West Norfolk bands werent featured much in the National Music Press - or in the London/Manchester based fanzines - in the 80's but we did have a handful of enthusiasts making sure our scene had its own publications.
Tox (Steve Harnett) had the most successful zine, Trees & Flowers, one whole issue and some snippets of other issues can be found on the Fanzine page as are examples of Bushes and Weeds (Kevin Tordoff) plus mentions of Final Straw from Norwich.
In 1984, Catman Boogie records put together a Compilation LP of South East Essex bands which was to be recorded at Indigo Blue Studios, in Boreham, nr Chelmsford, Essex.
Obviously, coming from West Norfolk, the Sea Cadets had to be involved !
If you are a member of one of the other bands included on the LP we'd love to link to your page/music.
The Sea Cadets are over 13 so do not have TikTok, Snapchat or Instagram accounts.
The Social Media page *should* display our latest posts on Twitter.
Should.
The Social Media page is here.
The Links page points to current Kings Lynn bands, songs about or mentioning Kings Lynn, general links regarding the music scene in Norfolk and, err, other stuff.
One notable new link is for Mind the Gap, an inclusive music group for people with mental and physical health issues in Norwich.
The Nuclear Socketts were a punk band from the Kings Lynn area who released a couple of singles and, recently, two compilation albums. They were a favourite of Lynn Punk royalty, Toxin (Steve Harnett)
Notable for playing a John Peel Roadshow in Lowestoft (with the Needles, who played with the Exploding Hamsters at West Runton) and winning the £20 first prize at the NORCAT Talent Contest.
Formerly The Ultimate, Stranger Still released a single on Exit Records.
Three of the members went on to form Shine, Paul Cator was also in Ivy (a Sarah Records band) in the early 90’s.
The Sea Cadets were originally formed in 1980 when the Exploding Hamsters imploded.
Demo recordings and a single gig preceded a 30 year hiatus when Gary was sent into Exile (Essex)
New recording in 2014 led to BBC 6Music plays followed by a single (Chameleon) and Album (Sail Away) which sold in almost negative numbers but proved Spotify favourites in Scandinavia and the USA.
Singles in 2016 and 2018 led to more airplay on BBC 6Music and Radio Norfolk Introducing (cool, considering we are both over 200 years old) and led to an appearance on the 2017 Emotional Response Christmas Compilation CD.
An EP is planned for Autumn 2018.
Winston were formerly known as The Smoking Beagles - during which time Phil Wilson (June Brides) was also a member.
Line up
Paul Strudwick - Guitar
Steve Rourke - Bass
Kevin Bunn - Drums
Their single, Waiting Room was released on Rural Tension records.
Steve was also a member of the Exploding Hamsters,
Kevin was usually a member of Stranger Still.
The Exploding Hamsters were formed in 1979, Members were Rob Rix, Bass - Gary Blatch, Vocals - Mark Rawlinson, Guitar - Steve Rourke (Also Winston), Guitar - Andy Lynn, Drums - Rob Hicks, Vocals.
When the Hamsters threw out Rob and Gary, they formed Going Dutch while Gary & Rob formed the Sea Cadets.
The Slugs were the best band in Kings Lynn at the time, after they changed their name to Obsession they still were.
Members:
Kevin (Bubs) Howard
Mik Ball
Mark Rawlinson
At one time their line up included Phil Wilson (June Brides) who had also been a member of Winston (during their 'Smoking Beagles' period. I recall seeing a storming gig from Phil Wilson era Obsession supporting Infa Riot in Norf Landan innit.