits with the band as they worked.

Amateur Ornithologist release Hide on 19th January across all major digital platforms, and on limited edition cassette and CD from the AO Bandcamp. They play a sold out show at The Globe, Newcastle, on the same day with Marc Bird and This Little Bird.

AO line up > Daniel Clifford – vocals, Liam Slack – keys & vocals, Maddie Smyth – viola & vocals, Chris Perriman – bass, Louis Young – guitar, Rob Bailey – saxophones, Theo Nolan – drums, Giovanni Onofri – guitar.

Link to interview in May 2021 with songwriter Daniel Clifford talking about the release of the debut album by Amateur Ornithologist >

BIRDWATCHING with singer & songwriter Amateur Ornithologist | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST CULTURE (garyalikivi.com)

Alikivi   January 2024.

500 NOT OUT

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The end of 2023 is nearly upon us as I post the last blog of the year and coincidentally the 500th since starting in 2017. As well as wishing a great Christmas and New Year it’s a BIG thanks to everyone who took the time out to add their story to the site and all the readers around the world who have made it a success.

I’d also like to mention the recent plaque awarded to The Tube placed on Newcastle’s City Road where the Tyne Tees TV studio used to be. Many North East musicians were inspired by the live music show, Toy Dolls, Kane Gang, Tygers of Pan Tang and Dance Class to name a few got to play live. Plus behind the scenes some of the production staff were Geordies adding an extra Tyneside flavour to the programme.

The influence that The Tube had on me and many other people in the North East can’t be underestimated, so we give a salute to the ground breaking, never to be forgotten, legendary Tube and all who sailed in her.

Finally to close the book on this year it’s over and out from me with al’ the best for 2024!

Alikivi   December 2023.

MUSIC FOR LIFE NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

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A handful of releases this year by North East bands include the Godfathers of Thrash, Raven, who unchained their latest album All Hell’s Breaking Loose, John Gallagher (bass/vocals) explained…

”We released the album on 30th June and are really proud of the way this one came out and came together. Basically between the three of us we did everything except the mix. Wrote, arranged, performed, produced and Mike recorded it! We’re looking forward to playing a lot more of the songs live starting in Blighty in February”.

Go to> All Hell’s Breaking Loose by Raven: Amazon.co.uk: CDs & Vinyl

Punk band The Fauves put out Resistance 22, Bri (bass) said…

”Since our album ‘Resistance 22’ was released on 1st July 2023 we’ve had some fantastic reviews. We sold out the first batch of CDs in the first two months, selling them in the UK and abroad. We’ve also released a live album recorded at The Bunker in March this year”.

Go to> https://thefauves1.bandcamp.com/

Durham duo Lowefeye released Northern Crown in October. Songwriter & vocalist Carol Nichol explained…

“I suppose it’s a celebration of the working class featuring the great kitchen sink actor Albert Finney. There is grit in some tracks but there is always the cinematic feel and storytelling all done DIY”.

Go to>  https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/lowfeye1/northern-crown-2

Memphis Calling is the latest release (27 October) from R&B singer & songwriter Emma Wilson.

“From Teesside I travelled to Memphis, got into a cab and asked to go to 639 Madison Avenue…the home of the iconic ‘Sam Phillips Recording Studios” explained Emma.

“The great Sam Phillips built the studio in 1960. I was invited to record my album there and it truly was a magical experience”.

“Memphis influenced this album, the musicians of the HI Rhythm Section, the producer – Scott Bomar, the wonderful STAX console. I was the English girl obsessed with Rhythm & Blues music who got to sing there and make a beautiful record. I hope you enjoy listening to it” .

Go to>  https://propermusic.com/products/emmawilson-memphiscalling (Best for UK or Europe)

https://selectohits.com/index.php?main_page=product_music_info&cPath=1_2&products_id=38220&fbclid=IwAR2i0KjWX4AYG5DbgBwCoZgGEQlbI2pQ5YKmAL3YJWfG5-klj103RjfOsoo (Best for USA)

Downloads here>

https://EmmaWilson.lnk.to/MemphisCallingFB

Mythra released Temples of Madness on Classic Metal Records in April. John Roach (guitarist) explained…

“The album was written and recorded pre-pandemic so mixing and mastering was delayed due to Covid lockdowns in 2020, but strangely relevant to today. After recommendation from Satan guitarist Russ Tippin, who we shared stages with, it was finally mixed by David Curle at First Avenue Studio in Newcastle”.

“Also available is a limited number of 500 numbered copies of a double CD album of ‘Death & Destiny’ and a live recording of our reunion gig at Brofest 2015”.

Go to>  www.mythra.bigcartel.com

Alikivi   November 2023

GANGBUSTING NWOBHM in Newcastle Trillians

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Trillians Rock Bar is fronting a chain of gigs by New Wave of British Heavy Metal bands. Prepare yersel for an avalanche of soaring vocals, drums like cannons and torpedo tipped solo’s.

In the coming months Newcastle aims to melt yer ears with Tytan, Di’Anno, Millennium, Spartan Warrior, Girlschool, Alcatrazz, Raven and the Tygers of Pan Tang – make no bones about it the gangbusters are in town.

First up on Friday November 3rd is a triple punch powerplay from Tytan, Spartan Warrior and Millennium. Front man Mark Duffy explained…“I think the NWOBHM scene has lasted so long because it’s produced so many good bands who recorded great records. There’s also a younger generation who are discovering these bands for the first time”.

Spartan Warrior vocalist Dave Wilkinson added…“We’re excited to be co headlining with our friends Tytan, it’s going to be a great night for sure. We have a long history with Millennium who were our Guardian label mates, so in our 40th Anniversary year that’s a bit special too”.

