Hard Road for Nidge
First 'real' band for Thrapston's Nigel 'Nidge' Hart was the 49th Parallel, an Oundle based combo featuring his best mate Robin Chambers on bass, "a guy whose name I've forgotten on guitar" and Mick Moore on vocals in 1972. "Mick went on to play in Germany with a number of bands and tragically died at a young age, a victim shall we say of the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. Playing drums was all I was interested in. I was lazy at school, not really interested in any subjects, subsequently when I left it was with no qualifications and no idea where I was heading. If somebody had told me then that one day I would play and count among my friends, Procol Harum guitarist Mick Grabham, Dick Parry, Pink Floyd's sax player on the Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here albums, Foreigner keyboard player Rick Wills, I would have laughed at them!"
49th Parallel failed to accrue any measure of success, as illustrated by the accompanying aside to the photograph of their debut in Nidge's scrapbook; 'This is the one and only gig 49th Parallel did, and we didn't get paid for it!' A change of name and musical direction was needed, maybe the inspiration for The State Of Mind and playing harder edged Cream and Jimi Hendrix material. Nidge was now playing a twin bass drum kit, a rare commodity on the local scene, and rapidly building a reputation as a rock drummer. The band's preferred heavy rock style saw them change their name yet again, to a more suitable Brain Damage and striving to reach a wider audience, they moved en bloc to Liverpool where they lived in 'digs' in the district of Aigburth, south of the city. Signed to the Playlord Enterprises Agency in Manchester 'playing really heavy rock in Black Sabbath style' they secured gigs at prestigious venues such as Liverpool's Cavern Club, capturing an enthusiastic audience and fan base. It was an exciting time for Nidge and his pals in the rarified atmosphere of the world famous basement where the Beatles and other 60s rock stars learned their trade.
In truth the Cavern in 1974 wasn't actually the genuine article, the original club having been closed down in 1973 after failing to keep up with health and safety regulations but it was a near as dammit replica, a small and sweaty cellar, and still in Mathew Street, the entrance just 15 yards further up the road. Author Clive Smith found himself there; 'on a blind date in 1970. My mate Ralph fixed me up with his girlfriend Colette's best pal Barbara. It was a nightmare! Every time I opened my mouth to speak, they burst out laughing, "don't he talk funny!" and I thought that was rich coming from them with their thick scouse accents! After a long night we ended up in the Cavern, which was exciting, until I took a seat on a bench and my arse became all wet. Standing up, it was then I realised I'd sat in a pile of sick! That was the final straw and I bade farewell to the three of them. "Where you goin'?" they asked as they tried to control their hysterics. I'm f-----g off! That's where!"
Nidge; "We lived in Liverpool for about a year, great city and great people. My abiding memory of the Cavern is the club being jam packed and the frenzied reaction of all the girls. It was brilliant, they used to try and tear all our clothes off! Let’s say, we all pulled." Brain Damage returned south twelve months later, exhausted, and went their separate ways. Following a short period of recuperation Nidge was back behind his kit with another outfit fronted by guitarist Tony Haselip, playing the pub and club circuits as Flash Harry, 'which soon evolved into Gemini'. In fairness to Tony Haselip, he realised Nidge was wasted playing the steady four beats to the bar 'pop' stuff and when brother Mick, bassist with Corby's premier rock band Bumper were looking for a drummer Tony had no hesitation in recommending Nidge for an audition held in the Raven Hall. Beforehand though, Nidge decided to take the opportunity to catch Bumper at the Central Hall in Kettering. "That sealed it for me, I thought they were fantastic."
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| Mick Haselip |
Bumper had morphed from Hard Road following the departures of Ned McGuigan and Barry Monk and recruitment of 'Nidge' and guitarist Bob Grimley. They had a tremendous following and were clearly heading in a direction beyond the realms of most of their peers. Stuart and Jimmy Irving had gained invaluable experience playing for a year with Marty Wilde and touring Germany with Alas Jon Smith. Bass player Mick Haselip was regarded as one of the finest bassists in the county, Bob Grimley recognised as one of the best lead guitarists around.
The boys entered and won through to the finals of the National Folk/Rock contest held at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, North London in July, judged by a panel which included DJ 'Whispering' Bob Harris and Jimi Hendrix's bass player Noel Redding.
