First meeting 'round Mike's (1977), done none. We meet again 'round mike's, Carl learns bass!

We practice 'round Mike's and dig up Suggs from the bar. Off goes Carl, off goes Kix.

Back comes Kix. Practice place found in Finchley Road. Off goes Kix again. Off goes Suggs with the arrival of the footy season. Along comes Mark who beats a bass.

His other team let him down, so we decide to give his job back to "Suggs", our almighty leader. Without anyone noticing, Woody gets himself behind the drums. Kix thinks, "mmm....interesting". Back he comes and off we go!

Inside, seven teenagers, each with their own instrument; one playing an old red drum kit; one a wood finish Telecaster guitar; myself, an old cheap electric organ of unknown origin. From another room, the sad wailing of an out of tune saxophone and the unbearably low decibels of a Fender bass. Was it reggae? was it ska? Was it music? Who could say? But, outside, a dedicated crowd had gathered, a small body of true believers. Softly and gently, they swayed to the music emanating from within. Time had stood still for this gathering of the hopeful. They had seen the possibility of what could be, and they were not the same as before. they had been there at the London North West Polytechnic, they were present at William Ellis. Some of them had even been there before, back in the good old days of the Aldenham Boys Club and The Vine.

But these were the days, in fact, good? And what exactly were they waiting for outside that closed, pulsating door at the wrong end of Finchley Road? Was this the beginning of something big, or simply the rehearsals for a ragged gang of no'opers who professed to be the makers of that nutty sound (whatever that was)? Would they stay true to their roots and remain in that small, dark, dank maze of rooms and corridors, devoting themselves entirely to the nurturing of creativity, simply working the vein of divine inspiration for their own pleasure? Or would they emerge from their hideout, fearless of the twists and turns, the intrigues and the deceits of the record industry, and blow the lid off the whole damn thing?

Would they go on to record seven long players, completely losing the thread, or would they hold it close, not allowing themselves to fall into mediocrity and division or allow anything to come between them or their noble goal? To act with complete certitude and vision, and not record a single sound! Would they succeed in all things and completely confound the critics, leaving no speck to build upon and no rug to pull from beneath their feet? Could they really keep that ball up there for all eternity and keep us all asking? What was it all about? Is this 1979 or 1992? Have they done it, or is it still to happen? Am i going to be part of it, or have i already played my part? Was it great, or was it terrible? Is this the party just beginning, or is this the end!?

My friends, one and all, this is an invitation to the great unknown. We would be glad, dare i say honoured, by your presence and participation in a caper to end all capers...!"