The Sect

In the sixties there weren’t many Newcastle bands that made it to the top. After the Animals in 1964, there was a long gap of 6 years before Lindisfarne achieved…

Sneeze

In 1966 I’d been been a member of the Jazzboard when the band had opened for the Who, the Small Faces and Cream. Could anything top that? Well nearly. In…

Spyda

During the late sixties and early seventies, while I was playing in Newcastle bands, I would occasionally come into contact with two Newcastle musicians; vocalist, Brian Goulden and his brother…

The Technique

By the beginning of 1968 soul music was losing popularity in clubs and dance halls and bands playing the standard Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Otis Redding and Eddie Floyd…

Toby Twirl

Toby Twirl was one of a modest number of northeast bands in the sixties to win a record deal and, in addition, achieve some degree of success as a cabaret…

The Village

During the time I was gigging with the Technique in the early months of 1968, Mike “Alfie” Larkin was busy recruiting musicians for his new band. In addition to himself…