Rob and Gary went to the same school in Kings Lynn (as did Dave Taylor (guitar), most of the Slugs & Mik Rybak, who was in early Sea Cadets recordings and a future member of The Chances
The Exploding Hamsters were formed in 1979.
Rehearsals
Andy Lynn, Drums Gary Blatch, Vocals Dave Taylor, Guitar Rob Hicks, #Einar
Rob Rix, Bass Steve Rourke, Guitar
First Gig
Georges party,
Gaywood Church Rooms.
East Winch Village Hall !
Gaywood Church Rooms
Regis Rooms, Kings Lynn, supporting Hit Factory.
Poster design stolen from a 1977 John Cale single.
We put on a free gig in the barn of Pentney Abbey, where 7 or 8 bands played.
No facilities (haybales acted as urinals) at all but my memories of the day are all positive.
Wonderfully, a tape of that gig has surfaced, not the greatest fidelity but great memories...
The Exploding Hamsters biggest gig was at the West Runton Pavillion, near Cromer. (Norfolk's Budokan)
Susan Turner, from The Gillies, was the singer with Moscow Olympics...
Fanzine coverage
The Exploding Hamsters entry in "PunkMusicCatalogue"
The "other" Exploding Hamsters, from Cambridge. Notable for having Chris Morris (The Day Today) within their ranks at one point.
For the good of us all, the Exploding Hamsters then threw Gary out and recorded some demos in a studio, Shelter (Imagine a Norfolk Jah War) being a stalwart of the live shows since the beginning.
Believing that The Exploding Hamsters was a name that would hold them back, they changed their name to
LES AFFREUX
Click below to hear 'Been and Gone' recorded live at The Norfolk College of Arts and Technology in Kings Lynn in 1981
The Discogs entry for Play The Child
GOING DUTCH
Rob Rix was next to be booted out they then formed Going Dutch and released a single.