INFLUENCE

Lead Vocals, Organ: Brian Tubby aka Brian Russell

Guitar: Derek Pickering

Bass: Mike Brighton (2)Nick Day

Drums: Barry Wilkinson

Out of The Dark Ages came Influence might sound like some profound statement but in this case it is literally true. The band had previously existed as The Dark Ages (q.v.) but in September 1966 decided a name change was needed. Barry and Brian were now being more influenced by artists such as Arthur Brown and with a change in bass player the band became Influence.

Under the guidance of promoter Phil Beevis the band set about capturing the contempory mode of the scene. Mike remembers what was referred to as [the paint scene] quite vividly. “We were playing the Gala Ballroom. The idea had come from the Crazy World of Arthur Brown. We would strip down to our trousers and let the audience paint us with poster paint, Barry used to complained like hell because the paint would go all over his drum kit." He laughs. After several years on the local music scene Mike decided to hang up his bass and plum for family life. Ongoing, the group saw the return of original Dark Ages bassist Nick Day.

In November 1967 it had been widely speculated that the group would go to Advision Studios, London to record Garnet Mimms, I’ll Take Good Care Of You, as a demo, but the session never prevailed.

In January 1969 the groups manager Phil Bevis anounced to the paper that 3 months work in Germany would be forthcoming for the band [unconfirmed]

In [date required] the group were on the verge of folding when Brian was offered the singing position in top local outfit Kiss (q.v.) after Derek Driver had announced his retirement. Brian did a few performances with the band but it then transpired that Derek was going to stay.

The bands demise was posted in the Eastern Evening News [End of an Influence EEN&N 08/04/1968] Brian and the remainder of The Influence which basically amounted to its previous line-up minus Nick Day who had joined his fathers band The Lew Day Set (q.v.) during the interim breakup. The group then recruted the recently redundant Feel For Soul (q.v.) brass section and the frontline of local refugee’s The Mood (q.v.) to become the appropriatly named Amalgamation (q.v.).              

Supports: The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown / The Bee Gees / The Night Train / The Acid Show / The Gibsons

Mediography:

Painting to Numbers EENH&N 11/09/1967 (P)

Under The Influence EENH&N 01/01/1968

End of an Influence EENH&N 08/04/1968 

(Brighton - The Ultimate) The Dark Ages <> Amalgamation (Day - The Lew Day Trio/Quartet/Set)