In '76 Ferguson was exiting Camel and returned to Guildford where he teamed up with Leach, Bidwell, Kean and Lewkowicz. After over a year together the "writing project" band had not played live; then Bidwell, died around Christmas '77. It was decided that they needed to play live, with Terry-Short replacing Bidwell on drums. They did not record or release an album or single, but three tracks did appear on the Guildford band compilation titled "Who Invited You?" on the local Thumb label. "Loser" was the first track on the A-side. Learn more about Headwaiter at:https://oursoundscene.org/2024/03/18/headwaiter/

Who Invited Them?

Loser

"Loser" - Headwaiter

Described as New Wave / Experimental / Indie Rock this Woking / Weybridge combo was formed by the ex-frontman of Noit Otni and the Pits and The Volunteers with members of Alligators. "Us", was recorded at a session in a Putney studio, but never released. Learn more about Square One at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10154131764651476&type=3

"Us" - Square One

The Ha Ha Men released a number of cassette EP's and "Big" was rerecorded for its appearance on 1991/92's self-released "Uncle Saps". Jan '91 saw the band contracted to Flat Records and the beginning of work on the ill-fated "Love Burger" album, that just never appeared. Learn more about The Ha Ha Men at: https://oursoundscene.org/2022/10/04/the-ha-ha-men/

Uncle Saps

"Big" - The Ha Ha Men

Comedy punksters Deceased Disease were formed in '87 by four friends from Salesian School, Farnborough. During their tenure the band recorded four demos. “The Jollybigblumble” was the last demo released, which was recorded by producer Otteran “Ott” Langrell at Vons Studio, Islington and included this track "Satan Rides a Honda Melody". Ott signed the master tape “Deceased Disease are a bunch of F**king W**kers love Ott xx”. This demo received a great review from Adrian Creek titled “Deceased Disease are Much Better Than They are Cracked Down to be”. Learn more about Deceased disease at: https://oursoundscene.org/2023/01/08/deceased-disease/

Satan Rides a Honda Melody

"Satan Rides A Honda Melody" - Deceased Disease

In May ’82 this trio formed She’s Gone Wild, later renaming the band Carnival, then Strawberry Statement before locking in on Five O’Clock High in late ’84. They mixed self penned tracks such as, this track, titled "Iron Lung" and “Great Brain Robbery” with covers of 60’s classics like the Who’s “The Kids Are Alright” and The Troggs “Wild Thing”. Learn more about Five O'Clock High at: https://oursoundscene.org/2022/11/06/five-oclock-high/

Iron Lung

"Iron Lung" - Five O'Clock High

M.I.5. signed to the Public Records label owned by Patrick Campbell-Lyons, half of cult symphonic-rock band Nirvana and fashion designer Gloria Satin. They recording tracks at Startling Studios with engineer Keith Byres at Tittenhurst Park, the former home of John Lennon, and RMS Studios, London through November 1979, resulting in the release of the 7″ single, “Alright On The Night” [PUB-002] in 1980. The B-side contained two songs, including this one: “Television Screen Heroes”. Learn more about M.I.5 at https://oursoundscene.org/2023/10/21/m-i-5/

Television Screen Heroes

"Television Screen Heroes" - M.I.5.

This Farnborough punk band formed in early '82 and supported bands such as Subhumans, Flux of Pink Indians and Cult Maniax as well as hiring out local halls etc for gigs. They recorded a few demos but only released the Ready to Rot EP from where "What the Fuck" is taken. Read more at: https://soundcloud.com/wokingsoundscene/rockin-chair-black-easter

What the Fuck

"What The Fuck" - Black Easter

Fleet based The Vinegar Blossom released "Absence of A Choice", a 7" single in Germany on the A Turntable Friend label in September '91, having recorded it at Studio Poisson, Crondall, with Patch Hannon, who has also produced Bennet and The Audience, as Engineer. Learn more about The Vinegar Blossom at: https://oursoundscene.org/2024/01/01/the-vinegar-blossom/

Absense Of A Choice

"Absense Of A Choice" - The Vinegar Blossom

Comedy punksters Deceased Disease were formed in '87 by four friends from Salesian School, Farnborough. During their tenure the band recorded four demos. “The Jollybigblumble” was the last demo released, which was recorded by producer Otteran “Ott” Langrell at Vons Studio, Islington and included this track "Motorbikes". Ott signed the master tape “Deceased Disease are a bunch of F**king W**kers love Ott xx”. This demo received a great review from Adrian Creek titled “Deceased Disease are Much Better Than They are Cracked Down to be”. Learn more about Deceased Disease at: oursoundscene.org/2023/01/08/deceased-disease

