Photograph
Beau Leisure
1981

“yes - that's the Unicorn in Altrincham. The Enthusiast* supported them a few times there and we had a residency on Mondays for a while. Beau Leisure had a good light show and PA - for which we were grateful!”

“Yea Gods - Beau Leisure. The biggest band in Alty!
They had the best gear - better than us. Clive the bass player was a gas fitter. I remember interviewing him for a piece along the lines of 'Gas Fitter Fires Up Plans For Pop Glory.'
You could listen to their songs on some pub jukeboxes in Altrincham - very clever idea.

I also went out with Clive's ex girlfriend - but don't tell the missus. Or Clive.”

“Sorry - Clive was never a gas fitter. Produced plenty, but he never managed to control it! - He was a courier for North West Gas, drivin' round the country hummin tunes...”

“I had the pleasure of seeing these guys at Leigh Sixth Form College, Marshall St, Leigh. Absolutely great night and a fantastic sound .... even (gulp) 30 years later it is a name that has always stuck in my head and really introduced me to the synthpop I grew to love .... and miss!!!

When I saw them they were playing with the two drummers and I recall, though possibly incorrectly, that one had worked with Jilted John .... I also seem to remember a guy in the band who worked at Chamleys' Stationers in Leigh .... is my aging memory playing tricks on me???

I sooooo wish I could turn back the clock to those days before I left to join the RAF! <Sighs>”

“Sam, go listen again at .... www.myspace.com/beau.leisure”

“Have tried to but can't seem to get anything to play!!!

Oooh hang on .... maybe I was on the wrong site!!! Yeeeeeessss!!!!”

“Still a great sound .... what a shame they didn't achieve what they deserved. Can these tracks be downloaded for my Ipod anywhere??

I still regularly play The Promise too which again is one of my favourite tracks!”

“They even have a facebook page ....

www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=11...”

“Not sure where this photo was taken but just a thought, it may be upstairs in The Sale Hotel on Marshland Road.
The Unicorn seemed to have a larger playing area than this photo seems to suggest.
Also remember playing The Unicorn with the lads as I was guitarist in The Risk which later morphed into Beau Leisure.
Supported the Salford Jets a few times Sunday nights playing in The Unicorn, Sale and U.K. Sub's Russell Club in Hulme.
First gig with The Risk was The Free Trade Hall, Monday night, can't remember if it was the Main concert room or the "Lesser Free Trade Hall.
Had four days to learn the tunes. No bottles thrown so must have been okay.”

“Woody, it is definitely the Unicorn. My own bands played there many times. Incidentally, wasn't Dave Powell - Beau Leisure's vocalist, in The Risk once? I'm sure he told me that he wrote the Beau Leisure single - 'American Beat' when he was in The Risk?”

“Cheers for that cawright1 so it is the Unicorn!
The Risk line up was:
Dave vocal / guitar, I was guitar / backing vocals, Alan Cummings Bass and Neil Tomkinson Drums who later played with Chris Sievey and the Freshies.
In answer to previous post Neil did work with The Freshies and toured with Jilted John in France and I think John Cooper Clarke was on the same outing.
American Beat was part of The Risk set and was part of a "live" recording we made in the basement of Discount Records in Sale courtesy of Nick and Sharn who ran Discount Records. Apologies to Sharn as not sure if spelt name right.
The recording was made overnight in the cellar of shop, when we emerged the next morning the heaviest snow in years had fallen which made getting home really difficult.
The Risk later became Beau Leisure slight change of line up:
Dave, Neil, original members, new member Clive Farrington on bass / backing vocal, new member Terry Snowdon on Synth / backing vocal and myself original memb”

“Original member.
Dave's mate Mogg from The Naughty Boys played a one off gig in The Risk at Leigh Open Air Festival. Dave was explaining parts to Mogg in car going over Mancunian Way. Mogg grabs parts and throws them out of car top of ManQWay.
Later same day after several beers in Railway Pub pre gig Mogg onstage doing catherine wheels on his back entangling himself in a mass of leads. I thought "What a great day out" but don't thinks Mr. Tony Wilson walking about in suit raincoat and wellybobs shared my sentiments.
Also remember Mick Hucknall fronting Crispy Ambulance.
I've got some stuff on 7" spool of Beau Leisure and one live recording made in The Wilton Lounge bit rough soundwise but does capture atmosphere.
Cheers again.......................Woody!”