What Next For DARK?
Update April 2022
Sadly the pandemic prevented Steve, Clive, Phil and Rob getting together anymore.
This added to the fact that both Phil & Rob had moved to the South of England so, although they were managing to travel up once or twice a month before Covid hit in early 2020, March 9th 2020 was the last time that happened.
Also, although Steve is now fully retired, health concerns mean that gigging is less likely for the future, even if DARK do get back together with more new members.
If we could find any that were happy just to rehearse for fun, we would seriously consider this.
Steve, Ron and Clive still meet up occasionally to discuss the future of the two albums and also the possibility of a DVD release, as there is film available from each of the last three gigs.
There has also been some interest shown in using some never before released material, so Steve will have to find time to sift through any old tapes he can find, many of which would be rehearsal recordings.
Unfortunately, the 'Dark Round The Edges' line up will probably not perform together again.
As mentioned before, Martin now lives abroad and, although he comes back occasionally, that obviously makes rehearsing rather difficult.
Ron now has other interests, as does his brother Andy, who played rhythm guitar on the last few gigs, and so they are no longer available.
Steve and Clive, as stated above, had still been playing, with two new members. Phil Walding (Steve's best mate from their school days) on 2nd Guitar and Rob Chaundy on Bass.
The 'New DARK' was more of a laid back affair, just rehearsing on a fortnightly basis which is all Steve can manage now, working a full-time night shift. Consequently, regular gigs are not a possibility although not ruled out all together as their performance on 20th June 2015 at the Pucturedrome for the 'Have Guitars . . . Will Travel - LIVE!' gig testifies.
This was as part of the Northampton Music Festival weekend and they hope for a repeat performance in 2016.
News of any interest will probably find its way on to this website as well as the DARK facebook page.
2024
The First Ever Cassette Release of 'Dark Round The Edges'
As Posted on Instagram - by Saturn Eye Records:
@saturneyerecords
Enquiries: info@saturneyerecords.com
LABEL ANNOUNCEMENT #2
Saturn Eye Records: Catalog No. SE-013
Tapes for the first ever cassette release of DARK's legendary album 'Dark Round The Edges' are finally in hand and will be releasing Friday, March 29th at 1PM EST through our online store (shop.saturneyerecords.com).
This is an official issue, fully designed by Steve Giles and authorized by Seelie Court.
It utilizes the superb 2021 Abbey Road Studios remaster by Sean Magee, taken faithfully from the original master tapes, transported down to London by Ron and Steve on 25th October 2021.
There is a link to the video of that event during the Promo.
We have used the best ferric tapes available and each unit has been checked by the manufacturer to ensure optimal quality.
Keep an eye out for more surprises!
LABEL ANNOUNCEMENT #1 (SE-013) and ooo it's long -
We are incredibly honored to announce that Saturn Eye Records will be bringing you the first ever cassette edition of DARK's 1972 album, 'Dark Round The Edges'.
This legendary British heavy progressive rock album was originally released as a rather scarce private press and was mainly distributed to the band's friends and family. Since then, it has received wider recognition and acclaim: several reissues now exist on vinyl and CD, while exceedingly rare original copies sell for tens of thousands of dollars. But strangely, the album never made it to cassette... well it's never too late!
We've spared no expense on these tapes and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know and working very closely with main man @dark_steve_prog_giles in order to bring them to you.
This limited edition has been fully designed by Steve and will feature audio from the 2021 Abbey Road remaster which faithfully used the original master tapes. This audio is only otherwise found on the recent vinyl edition from our friends at the Seelie Court archival label. Needless to say, it sounds absolutely fantastic. All six tracks from the original album are included and, to round things out, recording outtakes from tracks 'Maypole' and 'The Cat' are also included.
We expect a March release so keep your eyes open for more details here very soon.
--
Lastly, a huge thanks to Seelie Court for allowing this project to happen. They have done absolutely amazing work over the last several years by giving artists and bands like DARK the attention and recognition they deserve.
And of course, a huge-er thanks to the legends Steve, Clive, Ron, and Martin for pouring it all out and into these killer recordings. 'Dark Round The Edges' has been in heavy play at Saturn Eye HQ for many years and it's a dream come true for this label to be playing even a small part in its continuity. If you haven't heard it yet, get on over here to the Darkside.
.
Steve, Clive and Ron Interviewed about the Original Albums
We got together for a very successful filmed interview for a future TV documentary about
collectible music memorabilia which will feature the story of the original DRTE albums.
No definitive info yet - but it is hoped to feature on the UKTV Channel,
sometime later this year.
I’ll keep you posted.
It features Clive’s original colour gatefold sleeve and tells of DARK’s story - and that of the album
2023
One of our Occasional Meet-Ups
This time at 'The Roade House' in Roade, where Ron lives.
Just Steve, Ron and Clive - Martin now living in Portugal
but also present, Charlie Hiams, DARK's first drummer, 1968-1970
and Mark Parish - one of the Roadies after Ron joined in November 1971
Dark Round The Edges - 50th Anniversary
The Catalogue Raisonne series of LPs from Seelie Court Records - of virtually all material recorded between 1969 and 1996.