Motorbikes

"Motorbikes" - Deceased Disease

House were a folk rock band formed in May '76 from the ashes of Asylum and Backhurst, both Guildford bands. Local label Thumb issued a various artist compilation titled 'Who Invited Them?' [TR001] in 1978 featuring 10 tracks from Guildford bands. This included House's "Brown & White Horse" posted here. Learn more abut House at: https://oursoundscene.org/2023/04/19/house/

Brown And White Horse

"Brown And White Horse" - House

In ’76 Doug Ferguson was exiting Camel and returned to Guildford where he teamed with others from The Famous Rondini Brothers, Sweet Charity and other bands. After over a year together the “writing project” band had not yet played live. That was soon to change as Headwaiter had a Dutch tour booked for November ’77, supporting Caravan, where they were billed as the Doug Ferguson Band. Learn more about Headwaiter at: https://oursoundscene.org/2024/03/18/headwaiter/

Believer in Dreams

"Believer In Dreams" - Headwaiter

First released by Chris Kenner in October 1961, this is Guildford based Poker's adaptation of 'Something You Got'. This was one of three tracks from the band included on the 'Who Invited Them?'  compilation LP. Learn more about Poker at: https://oursoundscene.org/2024/03/22/poker/

Something You Got

Something You Got - Poker

Jackie Lynton’s Happy Days Band started in ’76 when an ex-Savoy Brown and Diesel vocalist got together with former members of The Stormsville Shakers. Later known as The Jackie Lynton H.D. they appeared, in ’78, on the “Who Invited Them?” Guildford artist compilation [TR001] on the Thumb Records label with this track: “The World's A Wheelbarrow” and “Goin’ Down”. Learn more about Jackie Lynton’s Happy Days Band at: https://oursoundscene.org/2024/04/04/jackie-lyntons-happy-days-band/

The World's A Wheelbarrow

"The World's A Wheelbarrow" - The Jackie Lynton H.D. Band

M.I.5 recorded this track at Startling Studios and RMS Studios, London in November 1979. It became a B-Side track to the 7″ single, “Alright On The Night” [PUB-002], released in 1980. The single received airplay on John Peel’s 27 May 1980 Radio 1 show; who, along with Mike Reed, championed the band. Learn more about M.I.5 at: https://oursoundscene.org/2023/10/21/m-i-5/

Don't Make Waves

"Don't Make Waves" - M.I.5

(c'83-85) This Guildford based New Wave Pop 5 or 6 piece were formed by ex-Vapors bassist Smith. Their original four track demo got them a slot on the John Peel Road Show at Surrey University. This resulted in the first of two Peel Sessions. This track however was from 1985 and featured on "Laughing All The Way To The Banks" compilation. Learn more about Shoot! Dispute at: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o…337581476&type=1

"On To The Wheel" - Shoot! Dispute

This Guildford band gigged extensively in the Woking area and self pressed 100, 250 or 500 (nobody seems certain)copies of the single that carried this track which was played by John Peel on March 6 1980. Each single features unique hand drawn artwork. Learn more about the Approved Men at: https://oursoundscene.org/2023/07/09/approved-men

Quite Like You

"Quite Like You" - Approved Men

Not our usual upload, but features Soundscene faves Approved Men (see: https://oursoundscene.org/2023/07/09/approved-men/). The transcript of that section of Peels show reads: "I've always enjoyed the way that record companies work, in that if a band from one particular town is successful they don't assume it's anything to do with the band but rather something to do with the town. And of course recently all these record companies have been sending people to camp out in Coventry in the hope of finding a band there. Now with the success of The Vapors who come from the Guildford area; well it could be an opportunity for The Approved Men who also come from Guildford. This is their "Quite Like You" closing with "I think that's true of almost everybody actually. That's The Approved Men and it's called "Quite Like You" and according to the band, and I see no reason to doubt them they've only had 500 copies of that pressed and it doesn't seem to be on any specific label. So if you want to get a copy of it you have write to Colin, 55 Station Road, Shalford, Guildford Surrey. You want that again.Colin, 55 Station Road, Shalford, S. H. A. L. F. O. R. D. Guildford Surrey.

