ALAN VINCENT

Band timeline:

The Toby Jug & Washboard Band

In 1968 Myself, my brother Trevor and Steve Brooks formed THE TOBY JUG AND WASHBOARD BAND, In Cambridge.

We recorded and self-released a vinyl LP called GREASY QUIFF. It was a private pressing of about 55 copies, which went on to become very collectible.... at one time I saw it listed at about £1,500.

We were featured on tv show “About Anglia” on two occasions.  In (I believe), 1970-72? We had approached the Robert Stigwood Organisation by means of what we called a “Multi media experience”

    This consisted of a hand written letter, Several photos, a demo tape, a tea bag and a digestive biscuit....

  Somehow this resultEd in us being given a one-night spot at the Lads Club in Norwich, to support the semi-incognito

Appearance of Eric Clapton in the guise of “Derek and the Dominos”!   Apparently the scheduled support act for the tour..

“Brett Marvin & The Thunderbolts” - would be Unable to make it... We had already met those guys in an underground club in soho Called the 51 CLUB.  ( They went on to become Terry Dactyl & the Dinosaurs!)

   When we arrived (Early) at the Lads Club we set up out ramshackle gear on the massive stage where Eric and friends Enormous equipment was being installed in advance of the bands arrival. Our meagre amplification was more than catered for by a homemade plywood mains distribution box which we discreetly placed out of the way of the serious stuff the D & the D’s roadies were hurriedly Assembling... one of the guy’s asked if he could insert a plug into an empty socket on our box and of course, we said yes!

   There was a large non descript room set aside as a band changing room, where we Put on our outlandish garb and nervously awaited whatever was going to occur.

Suddenly the door opened and in hurried Eric Clapton and his new band! We were so surprised how “normal everybody was.

Eric said “ Where’s Brett Marvin?” We explained that they couldn’t make it, and the great man turned to me saying, “Where’s the loo man?” I told him the only loo I’d seen was way back through the crowd. “Okay” he said and set off...

 The situation became really surreal when he returned and seeing Trevor tuning his guitar ready for our spot, said.... “Can I borrow a plectrum?” Our spot was great fun for us and we were thrilled to play such a big crowd. After our set we hung around back stage

and watched the band it was fantastic...

And then.... after a few numbers we notice the roadies scurrying around in a panic..

   Our poor little plug box was smoking and the “guest” cable was getting redhot somebody brought out a spare socket and we all bit our nails in fear as the roadies waited for Eric Clapton to get to the end of a looong brilliant guitar solo before they dared to pull the plug out and swap it!

  But we all lived to tell the tale - Although I somehow doubt if anyone told Eric!

We, (TT&WB) are still lurking around now In 2020... we are now strategically split between Cambridge and Thailand and by the miracles of Tricknology are now beginning to tackle that “Difficult second album”