THE ACT - click here to download an mp3 of the track Two Minutes Alone
The Act: The Act were formed in 1980 by Simon Barber (bass/vocals), Mike Topp (guitar) and Nick Manley (drums). A little later they were joined by Andy Dawson on keyboards. The band released a single - 'Who let the flowers fall' in 1981 and followed this with an eight track release in 1982 featuring 'Two minutes alone' with Greg White on saxophone . The picture below shows a pre Act line up known as The Burning Garden (left to right); Andy, Mike, Simon, Dr. White and Nick.
ACT IV - click here to download an mp3 of the track Promises
During 1983 Simon left The Act to join Scarlet Downs and the band continued for a while under the name ACT IV with a succession of bass players including Miles Chant and Steve Belben. Eventually the band reduced to a three piece, being fed up with bass players and then a two piece being fed up with drummers as well !! Mike and Andy went on to form The Hiding Place in 1985. ACT IV recorded several songs during thier brief period of turmoil inlcuding; Into Midnight, War Graves, Comedy of Errrors and Promises.
JUST A SHADOW - Click here to download an mp3 track of Only The Trees
Just A Shadow came together in the late 1980's with Ian & Jerry (Morrisons), Andy & Bridgit (Joystreet), and Phil Hardwick (Nightmare) joining forces in seeking to progress a new musical project. The band gradually grew into an 8 piece when drummer Steve joined, together with two vocalists Elaine (Stone Reaction) and Marion. Just a Shadow was essentially a gigging band and played numerous shows. A few early tracks were recorded as demos, but partly due to the fact that numerous band members were involved in other projects, only one or two live outings as an 8 piece was ever captured to tape. Somewhat inevitably with 8 people, personal directions took the various personnel elsewhere and indeed latter families started to appear!
