Vardis Rock Band
Carrying on the theme started by Mendes Prey and at the request of OMITK
Vardis !
A cracking group from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). Below is their single Too Many People.
The line up for this record was
Steve Zodiac
Alan Selway
Gary Pearson
The b side was The Lion’s Share. This also came with a ‘free single’ which contained Dirty Money and Blue Rock.
Also shown is the ticket stub from the the concert yours truly attended !
Vardis
A really good band and once again the return of great memories
Rock On !
\m/
Rod said,
July 16, 2006 @ 9:55 am
Just seen this on wikipedia
Cannot be right ? If so better take a look in the attic
Our Man in the Kitchen said,
July 16, 2006 @ 12:57 pm
£2.50 to see Vardis-what a bargain!-thanks for the memories but don’t stop there! what about a feature on TANK-garage metal if ever there was. Fell in love with a stormtrooper is up there with the greats.
PS Did Mark ever dress like those other Gods of Thunder-Manowar?! Rippling muscles and heavy swords, now that’s one for the ladies!
pps I haven’t forgotten that you’ve got my Saxon cd-let the whole of cyberspace bear witness to that!!!
Rod said,
July 16, 2006 @ 6:12 pm
OMITK
this may turn into a running thread, I may even look at audio soundbites!
Tank - monster !
You’re welcome to the Saxon CD back, I’ll stick to their golden oldies
Strangers in the Night anyone?
Our Man in the Kitchen said,
July 16, 2006 @ 10:39 pm
You really do need do get a soundbite of TANK, it would take your blog to another level (not sure which one but who cares?) I seem to remember the lead singer was called Algy Ward-is this correct, his brother’s name escapes me. Can you let me know as it will save me the cost of phoning you to find out.
I remember you going to see them circa 1982 on Motorhead’s Iron Fist tour, talk about a golden age for music.
Rod said,
July 17, 2006 @ 8:32 am
I just tried to go to their ‘offical website’ but it seems the domain name has expired.
Another great entertaing band.
They supported Motorhead because Fast Eddie was helping them or produced their record I believe
Johnny F said,
December 26, 2006 @ 7:04 pm
Hi Rod!
Seasons greetings fella to you and yours!
This may sound weird, but I was looking through my record collection this aft and came across the album “100 mph” by those 70’s New Wave Rockers from Wakefield: Vardis. I stuck Vardis into the old browser and it led me to your website and being as you had a thread going on Vardis I hope you don’t mind if I just mention my experiences
I’d just like to say that I first saw that band back in the mid 70’s here in a Leeds boozer called the Staging Post in the middle of the sprawling Swarcliffe council estate.Those guys went by the name of Quo Vardis then and actually knocked out Status Quo covers. I guess they were the first tribute band I ever saw! Perhaps hard to believe but very true! This same pub was also the stomping ground of John Verity who went on to play with Argent and another bunch of Wakefield/Leeds rockers who went by the name of Be Bop Deluxe.The amazing thing is in those days you could watch these kids for free!
All the best!
Johnny F.
Rod said,
December 26, 2006 @ 7:09 pm
Johnny
thanks for taking the time to add to this, important that some of these bands we have seen and enjoyed are not forgotten.
As you say Johnny, looking back at you could have seen for free, or indeed all those bands one did not go to see and should have.
I knew someone who was going to see a guy playing in a club years ago. He got ready but when he left the house it started to rain. I’ll stay in and keep dry he thought.
The guy he was going to see was someone called Jimi Hendrix !
Thanks again Johnny and seasons greetings
All the best
Rod
Johnny F said,
December 26, 2006 @ 7:30 pm
Rod!
I’m really made up you included me in your thread mate!
Wow! That Hendrix gig would have been the business I’m sure!
Talking on the same topic, Ill just say quickly one gig I nearly missed, but went to see was in Leeds other Pub rock venue of the time in the 70’s The Fforde Grene. This gig cost me £2 to watch this Irish 3 piece band called Thin Lizzy with a kid called Eric Bell on guitar and a fella called Phil Lynott knocking out bass and vocals!.
