DENIGH
A Tragic Denial of Well-Earned Success
By: Miggo
The NWOBHM wasn't only a time of blistering successes
and stories of fame and
roaring crowds. There were, just as today, many bands that fought a frantic
struggle against time and lack of money and support. Many bands found themselves
much surprisingly in more demand during the 90-ies than they were used to
a decade earlier. One of the groups that found themselves being bid more than
150 GBP over in on the net was Folkestone's DENIGH.
Bass player/vocalist Jon Everett took the time to discuss the band, their
shot at fame and fortunes and the unreleased album. Don't miss out on this
interesting piece of rock´n´roll business.
The Basics
DENIGH formed in August 1978 and consisted of; Jon Everett, bass and lead
vocals, Phil Allchin, lead guitars and vocals, Ian Devlin, keyboards, guitars
and vocals, and John Regan, drums. Mainly influenced by UFO they hit the Kentish
music scene as one of the few bands that was writing their own material. Though
the rock scene wasn't up to par the crowds were and they soon latched on to
the band.
Jon moves on to describe how DENIGH grew in popularity and a Demo recording was made at Europa Sound Studios in Folkestone and subsequently sold to supporters in compact cassette tape format. This proved popular and the project sparked the idea of avoiding the record company "sharks" and going it alone in the production of a 7 inch single.
Released in 1980, the single "No Way \ Running" helped Denigh increase their popularity, says Jon. It was sold mainly locally but also through a distribution company it spurred interest in e.g. the Midlands. Denigh were ready to follow up the single but were, due to lack of money and management, sponsorship and promotion forced to put their creativity on a temporary hold.
The struggle
What was your response to the hardship and frustration Jon?
- We secured gigs with Radio Caroline Roadshow that spread the name over Kent and led to interview \ session appearances on BBC "Kent Rocks" radio show. Support appearances with SAXON, SAMSON, BUDGIE, GIRLSCHOOL, RAGE and others followed throughout 1981,1982, 1983 as well as self funded and managed gigs at major local venues. We were also hard at work making promotional items like T-shirts and badges. Unfortunately the sheer high quality of the items produced was quite a drain of the bands resources.
The description of the T-shirts itself had me drooling, or what
about owning one of these? I personally would kill for it.
1st T-shirt print. Grey "Screen Stars" Short Sleeve Shirt.
Red and black chevron emblem on front, left side. DENIGH, in black, beneath.
LEAN ON 'EM HARD printed on back.
Or just the thought of a locally produced and very limited chevron emblem
with DENIGH printed on it. Pheew!
Any other memorable efforts Jon?
- Another self financed recording project was undertaken in 1983. This was
a Demo of eight songs that was professionally duplicated ( approximately 500
) on compact cassette tape and sold through local record stores. The sleeve
was printed locally and also used as advertising. The affair was called "Lean
on Em Hard", contained seven tracks and was an official DENIGH release.
In addition to that there was also a first "album" that was released
in 1984. We meant for it to be a vinyl release but Cringe Music/Red Admiral
Records only made cassettes of it. All 500 made were sold.
But a band with your live experience must have a number
of live tapes somewhere in the numerous studios around?
- Certainly, Jon exclaims. In December 1983 DENIGH recorded a live gig for
Radio Kent that was subsequently broadcast as part of the 'Kent Rocks' programme
at Christmas. A copy of the original BBC tape does exist and its content has
been transferred to digital media. There are no plans as yet to release this
as a CD.
That sounds like a worthy project I start but Jon goes on to the next live performance. Apparently DENIGH´S final performance, a support slot for BERNIE TORMÉ was recorded here and there for a later release but the master tapes have all been destroyed. As by coincidence Jon mentions a rough copy having survived.
The Bitter End
Unfortunately 1985 was, for numerous reasons, the final year for Denigh. The
band had keep soldering on for years with nothing much going for them, apart
from appreciative audiences and music buyers that is. Heavy metal is a cruel
game.
Jon also talks about the writing partnership of him, Phil and Ian that proved very successful in the early years penning in excess of sixty songs before Ian left the band over differences in style and direction in late 1981. From then on Denigh remained a three piece band, their sound and performance evolving aggressively with new material from Jon and Phil that they described as "Hard Rock" "No Bullshit Rock" or "Bull-Buggering Rock" - depending on who was asking!
Jon's final comment is that DENIGH remained faithful to their roots and influences in generating "British Rock", delivering it with energy and without compromise. A sentence I definitely agree on. I´d say that you will have a hard time finding more truly NWOBHM-spirited songs on disc..
The energy and raw power of Denigh is audible on the re-release that's now
been made available by Iron-Pages Records. By pure coincidence you who read
this can enter our contest to win this CD. It contains the original album
tracks;
Fire From The Sky
Synthetic Seduction
Touch Me
Put My Neck On The Line
Struck Down (In The City)
Lean On 'em Hard
The One Eyed Jack
Travelling On
Sentinel
As well as dug up bonuses
Give Me Strength
Mean Streak
Thanx to Jon Everett for an intense drive down memory lane + all past members of DENIGH for dedication, sounds and memories. A big hearty cheers to Matthias Mader of Iron-Pages for the prices that are up for grabs.
