A HISTORY OF BANG! BANG!
BANG! BANG! have reformed after an absents of 13 years.
After <Press Any Key>, Rob Russell formed his own band, BANG! BANG! YOU'RE DEAD. They performed all over London and the South East. Then tragedy struck and the bass player, Geoff Wildsmith, was involved in a horrific accident which meant he could no longer play. Where are you now Geoff? If anyone knows can you get in touch?
Having tried out other bass players without success, the band stopped.
Bang! Bang! You're Dead third lineup
(Richard, Rob, Geoff, Dave and Nigel)
Ten years later the band is back with a new bass player and a new CD.
To the bands amazement the old fans of ATF, PAK & BANG! BANG! YOU’RE DEAD are all still keen to support and see the band.
BANG! BANG!
(Rob, Richard, Pete and Nigel backstage at Greenbelt 2004)
The new, improoved with age, Bang! Bang! did they're first return gig at Greenbelt 2004.
It rocked.
They will be out playing more gigs soon. Check out news for up to date information.
The Line Up is:
Rob Russell Lead vocals, guitar & keyboards
Nigel James White Lead guitar, backing vocals
Richard Knight Drums
Peter Hookins Bass, backing vocals
Rob Russell
Rob started learning the piano aged 4 and got into rock and roll aged 10. He did his first gig aged 12. The first band he formed was called “The Sun” who did 1 gig and thankfully split up. Then he formed “Cripple Chicken” a rock and roll, blues band aged 14 which became the darling band of the local biker fraternity. Then Mardigras Blues a hairy blues band.
Then came “Starship” in the early 70’s which he formed with his brother John.
Then “White Plains” the touring group in the mid 70’s and back to "Starship" again.
The first recording on vinyl was a extended play which had two airings on the late great John Peel show in 1977. This band featured cousin Steve Smith on bass who was later to become a Vapor of "Turning Japanese" fame.
The Starship E.P Cover
(Steve, Rob, Mick and John)
John left "Starship" and joined "After The fire" and Rob joined “Whirlwind” in the 80’s as the piano player after seeing them in a local club where he was working as a bouncer. He met lots of famous people and played the final gigs that The Clash performed at the Roxy Theatre, Harlesden.
He left "Whirlwind" because he needed to eat and the wage cheques stopped coming. Although he enjoyed playing in Whirlwind it became time to move on.
Then he formed “Matrix Numbers”, a pop / rock band with some friends. They supported the Vapors on a couple of gigs.
Then “Rob And The Rustlers” who supported After The Fire at the Marquis Club. (John pulled some strings).
Rob at The Marquis Club
with Rob & The Rustlers
When this band split up Rob retired from music, fed up and disillusioned.
He was lured back into playing by a local pub landlord. Playing country tunes on a Sunday night. Gradually other musicians, including Richard Knight, joined him on stage and “Neddy Fender And The Delmontes” were born. He soon introduced original material into the set and went more rock.
After The Fire split and John comes home and becomes a Delmonte.
Then Rob formed a duo with John called "The Fender Brothers" playing covers and a few original songs like “Whisper On The Wind” and John’s song “The Watcher”. By this time Rob was being called Neddy and John was Johnny Fender.
The Fender Brothers (John & Rob Russell)
The Fender Brothers evolved into “Press Any Key”.
Goto Links and visit Mick Farrahs web site for PAK info.
A <Press Any Key> publicity photo
Rob left “Press Any Key” when the rock and roll went out of it and two of the members were replaced by a computer but not before they recorded an album called "Whisper On The Wind".
He formed his own band, “Bang! Bang! You’re Dead”.
The first Bang! Bang! You're Dead lineup
(Richard, Muff, Rob, Richard Taylor and Jason)
(Richard Taylor was formerly in <Press Any Key>)
Back to loud rock stuff with Dickie and later Nigel. The band stopped for reasons mentioned above but not before we recorded a four track demo in Dave Hyde's Doghouse Studio. It was released in cassette format and was called "Explosive"
The second Bang! Bang! You're Dead lineup
(Rob, Nigel, Stuart and Richard)
Rob did some session piano work playing with Barry McCloud and the Bounty Hunters at Wembly arena and around the country music clubs.
Then he formed a country trio called "Smith and Western", playing modern country. Unfortunately the country & western clubs weren't ready for them. The Clubs were still stuck in the 40's.
Then he joined up with John again in a function band called "Fatal Attraction", which had Dave Hyde and his wife Babs in it. Later John and Dave went off to persue other things which left Babs and Rob as a duo. They changed the name to "The Attraction" and are still singing together today.
Rob also sang briefly in “The Fabulous Warthogs” where he met up with Pete Hookins whom he had known personally for many years.
In 2004, Rob and Richard went to a concert at Guildford Civic Hall with local bands from the 60's. That was a Wednesday. On Friday Rob was playing golf with Richard and put to him the idea of reforming Bang! Bang!. He was keen and found out that Nigel was keen so Rob rang up Pete and he too was keen and the rest, as they say, is history.
BANG! BANG! are going for it this time just for the fun of playing and recording together and having a blast with old friends.
Bang! Bang! at Greenbelt 2004
Goto Robs Page
Richard Knight
Dickie has been playing since the age of 16 in various local blues/rock bands.
Dickie back in 1977
In the late seventies he played with Bo and the Generals who had a record deal with Island.
He also played one nighters in bands featuring Andy Latimer of Camel and Eric Clapton.
Playing the Rock Garden, London
with Bang! Bang! You're Dead
He developed a reputation as a reliable “dep” drummer which led to many gigs around the south of England with blues bands like Hot Club, Crying Out Loud and the Anthill Mob. It was this reputation which got him recommended to Neddy Fender, and in 1982 Dickie joined the Delmontes in a lineup that included Rob and John Russell. Dickie has been with Bang Bang since it’s formation in 1986, and his drumming helps give the band it’s powerful sound.Goto Dickies Page
Nigel James White
In the late eighties, Nigel played with "Strange Occupation", gathering a large following in the Surrey, South London area.
Nigel back in 1976
Nigel & Dickie at the Free Festival at Guildford Uni in 1977
Nigel (1977)
He enrolled in the Guitar Institute in 1989 to hone his already formidable skills.
In the nineties he joined "Bang! Bang! You're Dead" of course. When the band stopped he moved on to play with "The Famous Five", touring mainly around the South Coast.
He also played in the critically acclaimed production of "Grease" at the Hurtwood Theatre.
He is a talented and creative songwriter in his own right and has recorded his own songs, which can be heard at www.garageband.com
He is also a collector of fine guitars.
Goto Nigels Page
Pete Hookins
Pete has been playing bass since the age of 14 and has played in various bands in and around Guildford.
He paid his dues playing the club scene in a band called "Page 3".
Influenced by rock music in general but inspired by John Entwistle of The Who.
He played in the modern rock band "The Fabulous Warthogs" which latterly became "Sun Dog" and more recently played with a traditional rhythm& blues band "The Flying Tigers". He is of course currently playing in Bang! Bang!
Goto Petes Page
What of the future?
Who can tell what the future holds but the band are going to play lots of gigs.
They have recorded an CD called "Living Among The Dead". They plan to sell they're albums through this web site and at the gigs.
They want to keep in touch with their fans and write and record new material.
To join the ever growing mailing list send an email to:
(Nigel, Rob, Richard, and Pete)