The Gass

The Gass was a rock band[1] formed in May 1965 by Robert Tench, Godfrey McLean, and Errol McLean. They were managed by Rik Gunnell[2] and Active Management. The band fused melodies with soul, Latin influences, blues and progressive rock often employing complex rhythms[3] with an eclectic mix of other influences.[4]

The Gass
Also known asGass
OriginUK
GenresRock, Funk, Soul
Years active1965–1971
LabelsPolydor, CBS, Parlophone
Associated actsCatch My Soul
Past membersRobert Tench
Godfrey McLean
Delisle Harper
Derek Austin
Michael Piggott
Alan Roskans
Frank Clark
Humphrey Okan
Errol McLean

History

1965-1969

Formed in 1965[5] original line up was Bobby Tench on bass guitar (credited as Robert Tench), percussionist Errol McLean, his brother drummer and vocalist Godfrey McLean, saxophonist Humphrey Oka and guitarist Alan Roskams.[2] Tench soon became the band's vocalist and lead guitarist[6] and between 1965 and 1967 they released singles on the Parlophone[7] and CBS labels and as their music progressed the line up changed.[2] They also played at clubs and venues in U.K and at fashionable music venues in London's Soho[8] such as The Ad Lib club,[9] The Flamingo and the Bag O'Nails. Eric Burdon sang with them at The Scotch of St James where they were employed as the house band and Jimi Hendrix jammed with them.[6] During 1968 they were supporting bands such as Led Zeppelin.[10] In 1969 they became the band for the rock musical Catch My Soul-Rock Othello produced by Jack Good[11] and their participation was billed as 'music interpreted by Gass'.[12]

1970-1971

By this period the band were known simply as Gass[13] and they released their first album Juju (1970)[14] which featured guitarist Peter Green.[2][15] In the same year Godfrey McLean appeared on Peter Green's End of the Game (1970). Gass were also featured on the album Catch My Soul (1971),[16] which was recorded with the original cast of the UK stage production of Catch My Soul-Rock Othello.[2]

In 1971 the band recorded the single "Something's Got To Change Your Ways" which was released the Polydor label.[2] Pete Masden mentions in his book Funk guitar and Bass, that during this period Godfrey McLean and Tench performed at regular jam sessions with other musicians at Ronnie Scott's club. These sessions led to an embryonic line up for the fusion band Gonzalez.[17]

Post disbanding

In May 1971 Tench joined The Jeff Beck Group and Gass finally disbanded.[18] Godfrey McLean recorded with Brian Auger and The Oblivion Express.[19] Delisle Harper who was the band's bass player in a later lineup appeared with Tench on Freddie King's Burglar (1974) also Larger than Life (1975).[20] and Roskams moved on to work with Herbie Goins[21]

Band members

1969-1971

  • Robert Tench-bass, guitar, organ and vocals[2]
  • Godfrey McLean-drums, congas, vocals and percussion[2]
  • Delisle Harper-bass and percussion
  • Derek Austin-organ, piano, flute and percussion
  • Michael Piggott-violin and guitar

1965-1969

  • Robert Tench-bass, guitar, organ and vocals[2]
  • Godfrey McLean-drums, congas, vocals and percussion[2]
  • Alan Roskams-lead guitar[2] (left in 1967)[21]
  • Stuart Cowell-lead guitar (left in 1967)[4]
  • Frank Clark-Organ
  • Humphrey Okan-Saxophone[2]
  • Errol McLean-Congas[2]

Discography

Albums

  • Catch My Soul Polydor 238 3035 (1971)[2]
  • Juju featuring Peter Green Polydor 2485 003 (1970). Re-released as Gass in the same year with the same personnel, track listing and catalogue number.[2]
  • Supergroups Vol 2 (track 1. "Black Velvet" featuring Peter Green).[2]

Singles as The Gass

  • "One Of These Days"/"I Don't Know Why" Parlophone R 5344(1965)
  • "The New Breed"/"In The City" Parlophone R 5456 (1966)
  • "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)"/"Jitterbug Sid"[22] CBS 2647(1967)
  • "Something's Got To Change Your Ways"/"Mr. Banana" Polydor 2058 147 (1971)[2]

Notes
  1. Larkin, Colin. The Guinness encyclopedia of popular music. Guinness. p. 947.
  2. Joynson, Vernon. The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras. Borderline. p. 325.
  3. "New Vitality London Management Team". Billboard Vol. 83, No. 46. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 13 November 1971. p. 52.
  4. Move to Acton said agent. Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush Gazette and Post. 28 January 2009.
  5. Warburton, Nick. "Gass gigs 1966-68". www.garagehangover.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  6. Leslie Fran (28 January 2009). Interview with Bobby Tench. Blues In Britain. pp. 18, 19, 20 Vol 1 issue 94.
  7. "The Gass discography". 45cat.com. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  8. Warburton, Nick. "British rock music from the mid 60s onwards. Mike Pigott/Gass". thestrangebrew.co.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  9. Cramp Nathaniel. "It Happened Here". timeout.com. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
  10. "The University of Surrey was where Led Zeppelin first played...on 25 October 1968". personal.ph.surrey.ac.uk. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
  11. Vahimagi, Tise. "Jack Good". screenonline.org.uk. Retrieved 18 April 2009.
  12. Kerr, Emily. "The Roundhouse in pictures celebrating 50yrs-Catch my Soul". 50.roundhouse.org.uk. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  13. Hjort,Christopher. Strange Brew: Eric Clapton & the British Blues Boom, 1965-1970. Jawbone Press, 2007. p. 315. ISBN 9781906002008.
  14. "Gass album Juju". nme.com. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  15. Freedland, Jan & Fitzgerald, John. "Peter Green". fmlegacy.com. Archived from the original on 28 April 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  16. "Jack Good's Rock Othello-Catch My Soul". homeonline.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  17. Masden, Pete. Funk Guitar And Bass. p. 55.
  18. Hjort, Chris & Hinman, Doug. Jeff's book: A Chronology of Jeff Beck's Career 1965-1980. p. 111.
  19. "Godfrey McLean". allmusic.com. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  20. "DeLisle Harper". allmusic.com. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  21. The Gass. Melody Maker. 28 January 2009.
  22. Jones,Peter (28 January 2009). Names and faces. Record Mirror.
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References
  • Celmins, Martin. Peter Green Founder of Fleetwood Mac, forward by BB King. Sanctuary Publishing, (1998) 2nd edition. ISBN 1-86074-233-5
  • Hjort, Chris and Hinman, Doug. Jeff's book : A Chronology of Jeff Beck's Career 1965-1980 : from the Yardbirds to Jazz-Rock. Rock 'n' Roll Research Press, (2000). ISBN 0-9641005-3-3
  • Joynson, Vernon. The Tapestry of Delights - The Comprehensive Guide to British Music of the Beat, R&B, Psychedelic and Progressive Eras 1963-1976. Borderline (2006). Reprinted (2008). ISBN 1-899855-15-7
  • Larkin, Colin. The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Guinness (1992). Item notes: v.2. Digitized (19 Jun 2007). ISBN 978-1-882267-02-6
  • Madsen, Pete. Funk Guitar and Bass: Know the Players, Play the Music. Backbeat (2007). ISBN 978-0-87930-894-0
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