{"id":11268,"date":"2021-08-31T16:01:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-31T16:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/?p=11268"},"modified":"2024-02-17T12:01:22","modified_gmt":"2024-02-17T12:01:22","slug":"coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/?p=11268","title":{"rendered":"COAST"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"This
Biff Byford – Bass and Vocals, Paul Quinn – Guitar, Alan Dodd – Drums (Dec 1974)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Line-up<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

November 1973 – December 1973<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biff Byford (Vocals, Bass)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Morris (Guitar), <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alan Dodd (Drums), <\/p>\n\n\n\n

unknown other band member<\/p>\n\n\n\n

December 1973 – July 1974<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biff Byford (Vocals, Bass)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Morris (Guitar)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul Quinn (Guitar)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alan Dodd (Drums)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

July 1974 – June 1975 (it became a 3 piece band)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biff Byford (Vocals, Bass)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul Quinn (Guitar)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alan Dodd (Drums)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(June 75 \u2013 November 75 <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biff Byford (Vocals, Bass)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul Quinn (Guitar)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter Billingsley (Drums)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was even temporary a keyboard player in COAST, named Joe<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Peter Billingsley<\/span> (Drums), source Peter Bellingsley with kind permission<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Historical facts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Broadcast Barnsley (Credit John Cruse with kind permission)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around October 1973, Biff left the Wikinson Band and started COAST late 1973, and they probably played their first concert at November 22 (1973) at the Changes in Barnsley.<\/em> COAST started as a 4 piece band (late 73 \u2013 July 74): Biff Byford (Vocals, Bass), Chris Morris (Guitar), Alan Dodd (Drums), and an unknown other band member. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biff spotted ‘Pagan Chorus’ on the bill at Barnsley\u2019s Club Baba<\/em>\u2013 possibly  in December 1973 when they appeared twice at the venue. Baba was the prime venue in the town- and very stylish too: it allowed girls in for free, advertising then for men who \u201cwanted to look at the biggest and best choice of birds in Barnsley.  Every week we have approximately 200 by 9pm.\u201d  The right choice for the local lads was clear- arrive early to avoid the risk of picking up a \u201cblurred bird\u201d probably inebriated by one of their many spirits promotions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here Byford had met guitarist Paul Quinn after the latter\u2019s band, Pagan Chorus,<\/em> had played Club Baba<\/em> in Barnsley in December 73 (the town\u2019s premier night spot). Chorus<\/em> billed themselves as \u2018cabaret style pop\u2019 (whatever that genre entailed) and having heard them Byford suggested to Quinn that they could both do better. He joined COAST.<\/em> Coast then was Biff Byford (Vocals, Bass), Chris Morris (Guitar), Paul Quinn (Guitar), and Alan Dodd (Drums). They had a later version with different drummer plus keyboards (Paul: but forgot who they were)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"This
BaBa club Barnsley<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coast <\/em>were ambitious and they had a keen eye for self-publicity.  On January 30th 1974 the pub venue Changes <\/em>in Barnsley announced the \u201creturn of the sensational Coast<\/em>.\u201d  The band appeared again \u201cby popular demand\u201d within a week and played there eight times during that year.  They also found slots supporting Cockney Rebel<\/em> and Be Bop Deluxe<\/em> at the town\u2019s Civic Hall in June, at an outdoor festival in Sheffield\u2019s Parson\u2019s Cross Park and supporting Be Bop Deluxe<\/em> again at the Civic in December.  Coast<\/em> played several solo gigs around the town as well.  Their live appearances always got good reviews.  For example at the Cockney Rebel <\/em>gig the band were complimented on their vocals- \u201cunusually high quality, smooth and refined, not gritty and tinny.\u201d  They made a \u201ctriumphant return\u201d in front of a \u201cjubilant crowd\u201d at the Barnsley\u2019s Centenary Rooms in September, assailing the audience with \u201ca mind blowing barrage of light and sound.\u201d (NB The support at this gig was from Trace, <\/em>whose rhythm guitarist was Tony Whitaker.  His younger brother was to play guitar in Nightmare and Trace\u2019s first gig at Broadway School\u2019s main hall is recalled in my novel Freak or smoothy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The future looked promising for Coast<\/em> during 1974.  