Tytan’s Chief, Kev Riddles, chipped in…“I always feel a little pressure when playing the North East, this year we’ll be lucky enough to play alongside Spartan Warrior at Trillians again”.

Playing on home turf, Tygers of Pan Tang will be looking to deliver thunder from their recent album Bloodlines, plus mixing in some lightning strike favourites from their extensive back catalogue on Friday November 23.

Two days before that former Iron Maiden front man Paul Di’Anno, who was present at the birth of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, holds court at a sold out Trillian’s.

Keeping yer plugged in for 2024 a bone crunching date of 15 February has been set for Girlschool, Alcatrazz and Chief Headbangers Raven as part of a Heavy Metal Assault tour – aye Heavy Metal with a capital H. Be careful out there.

For more info & tickets contact the official website:

Trillians Rock Bar (trilliansnewcastle.co.uk)

Alikivi   October 2023

Interview with Kev Riddles May 2017:

BACK IN THE RING – Going Another Round with NWOBHM band Tytan | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST CULTURE (garyalikivi.com)

CLOSEST THING TO HEAVEN #2 – with former White Heat guitarist/songwriter Alan Fish.

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A book about the Newcastle music scene in the 70s & 80s ‘Closest Thing to Heaven’ featured in a post back in December 2020 (link below).

Pages of black and white photos of bands, venues, posters and flyers were put together by Mick Fielding and Simon McKay. Featured in the book is guitarist and songwriter Alan Fish.

“That picture was taken in 1979 at The Mayfair, Newcastle. Before that In 1976, Bry Younger asked me to join his rock band  ‘Hartbraker’, a band very much in the mould of Led Zeppelin and Free. My influences were The Who /The Kinks. This chemistry was perfect for the fast changing music landscape”. 

“The photo perfectly captures our transition from rock to new wave with some of us already taking the brave move of getting our hair cut! A new image! A new sound! And a new name  ‘White Heat’.

“Bob Smeaton and I were developing a strong song writing partnership and our first independent release, ’Nervous Breakdown’ got us Radio 1 airplay as well as attracting major label record company interest. 1979 was definitely a big year for us”.

If you feature in the book just get in touch using the contact page. The book is available direct from Tyne Bridge Publishing:

Tyne Bridge Publishing | Newcastle City Council

Link to first post about the book in December 2020:

CLOSEST THING TO HEAVEN – New Book on ’70s-’80s Newcastle Music Scene | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST CULTURE (garyalikivi.com)

Alikivi   October 2023

THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND

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The site has over 350,000 hits on a blog which when it first went live in 2017 I thought would be read by half a dozen people a day. To mark the occasion here’s snippets from the first few posts which gave the site a solid start and built to around 1,000 reads per week.

If you’ve read the blog a big thanks for your support – much appreciated. If you haven’t, why not give it a go there’s hundreds of great interviews featured, you might be surprised.

“The kids were hungry for this noise, anger, excitement and a do it yourself attitude. It was definitely getting to me, getting in my blood, this raw and visceral sound was becoming addictive. The term New Wave of British Heavy Metal had been coined by then, and yeah it really was a new wave and you’ve gotta go with it… and we did” Brian Ross.

“We jumped on a ferry to do some gigs in Holland. We took this thing around Europe and by then the whole British Heavy Metal scene was red hot so it was one mad scene of gig here, gig there, some stories you can’t tell. When you’ve played the Royal Standard in Walthamstow in front of fifty people and they aren’t interested, then you get out here where they are running after your car, sign my booby and all that, that’s gonna turn anybodys head…and it did” Lou Taylor.

“I remember Joe Strummer saying we’re coming to your gig tonight do you mind if I bring Iggy Pop? We said ‘aye go on then’. The gig was in New York we walked on stage, the lights blazed on and Mensi screamed “We’re the Angelic Upstarts, We’re from England, 1,2,3,4” as I strummed my guitar there was an almighty bang, it all went dark then nothing. There was a huge power cut. They couldn’t get it sorted out so we jumped off stage and went to the bar at the back where The Clash were standing and I ordered a Jack and Coke and said to Iggy Pop “It’ll be sorted in a minute, this sort of thing happens to us all the time” Mond Cowie.

“Creative process for me is always different, some are instant, some are like pulling teeth and it goes on for years, literally. You never can tell. Just have to have a good memory really. Lately I’ve been able to do a single album, a double album and now a triple album. Mind you I’m not planning to buy a yacht or anything on the proceeds!” Bernie Torme

“I remember Bordello doing a showcase for CBS. We really went for it, putting our heart and soul into it you know. A guy called Dave Novek came along to have a look at us, we really laid it on in a good studio. But we found out that we ‘weren’t quite what they were looking for’. A couple of weeks later he signed Sigue Sigue Sputnik!’ Go figure!” Steve Dawson

“I remember getting a call around 1981 from NEAT records owner Dave Woods he asked me if NEAT could include our song ‘Flying High’ on a compilation they were producing called ‘Lead Weight’. Well of course I said yes when he listed the other bands who were going to be on – Fist, Venom, Raven just those three names were enough, they were THE Heavy Metal bands from the North East and to be in their company was fantastic for Warrior. Yes really proud of that”  Dave Dawson.

“1983 saw Cloven Hoof touring throughout the length and breadth of the UK, earning ourselves a sizable underground cult following. In the summer of that year the band recorded a four-track session for the Tommy Vance Friday Rock Show on Radio One and on the strength of the bands popularity Tyneside based NEAT Records signed us to record our first album. Things were starting to happen for the band, we were really in the mix” Lee Payne.

Check the About page above for a full list of features and interviews.

Alikivi  October 2023