These will include all recordings from the 'Teenage Angst' time including new material recorded 'Live' of DARK Mk 1 in 1969.
Also 'Artefacts From The Black Museum' to include the recorded backing tracks
of the DARK Mk 4 line-up recorded in October 1971.
'The Jam' recorded in late '75 will also be included.
A new Remix & Remaster of 'Anonymous Days' - especially for this project.
This will also include 3 bonus tracks.
2 of those are from rehearsals in 'The Cellar' whilst preparing for the recording sessions.
These were eventually rejected and so not included previously.
Also an earlier work of 'Miles and Miles Away' which couldn't be finished initially as the first studio closed down - and the second studio could not progress it as the tapes were recorded on a 16 track ½" tape machine while 'Far Heath Studios' used 24 track equipment needing 1" tape.
And - Of Course - Dark Round The Edges itself PLUS the backing and outtake tracks.
Especially for this Anniversary Edition, DRTE has been Remastered at Abbey Road Studios in London.
It was hoped that everything would be available for Summer 2022 to coincide
with the recording dates of 9th-13th July 1972.
Sadly, delays due to the pandemic, backed up orders at pressing plants and vinyl shortages
mean that the LPs were not available until mid 2023.
It is hoped that a CD Boxset of all the recordings will be available from later in 2024
In the meantime - check out the video of Steve & Ron's trip to Abbey Road for the remastering session.
2020
Zero Time - Back to a 3 piece
One of the last videos recorded before the pandemic lockdowns - which, sadly, have caused DARK to stop getting together, at least for the foreseeable future.
Recorded during a Rehearsal at Audio Works in Northampton, as a 3 piece. Back To Our Roots! https://www.audio-works.co.uk
Our 2nd guitarist couldn't make it so we decided to just do the Classic line-up.
This is the latest version we have recorded.
Obviously we're not doing much right now with the pandemic - but, as things stand, I'm not sure when we will again as I'm one of the 'Clinically, Extremely Vulnerable' people that is having to shield.
This video is a slight revamp on the video I posted a couple of years ago.
2019
Dark Cross The Ages
Double LP
This is now out of print and only available second hand.
However - it can still be obtained on CD-R from this website or eBay.
LP1 - Dark Round The Edges. A Different Remastered version of that iconic 1972 LP
LP2 - Those tracks performed Live for the last time by the DRTE Line-Up:
Steve Giles - guitar, vocals
Clive Thorneycroft - drums
Ron Johnson - bass
Martin Weaver - 2nd guitar
plus Andy Johnson - rhythm guitar, harmony vocals.
Live tracks recorded on October 19th 2011 at The Racehorse Inn, Abington Square, Northampton.
DARK had got together for the first time since the 1997 Beer Festival gig to perform at the 'Memories In Pink' event to raise funds for the children's ward at Northampton General Hospital in memory of Steve's daughter Carly who passed away at the tragically young age of 23 in February 2011.
Having performed that concert, Steve decided to arrange one final 'Farewell Concert' in order to obtain good quality video & audio before the DARK guys went their own separate ways for the last time.
'Dark Cross The Ages'
Double LP
promotional video
2014-2015
The 'Dark Round The Edges' line-up were back in the studio one last time during the summer of 2014, recording 3 tracks from 1971:
In The Sky,
Could Have Sworn,
Wasting Your Time.
These tracks have featured as bonus tracks on some re-issues of the Dark Round The Edges album, but had never been played by that line up until the sessions.
Steve, Ron & Clive were in the studio, with Martin supplying his contributions from Bulgaria to be mixed in at later dates.
A Special Remembrance Day Mix of one of the tracks from the recording session
In The Sky
Welcome To The Edge - CD & DVD
Welcome To The Edge CD
Tracks
In The Sky (5:06) Giles
Could Have Sworn (4:53) Giles
Wasting Your Time (7:01) Giles
In The Sky - Remembrance Mix (5:44) Giles - Inspiration from Thorneycroft
Wasting Your Time - Alternative Lyrics (7:01) Giles/Johnson
bonus track
from the forthcoming album 'Anonymous Days-The Remix'
Killin' My Friends (6:11) Weaver
Welcome To The Edge DVD
The Story of The Recording of
Welcome To The Edge
Chapters
29th July 2014
New Money
Take One
Could Have Sworn
In The Sky
Wasting Your Time
In The Sky - Remembrance Mix
The Making Of The Cover
In The Sky - 1971 Original
Out-Takes
'Welcome To The Edge'
promotional video
'DARK Mark 10'
2013
Rehearsing our cover of Eleanor Rigby
Steve Giles: Guitar Vocals
Clive Thorneycroft: Drums
Phil Walding: 2nd Guitar
Rob Chaundy: Bass
at
Big Noise Rehearsal Studios
Northampton
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