6th May 1980

The John Peel Show - 6th March 1980

In 1987, out of the ashes of Capricorn came Mega City Four once described by Uncut magazine as earning "a reputation across the globe as an exciting live band". They gigged with Senseless Things and Snuff; across the UK, Europe and in North America, working with bands including Les Thugs, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine and Doughboys. This live recording of "Distant Relative" was released on Farnborough Groove Vol.1. Learn more about Mega City Four at: https://oursoundscene.org/2023/02/03/mega-city-four/

Farnborough Groove Volume 1

Distant Relative

"Distant Relative (live)" - Mega City Four

Described as New Wave / Experimental / Indie Rock, Square One were a Woking / Weybridge combo formed by ex-Noit Otni and The Volunteers frontman Robert Jacob. Before touring Amsterdam in 1981 they released the "Numbers" 7" EP on the Sacre Bleu label which was backed with "Coloured Sand" and this track "Hollywood". Learn more about Square One at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10154131764651476&type=3

Hollywood

"Hollywood" - Square One

Square One's "It's Coming Down" was never released on vinyl or cassette, although it was recorded in Paris at the same time as the "Numbers" EP released the Sacre Bleu label. Learn more about Square One at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10154131764651476&type=3

It's Coming Down

"It's Coming Down" - Square One

Described as New Wave / Experimental / Indie Rock this Woking / Weybridge combo was formed by the ex-frontman of Noit Otni and the Pits and The Volunteers with members of Alligators. Before touring the Netherlands they recorded the "Numbers" EP in Paris.  "Sicko's From Outer Space" was never released, but was recorded at the same session. Learn more about Square One at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10154131764651476&type=3

https://soundcloud.com/wokingsoundscene/deja-vu-matrix

"Sicko's From Outer Space" - Square One

Woking based The Sleep, were managed by Dave Tiffen, and released a demo cassette in 1979 or 1980 from which this track, "Bitch", was taken. Learn more at: https://oursoundscene.org/2024/02/24/the-sleep

Demo

Bitch

"Bitch" - The Sleep

Described as New Wave / Experimental / Indie Rock this Woking / Weybridge combo was formed by the ex-frontman of Noit Otni and the Pits and The Volunteers with members of Alligators. Before touring the Netherlands they recorded the "Numbers" EP in Paris. "What's The Name Of That Stuff" was never released, but was recorded at the same session. Learn more about Square One at: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o…764651476&type=3

What's The Name Of That Stuff

"What's The Name Of That Stuff" - Square One

Woking based The Sleep, were managed by Dave Tiffen, and released a demo cassette in 1979 or 1980 from which this track, "Jealousy", was taken. Learn more at: https://oursoundscene.org/2024/02/24/the-sleep

Jealousy

"Jealousy" - The Sleep

Described as New Wave / Experimental / Indie Rock this Woking / Weybridge combo was formed by the ex-frontman of Noit Otni and the Pits and The Volunteers with members of Alligators. Before touring the Netherlands they recorded the "Numbers" EP in Paris. "Magnets" was never released, but was recorded at the same session. Learn more about Square One at: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o…764651476&type=3

Magnets

"Magnets" - Square One

Described as New Wave / Experimental / Indie Rock this Woking / Weybridge combo was formed by the ex-frontman of Noit Otni and the Pits and The Volunteers with members of Alligators. Before touring the Netherlands they recorded the "Numbers" EP in Paris. "Economics" was never released, but was recorded at the same session. Learn more about Square One at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10154131764651476&type=3

Economics

"Economics" - Square One

Woking based The Sleep, were managed by Dave Tiffen, and released a demo cassette in 1979 or 1980 from which this track, "Dolphin", was taken. Learn more at: https://oursoundscene.org/2024/02/24/the-sleep

Dolphin

"Dolphin" - The Sleep

Described as New Wave / Experimental / Indie Rock this Woking / Weybridge combo was formed by the ex-frontman of Noit Otni and the Pits and The Volunteers with members of Alligators. "Picture Of You", was recorded at a session in a Putney studio, but never released. Learn more about Square One at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10154131764651476&type=3

Picture Of You

"Picture Of You" - Square One

Described as New Wave / Experimental / Indie Rock this Woking / Weybridge combo was formed by the ex-frontman of Noit Otni and the Pits and The Volunteers with members of Alligators. "Down From The North", was recorded at a session in a Putney studio, but never released. Learn more about Square One at: Described as New Wave / Experimental / Indie Rock this Woking / Weybridge combo was formed by the ex-frontman of Noit Otni and the Pits and The Volunteers with members of Alligators. "Picture Of You", was recorded at a session in a Putney studio, but never released. Learn more about Square One at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10154131764651476&type=3

"Down From The North" - Square One

Guildford based Matrix were a bunch of 17 year olds in 1980 when they formed; gigging locally at the likes of The Wooden Bridge, Guildford; Goldalming College; Bramley Village Hall; and Cranleigh Youth Centre. The band recorded a demo at Chestnut Studios in 1980, which carried this track titled "Deja Vu". Learn more about Matrix at: https://oursoundscene.org/2024/04/13/matrix/

Deja Vu

"Deja Vu" - Matrix

There was a vibrant music scene in the Woking / GU postcode area from the late 60's to early 90's. We unearth and post tracks from those bands that have faded into obscurity... 

If you have any info, pics, memories of Woking bands do share them with the Facebook Group below.

WokingSoundscene

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