Legends of Corby Rock - 'Nidge' Hart and Bumper at the Roundhouse 1976.

(Taken from 'No Occupation Road') Corby rock band Hard Road changed their name to Bumper when drummer Ned McGuigan decided to retire. The recruitment of Thrapston's Nigel 'Nidge' Hart preceded their success of winning through to the finals of the National Folk/Rock contest held at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, North London in July. Twenty eight area heats were held throughout the country for the contest which was presented by the association of Musical Instrument Industries and sponsored by the Melody Maker and EMI Records Hart began his career with an Oundle based combo called The 49th Parallel. Nidge; "Playing drums was all I was interested in. I was lazy at school, not really interested in any subjects. Subsequently when I left it was with no qualifications and no idea where I was heading. If somebody had told me then that one day I would play and count among my friends, Procol Harum guitarist Mick Grabham, Dick Parry, Pink Floyd's sax player on the Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here albums, and Foreigner keyboard player Rick Wills, I would have laughed at them!" 49th Parallel failed to accrue any measure of success, as illustrated by the accompanying aside to the photograph of their debut in Nidge's scrapbook; 'This is the one and only gig 49th Parallel did, and we didn't get paid for it!' A change of name and musical direction was needed; maybe the inspiration behind The State Of Mind and playing harder edged Cream and Jimi Hendrix material. Nidge was now playing a twin bass drum kit, a rare commodity on the local scene, and rapidly building a reputation as a rock drummer. The band's preferred heavy rock style saw them change their name yet again, to a more suitable Brain Damage and striving to reach a wider audience, they moved en bloc to Liverpool where they lived in 'digs' in the district of Aigburth, south of the city. Signed to Playlord Enterprises Agency in Manchester 'playing really heavy rock in Black Sabbath style' they played venues such as Liverpool's famous Cavern Club, capturing an enthusiastic audience and fan base. It was an exciting time for Nidge and his pals in the rarified atmosphere of the world famous basement where the Beatles and other 60s rock stars learned their trade. In truth the Cavern in 1974 wasn't actually the genuine article, the original club having been closed down in 1973 after failing to keep up with health and safety regulations but it was a small and sweaty cellar, and still in Mathew Street, the entrance just 15 yards further up the road. Nidge; "Back in Corby I was approached by Mick Haselip, bass player with Bumper to ask if I was interested in having an audition at the Raven Hall to replace Ned McGuigan. I decided beforehand though to catch Bumper at the Central Hall in Kettering; "that sealed it for me, I thought they were fantastic. Bumper also had a tremendous following and was clearly heading in the right direction." Attired in matching 'Godfather' gear, "the Prohibition era dress also seems to pull in the fans" said singer Stuart Irving, Bumper were given plenty of support in their quest to win £2000 worth of equipment and recording time. Their brand of aggressive rock music built them up a good following in Corby, as indicated by the coach loads of supporters who travelled to London to see Stuart 24, Jimmy Irving 23, Mick Haselip 25, Bob Grimley 25 and Nigel Hart 21 do battle. Stuart; "We always try to play to our audience; We go out there and grab them by the neck. That's the way they want it so that's the way we play to them." Bob Grimley; "We were a bit concerned at first, all the other bands were greeted with loud cheers and shouting from their followers when they took the stage. When it was our turn it was a more a mooted silence. We couldn't understand it. Then all of a sudden a crescendo of noise resonated around the arena when the hordes of Corby fans made the grandest of entrances! Turns out the coaches had been late getting away from Corby Rugby Club where Colin Porter, Joel Jacklin and co. had been organising the trip. They were well oiled by the time they arrived at the Roundhouse - and didn't the rest of the crowd know it!" Judged by a panel which included eminent DJ, 'Whispering' Bob Harris and Jimi Hendrix bass player Noel Redding, Bumper played two of their own numbers as well as their arrangement of Paul McCartney's Norwegian Wood/Rock Show. They came a respectable third to collect a prize of £150 plus a voucher for musical equipment behind second place The Please Y'Self Skiffle Band from Matlock and the winners Stallion, who, said the Melody Maker wit, 'galloped through'! Afterwards Bob Grimley was magnanimous; "It was great day and the group was very happy with what we got. We would like to thank everyone who followed us throughout the competition." Bob's brother John was also in attendance; "The Roundhouse, yes, that does bring back memories. We all left the Nags, I think it was a Sunday afternoon, in a coach to travel down there. Franny Lagan was on the bus as well. Stinking hot day so the beer (cans) for the journey were not quite as they should have been. We all had a great time in the Roundhouse even though Bumper failed to win the day." Nidge; "Gavin Dare of Rebel Records, who operated from studios owned by Monty Python star Michael Palin signed us up for a record deal after watching us rehearse. We were taken out to a flash restaurant in Covent Garden for lunch to celebrate. Felt like the big time had arrived! With hindsight we maybe should have hung on a little longer. After the Roundhouse gig, Bob Harris came back stage and whispered in that inimitable style of his, that he'd like to record us. Bob was presenter of TV's biggest rock programme Old Grey Whistle Test and it's fair to say we could have been down for an appearance which would have been a real thrill and opportunity. Unfortunately we had to tell him we were tied up with Rebel." Under the eyes of engineer Andre Jackeman, who was the composer of Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life, Bumper cut enough demos, all compositions written by the Irving brothers, to record an album which would also include a single, Ballerina. Gavin Dare was supremely confident in the band's chances; "Bumpers agreement with Rebel Records will last three years if both parties are happy after an initial six month period. They play the kind of music that will sell records all over the world. Over the last six months we have seen around 300 bands and none of them are up to the same standard as Bumper. We are just sure they are going to make it. They are all talented individuals who can get together and make the most incredible sound. With our contacts overseas we can almost guarantee releases all over the world." Announcing that he is planning to take the band to the international MIDEN festival in Cannes, France in 1977, Dare added, "I can see Bumper emerging in the same image as 10cc and Queen."