Series 1 Episode 8 of the podcast covers the work of Glam/Sleaze outfit Shotgun Wedding as well as discussing the Birmingham rock scene from the late 80s & early 90s.  It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with guitarist Gray Ettrick & Drummer Ian Danter from the band.Formed in 1987, Shotgun Wedding were a five-piece and featured a number of different musicians over their 7 years as a band.  Dean saw them live at legendary Birmingham rock club Edwards No.8  which they played a number of times. Gray & Ian have selected three tracks to play from the Shotgun Wedding collection: Pushin’ Shovin’ , Ashamed & She’s From a Different Solar System and the songs chosen feature three different singers.If you remember Shotgun Wedding or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: wtncpocast@mail.com. You could also follow the podcast on Twitter – just search for whenthenightcomespodcast to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes  - thanks for listening!Shotgun Wedding Drummer Ian Danter has gone on to have a successful radio career since the break up of the band.  You can hear him on both talkSPORT and Planet Rock. He was also the host of comedy show the ‘Barmy Brummies’ which is now available as a Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ian-danters-barmy-old-podcast/id1504136590 

When The Night Comes

Shotgun Wedding (87-94)

Series 1 Episode 7 of the podcast covers the work of The Laurels.  It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with Mark Butler & John Bonehill who both played guitar and shared vocal duties in the band.The Laurels were a four-piece formed in 1986 and as well as Mark & John, the core line-up featured Trevor Walsh on bass and Fintan O’Hallorhan on drums.  Dean first became aware of them sometime in the late 1980s, when he was passed a demo tape by a musician friend. He digitised it during the first lockdown in 2020 & set about locating members of the band, with the hope of persuading them to take part in the series.  He struck lucky after spotting a post on the Birmingham Music Archive Facebook page and discovered that he wasn’t the only one who has good memories of their music! Mark & John have selected three tracks to play from the Laurels collection: Do You Believe in Me?, The Sound of Rain & Watershed. They also share a track they have written together and recorded since the break-up of the band - ‘Falling Away’.If you remember The Laurels or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: wtncpocast@mail.com. You could also follow the podcast on Twitter – just search for whenthenightcomespodcast to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes  - thanks for listening!

The Laurels

Series 1 Episode 6 of the podcast covers the work of CrazyFace as well as looking back at Siren fanzine. Thanks to the wonders of technology, It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with Matt Almond & Pete Moth from the band as well as Tracey Howell who was both their manager and &apos;copy editor&apos; for Siren.  CrazyFace were a five-piece band formed in 1996. and as well as Matt & Pete featured Simon Pearce on vocals, Jim Perkin-Ball on bass & a selection of different drummers during their time together.  Amongst the highlights, they made an appearance at Glastonbury on the &apos;new band&apos; stage, as well as obtaining a distribution deal for two singles with Bearos Records.  Matt, Pete & Tracey have selected three tracks to play from the CrazyFace collection: Software, Brickwall & Free Coke. Siren Fanzine was first published in December 1994 and featured countless Interviews and reviews of both signed and unsigned bands.  Tracey made a point of always including a local unsigned band on the cover and looking back now, it is a valuable record of the Birmingham music scene during that era.If you remember CrazyFace or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: wtncpocast@mail.com. You could also follow the podcast on Twitter – just search for whenthenightcomespodcast to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.·        To view the promo video Chris Randall directed for the band click here: Brickwall by CrazyFace  ·        You can follow Siren Fanzine on Facebook to view old copies or click here for a sample: Siren fanzine volume 2 Issue 6

CrazyFace & Siren Fanzine

Series 1 Episode 5 of the podcast covers the work of Rachels Basement (Yes..the apostrophe omission is deliberate!). It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with their singer and main songwriter Daniel Rachel.  We also discuss his early days as a writer, as well as the solo work recorded after the band split-up.  Daniel has since become a best-selling author and his first book ‘Isle of Noises’ about great British songwriters, was a Guardian & NME book of the year.Rachels Basement were formed in 1993 and there were two different four-piece line-ups of the band.  They played to sold out venues on several nationwide headline and support tours, as well as being courted by many record companies. Despite this, a deal would remain elusive.Daniel has selected four tracks to play from the collection: Our Russian Flame, Quit Your Lowdown Ways & Too Much High Living by Rachels Basement as well as Pearl from his solo album ‘A Taste of Money’.  If you remember Rachels Basement or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: wtncpocast@mail.com. You could also follow us on Twitter – just search for whenthenightcomespodcast to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.  More information about Daniel’s books can be found at: http://danielrachel.comFinally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes  - thanks for listening!

