FRIENDSHIP

BIOGRAPHY:

Local act from 1969 featuring Davy Waugh (vocals, ex-Heenan Froude Set), Hamish Miller (drums), Charlie Dyer (bass, ex-Prize Chunks), Bill Hastings (guitar, ex-Scotsmen) & Frank Ferrari (keyboards, ex-Prize Chunks). The band played all over Scotland, but fancied a shot abroad, so answered an advert in the Melody Maker. The received a call from one Albergio Crochetta, owner of the Piper Clubs and Piper records, who wanted an opening act for a 16 date tour of Italy. They were asked to secure rehearsal rooms in London, and let him know where and when and he would come and see them. After a local gig, the band packed their ex-Co-op van, bought by Dyer for £18, and set off to London. Setting up in the Pied Bull Pub in Islington, the band did a sound check, and then promptly fell asleep. A rather well dressed Italian gent with a blonde on each arm was there when they woke up. They played their set for him, and he must have liked what he saw, as a contract appeared, was inspected by the band, and duly signed.
Crochetta asked that the band get to Via Reggio in Italy to play two nights at his Piper Club, then drive to Rome to park their transit, and get on the luxury tour bus, their transport for the next 16 days. During this they played at theatres from the North to the South of Italy, and stayed in some nice hotels. One of the highlights was the Opera House in Bari. Afterwards they hung around in Rome for a while.
Upon finding themselves skint, they agreed to a gig at a local nudist camp. After arranging themselves naked onstage, the curtain was opened to reveal a fully clothed audience. They returned to Falkirk in 1970, supposedly to record an album, but split up soon after signing to local Nillson Management. Miller & Dyer then formed Cat Violet. whilst Waugh went on to Aardvark, and Hasting played with Likorice.