Bumper were given plenty of support in their quest to win £2000 worth of equipment and recording time. Their brand of aggressive rock built them up a good following in Corby. Coach loads of supporters travelled to see Stuart Irving 24, Jimmy Irving 23, Mick Haselip 25, Bob Grimley 25 and Nigel Hart 21 do battle.
Attired in matching 'Godfather' gear, “the Prohibition era dress seems to pull in the fans” said singer Stuart, “we always try to play to our audience, this is why we have such a good following in the town. We go out there and grab them by the neck. That's the way they want it so that's the way we play to them.”
Bob Grimley; “We were a bit concerned at first, all the other bands were greeted with loud cheers and shouting from their followers when they took the stage. When it was our turn it was more a mooted silence. We couldn't understand it. Then all of a sudden a crescendo of noise resonated around the arena when the hordes of Corby fans made their entrance. Turns out the coaches had been late getting away from Corby Rugby Club. They were well oiled by the time they arrived at the Roundhouse - and didn't the rest of the crowd know it!”
Bumper played two of their self penned numbers as well as their arrangement of Paul McCartney's ‘Norwegian Wood/Rock Show.’ They came in a respectable third to collect a prize of £150 plus a voucher for musical equipment, behind second place Please Y'Self Skiffle Band from Matlock and the winners Stallion, who, said the Melody Maker wit, 'galloped through'!
Afterwards Bob Grimley was magnanimous; “It was a great day and the group was very happy with what we got. We would like to thank everyone who followed us throughout the competition.”
Bob's brother John was witness to the event, recalling; “The Roundhouse, that does bring back memories. We all left the Nags, I think it was a Sunday afternoon, in a coach to travel down. Franny Lagan was on the bus as well. Stinking hot day so the cans of beer were not quite as cold as they should have been. I remember we all had a bloody good time in the Roundhouse even though Bumper failed to win the day.”
Also present and seeking out fresh talent was Gavin Dare of Rebel Records, who operated from their studios, owned by Monty Python star Michael Palin, in Covent Garden. Nidge; "Gavin Dare signed us up for a record deal after watching us rehearse. We were taken out to a flash restaurant in Covent Garden for lunch to celebrate. Felt like the big time had arrived! With hindsight we maybe should have hung on a little longer. After the Roundhouse gig, Bob Harris came back stage and whispered in that inimitable style of his, that he'd like to record us. Bob was presenter of TV's biggest rock programme Old Grey Whistle Test and it's fair to say we could have been down for an appearance which would have been a real thrill and opportunity. We had to tell him we were tied up with Rebel." Under the eyes of engineer Andre Jackeman, who was the composer of Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, Bumper cut enough demos to record an album which also included a single, Ballerina. All compositions written by the Irving brothers. They were recorded later in a studio in Wimbledon and released in 1978.
Gavin Dare was supremely confident in the band's chances; “Bumpers agreement with Rebel Records will last three years if both parties are happy after an initial six month period. They play the kind of music that will sell records all over the world. Over the last six months we have seen around 300 bands and none of them are up to the same standard as Bumper. We are just sure they are going to make it. They are all talented individuals who can get together and make the most incredible sound. With our contacts overseas we can almost guarantee releases all over the world.” Announcing that he is planning to take the band to the international MIDEN festival in Cannes, France in 1977, Dare added, “I can see Bumper emerging in the same image as 10cc and Queen.”
All seemed to be going rosy. Bumper giving their home fans a rousing performance during the Corby's Annual Arts Festival week. ‘Bumper stole the show' the Evening Telegraph reported;
'A packed Festival Hall erupted with enthusiasm when the boys gave what was probably their best performance in Corby yet. Sassafras had a hard job to follow the Corby band. About 800 people turned out for the concert, though until Bumper went on stage to the usual infectious acclaim, a large part of the audience was crammed into the bar downstairs. The band's show reached new heights with a phenomenal performance of their piece de resistance ‘Norwegian Wood/RockShow’. And drummer Nigel Hart stunned the audience with a superb drum solo in another number.'