Heady days mate!
Little Brother said,
December 26, 2006 @ 9:58 pm
Rod,
I’ll never get over that-still it was through babysitting for him that I got into Thin Lizzy and Bad Company. If my memory serves me right he used to leave us a bag of crisps and a bottle of home brew with a ‘help yourself to the records’ -I used to put ‘Bad Reputation’ on and pretend I was Brian Robertson! It is great to hear from Johnny-that’s what I love about meeting up with Motorhead fans pre concert to talk about the golden age of the band-that said they’re as good now as they ever were.
Johnny F said,
December 27, 2006 @ 2:20 am
Bad Company! I used to love their music as well!
Rod, do you ever frequent the Bootleggers in sunny Cleethorpes mate? Is that establishment in your neck of the woods?
I sometimes pop over and watch my old mates the AC/DC trib band LIVEWIRE.
Them lads are deffo worth a watch if you have never indulged!!
Rod said,
December 27, 2006 @ 8:44 am
Johnny
I used to be a regular drinker in Cleethorpes but have not gone for some years now. I’ve never seen any tribute band actually, though I know some have a real following now
Fancy seeing Thin Lizzy as well and for £2 ! Incredible
I cannot imagine, in years to come, anyone recounting similar stories or still listening to much of the music that is churned out today.
I guess all this makes us sound old ……..
Cheers
Rod
Rod said,
December 27, 2006 @ 8:45 am
LB
that’s exactly as I remember it - good days I think
skully said,
January 16, 2007 @ 11:32 pm
seen the mighty vardis when they supported hawkwind in belfasts ulster hall around 1980. i went out the next day and bought the single to many people. great overall concert.
Rod said,
January 17, 2007 @ 9:28 am
Skully
Too Many People - monster !
Thanks for the addition, greatly appreciated
Regards
Rod
Andy said,
February 17, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
i owned 100mph with tour guide and poster but sold my record collection in 1990 due to morgage arrears, do you know if there is any vardis stuff available on cd or where i can download some? ta
Rod said,
February 17, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
Andy
I have not found any Vardis that is still on catalogue. Possibly there may be illegal downloads available on the likes of Blubster etc - although I don’y recommend using them.
I am sure you could replace the records very reasonably via ebay should you so wish
Thanks for commenting
Regards
Rod
Andy said,
February 18, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
I have managed to find a couple of complilations but theres not much live
stuff on them.
Tis of great interest to me all the chat about NWBHM,done quite a few gigs 79 to 84, that all stopped cos of marriage, kids,morgage and so on!
Tygers of Pang Tang with Saxon doing Wheels of Steel tour was first real
gig on Hastings pier in 1980,always liked Saxon live.
Didn’t do as many gigs as wanted to because it was difficult getting back
home from London,saw plenty in Brighton though.
Hawkwind on hastings pier in 95ish was good as was Motorhead in 98.
Good to chat
Andy
Rod said,
February 18, 2007 @ 7:21 pm
Hi Andy
a golden age, I love all the bands you mention, remember the Tygers very well and Motorhead well………… the business
Cheers
Rod
Gary Pearson said,
July 26, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
From Gary Pearson former band member, many thanks Gary
Rod
Hi Rod
Just thought I’d do abit of remernisin.
Good to read the comments.
I think the gig at Belfast was one of the best we did.
The first thing I saw when we started was a bottle come past my head, I then looked out into the crowd, they were going mentle, what a buz.
Thanks you lot for giving me the best times
Gary
Little Brother said,
July 26, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
Gary,
You’ve finally given this site credibility!!
Vardis..a proper band.
Thanks for some great memories
Best wishes
LB
fat albert said,
November 24, 2007 @ 11:33 pm
Algy’s brother’s name is Ian, he plays a mean gob iron…………..