Rachels Basement

Series 1 Episode 4 of the podcast covers the work of Gum. It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with their singer and main songwriter Bob Buxton.  We discuss his early days as a writer as well as other projects he’s been involved in. Gum played gigs on the Birmingham music scene in the mid-late 1990s as well as recording a demo with producer and musician Steve Conlon.Bob and has selected four tracks to play from the collection: Loopy, Supervillain & Balance by Gum as well as The Institute by Autopilot.  We’re also given a preview of a track from an early demo entitled Love is Misery. If you remember Gum or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: wtncpocast@mail.com. You could also follow us on Twitter here to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.  Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes  - thanks for listening!

Series 1, episode 3 covers the work of The Liberty Thieves & looks at the story of Birmingham’s Catapult Club.  It features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with local music promoter Arthur Tapp.Arthur was the bass player in the Liberty Thieves, who formed in South Birmingham in the mid-1980s. During their time together, the band recorded two EPs, Put it Away released in 1990 & Abandon Hope, which came out a year later. Many people will also know him from the Catapult Club which recently celebrated its 30th Birthday. Arthur has selected three tracks to play from the collection: The Smile on Your Face, Respect & Never Mind and talks us through the life & times of a great unsigned band, as well as a much-loved music promotion business.If you remember The Liberty Thieves or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: wtncpodcast@mail.com.  You could also follow us on Twitter here to see some archive photographs of the bands featured.  You can purchase The Liberty Thieves EPs,  mentioned in this episode, as well as other releases on Catapult Records at: https://thecatapultclubarchive.bandcamp.com  Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes  - thanks for listening!

The Liberty Thieves & The Catapult Club

Series 1, episode 2 covers the work of The Palantines and features host Dean Vernals ‘in conversation’ with the band&apos;s singer Colin Campbell.Formed around September 1994, The Palantines, played their first gig at the Black Horse in Aston.  Alongside local venues, they toured extensively in the UK, but that all important record deal eluded them. Almost eighteen years after their final gig at the now demolished Railway pub, Colin talks us through the life & times of a great unsigned band.He&apos;s also dusted off old demo tapes and selected three tracks to play from the collection: Think Too Much, Hang ‘Em High & The Lilo Song. If you remember The Palantines or were in a Birmingham band between 1985 & 2005 and would like to take part in a future episode, then get in touch at: wtncpodcast@mail.com. Finally, if you get chance, rate & review us on iTunes  - thanks for listening!Photographs of The Palantines: Stuart Mills

The Palantines

Series 1, episode 1 covers the work of three bands - Strange Believers, Extension 54 & Sway. Host Dean Vernals is ‘in conversation’ with singer Pete Marshall, who is the link between all three, and guitarist Dave Kane who played in two of them.  Strange Believers were formed in August 1985 and played their first gig at the Hare & Hounds in November of that year.  More sold out gigs soon followed at venues such as the Barrel Organ and the Dog & Partridge and they recorded a number of demos at Rich Bitch studios. We hear all about their days on the Birmingham music circuit, as well as a ‘Spinal Tap’ style split after a tour of Sweden.  After leaving Strange Believers, Pete went on to sing for Extension 54 before being reunited with Dave in Sway.  They have also dusted off old demo tapes and selected tracks from all three bands to play. 

Strange Believers, Extension 54 & Sway

A collection of sounds and stories from unsigned Birmingham bands (UK) from 1985-2005. In each episode musicians dust off old demo tapes and give us the low-down on how the tracks came about.