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The Red Guitars' Family Tree
Rock Family Tree

Jerry and the Schweinhunds

The Hitmen

The Arctic Rangers

The Hogs

The Rialtos Blues Band

The Rialtos Blues Band with the Bluesettes

Carnage In Poland

The Czechs #1

The Mayfield Street demo's

The Czechs #2

The Red Guitars

Jane's Plane

The Fabulous Ducks

Flat City Swingers

H. Willis Band

Bull Moose and the Hatracks

Red Stripe

The Hapless Hoboes

Desmond and the Decorators #1

Desmond and the Decorators #2

Jerry and the Schweinhunds (January 1979)
One gig at the Bull on Beverley Road. Steve Marshall never rehearsed but showed up for the gig.
Phil Abrahamson Bruce Woodcock Jeremy Kidd Sean O'Brien John Rowley Steve Marshall
(Rhythm Guitar) (Lead Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar) (Keyboards)
The Hitmen (January - June 1979)
One gig at Hull University Research Students Association (RSA), a second was lined-up for the Welly Club but cancelled at the last minute. Again Steve Marshall only turned up for the gigs. Recorded five songs at Revolvo Studios in Mayfield Street, the resulting cassette contained the first version of "Paris France". Steve Marshall subsequently joined Johnny Solo and the Snapshots.
Phil Abrahamson Bruce Woodcock Jeremy Kidd Sean O'Brien John Rowley Steve Marshall
(Rhythm Guitar) (Lead Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar) (Keyboards)
The Arctic Rangers (Autumn 1979)
John Rowley played bass until he went to the United States. He was replaced by Chris "Bo" Roberts. One gig at the Spring Bank Community Centre featured Hal Lewis and Roland Gift on saxes. Bruce Woodcock, having just returned from Jamaica, guested on Jeremy Kidd's "Jamaican Homecoming" for the song's first public performance at the Bull in January 1980.
Stuart Ross Dave Whatt Jeremy Kidd Sean O'Brien John Rowley/
"Bo" Roberts
Gill Spencer Debbie Joy
(Rhythm Guitar) (Lead Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar) (Backing Vocals) (Backing Vocals)
The Hogs
A short-lived R'n'B group which included John Rowley, now back from the U.S. This group probably inspired Arthur Smee and Dave Whatt to form the Rialtos Blues Band.
Stuart Ross John Rowley Sean O'Brien Phil Abrahamson
(Rhythm Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar)
The Rialtos Blues Band (Autumn 1980)
Formed in late 1980 by Dave Whatt and Arthur Smee. Initially featured Robin Deacon on bass guitar. John Simpson auditioned as lead singer but John Rowley got the nod. Approximately two weeks before their first gig Stuart Ross replaced Deacon. Three or four bookings followed.
Steve Bennett Dave Whatt John Rowley Arthur Smee Stuart Ross
(Rhythm Guitar) (Lead Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar)
The Rialtos Blues Band with the Bluesettes (Winter 1980 - Summer 1981)
With the addition of the Bluesettes and Steve Pears the Rialtos gigged in this form until John Rowley went to Peru in May 1981. They played Hull Truck's New Year's Party at the High Street (31/12/80), Groucho's (4/1/81 & 16/1/81), the Welly Club (21/2/81), the Goodfellowship (7/4/81) and subsequent 'dates'. They were recorded live at Groucho's by Ken Giles (20/4/81) and the official 'last gig' was at the Welly (20/5/81). They reformed twice, however, both times for Community Action Xmas parties at the Welly (3/12/81 & again in December 1982).
Steve Bennett Dave Whatt John Rowley Arthur Smee Stuart Ross Steve Pears Maureen Grimble Gill Spencer Cath Kent
(Rhythm Guitar) (Lead Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar) (Sax) (Backing Vocals) (Backing Vocals) (Backing Vocals)
Carnage In Poland (Summer 1981)
An embryonic version of the Czechs.
Hallam Lewis Jeremy Kidd Sean O'Brien Ian Halstead
(Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar)
The Czechs #1 (Autumn 1981 - Spring 1982)
Matt Higgins from the Mess (Leeds) replaced Sean O'Brien in October 1981 and Lou Howard (also known as Lou Barlow) joined when Mark Douglas left to form Bushfire (22/12/81). The band recorded at East Hull's Adda Studios and the cassette again featured a version of "Paris France" as well as "Jamaican Homecoming", "Trouble" and "No Monkey". Sean O'Brien returned to play timbales at a gig at Everthorpe Borstal at Xmas 1981. This was his last appearance with the band and Lou's first. With Matt injuring a hand, depping drummers were Arthur Smee at the Welly Club on New Year's Eve 1981/82 and Paul Dowding at the Bali Hai in January 1982.
Hallam Lewis Jeremy Kidd Sean O'Brien/Matt Higgins Mark Douglas/Lou Howard
(Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar)
The Mayfield Street demo's (November 1981)
This line-up had no name and never gigged. It was put together for a recording session which took place not long after John Rowley returned from Peru in November 1981 and produced the first recording of Stuart Ross's "Good Technology".
Stuart Ross Hallam Lewis Jeremy Kidd Arthur Smee Mark Douglas John Rowley
(Rhythm Guitar) (Lead Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar) (Backing Vocals)
