Special Patrol Group

Chris Osborn - Vocals

Ron Judd - Drums

John Buckingham - Keyboards and Vocals

David Wray - Guitar

Allan Howard - Bass

Pete Ward - Sax and Vocals

The band Special Patrol Group (SPG) were formed in 1979 and came from Ashford in Kent.

They were named after a couple of events around this time: The murder of Blair Peach at an anti National Front demonstration in Southall, west London. He was hit over the head by an officer of the Special Patrol Group Police Force (all of which has recently been proved - we had to wait a long time tho - April 2010). But also there is a nicer link, to the "The Young Ones" comedy series and Vyvyan's pet hamster who was called SPG.

SPG released a single under their own record label Suspect Records on 26th January 1980 titled Dracula with
Christopher Columbus on "that side". These two songs were written by David Wray.

Dracula - 3:30

Christopher Columbus - 3:38

These two tracks are taken from a tape recording that I had from the desk. I have the vinyl single and at some point I will get it converted to digital, I don't currently have a record player.

According to rumours two band members went back to the recording studio and remixed these songs so the tape recording version here and the single version have different mixes.

SPG Single

The following SPG set was recorded live at the Pulman Wine Bar in Folkestone, Kent on the 3rd of August 1980, all songs were written by David Wray apart from "Careless Day" by John Buckingham and "Searching For An Answer" by Allan Howard.

Pickin' Up The Rhythms - 3:29

Steppin' Up - 2:23

Clark Gable - 2:44

Smart Arsed Brat - 4:45

BBC Man - 2:47

Careless Day - 3:56

You Must Be Kidding! - 2:50

Victim Of The Press - 2:14

Jet Airliner - 5:40

Organized Religion (part) - 6:33

Mirror Palace - 3:34

Alice - 2:47