Urchin at the Bridgehouse

[Baztac]

I am researching the band Urchin and have a list of a few dates they played the Bridgehouse.
21 March 1978
19 September 1979
3 October 1979
20 October 1979
the dates from 27 March 1977 and 6 September 1977 are already on the diary page.

Does anyone remember seeing the band (at the Bridge or elsewhere) and have any memories you would like to share.
Cheers
Barry

[tonylmiles]

Yep, saw Urchin play at the Brecknock in Camden Town in 1976...probably about a week or so before my band Tush were booked to play there. Urchin were a very good band as I recall and, oddly enough, Adrian Smith is the only guy I remember from that night.

Cheers,
Tony.

[Baztac]

Thanks for the reply Tony,

Would that be late in 1976. Urchin used to be called Evil Ways until they signed with the record company DJM who along with Simon Napier Bell (their manager) got them to change their name to Urchin.

I believe the line up then was Dave Hall (vocals) Adrian Smith (guitar), Muarice Coyne (guitar), John Hoye (Bass) and Barry Tyler (drums).

Alan Levett replaced John Hoye on Bass in early 1977 and Adrian became lead vocalist in mid 1977 when Dave Hall left and then Dave Murray replaced Maurice Coyne in late 1977.

[tonylmiles]

Hi Barry,

Yes, it could have been the later half of 76 as I only joined Tush in May of that year. As I said, can't recall the other guys but Adrian did stand out. However I do rememberl him singing so maybe it was later when I saw them (the memory plays tricks after so long :-)). Also I think he knew our guitarist George, probably bumped into each on the circuit fairly often.

As well as the Bridge House the Brecknock used to be a great gig (saw many bands including Tom Robinson, Lee Kosmin, etc) down there.

Cheers,
Tony.

[lira]

Is Brecknock still active these days?

[Baztac]

The Brecknock is now called the Unicorn and has still been providing live music.
I believe they are in the process of changing the managment just now and the live music is suffering until the new regime is put in place.

[TerryMurphy]

Hi Baztac,over 300 views on this Urchin request,have there been any positive answers that have helped ,
hope it still growing Regards Terry M

[TerryMurphy]

it seems reasonable to think that Steve Harris would have seen Dave Murray and Adrian Smith,when they played the bridge house while in Urchin,He was playing in Smiler at this time and Maybe that's where they got together and formed Iron Maiden or at least exchange phone numbers,I cannot remember Evil Ways or Broadway Bratts,even thou there names are in my Diary,T.M

[Baztac]

Steve originally saw them when they were Evil Ways playing at a park in 1975 . However Dave Murray had already left by then.

When Dennis Wilcock joined Maiden in Autum 1976, he suggested Dave Murray for Maiden from his time with the band Warlock. Dennis had previously been in Smiler with Steve Harris before Warlock.

Dave Murray had a bust up with Dennis Wilcock in July 1977 after a gig at the Bridge House which led to Dave being sacked from Maiden.

Eventually Dave joined Urchin in late 1977 to replace departing guitarist Maurice Coyne.

As far as I know, the only gig Dave Murray played with Urchin at the Bridge House was 21 March 1978. It is possible Steve saw him at that gig. However Dave Murray recalls it in the Maiden Biography "Run To The Hills" as meeting Steve at a gig at the Brecknock pub in North London, possibly 24 March 1978.

I think Dave rejoined Maiden in April 1978 and a played a gig (8 April) at the Bridge House possibly the last gig with Dennis Wilcock.

[TerryMurphy]

Hi Baztac,bit complicated trying to remember,all the changes with these bands,,and i cannot find the Urchin web page again,perhape we could put a link to our web site,then i do not need to keep asking you for the link,hope it going well for you Happy new year Terry M

[Baztac]

Hi Terry,

The web page can be found at http://evilways-urchin.webs.com/

It is not fully finished yet as I want to re-edit some of it. Hopefully be getting somthing exclusive for it shortly as well.

I have also started websites on some of Urchins related bands. Note these are all works in progress

Headlights:-  http://from-london-headlights.webs.com/ (former Evil Ways / Urchin Bassist John Hoye's band)
Berlyn:-  http://berlyn.webs.com/ (former Evil Ways / Urchin Guitarist Maurice Coyne's band)
Broadway Brats: -  http://blazerblazer-broadwaybrats.webs.com/ (former Urchin Guitarist's Adrian Smith and Andy Barnett's band, Also includes the band Blazer Blazer which shared the same vocalist Jeb Million)