And The Band Played On...............................

Here is a picture of Hutch and our manager Stuart "Rocky" Ribbons goofing around before we went on stage at the North Devon disabled surfers festival held at Woolacombe in 2002. I will remember that festival not just for the music but also because we all got a chance to get some waves. The last night will also be remembered as it was not without incident. During the first act, local surf-punk band, "The Tube Nazi's", were heckled and bottled as disabled surfers showed their contempt for the lack of wheel-chair access. This set the trend for the rest of the evening as the crowd evolved into an angry mob, Hutch was unimpressed, "If one of those fuckers gets egg on my cape I will insert a crotch lengthways in their arse". Our set started with the first track off Gardens Of Telos, "Sigmus Major 778", things were going well until we we ordered to leave by members of the North Devon fire service. A member of the crowd had managed to set fire to the curtains but we all thought the smoke eminated from the dry ice machine, in the ensuing chaos, we manged to lose not only my Binson echo unit but various items of percussion including the tubular bells and 2 large gongs.

Gary "Spud" Brien - The Early Years

Before he joined us to bash the skins, Spud had been involved with music all his life. He started by playing the cymbals in the 29th West Kent Boys Brigade band in which I played bass drum, you could say we have been a rhythm section since 1978 ! Drums have remained his one true passion, he has been heavily influenced by Ian Mosely of Marillion but listen closely and you can pick up the styles of Gene Krupa, John Bonham and Warren Caan, in fact it was Spud who played the drums for the Duracell advert featuring the marching teddy bears. He has, however, found the time to master other instruments, notably the bongos and the penny whistle on which he composed the now classic "Caves of Kirkaldy", a modern interpretation of highland music noted for the fact that the melody changes with each rendition. Spud is pictured here during his time with Village People tribute act "The Six Villages People" for which he took the character of the "Gay Biker", partly because he already owned most of the clothing required.

Some Past Reviews Of "The Big Wednesday"

“If the Big Wednesday could be compared to any part of a church, they would be the stained glass windows, bathing the congregation in the divine light of progressive rock”

Rick O,Shea – Music correspondent – Abbey Wood evening advertiser


“A sadly missed and talented band, who, in these recordings, have left a rich legacy of material encapsulating the history of the band from the raw early days until their sad demise”

Percy Dovetonsils – Arts correspondent – Gash magazine


“Songs like “Do we really care?” and “I only want the power” indicate the direction their music was taking them, on a journey down the highway of rock, heading for progressive city”

Ralph Ramirez – Southern sales rep – Exchange & Mart


“Stewart Lidburys lyrics combined with Dave Whines arrangements create a progressive style mish-mash of power and rhythm which went unrivalled for many weeks”

Don Goldsworthy – Talent scout for Weirkrapp records – Stage 2 - Thamesmead


“North West Kent’s forgotten rock heroes”

Cornelius Savage – “Where are they now” section editor – Demo tape collector monthly


“Probably the best 5 piece prog-rock combo ever to play above Halfords in Dartford”

Esther Karbussian – Halfords Manager – Dartford

How Sid Left The Rose Green Bhangra Scene Behind

The unique guitar stylings of Jaan "Sid" Siddique have taken years to perfect, from his early days busking outside Targets the butchers shop to the present day where he has become one of Nyetimbers most respected musicians. Before he joined "You Are Here", he played with Rose Green bhangra act "Ali Akbars Cosmic Deception" who were once support act to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan during his tour of West Sussex in 1996. Ali Akbar takes up the story, "Before Sid joined us, we were playing standard bhangra, but he brought in the edge we needed to catapult us into the big time. On stage his mind bled through his guitar and I am sure he was the first guy to attach a distortion pedal to a sitar. As time passed it was obvious to me he was going to move into other fields which did not suit our direction, he was becoming more and more influenced by jazz and Uzbeki-flamenco music". Ali's loss was "You Are Here's" gain however as his contribution to the Nyetimber prog-rock scene still reverberates with younger guitarists copying his style.

The Public Demand To Know Our Story

It is time I, Meglos, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, arranger and singer with Nyetimbers premier prog-rock outfit "You Are Here" broke the silence about how the band came to be, our origins and how to cook the perfect spag-bol. Over subsequent posts I will reveal the history of the band, the personal stories of the band members, anecdotes and monologues concerning recording and life on the road and the identity of the man who had sexual intercourse with a sheep during my time on the falklands. I will also include a detailed account of the attack we suffered at the hands of a crowd of hoodied BMX yobs during the 2002 Yapton beer festival that changed all our lives forever. There will be tears and laughter on this journey down the highway of rock n roll so be sure to check back often. Pictured here is me during my period with top Dartford prog-rock five piece "The Big Wednesday", it was during this time I discovered the timeless qualities of the mellotron, but that is another story........................