bluemoonraker

In researching for this website I have come across lots of other interesting bits and pieces about other parts of Wiltshire. I sort of started a Gert Big Wiltshire Discography but it seemed pretty pointless really because if you search on the web for the likes of Meat Beat Manifesto from Swindon, The Subhumans from Melksham and of course Swindon's mighty XTC and their various side projects, there is already plenty of stuff out there. So, happy hunting, but in the meantime here are a few odd Wiltshire bands that aren't extensively covered elsewhere, and a few interesting stories.

THE FLUFFY VIKINGS

Dave Forecaste (vocals) and Andy Fitchett (drums).From Pewsey - attended Salisbury Art College.

CASSETTE ALBUM
EPISODE ONE (Wabbit WAB 40c - 1982)

THE PACK

Bob Groadway (vocals and guitar); Andy Rickell (guitar and harmonica); Roger Hartley (guitar); Brian Gregg (bass); Bob Duck (drums). From Calne. Brian Gregg was formerly with Johnny Kidd and The Pirates and The Tornados

SINGLE
Do You Believe In Magic?/Things Bring Me Down (Columbia DB 7702 - 1965)

URBAN DISTURBANCE

From Swindon

SPLIT SINGLE
Wild Boys In Cortinas/Just Can't Let You Go (by V.I.Ps - who were from Warwick) (Rok ROK V/VI - 1979)

THE PRETTY THINGS IN TROWBRIDGE

John Stax, interviewed in Mojo 169, December 2007: 'There was one particularly nasty incident after a gig in Trowbridge. We were packing up our stuff and a group of local thugs started coming towards us. Our driver, this flashy 22-year-old Adonis known as Phil The Greek, just opened up the boot and pulled out a 12- gauge shotgun. When he tried to fire it, the thing failed because it had been in the boot too long and rusted up. The police took us down to the station, but amazingly they let us out after a few questions'.

ART WOOD IN DEVIZES

In the late Art Wood's (Blues Incorporated/The Artwoods/Quiet Melon) last interview, published in Ugly Things 26, Winter/Spring 2008, he talked about his National Service with the Pay Corps: 'I was stationed in Devizes for the entire two years, and it was there that me and four other blokes started a skiffle group, the Blue Cats, named in honour of Gene Vincent's Blue Caps. I sang and played guitar. Most of our gigs were local - community centres, cafes, Devizes Corn Exchange - as well as the Sergeants Mess in the camp. We came second in a skiffle talent contest in Swindon.'

RICHARD ASHCROFT IN CHIPPENHAM

In June 2006 Richard Ashcroft of The Verve was arrested after apparently bursting into The Bridge youth club in Chippenham and drunkenly demanding he be allowed to work with the kids.

He was reported to have been ‘strung out’, close to tears and in a dishevelled state. He offered his services, then began to swear and refused to leave, prompting the youth club workers to call the police. He was taken into custody by local officers and given an £80 fixed penalty fine for disorderly behaviour, according to ‘The Sun’.

HUGH CORNWELL AND TROWBRIDGE

Former Strangler Hugh Cornwell lives near Trowbridge and has upset some local officials (although not, it seems, all of the local residents) with a track off his ‘Hooverdam’ album entitled ‘Please Don’t Put Me on a Slow Boat to Trowbridge’, in which he likens our fine county capital to the Black Hole of Calcutta and promises to mend his ways if he is not sent there.