MP3s
Just for fun, here are a few MP3s from a band I was in, in 1985,
called "Spud and the Fabs".
The band was originally formed in 1979 and consisted of myself on
guitar and vocals, Pete "Spud" Lubbock on guitar and vocals, Pete Lockwood on
drums and Mike Crofts on bass. Our repertoire consisted mostly of blues and blues rock
covers with a few originals thrown in. At no time did we ever take things seriously - it
was a fun band. We even recorded a "single" as it was called in those days.
That, too, will appear here at some time in the future, complete with its two 'B' sides,
but, be warned, it's pretty dire........... as is the story behind the making of it. Watch
this space. I have a good live tape of the band playing its last gig and that'll find its
way to MP3 land eventually.
The band lasted less than a couple of years and we split up in
1980, only to reform, in 1985, with the same personnel, minus Mike Crofts and plus Brad
Bradstock on vocals, although Brad didn't join the new line up until the second gig. Spud
moved over to fretless bass and we started gigging.
To this day, I can't believe that we used to go down as well as we
did wherever we played. You wouldn't think that there was much of a market for old Cream
and John Mayall numbers in 1985, but there was.
As for the name of the band, the "Spud" part is obvious
but the "Fabs" bit is because Spud always wanted a "rocking teenage
combo" called this ever since he started playing in bands. Not that any of the Fabs
were teenagers............
Anyway, here are three MP3s from the 1985 band and if you don't
like pentatonic clichés don't hit that "download" button!
- the old Freddie King number, this is from a rehearsal held on
4/3/85 at the school where drummer Pete taught and still teaches. Rough, but fun. Apart
from the dodgy first chorus it's a total steal from the Clapton-era Bluesbreakers version.
As you can hear Spud say at the end, the first run through was better.......less clams and
just about note-perfect. Why bother trying to play it note-for-note? I suppose, in my own
way, I'm paying a tribute to the record which really started me trying to play guitar
seriously.
- à la Bluesbreakers Clapton once again! This time I'm also
ripping off some licks from the version that Clapton cut on the obscure Elektra
"What's Shakin'?" album. "Steppin' Out" was recorded at the
"Nag's Head", Winslow, Bucks on 6/3/85. I was playing my Kawai double cut, twin
humbucker - since sold on - through a borrowed Fender Twin with one of the valves just
about to croak. Luckily, it gave up the ghost after we'd finished
playing..........still sounds a little sick, though.
- dem ol' British blues again, but Jeff Beck style this time. Another of my main influences when it
comes to blues. Can I help it if I was born in the Trent Delta? From the same gig as
"Steppin' Out", it features Brad on vocals who sat in. By the next gig he was in
on a permanent basis. Brad is a superb all-round musician with a beautiful voice and also
very adept on acoustic guitar and melodeon. Apart from that, he's a great actor and can
tell jokes like no-one else I know. If there was any justice in the world of entertainment
he'd be a star. Another friend and I used his voice when we recorded some songs we'd
written. His performance was a real high point in my musical career.
(All the MP3s are encoded as Stereo 56 KBS 22KHz)
Incidentally, everybody involved in the two incarnations of
"Spud and the Fabs" still sees each other regularly. In fact, Mike is the bass
player and MD with the soul band I'm currently playing with. Brad lives about 20 minutes'
walk away and we see each other often. I also see the two Petes from time to time. I went
with Spud to see Jeff Beck recently and Spud, Pete and I sometimes meet up for a pint or
two.
Strangely enough, everyone who ever passed through Spud and the
Fabs also played with "Sunday Suits and Muddy Boots" - an electric barndance
band.
It's a small world and a very incestuous one to boot............
Also, in 1996, both Petes and myself were reunited in the
legendary, and now defunct, "T-Bone Boogie Band", but that's another story and
you'll have to wait for the MP3s of that interesting little combo. It was a really strange
band.
As for the current musical aberrations of the Fabs "old
boys", Brad, Mike and myself are still in "Sunday Suits And Muddy Boots"
although we haven't played for well over a year. Spud is in an acoustic jazz guitar duo
with his mate Conway. Mike and I are in a soul band which is about to do some recording
and Pete is in the "Cock And Bull Band" which is doing very well on the folk
dance and concert circuit. I played a dep with them and had a great time. Brad continues
to act and sing and he has a web page here
and he and I also meet up from time to time in "Nelson's Arm Band", yet another
electric barndance band.
If you want a player for these MP3 files, go to the Winamp site and get a great one for free. Be sure to
check out all the fantastic plug ins, too.