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POP SCENE with Trevor Baxter SALFORD CITY REPORTER 7th
JANUARY 1983
WITH ‘OPTIONS’ FOR THE FUTURE
It has been the policy of this column to
feature as many Salford bands as possible. Discovering new groups and watching
them develop (or break-up) is always an interesting process. Into 1983
and the latest name to come to my attention is Option. I first saw them
supporting Syncopation at the Band on the Wall and immediately they
impressed. Singer Jim Livingstone then called into the Reporter office
to chat about their background and future. Option are Jim, Garry Rice
(guitar and synthesiser), Chris Platt (bass) and the baby of the band
Paul Ashton, 17-year-old drummer. They were formed about seven months
ago and have played a few gigs supporting Syncopation. Minus Paul and
without a name they played as a mystery threesome. Deciding their future
lay without their drum machine and with a title, Paul was appointed and
Option decided upon. His debut at the ‘Band’ was a great success despite
his total lack of experience and limited rehearsal time . . . two hours
before the concert.
PROMOTE
“What we need now is a manager,” said
Jim, “We need to get our name known and a manager would help promote us
and get us some gigs.” Like many other bands at their stage of
development Option plan to record a demo tape in the New Year. Practise
is restricted—Chris is at college in Nottingham—so they make the most of
limited opportunities. None of the groups so far featured have signed a
record deal and I still think it a good idea to produce a limited supply
compilation LP including Option.
My best wishes for 1983 go to all
local groups and may they prosper and succeed.
After Option Jimmy retired
from the music scene, Chris tried to continue with the band with new
musicians but nothing became of the new line up. Garry after a long
break is still an active musician, with 'Keller' along with local
musicians Mike Calderbank and Ross Drake, and at the moment is in local
band 'Same as it ever woz' along with Jack Crossley and Ross.
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