The Czechs #2 (Spring - Autumn 1982)
John Rowley joined on rhythm guitar.
John Rowley Hallam Lewis Jeremy Kidd Matt Higgins Lou Howard
(Rhythm Guitar) (Lead Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar)
The Red Guitars (October 1982 - December 1984)
The name was changed because there was another band called the Czechs. "Good Technology" was recorded at Fairview Studios, Willerby, between the 18th and 28th of April 1983, re-mixed on the 8th of May and released as a 7" single with "Heartbeat Go! (Love Dub)" on the b-side by Self Drive Records, the band's own label, on the 24th of June that year. It's catalogue number - SD006 - was determined by the fact that six was Jeremy Kidd's lucky number. Next to be released was "Fact/Dive (Live)" - SD007 - another 7" single recorded between 24/8/83 and 1/9/83 and released in November '83. "Good Tech'" was re-mixed and re-released in both 7" and 12" formats in April 1984. "Steeltown/Within 4 Walls" came out in April 1984 and "Marimba Jive", the original line-up's last single, was released on September 21st 1984.
John Rowley Hallam Lewis Jeremy Kidd Matt Higgins Lou Howard
(Rhythm Guitar) (Lead Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar)
Jane's Plane
Continued for about a year in parallel with the Czech's.
Jane Lawrence Nicola Griffiths Jane Hicks Lou Howard Carole Taylor
(Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar) (Wood Block)
The Fabulous Ducks   (late 1982 - present)
Originally the Five Fabulous Ducks, although there were always at least six of them, they were formed to "have a good time and make money" and are still doing the former if not the latter to this day. Early doors they appeared as the Mysteron Brothers at a benefit for the Workers' Revolutionary Party at the Spring Bank Community Centre after John Rowley was apprehended while fly-posting. The band's club career died with an aborted gig at the Dixon's Arms. Hugh Whittaker, ex-Housemartin and the only man known to have performed in his own tribute band took over from Matt Higgins around the turn of the Millenium.
Jerry Allen Hallam Lewis John Rowley Matt Higgins/
Hugh Whittaker
Graham Phillips Keith "Gatemouth" Miller John Senior
(Rhythm Guitar) (Lead Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar) (Harmonica) (Keyboards)
Flat City Swingers (October 1979)
A one-off band which played at a revue concert in the Middleton Hall at Hull University. Tom Cotton subsequently joined Bridlington's Truth Hurts. Johnny Solo and Chris Brown formed Johnny Solo and the Snapshots.
Chris Brown Hallam Lewis Johnny Solo Steve Underdown Tom Cotton
(Guitar) (Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (piano/
Backing Vocals)
H. Willis Band (Autumn 1979 - Summer 1980)
A Hull University band.
Rick Taylor Hallam Lewis Tony Wells Neil Rowntree Anthony McTiffin
(Rhythm Guitar) (Lead Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar)
Bull Moose and the Hatracks (Summer 1980)
A practice band which never gigged; it was a sort of half-way house its members passed through before moving on. Jeremy and Hal formed Carnage in Poland, Bruce formed Red Stripe, Wendy joined Big Trouble, Gill became a Bluesette and Graham ended up playing bass in the Fabulous Ducks.
Bruce Woodcock Hallam Lewis Graham Phillips Gill Spencer Lesley Garry Arthur Smee Jeremy Kidd Wendy Crosland
(Guitar) (Guitar) (Guitar) (Vocals) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar) (Keyboards)
Red Stripe (Autumn 1980 - Spring 1981)
Formed as Snowarfare but Red Stripe better reflected their reggae-flavoured sound. Matt Higgins only played one gig at Tiffany's, which was videotaped. Hal Lewis played sax at three gigs.
Bruce Woodcock Jerry Allen Siv Jansen Paul Dowding Mark Douglas Hallam Lewis Matt Higgins
(Guitar) (Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar) (Sax) (Head Tambourine)
The Hapless Hoboes (August 1982)
The Hapless Hoboes were formed as a one-off to play at a party on August Bank Holiday 1982. Nick Evans was drafted in from Big Trouble/Certs.
Bruce Woodcock Jerry Allen Matt Higgins Paul Dowding Nick Evans
(Guitar) (Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar)
Desmond and the Decorators #1 (Autumn 1982 - Spring 1983)
Nick Evans was replaced by Steve Morantz and the renamed Hapless Hoboes played a number of gigs, including supporting the Rialtos at the Welly Club on December 18th 1982.
Bruce Woodcock Jerry Allen Matt Higgins Paul Dowding Steve Morantz
(Guitar) (Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar)
Desmond and the Decorators #2 (Spring - Autumn 1983)
Les Brown was recruited from School of Architecture band Shaky Table and the Loose Legs to replace Paul Dowding on drums in April 1983. Matt Higgins was simultaneously in the Decorators, Czechs/Red Guitars and the Fabulous Ducks. Les Brown became the Red Guitars tour manager. Steve Morantz subsequently joined Burgess and McLean.
Bruce Woodcock Jerry Allen Matt Higgins Les Brown Steve Morantz
(Guitar) (Guitar) (Vocals) (Drums) (Bass Guitar)