A tape of a 1980 Exploding Hamsters gig in Pentney has turned up. One track, Burn The Norcat Down, is featured on our Exploding Hamsters Page.

A tape of a 1980 Exploding Hamsters gig in Pentney has turned up. One track, Burn The Norcat Down, is featured on our Exploding Hamsters Page.
Forty years ago, the Exploding Hamsters played a free gig at Pentney Abbey, The Sea Cadets re-recorded one of the tracks they played that night in celebration.
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.
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.