Terrace Retro

		Pastures...OLD! Well, 1983 to be exact. After spending much time in the underground limelight of local and national terrace sub-culture, Peter Hooton was watching a band rehearse at his Walton home. The lead singer of the band (*The Excitement, 'case you're interested) hadn't turned up, so he had a go at vocals himself. The rest, as they say, is history. The original Farm line-up was to have a brass section. The line-up consisted of Peter Hooton, Steve Grimes, Phil Strongman and Andy McVann. Brass was provided by Tony Evans, Steve Levy, John Melvin and George Maher. The band's first vinyl release was "Hearts And Minds" in Nov 84. The band had appeared on The Oxford Road Show and performed the more pop inspired "Memories". They played a gig along with Come In Tokio, Personal Column, Jeggsy Dodd and Ted Chippington onboard the Royal Iris*. It was well received and the Farm firmly established themselves as a serious band. Its unique terrace look proved popular with the local youth. However, the original bass player was kicked out for being a McCulloch wannabe, overcoats and all that business (Strongman was replaced by Carl Hunter on bass).
Peter Hooton; circa 83/84.

They soon grew in popularity and were just as popular in Leeds as they were back home. However, a couple of incidents at gigs in Leeds saw them unable to get a venue in the city for some time. The band were labelled with a trouble tag and the terrace connection was even more strengthened by this.

		The band were soon to suffer from the legendary "Curse of The Farm". Included in this list of misfortune was: Janice Long, who had been linked with the possibility of managing the band, falling pregnant and losing her job (she had an obsession about Farm wigs). Madness and The Housemartins splitting up. Well, was it a curse?
Some light refreshment for the band.

Although, this period is often looked at in a more light-hearted manner it was to include the sad and tragic death of drummer Andy McVann. Andy was killed in a high speed car chase involving the law. A tribute gig at the Neptune Theatre was arranged and Andy remembered with the energy he deserved. R.I.P. Andy.

Picture Of The Farm

The band had now established themselves with the footy crew and any gig was guaranteed to consist of mainly such fans. The Farm were to play at a number of local venues in their earlier years, including The Dolphin (a gig in support of local striking Nova leather workers), The Student Union Bar, Hardies and Castle Court (amongst many over a several year period). Farm Releases from this period. Hearts And Minds...Steps Of Emotion... Some People... Body And Soul, a re-working of Hearts And Minds.

The closing of the 80's saw some mixed fortune for the band. After Andy's death the band struggled to function, the arrival of Anfield season ticket holder Roy Boulter on drums and the presence of Keith Mullin gave a feel for a need to carry on. Their East and West tour occurred around the same time as they played support to the Housemartins on their own prestigious tour. A firm friendship was struck between the bands, well some of them I believe. The Farm was to have a keyboard player in Ray Toohey. Unfortunately for Ray he was one of those who were scapegoated in the Heysel aftermath. A peaceful protest at Risley saw him made a further example of, as he was banged-up for his stance. A gig held downstairs in the Royal Court on a Friday night tiltled The absolutely nothing to do with acid house whatsoever tour was to epitomize what lay in store for the band. As a light-hearted pisstake at the surprisingly, and unusually, large number of young girls in the crowd, Pete Hooton announced that a following number would be the cover of Junior Murvin's "Police And Thieves" made famous by The Jam. The girls roared with agreement, oblivious to the obvious pun. The band were now appealing to a broader audience, none the less it was well deserved. Another unforgettable title for a mini tour was the Take an urchin to lunch. However, 1990 was just around the corner. This was to be a new era for the band.


The Farm says 'arm the unemployed', and various band members too.		Typical Farm pose, note master Hooton's smooth *Barbour* jumper.