Deja Vu - '86 to '88

A couple of weeks ago I was reorganising my collection of CDs. A very retro thing to do these days in the age of MP3s and iPods, but I'm of a generation who still like to purchase something physical, something one can hold onto, touch and value. Found in the midst of plastic cases was a CD I burned about 10 years ago. On it were digital versions of an original cassette I owned (and actually still own) containing songs from my dim and distant past. As far as I know it is all that was left of the band that I sang with - Deja Vu. I'm finding it difficult to remember accurate dates but I think that between 1986 and 1988 Deja Vu practiced and played live mainly in the Rhondda, but also in many other venues across South Wales. As I listened to the tracks memories came flooding back - practicing in The Central, Clydach, and drinking rough cider with our mate Dino. Dark winter evenings catching the train to Tonypandy and walking up to 'The Monkey' or catching the bus from the square to the Top Club. Playing gigs at The Prince, The Pentre Hotel or exciting nights at The Pandy Con. Supporting The Peruvian Hipsters at the Four7s Club in Maesteg or Scared of the Dark in Port Talbot. A fantastic day spent at a 'festival' in Penrhiwfer drinking Pils in the sun with lots of friends all day and then playing in the evening. A couple of great nights at The Poet's Corner (PCs) in City Road, Cardiff, with a coach load of friends coming down to see us play. Much of my memories are now a blur, I seem to remember having to be pretty well drunk before walking on stage, and remembering how literally frozen with fear I could be if I was completely sober. There were so many bands around at that time, who can I remember? The Peruvian Hipsters, Scared of the Dark, The Last Promise, The Atmospheric Cherries, Shere Khan(?), my mind has gone blank, I'm sure there were so many more...

Do you remember 1987? U2's Joshua Tree was released in March of that year and Starship's Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now is at number one in the week we recorded the the first group of songs you can find below. The big movies of that year were Three Men and Baby and Fatal Attraction. I seem to remember girls with 'big hair', and boys (me!) with Bono style mullets. I can still smell (and taste) Kouros, Paco Rebanne and Poison. Friday nights in 'Pandy Library', Saturday playing rugby then onto 'Pandy Winebar' or maybe jumping on the train to Treorchy and falling into The Red Cow and Treorchy Rugby Club. 

The songs below are the results from the only recording sessions Deja Vu ever did. The first collection of songs were recorded live on a Sunday afternoon in Penygraig Rugby Club. The 24th May 1987, three days before my 18th birthday, 24 years ago. 

Gareth Morgan - Saturday 17th September 2011

Anthony Barrett - Bass

Geraint Evans - Drums

Adrian Hibbert - Keyboards

Jonathan Hibbert - Guitar

Gareth Morgan - Vocals