Pete Chambers BEM writes for The Observer
ALL hail Lee Dorrian (of Napalm Death, Cathedral and Septic Tank fame) at Rise Above Records, who continues to release some of the most interesting vinyl releases for those who know and love their music. The back catalogue is a collector’s dream, making some of the most obscure material available.
One such record is Trivialities from Coventry band of the 1970’s, Asgard. The band gained some interest in the 1980s when it was revealed that the Selecter’s Neol Davies had guested on sitar with them for a short spell. Though that was just an incidental in the story of this superb organ-based trio.
The band formed in Coventry during 1967, and consisted of Bill Walker – Organ and Mellotron (on recordings), Richard Kilbride – Bass / Vocals, and Terry Westwood – Drums.
According to Richard Kilbride on Trev Teasdel’s wonderful Hobo site: “Asgard were taken under the wing of John Peel for some time. Through the efforts of Paul Padun, our manager, we played with John Peel on his new band spot at ‘Mothers’ – Erdington in Birmingham.
“Asgard made its debut at the Torbay Blues Festival and also appeared at Torquay Town hall with John Peel at a Blues festival as support to Blodwyn Pig – who failed to turn up! So we improvised a set to fill their spot.
“He also put us on a CND festival in Victoria park (with a huge audience), headlined by The Crazy world of Arthur Brown and The Liverpool Scene.
“We also did many gigs with Principal Edwards Magic Theatre in St. Ives, who were also his protégées, and the Roundhouse in London.
“Asgard gigged at Mothers on our own accord not long after the Victoria Park gig (at which we replaced the then relatively unknown Black Sabbath) as we impressed John Peel and he invited us to perform at his regular Friday night radio slot live from Mothers.
“Although entering the college circuit at a late stage, Asgard’s popularity increased steadily, and the demand for Asgard was proven by the number of return bookings they have received so far that year.”
They were friends with Pink Floyd and John Peel was keen to sign them to his Dandelion label. The offer of an album with him was always there but, for whatever reason, it just didn’t happen and the band fell apart due to a number of unfortunate circumstances.
The only audio evidence of Asgard’s existence is a three-track acetate disc, which was cut in London at the tail end of 1969 (the three tracks were ‘Trivialities’, ‘Month’ and ‘Sunrise’).
That sole surviving disc was not in the best shape but it has been restored and Rise Above will release for the very first time, as a one-sided LP, on February 14. A genuine piece of underground history from the late psychedelic/early prog era. This will be released as a one-off vinyl edition. Clear diehard version comes with an additional 20-page booklet and is limited to 100 copies. Regular black edition limited to 200. For more information head over to riseaboverecords.com
