Around since the early 70s, and throughout that decade. JEFF KENT, local writer, fronted this band which were into ecology/anarchy’ along with CHRIS BARLOW, COLIN LUNN, JOHN MAKOKO, and ANDY QUIN. 
Had a single out in 1981 on Witan Records called Butcher’s Tale, which also appeared on the concept double album, Tales From The Land Of The Afterglow, which was written by JEFF and released in two parts in 1984. None of the other members were available for live work, so JEFF then put together a new line up, called THE FYRD, in 1984, to promote the album and new songs. Numerous musicians came and went until JEFF dissolved the band in the autumn without gigging.
RIVER WATERS, otherwise MARTIN EDWARDS, played in THE UNINVITED, ABOUT TIME, TOWER STRUCK DOWN, & INDIAN SUMMER, before forming the band that carried his name, performing a hybrid of progressive rock, space rock, world and folk music.
A 4 piece rock band, heavily influenced by late sixties British R & B/Psychedelia, eg The Pretty Things, although they were actually in existence around 1979/80. Described themselves as avant garde blues. Veterans of the STOKE MUSICIANS COLLECTIVE Battle Of The Bands Scene. 
Members included DAVE PARKS aka DAVE WITNEY, bass & vocals, he went on to play with FREUDIAN LIGHTSHIP, THE HEADSET, & THE HIDDEN PERSUADERS; NIGEL MACHIN, lead guitar, ROBERT JENNINGS, drums, and ANDY STUBBS, rhythm & vocals; he later played in THE INKERMAN STREET RHINOS. Gigged under the name OASIS in 78/79!
Late 60’s outfit made up of a group of Hanley High School sixth-formers. PETE WILLIAMS, vocals; PHIL WILSHAW, lead guitar; MARK SMITH, rhythm guitar; DAVE RUSHTON bass; TIM FREDERICKS, drums. RUSHTON went on to play with GRACE. TIM FREDERICKS would welcome hearing from anyone who remembers the band, or any Old Hanliensians from that period – tim1252@live.co.uk
STOKEBEAT 