They won the semi-final of the Tetley brewery Sound of the North contest in March and proceeded to the final hopeful of the prize of \u00a3600 of equipment and the chance of a recording contract.  As it turned out, they came fourth at the final, although Morris won \u00a350 in recognition of his guitar skills.  The competition had been good publicity, though, and another feature appeared in the local paper in which the band announced that they were seeking a manager to handle their bookings.  They were touring colleges and universities nationally, as well as their \u2018resident band\u2019 status at Changes, <\/em>and  they had a tour of Holland lined up; they needed someone to handle all the admin work.  Despite this plea for help, it\u2019s obvious that someone in Coast <\/em>had very good contacts with a local journalist and knew what could make an interesting story which would get coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there was a set back. Guitarist Morris and Alan Dodd left the band in July 74 and a replacement had to be recruited. Later (July 74 \u2013 Nov 75), it became a 3 piece band: Biff Byford (Vocals, Bass), Paul Quinn (Guitar), Peter Billingsley (Drums). There was even temporary a keyboard player in COAST.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In February 1975 the Barnsley Chronicle<\/em> reported that Coast<\/em> had been recording a new cassette of songs at Holy Ground studio in Wakefield (this was owned by Bill Nelson [it is actually owned by Mike Levon and Dave Wood] of Be Bop Deluxe<\/em> and the band had plainly built upon the friendship forged when they had supported them in Barnsley). To promote this they were issuing badges, t-shirts and posters bearing the logo \u2018Bap shoo ap\u2019, the title of one of their most popular songs. Things did not work out as hoped, however.  By April the newspaper was announcing that a new band called Blenheim <\/em>had been formed, featuring a former Coast<\/em> member and three ex-members of Trace.  <\/em>The result was that Biff and Paul had to spend the next few months auditioning new members.  However by early August they announced the new line up and its first gig at the Victoria Hotel, Cudworth (a former Coast <\/em>venue).  They promised new songs and revamped oldies.  A further gig at the Centenary Rooms took place on October 3rd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Biff Byford with COAST<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Source Peter Billingsley<\/span> (drummer):<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I joined along with the keyboard player Joe can\u2019t remember his surname! This was mid1975 we played the Black Swan pub<\/strong> maybe around June or July and a couple more ! I think at the time John Verity ex Argent was coming to see us rehearse as he was looking to take a support band to America but it didn\u2019t happen while I was there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I played with Coast round about 1975 Biff was on bass as well as lead vocals at that time we also had a guy called Joe on keyboards ! We were sort of into prog rock at that time , one of my best memories is when we played the Black Swan<\/strong> in Sheffield <\/strong>which was an amazing prestigious venue to play! Joe cocker played there often even when he had made it big also many other big names so it took some persuading to get us on , I managed to get us on a Sunday the best night of the week! Terry steeples the main guy there said it was a gamble but we smashed it we were brilliant! I was with Coast for about 5 months but had to give up for a time as due personaI circumstances! Obviously sort of regret that as we know what happened later! Really glad they made it big!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We first were rehearsing in a pub in Rotherham <\/strong>‘Pokey little room’! And we then rehearsed in a hall in Barnsley <\/strong>somewhere near worsborough <\/strong>Sunday afternoons. These were the times we couldn’t afford fuel OR rehearsing (Paul Quinn reacted)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Known Coast songs<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One stoned gig (a comedy song with the other drummer singing)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alone as ever<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His Majesty’s Pleasure<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We Are Glad You’re Here<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lift up your eyes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There exists a live recording: the Victoria Hotel bootleg and a demo cassette. In February 1975 the Barnsley Chronicle<\/em> reported that Coast<\/em> had been recording a new cassette of songs at Holy Ground studio in Wakefield (this was owned by Bill Nelson [it is actually owned by Mike Levon and Dave Wood]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the songs I remember we did was called ‘Holy grail’. It was a really good number I recall with lots of difficulty time changes. It started with gong\u2019s that we recorded and Childers voices in the middle (Source Pete Billingsley). It was a song from the early COAST era (source Paul Quinn).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady was a simple 3 chord ballad by Coast, (A,G & D major) (Souce Paul Quinn)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

