The Klubs

Pictures

History

Originated from Birkenhead in 1965. The Klubs played many gigs in the capital alongside acts such as The Eyes, Fleur De Lys and other ntable underground acts from London. They were initially signed to Cavern Enterprises and soon trimmed down to a five piece losing Alan Walker (harmonica). A founder member and the band’s drummer, Kenny Marshall, died suddenly in a boating accident and was swiftly replaced by Pete Sinclair-Tidy. With the burgeoning psychedelic movement about to evolve, the band became a familiar sight in London and locally in Liverpool. They wore dresses and make-up, wore their hair long and their gigs were assisted by a lightshow.
In March, 1967, they cut a single-sided demo for a short-lived Merseyside label called Chart records. This featured the song Livin’ Today which was backed by a horn section employed by the Liverpool Philharmonic. The band were then invited to appear on First Timers, a talent programme broadcast in the north of England by Granada Television. Unfortunately, the tapes no longer exist and only a home recorded, acoustic version of their song Only John Tringsurvives. This recording was made in Paddy Breen’s bedroom. In July, 1967, The Klubs were invited down to London to record with staff producer, David Paramor. Although Paramor took an instant dislike to the band, the session produced versions of Cream’s NSU, Desdemona(John’s Children feat. Marc Bolan) and a more polished version of Livin’ Today (previously recorded for Chart records in Liverpool. Unfortunately, these tapes have long since been lost by EMI.
Producer Vic Smith seemed to take more of an interest in the band after auditioning the band at a club and produced their next recording session in West Hampstead at Decca studios in 1968. The band were signed to a five year management contract with Don Arden (Small Faces, etc..) and his Aquarius company. A version of The Beatles’ Drive My Car was recorded alongside Fire (Jimi Hendrix), Midnight Love Cycle and Ever Needed Someone. (Ever Needed Someone would make up the B-side of their only single for CAM records). Unfortunately for The Klubs, Don Arden demanded that the band change their name to Revolution. The band refused vehemently with Arden ripping up their contract and telling the band that the recordings would never see the light of day in his lifetime.
The band returned to Liverpool to play at the Kaleidoscope ’68 festival alongside acts such as The Pink Floyd and The Move. At the same time, a local entrepreneur called Jim McCulloch wanted to start his own record label and invited the band to record for a prospective release. The session took place in the summer of 1968. The band recorded Ever Needed Someone (a revised version of the Decca demo), I Found The Sun, Can’t Ebeneezer See My Mind, Indian Dreams, Oh Baby. The Klubs’ only single was launched by Cam records in December, 1968 with I Found The Sun b/w Ever Needed Someone.
The Klubs’ live shows were becoming notorious and dangerous and according to bass player, Norris Easterbrook, two kids from New York were soaking up the atmosphere of watching The Klubs dressed in make-up and dresses and made their way backstage. A few years later, the same kids had formed their own band, the New York Dolls.
Sadly, the band never fully recovered from the London setbacks and the dire sales of their only single so the group trimmed down to a three-piece. John Reid, Paddy Breen and Pete Sinclair-Tidy recorded two songs for DJM in 1969. A revamped Can’t Ebeneezer See My Mindand The Stripper were recorded, but again, remained unreleased. The band later re-named themselves as The Klubbs before re-emerging as Wardog. John Reid later moved away to form Strife who recorded two LP’s in the mid-1970s.

For further information: http://www.theklubs.com/

Location

Birkenhead, Merseyside.

Members

Paddy Breen (vocals), Trevor Griffiths (lead guitar), John Reid (rhythm/lead gtr), Norris 'Noz' Easterbrook (bass guitar), Peter Sinclair-Tidy (drums), Kenny Marshall (drums).

Date

1967-1969.

Copyright Notices

The following text was kindly submitted by Norris Easterbrook, adapted by Greg Smith.

All recorded and photographic material kindly supplied by Norris Easterbrook. 2012.

All recorded and photographic material copyright N. Easterbrook/Midnight Music. 2012.

All songs composed by The Klubs except Fire (J. Hendrix).

Special thanks to: Norris Easterbrook, David Wells, Barry Cohen.