Fly Tower gig

On Thursday 21/09/23 we played a gig at the Fly Tower, part of the Abbeydale Picture House. Kind of meaningful, since Nick used to go there in the 60s to watch movies! The venue is an extraordinary place, 4 stories high behind the main screen of the cinema. It’s run by CADS who are working hard to preserve the building and ensure it has a meaningful future – please support them. We brought in Jez Triple Clegg who provided some amazing oil-wheel lighting, our old pal Chris McMahon did the sound and Mark Fuller (-Carp) handled the door with his customary aplomb. Support was ably provided by Åyusp with their take on synth-based electronica. We video’d the event and are checking the footage to see what we can share.

We played tracks from our albums (Lutraphobia, Starvation Hound, Confiture, Kingdom Fall, Tenser and Mauger Hay) as well as an extended improv piece. With 4 albums and an EP to choose from, it wasn’t easy to decide what to play!

We were joined at the end by fellow Discus Music artist Peter Rophone, to add vocals to the track for which he sang on the album. The atmosphere, lighting and presence of so many good friends turned it into a very special event for us. The gig was sold out and apologies to any who missed out, but the venue has a legal capacity.

Photos provided by Kathy Dinsdale (aka the “Merch Bitch”!), Simon Robinson, Daisy Robinson and Aidan Hall.
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Jon Short

Starting with proto jazz-rockers March the Third and playing cello on a Pulp single, Jon Joined Nick in the 80s for a promising outfit called “Harriet”, with a singer who later wrote for Tina Turner and won awards. 

Sadly it fell through and Jon formed Deep Sky Divers, a feted ambient duo. 

Chosen by Das Rd not only for his consummate playing but also because his surname matched a letter from the band acronym!

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Nick Robinson

His early musical career included Typhoon Saturday, (who spawned chart-toppers “Living in a Box”)  who had a deal with Polydor and released 3 singles to minimal success.

Another band was Dig Vis Drill. Those that saw them in the early 80’s felt this band were destined for greatness. They had a unique and awesome sound, a live act second to none, they were confrontational, challenging, intelligent and fronted by motor-mouth Ogy McGrath, a cross between Woody Allen and Attila the Hun.

From the mid 80s, Robinson began to explore improvised music (supporting Archer’s band “Bass Tone Trap” at a local gig). His path led to his current main activity performing and recording solo, looped guitar soundscapes. 

You can check out his discography on his site, along with extensive information, audio, video and a blog covering midi, ableton and live looping amongst other topics. You can find more of his music on his Bandcamp page and his solo CD was released by Discus Music in 2022, attracting rave reviews from Adrian Belew, Steve Hackett and others.

Robinson and Archer had played a variety of gigs together in different formations so when Martin suggested bringing drummer Steve Dinsdale into the mix, Das Rad was born, later to be augmented by his old musical sparring partner Jon on bass.

Nick is one of England’s only professional origami artists, with over 100 books on the subject to his name.

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Steve Dinsdale

Drummer/Keyboardist cut his teeth on the Teesside and Sheffield music scenes  before moving to London in the late 80’s. Drummed with Honey Smugglers who recorded indie-classic single `Listen’ in 1990, and who are still asked regularly to appear on period compilations.

Joined T.V. Eye alongside ex-members of Eat and future celebrity-botherer and `Game Of Thrones’ star Paul Kaye. Gave up dreams of stardom after returning from holiday to find that said singer had gone off to live on a Kibbutz, and the guitarist was suddenly number one in the charts with a record he’d arranged for an unknown female singer with an eye patch.

Formed electronic improvising trio Radio Massacre International playing keyboards, electronics and drums with oldest friends and collaborators Duncan Goddard and Gary Houghton, who over a 25-year career have played dozens of concerts in the UK, Europe and USA as well as appearing on an MTV Europe co-host. The discography currently stands at some 60 or more releases including a trio of albums for acclaimed US label Cuneiform, and five solo albums made over the last ten years.

Performed as Drummer and/or Floor Percussionist with the Damo Suzuki Network on some half dozen occasions, one of which has led to a number of collaborations with Martin Archer including Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere which was founded in 2009 and has since made four albums, and Engine Room Favourites the 10-piece Jazz ensemble.

And now…Das Rad.

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