GNOME SWEET GNOME - THE STORY SO FAR...
Back in 1968, original founding members Brendan Read-Jones and Nick Ellis formed a folk band at Ealing School of Art where they were both studying graphics and integrated design. Gradually the band expanded to a five piece with the additions of John Blandford on drums, Rick Cassman on bass guitar and Richard Holder on electric guitar.
Between the years 1968 - 1972 the band plied its wares (and honed its craft) on the university and club circuits, supporting the likes of Slade, Supertramp, Roxy Music, Vinegar Joe, Brinsley Schwarz and scores of others. Apart from the music, the difference with Gnome was the theatricality: costumes, lights, staging, stunts and gags were as important as the music. The music and the band refused to be pigeoned-holed. Despite that Gnome helped spear- head the North London pub rock scene holding down a residency at the famed Tally Ho in Kentish Town. Perhaps we reached our apogee by supporting Dr John The Night Tripper at Brighton Dome, and playing with Alexis Korner and Barclay James Harvest at The Festival Of London in the moat at The Tower of London - a gig reviewed (favourably), of all places, in The New Statesman
They were eventually signed to a management production/record deal with impresario Mike Vaughan who discovered The Easybeats in Australia
Mike took the band into various London studios where they recorded tracks for what was to be their debut album ’Songs From Suburbia’. A European tour was arranged for the summer of 1972, and the band looked set to make it. Sadly, for no reason, Mike disappeared with the album masters, the tour was cancelled and the band subsequently split up.
When Nick Ellis died 3 years ago the band decided to get back together and perform a short ‘live’ set at his memorial and rehearsed and recorded the genesis of what this new album presents. Unfortunately COVID struck and the event was cancelled. Despite a massive search of the internet to locate original drummer John Blandford, we sadly learnt that he too had passed around five years ago in France. However the three surviving ‘gnomes’ decided to complete the project by recording a new album, reflecting both their past and the future.
Songs From Suburbia is released on limited edition CD and available on all digital formats from today
The album was produced and recorded by Rick Cassman
