Sussex (2)

Vocalist, Polly Perkins and guitarist Nigel Gittoes served their apprenticeships in a local band called Ongle. On the demise of Ongle, Polly moved to Brixton in South London, joining forces with Midnight Leftovers. Meanwhile, Nigel had teamed up with drummer Ashley Wickens and bassist Richard Ichington and was playing in a group called A.R.A (Another Roadside Attraction). However, when Polly returned to Crowborough, he discovered that Nigel, Ashley, Richard (or Danny as he is sometimes called) had formed a group with Alan McLachlan who played keyboards, guitar and a host of other instruments. The band had no lead singer and no name so Polly filled the gap in the line up and their name 'Sussex', was invented in the dressing room of the Marquee Club when they debuted there in February, 1979. They recorded some demo tapes at Pathway Studios with Nick Garvey of The Motors producing and on the strength of these, the Stranglers producer, Martin Rushent signed Sussex as the first act on his new label, Genetic. They released their first single, "Treat Me Kind" B/W "What's The Point" in July. Subsequent tours were enthusiastically received by local audiences throughout the U.K but this did not reflect in sales of the record and when Radar Records (Genetics distributor) collapsed, the group were left without a recording contract! ANDY SCOTT, guitarist from SWEET had heard their material. He liked what he heard and wanted to hear more, finally taking them into Ian Gillan's Kingsway Recorders Studios where he produced their second single (the first for Phonogram) "With A Girl Like You" B/W "What Can I Say". The 'A' side was a cover version of The Troggs hit. ANDY liked what he heard even more and in early 1980 started work on an album with them. The album, "Ends And Means" is now set for release in early January 1981. It will contain mainly original material as all five members of the band write both lyrics and melodies. However, it does contain one other cover version and that's 'Connection' by The Rolling Stones. From 'On The Level' magazine. Spring 1981, Issue Seven.