KNOWN AND VERIFIED CONCERTS COAST<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledgement: John Kruse (Barnsley Broadcast) verified these Coast dates with an extensive research based on copies of original newspapers in the British Library<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1973, November 22: Changes, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venue<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1973, December 19: Changes, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Jan 30: Changes, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venue<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Source: John Kruse with kind permission<\/strong>
[Changes, in Barnsley), was a pub at the bottom of Sheffield Road as it came into the town centre and turned into the shopping street called Cheapside. The whole area no longer exists now as they built a large shopping centre and a roundabout on top of it. The above picture dated to about 1980 which shows the pub on the extreme left hand side. It may have traded under a more English pub type name, and just used \u2018Changes\u2019 as a name for the venue aspect]<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Barnsley nowedays 2020, with large shopping centre and a roundabout on top of it.<\/span><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Feb 6: Changes, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Feb 21: Changes, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, May 15: Changes, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Jun 17: Civic Hall, Barnsley, England UK (supporting Cockney Rebel)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venue<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Source: https:\/\/www.aroundtownmagazine.co.uk\/history-theatres-barnsley\/
While the Civic didn\u2019t open as a theatre until the 60s, the original building opened in 1878 as Barnsley\u2019s Mechanics Institute and Public Hall. Built by Charles Harvey, the hall was renamed the Harvey Institute in 1890, housing the town\u2019s library, arts and entertainment. Run by the council, the institute was also home to Barnsley School of Art and Technical College. Moving pictures started to be shown in the early 1900s. In 1908, during a penny performance for children, a stampede on the staircase resulted in the death of 16 children under ten, another 40 seriously injured. The college moved out of the hall in 1932, with a restaurant and museum opening during the 40s. After major restorations, the Civic Theatre opened in 1962, offering a variety of performances from pop shows and opera to snooker and wrestling. In 1998, the theatre closed due to maintenance costs, remaining shut for a decade. As part of the Rethinking Barnsley development initiative, the Civic reopened in 2009 as a mixed usage venue including offices, a gallery and a 384-seater performance space.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Jul 12: Parson\u2019d Cross Park, Sheffield, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venue<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Jul 17: Changes, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Jul 24: Changes, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Aug 24: The Brecknock, London UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Venue<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Brecknock (Coast gig date 1974 Aug 24). Now Known as The Unicorn<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Sep 20: Centenary Rooms, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Sep 25: Changes, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Oct 2: Changes, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Oct 11: Centenary Rooms, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Oct 25: The Victoria, Cudworth, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venue<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Okt 30: Halifax Civic Hall (supporting Barclay James Harvest)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1974, Dec 1: Civic Hall, Barnsley, England UK (supported Be Bop)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Geen<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1975, Aug 8: The Victoria Hotel, Cudworth, England UK (back in action with the new line up)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venue<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"This<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1975, Sep 26: Centenary Rooms, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coast 1975, Oct 3: Centenary Rooms, Barnsley, England UK<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Line-up November 1973 – December 1973 Biff Byford (Vocals, Bass) Chris Morris (Guitar), Alan Dodd (Drums), unknown other band member December 1973 – July 1974…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11273,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11268"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11268\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15121,"href":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11268\/revisions\/15121"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saxonforeverdiscography.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}