In 1974 another Music Agency kicked in Coventry that seemed earn
disapproval from Equity and some of the music scene before they had really begun. Like Hobo and others before and after, they needed premises to organise from and put on concerts. Getting any kind of facilities like that was a struggle in Coventry. That anything happened at all was down to the resilience and determination of the City's artists and promoters.
Many of the bands and musicians I knew were scathing of Q Artistes - Q were not part of the 'freak' scene and considered by some as 'rip-off merchants'. I felt that anyone who was providing venues and support for Coventry artists deserved a mention in Hobo and support and the fact that they had got up off their butt and tried to do something deserved recognition. Far too many people criticising and not enough prepared to do something!
Although it was not considered 'cool' for me to interview Q Artistes for Hobo in some quarters I was curious and felt an empathy with anyone struggling to do anything constructive on the scene.
I knew this was not going to be a run of the mill interview when the couple agreed to meet me at the Leofric Hotel! The
Leofric Hotel was the posh hotel in the Broadgate Centre. Although they had band nights in the 60's it was not the sort of place long haired hippy types would frequent. I dressed smart (for me!) in red flares and a blue Beatle Jacket I'd bought in a sale. Having limited funds I bought a coffee and waited for my guests to arrive. After some considerable wait and buying only one coffee - the waiters began to make hints John Cleese style. Just as I figured I was about to be kicked out judging by the looks, the phone rang. The head waiter's expression changed ( a bit like when Basil Fawlty realises the Food Inspectors are really there!). "Are you from a magazine sir?" "Yes". They had no idea what kind of magazine I was from and I was happy to let them imagine it was a Hoteliers mag! "Your guests are running late and they said that you could order something to eat and drink at their expense". Suddenly the waiters were falling over themselves to serve me!
I found the D'Brionnes a nice couple and acutely aware of the some of the reactions to them. They didn't have the right credentials for the 'freak' scene but hell they were promoting bands and providing places to play. Their ethos was more commercial than Hobo but I felt there was some integrity behind it.
Gail had been a singer and dancer in Cabaret and Pantomimes and the couple wanted to bring Variety into their
promotions. Their first promotion was the Zoomie Disco which provided an outlet for local bands like Mad Cat Molly, Warrior and Fission.
Some of the bands they managed.
Fission played a few times but were taken aback when the D'Brionnes asked "Do you play the Stones?" "No" said Ant of Fission "The Stones play the Stones, we play Fission!" That was an attitude that had put some bands off the commercial pop world. Indian Summer, for example, were expected to cover a Free Song rather than one of their own compositions for their first single. The idea didn't go down too well!
Q Artistes eventually settled in the Building Trades Hall near the Butts and advertised for Fire Eaters, singer songwriters, dancers etc and promoted Pantomimes. Some of their artistes were watched by Les Cocks of TV talent show New Faces. Middle of the road bands like Warrior probably favoured that but bands like Fission would not compromise their music to go on such a show.
Success came with singer songwriter (in a Gilbert O'Sullivan style) finally appeared on New Faces. (You can read the article for more details). Q Artistes groomed him for stardom, arranging for the release of his first single.
The entry in Hobo No 3 Feb 1974 was -
Q - SPICE OF VARIETY
"A showcase of talent has been among the activities of Q Artistes club.
Talent in a variety of guises emerged on the stage of the Building Trades Hall, including fire eaters, singers, songwriters, dancers etc. They were watched by Les Cocks of New Faces with a view to selecting some of the artists for the next series of the program. The results will not be known until the end of the month. Their disoc at St. Saviours Hall is no longer operational and Q are looking for new and suitable premesis for providing a variety of activities int he arts."
In Hobo No 4
SPACEMAN DAVE TAKES TO THE AIR
" Appearing on ATV'S NEW FACES, on June 29th, will be Dave F. Eastman. A Covnetry singwriter who sings his own compositions, accompanying himself on piano and guitar, on which he is self-taught. The number he will be performing on
Faces is called Spaceman Blues. Dave has been writing for over a year and has written over 150 songs in the last 18 months"
The rest of this piece was too faded to make out - this issue of Hobo was produced on a duplicator! There wer other entries on some of the bands but they will appear in the Band directories.
I have no idea who found this and put it on here. This was my Dad and my Mum amazing what you find on the net.
Posted by: Lady D'Brionne | 03/28/2012 at 08:16 PM