Rock Artist Management

Never Mind The Bollocks Heres The Blockheads

Formed in 1977 to promote Ian Durys' album 'New Boots and Panties' on the first Stiff Records tour of the U.K. Chaz Jankel, Norman Watt-Roy, Charlie Charles, John Turnbull and Mick Gallagher became known as 'The Blockheads' In 1978 released 'What a Waste' that reached number five in the U.K. charts. They were then joined by saxophonist Davey Payne and toured the U.S.A supporting Lou Reed across North America ending with their own dates in California.

In 1978 Chaz composed 'Hit me with your Rhythm Stick' with Ian, and in 1979 had a number one hit record with it in the U.K. They went on to record the 'Do it Yourself' album and toured Europe and the U.K. recording 'Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3' in Rome. Released as a single in late 1979 it reached number three in the U.K. charts.

In 1980 Wilko Johnson joined to record and release a third album called 'Laughter' and released 'I Want to be Straight' and 'Supermans Big Sister' as singles. They toured throughout 1981 in the U.K and Europe, ending the year with a tour of Australia.

In 1982 Ian Dury & The Blockheads disbanded and were not to play together again until 1987 when they went out to Japan to play three shows, disbanding again until 1990 when the death of Charlie Charles in September of that year re-united them to play two Benefit gigs at The Forum, Camden Town in aid of Charlies' family. The band recorded a live album 'Warts & Audience' at the Brixton Academy in December 1990.

In 1994 the band were invited to play the Madstock Festival in Finsbury Park which led to a series of hit and run gigs in Europe, Ireland, the U.K.and Japan throughout the rest of 1994 and 1995. In March 1996 Ian was diagnosed with cancer and, after recovering from an operation, was determined to write another album.

To this end The Blockheads went into rehearsal in August 1996 and began recording. The album 'Mr. Lovepants' was released in 1998 and in May, Ian & The Blockheads hit the road again.

The band now including Dylan Howe and Gilard Atzmon continued to play gigs throughout 1999. The last performance by Ian Dury & The Blockheads was February 6th 2000 at The London Palladium. Ian died at 9am on 27th March 2000.

At this point the band had to make a decision to either stop or continue. The choice was made and the band have continued making albums and touring the world. Now after nearly a decade since Ian passed away The Blockheads still perform to packed out venues around the world.

A new fan base has continued to build on the on the foundations already laid.

Now after over thirty years The Blockheads are still building their wall of sound and it just gets bigger and better.

Boomtown Rats Roberts and Crowe

.... Garry & Simon the driving force behind the Rats sound, have put their powerful alliance together once again to re-ignite and develop the essence of their music as it should be heard, with its driving rhythms and meaty guitar riffs. Their new band, The Rats with Pete Barton on bass & vocals and Darren Beale on guitar, perform all their classic hits along with live favourites like 'Joey's On The Street Again' and 'Neon Heart'. Their music still holds its appeal and is a reminder of how this dynamic sound is as relevant today as it ever was.

Performing all the classic hits including

I Dont Like Mondays, Rat Trap, Looking After No 1, Mary Of The 4th Form, She's So Modern, Diamond Smiles, Someones Looking At You, Banana Republic, Like Clockwork and many more.

Dave Sharp Ex Original Alarm

The Hard Traveller Himself
''Ladies & Gentlemen, live via satellite, from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville Tennessee, home of the 'Grand Old Opry,' would you please welcome, from Manchester England:''

Mr DAVE SHARP

With these words echoing from every television set in the heartland of blue collar America, the solo career of Dave Sharp, co-founder and lead guitarist of British rock band, The Alarm, was launched in the United States in 1991.

Fifteen minutes later, centre stage at the Ryman Auditorium, a shadowy, lone figure, Dave Sharp-Brit rock guitar player turned troubadour-had found his way into the hearts and minds of an American core country audience with the song ''Hard Travlin,'' no mean feat for a boy from Salford.

It had all begun in 1989, a year, which had seen the US release of the Alarm's 5th coast-to-coast hit album Change and #1 AOR single ''Sold Me Down The River.''

The Alarm toured with Bob Dylan, sold out arenas and theatres-indoors and out-played the talk shows, rose through the ranks with MTV. They in fact achieved what most British bands only ever dream of-the much sought-after status of ''a British Rock Band that entered the American popular conciousness.''

Later that year lead singer Mike Peters made the surprise announcement that he would take a two-year sabbatical from The Alarm, a decision which would lead to his eventual departure from the band in 1991.

Sharp had cut his musical teeth in Manchester, England at the tail end of the Woodstock era on a diet of Guthrie, Dylan & Neil Young, spiced with Zeppelin, Free, and The Who. The prospect of an enforced sabbatical from his band mates of 10 years proved to be the ideal opportunity for Dave to step into the spotlight.

In December 1990, having enlisted the help of legendary maverick record producer Bob Johnston (Dylan, Willie Nelson, Leonard Cohen), Dave walked through the doors of the Hit Factory NYC and in under a week his first solo album ''Hard Travlin'' had been recorded and delivered for release.

The following year saw Dave return to New York City. He performed for an audience of 25,000 in Central Park at Woody Guthrie's 80th Anniversary where he shared the spotlight with the Right Reverend Jessie Jackson, Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger under the watchful and approving eyes of Guthrie's sister Nora and long time Guthrie manager & friend, Harold Leventhal.

Dave Sharp's solo albums have received critical acclaim both in the United States and here in the UK. He performs continuously on both sides of the Atlantic. Over the years Sharp has worked alongside most of the artists he has long respected and admired. Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash have appeared on his recordings; he has performed alongside Kris Kristofferson, Bill Munroe and Porter Wagoner. A regular performer on Decatur Street, New Orleans, whether solo or with a band-guitar in hand-Sharp delivers the ''Spirit of Rock & Roll.''

Sharp's music has been described as everything from folk and blues to rock country and punk; his performances as everything from legendary to lousy. One word cannot be used when trying to describe Dave Sharp- ''predictable.'' He has embraced mainstream pop culture whilst at the same time remaining one step away from its grasp. He likes it that way!

''It's a Mighty Hard Road to be Travelin' Down'' - Sharp knows it, writes it and sings it.