The Dole

The DoLe were formed by Simon Page in 1977. The original line up was: Simon Page (Lead Rhythm Guitar), Andy (Lead/Rhythm Guitar), Paul Vjestica (Drums), and Matt Gillatt (Bass). After a couple of local gigs the band enrolled Peter Howsam on keyboards. Further local gigs followed after which Andy decided to leave. Peter suggested that the band gave his friend Ian "Emu" Neeve an audition on vocals. The audition took place and within a couple of numbers it was clear that Emu was exactly what the band needed. 

 

With Emu the band's local popularity grew with gigs the Key Theatre, The Bull & Dolphin, Focus Club, The Grenadiers Club in March and Peterborough Technical College to name few. It was about this time that the band came to notice of Roger Slater, owner of the independent record label Ultimate Records. One track that especially caught his eye was "New Wave Love". And so one Saturday morning a makeshift recording studio was set up in an empty house on Eastfield Road in Peterborough by Roger Slater and Adrian Knight. Twelve hours of blood, sweat and tears later, the master tracks for "New Wave Love" and "Hungry Men" were laid down. The double "A" sided single was released in June 1978. The music press liked it, with good reviews from Sounds, Melody Maker and The New Musical Express. The band were now in demand and supported top acts such as 999 at the University Of East Anglia, Radiators From Outer Space at Chelmsford College and Tonight at the Kings Lynn Corn Exchange. Meanwhile the single reached the dizzy heights of number 3 in the NME's independent chart. After a headline gig at Sandpipers Nottingham, bassist Matt Gillatt decided to leave the band and suggested his good friend Jon Cauwood would make a good replacement. But, by late autumn 1978, Jon and Peter both left The DoLe to pursue other band projects. 

 

Now the three remaining members, determined to carry on, needed to find a bassist and a keyboard player if they were to continue. Within weeks, The DoLe mark 2 up and running with Mirko Obradovic on keyboards and Nick Joinson on bass. In addition Nikki Warmisham joined Emu on vocals. Their first gig at Chelmsford football ground was swiftly followed by a local gig at St Barnabas's Church Hall supporting The UK Subs. In November 78 The DoLe supported the UK Subs once more, this time in London at The Last Bastion White Hart in Acton. A month later the two bands should have played the same venue but with The DoLe headlining. Sadly this was not to be as the venue was forced to close down after fights breaking out at an intervening gig. Early 1979 the band recorded five demo tracks at Spaceward Studios Cambridge and supported The Only Ones at Focus Club in Peterborough. February brought a supporting slot for Rudi and Raped at The Bull and Dolphin. The DoLe's final gig came in London, March 1979 supporting The Skids at The Marquee. To play that venue was the dream of every punk band. Sadly the band split shortly afterwards, with its members following various music projects. [SOURCE: BORED TEENAGERS]