Filthy Beast Andover - Hampshire, England 1966-1976      In 1964, 4 school friends from Andover Grammar School got together to form a band. Mike Parkins, Terry James, Peter Yates and Mike Perry had very limited musical knowledge, one guitar between them, no drums and at that point no talent, but they had a dream ... The fifth member of the schoolboy band, Dave Burke joined and "5 Shades of Black" was born. In January 1966 they changed the band's name to the 'Rejected'. On Saturday 19th February the band played their first gig at the Saint John's Ambulance Brigade Valentines Party at Kelly's Hall, Weyhill Road Andover. They received the princely sum of £2 between them. Later that year Dave Burke left the band and the now 4-piece band became "The Syn". They performed only one gig as "The Syn", then changed their name back to "The Rejected". In January 1968 Mike Perry decided that he didn't want to continue, and the group became a 3-piece. Another name change and they became "The Poet". Peter took over most of the lead vocals. In late 1967 the Poet supported two big name acts; The Herd and Simon Dupre & the Big Sound. In 1969 after a brainstorming session and much alcohol the Band was renamed "Filthy Beast" and they started gigging regularly around the south of England. The drummer Terry James left in 1973 to join another band and Nick replaced him. In 1974 Nick left to join the army and Terry rejoined. Back to the original 3-piece line up the band decided to become more mainstream and changed their name to "Legend". In 1976 they split up mainly due to the logistical effort involved in getting together to practice and gig, and the fact that all three were now married and settled. Personnel: Mike Parkins - Guitar and vocals Peter Yates - Guitar and vocals Terry James - Drums and Vocals Early members who dropped out before we became nearly famous: Mike Perry - lead vocals Dave Burke - Tambourine and Maracas 1973 - 1974 Nick (can't remember surname) - Drums Influences: Jimi Hendix, Procul Harum, Moody Blues, The Doors, The Equals Setlist Sample: Purple Haze, Stone Free, Homburg, Nights in White Satin, Baby Come Back.. Equipment: Early days: Homemade guitars (one with pick ups held on with chewing gum), no PA system 1 small 5 watt practice amp, 1 tape recorder converted to an amplifier, 1 snare drum and 1 cymbal. (We actually did several gigs like this - Oh the embarrassment) Later: Selmer and WEM amplifiers, Gibson Les Paul copy guitars, A 150watt solid state PA system (can't remember the brand name) Rehearsal Space: Wildhern Youth Club Pickett Piece Village Hall Band Vehicles: We hired Transit vans from Budget Van Hire of Andover. Fashion Statement: Mainly jeans and t-shirts, for one gig Peter wore a full head gorilla mask tucked into his shirt. This was at Basingstoke Conservative club, and the idea was to cause some controversy but after around 10 songs nobody had noticed or passed any comment, so the mask was removed. By this time Peter was overheating and bright red. Best Gig: One of their most memorable gigs was as "Legend" ...the Saint Andrews Night Ball at the Sandhurst Military Academy Junior Ranks Club. On 30th November 1974 Legend were supported by the RMA Dance Band "TAD 70". Everything seemed to come together really well and the audience really got into our music. Gig from Hell!: Andover Mardi Gras 15th July 1967 The gig on the back of a lorry trailer outside of Andover Town Hall was not the success the band expected. The Organisers had set up a PA system with loud speakers all around the market square and fed the vocal mikes into the speakers with the guitar amplifiers un-miked. This meant that there was a delay between when most of the audience heard the vocals and the music, everything was out of synch. The unfair criticism the band received after this fiasco from their friends and colleagues was very demotivating and lead singer Mike Perry took it particularly badly. In January 1968 Mike Perry decided that he didn't want to continue, and the group became a 3-piece. Last Gig: Enford FC Valentine Dance on Saturday 14th February 1976. Ace Music of Salisbury arranged the engagement. Comments: The three main members of the band recently got back in touch through the web site "friends reunited" so far Peter and Mike have met physically a few times and the three plan to get together for a reminiscence and drinking day sometime early in 2009.           Below:  Sandhurst Military Academy Junior Ranks Club St Andrews Night Ball 30th November 1974, performing as "Legend"     Where are they now? Winter, 2009 Peter Yates: Married to Carol, Peter lives in Blackfield near Southampton England. He is Marketing Director for a company selling steam cleaners and Ironing Products. Peter is also the webmaster of filthybeast.co.uk (a nearly award winning site - we came joint second at the Hantsweb Awards 2008) Mike Parkins: Is still married to Wendy and lives at Bordon near Alton Hampshire, England. Mike is in the construction business and has his own building and decorating firm. Terry James: Is Married to Julie they live near Swindon, Wiltshire England. Terry works for British gas. Recently Terry has started drumming again and now gigs regularly with and oldie band called "the Sagalouts". Mike Perry: Is believed to still live in Andover but no contact has been made for around 30 years. Dave Burke: Whereabouts unknown. Nick(?name?): Whereabouts unknown. Visit Filthy Beast's website @ filthybeast.co.uk    Information contributed by Peter Yates peter@doncaz.co.uk

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