The hazy past.....Pre-2000.

In the beginning there was Mark Winters(vocals,guitar), Warwick Gastinger(guitar), Simon Teitjen (bass) and Mark Adkins (drums). The band formed in February 1995. Mark Adkins soon left, but did come up with the name Valuable Fools, or at least I think he did? Mark W. had known Andy Greaves from Wings Of Fire and he replaced Mark A. on drums.

On March 22nd 1996, the band debuted at The Bear Tavern in Bearwood, West Mids. Supporting local bands Electric Shed and Painter,they played a short set which included such long forgotten numbers as "Bloody Hell Week", a number the band called "Redemption"or "Killing Joke"(because Andy was a big fan of that band), "All I Ever Wanted" and a cover of Men About Work's Down Under!

Then Simon quit to join another band. Andy knew Steve Goodhall form another band he'd played in called Metanoia. Steve replaced Simon and the material started to grow enough for them to support at The Bear Tavern in September 1996.

The Bear Tavern, September 1996. photo Mark Pirie.

Steve had already put the band on notice that he had family commitments , so it was no suprise when he left shortly after that gig. Mark asked ex-Wings Of Fire bassist, "the reverend" Tim Bush, to help out and he did. Things appeared to be going OK, so it was a major shock when Andy announced he was leaving.(He was last heard of playing bass for Christian Metal act Gen.) After that, the band fell apart.

During 1997 and 1998 Mark and Warwick continued to jam out ideas and even record a few of them. Mark had still kept in touch with several bands on the Bearwood circuit, one of which was Anarakula. Paul Miller, violist and "musical whore!" was also playing with Druidspear, but volunteered to come along to a jam session. Out of this came a short set and appearance at The Songwriters Cafe at The Hill Tavern, Birmingham.

Waz, Mark and Paul - Songwriters Cafe 1998.

Mark also dimly recalls playing a couple of numbers at The Bear at some point, aided by singer Richard Malcolm from Bearwood based Painter. A further unconfirmed gig took place on 10th December 1999 , supporting Anarakula at The Bear Tavern.

As a trio they continued to rehearse in various front rooms under the ressurected Valuable Fools name and were heard by neighbour Steve Elliott, who joined in on bass. The rest, you know.