In the previous post about Baby Tuckoo I made a brief mention of Geddes Axe given the Andy Barrot connection between the bands. So I thought I’d find out what I could about the “Axe” seeing as they were there at the start of NWOBHM and from the Sheffield/Barnsley conurbation which also gave us Def Leppard, Saxon etc.
Now, as a spotty oik growing up in aforementioned conurbation in the late 1970s/early 1980s I do have a very hazy recollection of probably seeing Geddes Axe play in the Wapentake, Sheffield. An establishment of legendary status in the South Yorkshire rock scene. Being a bit of an (ignorant) Rush fan I though at the time they took their name from Geddy Lee and the alternative moniker for guitar. It’s only now I’ve found out that it’s from a 1920s government economy drive headed up by Sir Eric Geddes. Appears austerity was a big thing back then too…….
Musically, the band fell somewhere in between their more famous counterparts mentioned above. Although garnering some favour with the music press and a support slot to Saxon on home territory in 1980 it never happened for them. Recording output just three singles I understand. Return of the Gods, Sharpen Your Wits and Escape from New York. Geddes Axe became no more in 1983 with (then) guitarist Barrott joining Baby Tuckoo.
A seriously significant nod to Jason at the fine “Alternative Barnsley”. He has an excellent post there (to which I owe him thanks for the above) which carries as much of a definitive post as you’ll find about Geddes Axe. Includes scans of cover art, a review of their gig at the Ad-Lib in Kensington and some videos too. You can (nay, must…..) read it here:
>> http://alternativebarnsley.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/geddes-axe/ <<
My thanks again to Jason at Alternative Barnsley for his help with this post.
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