Mark Andrews And The Gents

Mark Andrews hailed from Portsmouth and began his musical career as a drummer, switched to acoustic guitar, and while making the rounds of folk clubs began writing his own material. In time he added electricity and formed a rock band with a keyboard man and electric violin “for Frank Zappa excursions.” That aggregate evolved into a cabaret band called Edward Bear with a lad named Joe Jackson on piano. Edward Bear became Arms and Legs (with Joe Jackson) and had a couple of airplay hits including “Any More Wine.” When Jackson departed to launch his solo career, Andrews decided to give it another shot as Mark Andrews And The Gents. The band consisted of Larry Toltree on drums, Martin Sawtell on bass, Jap Kemp on organ and bass and Barry Lines on lead guitar. Manager Jazz Summers heard an early demo tape which he immediately took to Mike Nobel, who headed up A&M for A&M U.K. The resulting album, 'Big Boy', was produced by Simon Boswell.