The success of achieving third place in the Roundhouse propelled the band forward and signed up by the Barry Collings Agency in Southend, other clients included Pilot and Love Affair. The band was booked for gigs all round the country, sometimes in week long residencies at hives like the Madison Club in Middlesbrough or conversely, one night stands, playing and traveling on a grind which had to take its toll, and eventually would do. As the Irving brothers couldn't drive and both Bob Grimley and Mick Haselip liked a drink, driving duties for the white transit van was designated to the youngest member of the group, Nigel Hart. Nidge; "I didn't mind at first, I was a non drinker anyway, but I have to admit to feeling put on at times. I did around 90% of the driving. A typical night was when we played a club in Barrow-In-Furness, where we were on stage from 1 till 2.30am and then I had to drive back down to Northamptonshire right after. It was absolutely knackering! This was a normal sort of schedule and arduous. I had dreamt of the lifestyle but soon realised the reality was not what I expected. It gradually wore me out and in the end I quit." Nidge had no regrets in turning his back on possible stardom, and missing out on the experience of recording the album, preferring to remember the times when they rocked the audience with a great rocking sound. "For me, Stuart Irving was arguably one of the most underrated vocalists around. He could really bump the audience up, had great stage presence and personality. It was a treat to sit behind those boys and watch as they stirred everything up. Magic."
Nidge moved to Cambridge around 1981 after splitting with his girlfriend and gained his HGV licence. Continued playing around the Cambridge area in 'all kinds of bands, dance bands, complete with dickie bow! Hotel work, Night Clubs. "We had a residency at the Crown and Cushion in Great Granstead every Tuesday. It was mobbed virtually every week for nearly five years. The band was called Private Line and featured at various times a number of top class and well known rock musicians. Rick Wills who was a 'jobbing bassist' a session man, had played with Cochise and Foreigner. Guitarist Mick Grabham was another ex Cochise man who was better known for his work with Procol Harum. Don Airey ex Whitesnake keyboards. Dick Parry a sax player had played on the Pink Floyd albums, Dark Side Of The Moon and Wish You Were Here. I can still recall sitting there on drums and looking at Dick play and thinking who this guy had worked with, it knocked me out! We eventually became Los Amigos and played as a trio before I moved back to Thrapston in the early 90s. My next band with a quite appropriate name was High Mileage!
Following the departures of Nidge and then bassist Mick Haselip, Bumper changed their name to Scenestealer. Their replacements were found after placing an advert in the Melody Maker. Bob Grimley recalled; “there seemed to be hundreds interested in the job, the phone never stopped. Norman Hickens stepped in for Mick who had joined his brother Tony in another Corby band, Chrome Molly, and Tony Norris who came from Derby took over from Nidge on drums.”
Just as the boys were getting restless with the lack of news concerning the release of their debut album which had been recorded in August, and a cancellation of a tour of Germany, they received this update from Rebel Records.
'We thought it was time we wrote to you to let you all know what is happening with Scenestealer around the world, but firstly to look back over the past few months. From the time of recording the album until now has probably been the hardest for all concerned. At the end of August the album was mixed and ready for presentation. The UK reaction was not favourable but nevertheless acceptable and owing to heavy commitments of EMI the release date was constantly being changed. This position now seems to be rectified and a release is promised for early in the New Year (1978).
The gig situation has gone from bad to worse and with the latest episode regarding the German booking we can understand your reactions. With reference to the German tour Barry Collins informs me that he is trying to recover this work by directly booking you as opposed to sub contracting the work. Failing this he assures me that he will make sure there is a minimum of £500 worth of gigs for December. Well, how do we stand now? What is there to look forward to? Let us explain.
With a highly professional album in the can we can look forward with confidence to a fast moving, star making, and highly profitable 1978 but this is going to require a concentrated effort on all sides. Why? Because of the phenomenal reaction to the album throughout Europe. We have just returned from Germany where they think you are one of the best bands they have heard in a long long time and are planning to back up this statement by arranging TV, radio and personal appearances for you, to coincide with the release. They assure me that the release will be in early January and we have no reason to doubt them. There is a marvellous team operating in Germany, and they are 100% behind you, so if we can give them the same sort of co-operation, there is no problems at all..
We had the same reaction from Holland and at the time of writing, have planned to visit them on Monday the 12th December to discuss Scenestealer further and they also have a fantastic team that are behind you 100%.
We feel sure that you will agree with us that we are now on the threshold of something big and only by giving all of our support can we obtain the success that we all so richly deserve. We have no doubt that you play your part and you know us well enough to play ours.
Don't be despondent lads, there's not much longer to wait. We take this moment to wish you all and your families a very merry Christmas and a real REBELious New Year!’
