1997 - The band was formed
It all began some 15yrs ago when John Wyke-Smith
(Reg to his friends) invited a number of his musical aquaintences to a party. This included all the waifes and strays from
the bands he had played with from schooldays to the then present day.
There were a number of guitarists there i.e. John Hodge and John & Barry Wastnidge who played with Reg in a band
called Journeys End around the pub circuit in Sheffield in the mid/late 70's. Also one of the bass players at the event
(Andy Smith) went to school with Reg and they had a band together before the Journeys End era. Andy also had his own band
called The Rhythm Method with Tony Dennison (Drums).
Following another meeting at an event
called Woodbeck the suggestion for joining forces came about. The nucleous of the band was formed in late 1997 with Andy,
Tony and John. A lead guitarist was needed and Dennis Callaghan was asked to join having played with John in a band called
Bone Lazy in the late1980's.
There were a few minor appearances (Bar 8 Sheffield?) in
this time whilst the format and style of the band was developed.
2002
Tony and Andy were also playing in a band called Kymera at this time
and their lead singer Redders was persuaded to join The Call to beef up the vocals and to add harmonies. This enabled
the band to perform a broader range of material. (It also reduced the average age of the band considerably). Around this time
Kymera separated and out of that came a band called Fade 2 Black which ran in parallel with The Call.
2005
In Sept 2005 John was asked
to join/form a new venture in a folk band called Scuppered with his best mate Pete which is still doing the rounds. So by
this time all members were involved in 2 bands.
2006
The Call continued successfully on the pub circuit until Sept 2006 when Dennis left the band and Tom Chester was
persuaded to join. He was an old musical aquaintence of John's and had a long history playing with The Empty Bed Blues
Band and Booga-cha-Looga.
2007
Redders decided to leave Fade 2 Back early in the year to concentrate on The Call and not long after Andy decided
he would cut his workload and leave The Call to concentrate on Fade 2 Black.
Are you with
it so far?
Fade 2 Black continues although they have had line-up changes as is the norm.
Dave replaced Andy as bass player and is now getting to grips with musical
tastes.
So there you have it. 10 yrs and counting. A cornucopia
of the best talent around Sheffield/Barnsley currently playing at a venue near you.
2008
Another year and
. we hope, a continual improvement in the band and an increase in our following. There have been quite a few new numbers to
learn to keep us on our toes but not as many as Glyn had to learn as our new bass player!!
2009
All
calm and no line-up changes. Must be doing something right
2010
Knew we shouldn't have said "all calm" last year!. Into another new year and the band continues to
rock. Band line-up changes in July but we still keep on rocking.
Redders sadly left the band and we decided on a change
of drummer bringing in John's old friend Chris Fields from their band in the 80's. Chris has more recently played
with Booga Cha Looga and Groove On. Robert Glendenning joined as our singer , also late of Booga Cha Looga, so you can see
where this is heading. A Booga Cha Looga Tribute Band!
2011
A few exciting gigs and
song changes and all quiet on the western front!
2012
So here we are!. Some 15 yrs
ago John booked his favourite band Booga-Cha-Looga for his wedding anniversary and thought, "I wish I could play with
this band"
Thanks to fate all the band members have become available and joined him in The Call.
Not what
he expected but what a way to reach the peak of prefection.
*****THANKS******
Our past members - Glyn
Senior, Redders, Tony Dennison, Dennis Callaghan, Andy Smith and Dave Micklethwaite have all helped to developed The
Call to where it is today and deserve a thanks for their input
