MYSTERY RUSHENT RECORDING

Ian Shirley uncovers the story behind post-punk/synthpop producer Martin Rushent’s 60s group, The Nett, and meets his band-mate from way back when, Gerry Shadbolt

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I’m a big fan of producer Martin Rushent, and wonder if you can solve a mystery for me. According to his Wikipedia entry he had a school band and went into EMI studios to record some tracks with them. Considering his fame, I’m amazed that the name of this band has yet to become known, at least to trainspotters like you at Record Collector. Can you shed any light on this dark corner of his illustrious career?

George Sykes via email 

Your timing is impeccable. I have just been working with legendary broadcaster Gary Crowley on a compilation of Martin Rushent productions. As part of my research, I was steered in the direction of Gerry Shadbolt who was in a band called The Nett with Rushent in the 60s. The Nett went into RG Jones’ studios in Morden to record two tracks in 1967 which were cut on acetates with the famed RG Jones Oak imprint. Gerry was good enough to answer some questions and shed some light on this part of the nascent Rushent’s career.

Can you tell me how your band got together?

I used to be a motor mechanic and when I was at technical college, met a couple of guys who lived in Hornsey, North London. Tony Saunders was a bass player and Robert Hatton was a guitarist and as I had been playing drums since I had been in the army cadets, we decided to form a band. This was around 1966. We got together and got in another local guy called Graham Burr who became the lead guitarist.

Where did you rehearse?

We started off in one of the guy’s houses in Hornsey. Then we used a school over in Wood Green in North London. We used to play their youth club and they let us set up in the hall. It just went on from there.

How did Martin Rushent come to join the band?