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The Official Website of Strange Fashion

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by Perry Ridley

The band started in 1977 with a common interest to create an individual sound for our own compositions. The four original members were Lee Bates (Vocals), Andy Edmondson (Guitar), Mike Gill (Keyboards) and Phil Sargent (Drums). Every member participated in the compositions. The influences varied from Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Genesis through to Classical, the latter due mainly to keyboard player Mike's training. The result was as adventurous collision of Pop, Rock, and Classical styles - the material ranging from manic Rock songs to overtly Genesis style epics. The public unveiling came with their first gig on May 19th 1979 at Nuxley Hall in Belvedere, Kent. The show was a success and was followed by regular gigs at theatres and colleges, including June 1980 at Keele University.

Drummer Phil Sargent left soon after as he was a Rock 'n Roller at heart and wanted to something with more of a good time feel. The band rebuilt, and relaunched as The Maek. By this time The Maek were full time and signed to an agency, performing regularly in Colleges and London venues. The line-up had now expanded to a six piece and the creative confidence was as strong as ever. The band even recorded with artists who went on to better things, one being Eddy Reader who with Fairground Attraction had a number one hit with 'Perfect', and a solo career. By the summer of 1986 the first signs of disillusion were emerging and Andy Edmondson departed. Although he was replaced it was effectively the end of the band, and shortly thereafter came the actual end.

At the beginning of the 1990's Andy Edmondson and Lee Bates began working together again as a songwriting team. Andy had developed a fascination with studio techniques from the very beginning, and had created a well-equipped studio in his home where they worked. By now Andy and Lee had re-recorded some of the old songs and were curious to try them in a full band line-up again. Phil rejoined Andy and Lee for this purpose in 1995. In 1996 a reformed band consisting of Andy, Lee, Phil, new Bassist Jim Lydall and new Rhythm Guitarist, the classically trained Paul McNeill returned to action, producing more rock orientated arrangements of original Strange Fashion and The Maek songs as well as new compositions. Personal problems forced Jim's departure in late 1996 and Paul switched to Bass. The band played a benefit show for a local cricket club on April 5th 1997, and Perry Ridley was invited to join as Rhythm Guitarist soon after. Perry had previously played in the covers band Revolver, and Lee Bates briefly sang with them in 1990 before they split.

Although briefly reformed under the name of Broadside, the desire was to carry on with our original name of Strange Fashion. The response inspired the band to spend a year developing a new set of original material in order to return to the live circuit. The first gig since expanding to a five-piece came at The Old Tigers Head at Lee SE12 in October 1998. Since then we have played all over London and the South East. The band moved on a generation, and the line-up featured for a short period the immensely talented Simon Edmondson, son of guitarist Andy, on Keyboards and Saxophone.  

More personnel changes came in the Summer of 2001. Paul McNeill stepped down from the role as Bassist, and his place was taken by the talented Tony Turner. During this time we played our biggest date so far at The Guilfest in July 2004, and followed that with The Cavern, Liverpool in July 2005. We also appeared on TV on ‘Showcase TV’, and the first ‘X Factor’. The line up stayed the same until May 2005 when founder member Andy Edmondson left the band and was replaced by Tom Williams on Guitar. Highlights in this period included the recording of our album ‘Retropolis’ and another appearance at The Guilfest in July 2007. The line up stayed the same until the Summer of 2008 when Tom left and Tony wanted to step down. We recruited two fantastic signings in the August 2008 transfer window in getting long time friend Steve Meredith on Bass, and the staggering Eddy Leo on Guitar - both worthy additions to the Strange Fashion Galacticos!