Timeline & Gigs list
1978
Spring.
“Jam sessions” at Furzebank Community Centre, Willenhall, West Mids comprising Mick Turner-drums, Mark Read-guitar, Col Bennett-guitar, John Stainthorpe-guitar, Steve Sankey-guitar and probably some others who we can’t remember the names of!
Summer.
Various vocalists and bass players auditioned, none taken onboard.
1979
Line up : Mick-drums & vocals, Mark-guitar, Col-guitar & vocals (occasionally bass when we could borrow one!)
February.
13. Furzebank Centre (Private gig for family and friends)
14. Arthur Hampton Hall, Cannock, Staffs (as guests of The Rezisters)
March.
13. First rehearsal at The Tiger Inn, Willenhall, West Mids (and virtually every Tuesday evening hereafter for the next three years!)
22. Watering Trough, Walsall, West Mids.
27. Audition Tony Clamp on bass.
Now a four piece : Mick-drums & vocals, Mark-guitar, Col-guitar & vocals, Tony-bass & vocals
April.
13. Watering Trough.
June.
09. Arthur Hampton Hall (double bill with the Rezisters)
28. Prince Of Wales, Willenhall, West Mids.
July.
28. Watering Trough
August.
02. Prince Of Wales
17. Pelsall Community Centre, West Mids (double billing with Urban Paranoia)
September.
06. Prince Of Wales
October.
02. St. Giles Youth Centre, Willenhall, West Mids.
09. St. Giles.
16. St. Giles.
23. St Giles.
26. Pelsall Community Centre (Play 2 songs as guest of Urban Paranoia) (with their gear)
1980
February.
05. Audition Dom Roche on lead vocals.
06. Tony Clamp leaves the band. (joins Bescot Sidings)
Line up is now: Mick-drums & backing vocals (occasional lead vocal), Mark-guitar, Col-bass & backing vocals, Dom -lead vocal.
19. Winston Burrell (Local DJ and owner of Crazy Plane Records) comes to see us at rehearsal.
March.
08. Ginger Studio, Aldridge, West Mids.
Songs recorded: Crazy Today, Mr Fixit, Imagination , Jamaica Road.
May.
06. The Tiger, Willenhall, West Mids. (private gig for family and friends)
June.
13. Whittimere Youth Centre, Walsall, West Mids.
20. “Crazy Today” single released, double A side with “Mr Fixit”on Crazy Plane Records SP002.
July
For the next few months the single is played regularly by Beacon radio and BRMB radio.
Also played occasionally by Radio 1’s John Peel, Peter Powell and Mike Read.
01. West Mids College, Walsall
04. Mid Cannock Social Club, Staffs
August.
24. Moonraker, Cannock, Staffs
25. The Walsall Show (outdoor concert in the Arboretum Park).
September.
02. Crown Hotel, Leamington Spa, Warks
06. Two Brewers, Smethwick, Birmingham
19. Star Hotel, Shifnal, Salop
25. Manor Farm School, Rushall, West Mids
29. Malt & Hops, Stafford
October.
03. Dog & Trumpet, Coventry
04. Fighting Cocks, Moseley, Birmingham
05. Ginger Studio. Songs recorded: 48 hrs, Over The Wall, Two Steps, Not Enough Time, In The Queue.
10. The Vine, Oldbury, Birmingham (supported by The Standards)
13. Ginger Studio mixdown session
A 7”demo single comprising “2 steps" / "In the Q" / "48 Hours” was cut and distributed to local and national radio DJs. 2 Steps was played by John Peel.
18. HMV recordshop, New St. Birmingham. (played live in the shop for 45 mins at lunch time)
26. Rothchilds Club, Stourbridge, Worcs
30. The Cavalcade, Willenhall, West Mids
31. The Vine, Oldbury
November.
Around this time we parted company with Winston & Crazy Plane Records, subsequently talking to “Knott Management” of Birmingham regarding a contract with them.
01. Star Hotel, Shifnal
11. The Railway, Curzon St, Birmingham
17. Malt & Hops, Stafford
22. Coach and Horses, West Bromwich, West Mids
25. The Railway
December.
02. The Railway
05. Gemini Club, Wellington, Salop
11.* Newman College, Birmingham *
14. Prince Of Wales, Willenhall (benefit gig)
17. * Rowley Regis College, Birmingham *
19. Star Hotel, Shifnal
NOTE, the two marked * may be the same gig! Not sure which date if they are.
1981
January.
08. The Cavalcade, Willenhall
21. West Midlands College, Walsall
February.
01. Sign management deal with “Knott Management” of Birmingham (Don Evitts)
07. Star Hotel, Shifnal
11. McCoys Club, Stourbridge, Worcs
21. Studio 80, Southwark, London with producer Dennis Bovell. Songs recorded: Go!, Imagination, Not Enough Time.
March.
11. College of Food & Art, Bimingham (support to Bright Eyes)
21. Studio 80, London (guitar and vocal overdubs from previous session)
April.
25. Star Hotel, Shifnal
28. Dom leaves the band (forms Balaam and The Angel)
May.
05. Audition Pete Higton on lead vocals
Line up is now: Mick-drums & backing vocals (occasional lead vocal), Mark-guitar, Col-bass & backing vocals, Pete-lead vocals.
June.
03. McCoys Club, Stourbridge
12. Studio 80, London (Vocal overdubs with Pete)
July.
31. Cedar Club, Birmingham
August.
01. Star Hotel, Shifnal
21. JB’s Club, Dudley, West Mids
31. The Walsall Show (outdoor concert in the Arboretum Park).
September.
12. Burntwood Recreation Centre, Staffs (triple header with Paragon & Street Legal)
October.
02. Club Laffayette, Wolverhampton, West Mids
November.
25. Wolverhampton Polytechnic (supported by Force 8, Derek Cooper’s Band)
28. Star Hotel, Shifnal (supported by Force 8)
28. Pete leaves the band.
December.
01. Audition Steve Lake on lead vocals.
06. Mark leaves the band.
Line up is now: Mick-drums & lead vocals, Steve-guitar & lead vocals, Col-bass & backing vocals.
1982
This line up carried on rehearsing and writing until early 1983 when Col left to be replaced by Derek Cooper on bass. This line up folded soon after, when Col and Mick joined up with Paul Brindley to form Fire In Cairo.
Thanks to all who helped to make it possible especially “the road crew” Des McNamara, Dek Cooper and Ade Roche. Also thanks to Andy Gilson for P.A. hire (Spin Off Systems of Wolverhampton).
Special thanks to Winston.
Anyone who may have been at any of these gigs please feel free to add comments on our guest book.
If anyone can add any facts or thinks that something needs amending then e-mail us.
2002
2nd March
The Garage, Highbury Corner, London. FIRST GIG IN NEARLY 21 YEARS! Playing with The Zips, Knife Edge and The Negatives.
2005
10th December
Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. UXB were the opening act at the Wasted Xmas festival playing alongside punk legends 999, UK Subs and The Rezillos.
2006
10th August
'Wasted UK 2006' Festival, Blackpool Winter Gardens. UXB played an acoustic set as well as a plugged-in set. Paul Brindley deputised for Mark Read on guitars.
28th October
'Wasted Farewell Party', Morecambe Carleton. UXB played as a five piece, with Paul Brindley joining on 2nd guitar.
Look out for more UXB reunion gigs featuring the original 4 members (Mark, Mick, Col, Dom)........coming soon! If you want the band to play a gig - absolutely anywhere - then please get in touch.