A strange mix of wailing hawkwind sounds, melodic bass lines, grinding guitar noise, power drums, samples with a foot tapping addictive quality rightly suited for performing in loud, smokey pubs, to loud, smoking, drunken audiences, by loud, smoking drunken Band members.
The main writing teams counter infulences made the songs sometimes seem at war with themselves, with joyous lyrics being yelled over dark deep music, or the most depressing topics bouncing along with catchy chorus's over true get up and dance rythums.
This site is basically for the collaborative actions of 'Big' Rob Golder and Paul 'De Hippy' Rowland, who from 1991-1999 we're an active songwriting and performing act in the West Midlands. It is currently maintained by 'big' Rob and may contain some elements in the future of further work from him.
A history of the Bands
Pint of Lager and 3 Straws(1991):- First collaboration of Big Rob and de hippy and Stuart 'Fuckupanist' Thomas, The band was formed in the downstairs bar at the Turks Head(1991), when between then the band only had enough money for a Pint of lager. To begin with De hippy wrote the words, Stuart sung and Big Rob played guitar and wrote the music. De hippy then started to play the bass, due to access to his dads equipment, eventually Stuart got a drum kit and the band became a 'proper' band. For a while another lad from school (King Edward VI Five Ways) had been involved alas no-one can remember nis name. THis format mainly played house parties and a couple of pub gigs
Thought Control(1992):- This was a continuation, and maturing of the Pint of Lager and 3 straws, involving De hippy, Stuart and Big Rob. They did numerous gigs in this format, of which they can remember very few, It is believed that experiementation with fortified home brew has a lot to blame for this. In this format the band practiced at The Venue Rehearsal Studios which has now become sound studio. Towards the end Stuart was replaced, following musical differences (like he couldn't play), with initially 'little' Nick and then Adam Wayward, who drummed for the City of Birmingham Jazz Orchestra. Also Rich 'The Wop' Duffill, now known as 'pointy dave', joined the band to turn it into a 4 piece.
Big Brother Syndrome (BBS) (1993-95):- This band was the longest running single name used for the collaborations of De hippy and Big Rob, it's conception can be identified by the inclusion of Alex 'I think I'm Jim Morrison' Evans. From there it gets complicated so Here we go.
Format 1:- Alex Evans (Singer), Rich Duffill (Guitar), Adam Wayward (Drums), De Hippy (BASS) and Big Rob (Guitar)
Format 2:- Alex Evans , Adam Wayward, De Hippy, Big Rob and Alistair 'Jesus' Mack-kracken (Lead Twidle guitar), who we picked up in the Black horse cos he could drink heavily and we all though he was older than Big Rob and de hippy, he wasn't.
Format 3:- Alex Evans, De Hippy, Big Rob ,'Jesus' and Stuart (following Drum lessons)
Format 4:- Alex Evans, De Hippy, Big Rob ,'Jesus' ,Stuart and Elizabeth 'Fag Ash Lil' Price (VOCALS), Liz joined the band after being found by Stuart whilst singing roaming drunk on Aston Triangle, he promptly nay impulsively invited her to join the band. We think he was trying to chat her up. Strangely she still joined.
Format 5:- De Hippy, Big Rob ,'Jesus' ,Stuart and Elizabeth 'Fag Ash Lil' Price (VOCALS). Alex left because he got 'nodules' on his vocal cords? not sure what they are!
Most the songs (at the end we had around 40) were written by De Hippy and Big Rob with additional individual instrument parts written by the rest of the band. The band managed to complete 50 gigs during 94 and ended when Stuart moved to Southampton. The last gig was for Stuarts farewell at the Flapper and Firkin, it got an unexpectedly good turnout and this was not due to it beign stuarts 23rd birthday, out of good humour the band tried to impale him on the lights.
Blue Grass(1995 - 97):- Another Big Rob collaboration with De Hippy, Liam 'Not Lennon' Thingy (guitar), Chris 'stumpy' other-thingy (Drum Programmer and singer). Liam and stumpy joined us from 'People Covered in Fish' a band with whom we had done multiple gigs as BBS. Stumpy is still remembered in Big Rob's house by the room that was dedicated to him during this period because he basically was always there. Stumpy left because he got pissed off with being called stumpy. Liam left in solidarity for stumpy. This group also went for limited time periods under the name of 'Southhampton Police and Dog Department' and 'Conical Hedgehog Invasion'.
Web Of Tears (1997):- This was short run affair involving De hippy, Big Rob and John 'the man from another planet' (commonly known as MFAP). John was brought in as a front man and De hippy and Big Rob filled out the music using midi synthesisers and drum machines. We also brought in 'Uncle' Steve Dale, Big Rob's neighbour who at the time was a drummer without a set of drums to help with the drum programming and also as a sanity checker. The band in this format undertook 3-5 gigs and split when Steve purchased a set of drums, at this time Big Rob and De hippy also split with MFAP on musical grounds.
Smaller than Rob(1997-99):- Followed on closely from Web of Tears and initially comprised De hippy, Uncle Steve and Big Rob, we soon pulled in Spence McAbe (Guitar) to fill out the sound and also bring some humor in to the lyric writing, as both De hippy and Big Rob at this time, seemed to be on a general downer about the world. 'Jesus' Alistair (from BBS) also joined the band and alternated with Spence on playing Guitar at Gigs. The full line up failed to perform ever, as we always appeared one guitarist down. The opening gig with this line up was at the Faculty and Firkin on Aston Triangle and was a fair well gig for one of the team Big Rob was working for. The Band fell apart when De hippy moved out from renting Big Rob's spare room, Alistair settled down with Steve's sister also an Al, and Spence moved to Gloucester .
SInce then both Big Rob and De hippy have participated in various other bands. They reformed the BBS final Line up for thier 30th Birthday celebrations. Both are still writting music and performing in various locations around the Uk. Big Rob moved to kent whilst De hippy stayed in Brum.
