The Pieces of Mind

In 2013, we started thinking of how we could ‘make a record’, something we had never achieved in the 60s.  A few of us in the band had started writing their own songs, so we believed we had sufficient material to complete an album of originals.

Andy had been writing stuff since the 60s and both Adrian and myself had started writing.  So, between the three of us and other members of the reunion band, we thought we should be fine.  The next things to consider were ‘where, when and the most important, how much…

As the end of 2022 is upon us in a few hours, I can't help but think of the band members and friends who have sadly left this world over the years.

May you all rest in peace. Hopefully, this list will not grow too soon.

• Dave Martin
• Dave Sargent
• Phil Edwards
• Rob Evans
• Seb Sampson
• David Peace
• Steve Leman
• Glyn Williams
• Mickey Evans
• Gary Bishop
• David Kubinec
• Dennis Bird

To be honest considering I spent 2 years in hospitals, in my childhood, I am amazed I have made it…

With the sad passing of Glyn Williams, I thought it's worth posting his contribution to 'Birth to Reunion'. 

When I first read Glyn’s recollections, a few things struck me. Firstly we seemed to run out of fuel extremely often. Whether this was because we were forever broke, spending our gig money on curries, or just down to poor planning I am not sure.

The other thing is how our memories of particular incidents differ. I recollect that it was Phil who asked directions, very un-politely, in Birmingham and…

Thursday 15th Aug 2019

Well it's been over a year since I posted here about gigging when you are band whose members live far apart from each other.  Well what has happened since 15th June 2018?

Well we have played half a dozen gigs including three in England around where I live in Northants. We have another five planned taking us up to 29th February 2020 (yes it is a leap year) only one of which is in Wales, the other four are again around where I live in Northants.. 

So did my last post dated 15th June…

How do you get gigs when you are a band that has some people living far apart from each other? 

Although predominantly from South Wales, three of our seven members live in Southern Spain, Essex and Northants. This makes calendar planning quite difficult, but the real challenge is to actually get the gigs in the first place. 

The band are relatively well known among people of our generation in South Wales, but less so in the rest of the UK. Venues in South Wales seem to be booked months and months ahead…

Just about recovered from a couple of hectic days playing a gig with Rhod Gilbert, at the Globe in Cardiff. 

Playing in part-time bands is always difficult, but when you do it in the twilight of your life, it's extremely difficult.  Back in our 60s gigging years we had amps that were just as big, if not bigger, but had no issues in humping and dumping them from vans into venues.  Yes we had one or two roadies to help but none of us found it a real burden.

Fifty plus years later and it takes two to three…

Well it's coming up to 6 months since we last played and there's been a few changes to the band lineup. 

Andy, Bob & Phil have decided to call it a day and retire from gigging with the band.  It's almost inevitable that people may want to spend what time they have left on this world, doing other things, so good luck to them.   That means there will be seven of us for any future gigs, with usually six playing at any one time. 

The band went through changes back in the 60 and carried on gigging, at least…

First gig at the Pen and Wig, Newport

Last night's gig was great at a venue new to us.  We hadn't played since the end of August and went straight into things as if we had only played a day or so ago. 

We were a couple of members short, due to Vic recovering from his heart operation and Ric decided he wanted to go and see John Mayall, down in Cornwall

We even had some ladies, the 'Piecettes' as Andy lovingly refers to them, up on stage to provide backing vocals on the Night time is the Right Time…

Mon, 3rd Oct 2016 

On Saturday, the 1st Oct, we played a memorial gig at the Ebbw Vale Catholic Hall, for Rob Evans who sadly succumbed to the big 'C' last year. 

Rob played with the Pieces for a while back at the end of the 60s and he had a part in suggesting the meet up in 2013, which led to the reunion. Rob was too ill to play with us at the reunion or subsequent gigs, but he did manage to come to some. 

The gig was almost a 50th Anniversary by itself. On Sunday 4th Dec 1966, we played Tredegar…

Mon, 25th April 2016

It's been a while since I posted something, but this morning I was thinking about the days when there were countless places for bands, or groups as we called them, to play in and around South Wales?  I'm sure those in other parts of the World who are about our ages will have similar memories

Looking back through our 60s gig diary, we were getting bookings (gigs for the young ones) on every night of the week, in numerous venues from pubs to large dance halls and they were always packed. 

Many thanks to all those people, who came to the three gigs, to support a load of people in the twilight of their lives, doing the thing they used to 50 odd years ago.

Needless to say, all our bodies and throats are suffering a bit, but it was well worth the pain to see old and new friends again. We will be doing some more, hopefully later in the year.

Thanks to Dave Peace as well for making the journey and finding the lost recordings from 1968

In the meantime, if any of you enjoyed the music remember you…

L to R  Andy, Ducksy, Adrian & Phil (RIP)