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Kast Off
Kast Off KINKS comprise long time KINKS members: Mick Avory (1964-1987) drum (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 1990), Jim Rodford (1978-1996) bass/vox (Zombies/Argent/Animals), Ian Gibbons (1979-1989/1992-1996) keys (Roger Chapman), & David Clarke gtr/vox (Tim Rose/Beach Boys).
The set includes big hits like “You Really Got Me",
“Dedicated Follower of Fashion”, “All Day & All of the
Night”, “Lola”, Waterloo Sunset”, “Days”,
David Watts”, “Apeman”, “See My Friends”, “Sunny
Afternoon”, ”Tired of Waiting For You” & many more…
"You Really Got Me" was not only The Kinks biggest hit but marked
the beginning of the heavy metal riff. As drummer Mick Avory recalls, "The
band had already cut a version of "Long Tall Sally" which didn’t
do anything chart wise, but with "You Really Got Me" we knew we were
on to something. The fans went crazy, the phone never stopped and we leapfrogged
on to TV. Our agency Arthur Howes even put an ad in the NME on August 28 1964,
congratulating us on our way to the number one spot. By the time the ad was
published we were already number one."
"Before you ask, we’re not a tribute band
and we’re back playing the early stuff now and again, rather than 300
nights a year, and all of us love it."
Mick Avory - Drums. Vocals on Dedicated Follower
Of Fashion
For most fans Mick Avory is the definitive Kinks drummer! Mick joined The Kinks
(at that time still known as The Ravens) in January 1964 and remained with the
band through to July 1984.
The first hit album to feature his drumming was “Kinda Kinks” although
his most brilliant moments would come on the albums “Village Green Preservation
Society” and “Arthur”.
His last recorded performance was on “Word of Mouth”, where he was
featured on three tracks.
Since leaving The Kinks Mick has been a member of Shut Up Frank (featuring Dave
Clarke, Noel Redding, Jim Leverton, Richard Simmons and Dave Rowberry) - two
5-track CDs, 1 Vinyl LP and 1 live CD from the Cheltenham Racetrack came out
on Mouse Records. Also tours of Sweden, Norway and New Zealand.
Mick also played with The Class of 64 (with Chip Hawkes and Eric Haydock), The
60s Allstars, Brian Knight, and has for the last fifteen years been a permanent
feature of the Kast Off Kinks.
Jim Rodford - Bass, vocals
From the 1950's to the early 60's, Jim was in local St. Albans skiffle/rock
& roll band The Bluetones. In 1964 he joined jazz/soul/RnB band The Mike
Cotton Sound. The band backed major artists Gene Pitney, PJ Proby and others,
as well as being popular in their own right. 1 hit single.
In 1969 he formed Argent with his cousin, Rod Argent. Jim stayed with Argent
through to 1975. They released 8 albums and had 3 hit singles.
In 1975, with Bob Henrit & John Verity from Argent, Jim formed Phoenix who
continued through to 1978 and released 2 albums.
From 1978 until the mid 90's when Ray Davies went solo, Jim was bass player
with The Kinks. He played on 8 albums (4 Gold) and 2 hit singles.
In the late 90s, Jim joined The Animals & Friends with original members
John Steel (drums), Hilton Valentine (guitar) and Dave Rowberry (keyboards)
until 2004.
Meanwhile, from 2000 to date, he has been touring with The Zombies, with original
members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent. From 2005 Jim has been guest bass player
for The Swinging Bluejeans. In between these main projects, Jim has toured and
recorded extensively with Lonnie Donegan, Barbara Dickson, Mick Abrahams/Blodwyn
Pig, Mike Berry & The Outlaws and many more.
Jim joined the Kast Off Kinks in 2008.
Ian Gibbons - Keyboards, vocals
Ian started on accordion at age 9, playing in the school band and solo at music
festivals, competitions and charity events. At the age of 14, he started a school
rock band , playing guitar and singing. He changed to organ after leaving school
and played in local and resident bands until 1972 when joined Moonstone, who
released 3 singles. Life followed, and released an album for Polydor, none of
which, needless to say, did anything. Ian worked with Love Affair, The Nashville
Teens and various cover bands whilst recording another album for English Assassin.
Punk and New Wave came along, so haircut, skinny jeans and ties were in. Ian
worked with Tonight and The Records and recorded for Phoenix and other rock
based and New Wave bands until an audition for The Kinks in 1979. He was asked
to join, and stayed with them until 1989, whilst also working with Dr Feelgood,
The Kursaal Flyers, Blues 'n Trouble, Ken Hensley, Mike Vernon, Samson, Randy
California and others, mainly recording.
Ian worked with Roger Chapman, The Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Ian Hunter from 1989
onwards and returned to The Kinks in 1993.
He has continued to record and perform with the aforementioned Roger Chapman
and Ian Hunter along with Chris Farlowe, Maggie Bell, Andy Scott, The Chicago
Blues Brothers and recently on Ray Davies choir and other projects.
In 2008, Ian became a member of the Kast Off Kinks.
Dave Clarke - Guitar, vocals
Dave started playing piano at 4 and guitar at 9. His first record in 1963 (at
the age of 15) was produced by Luigi Creatore at New York’s Roulette Records.
Often confused with his DC5 namesake, his 1971 solo album “Pale Horse”
saw him temporarily renamed as Dave Carlsen. The album featured Keith Moon and
Noel Redding. Also auditioned for David Bowie at the Lyceum in 1971 but didn’t
go on the US Ziggy Stardust Tour.
Dave formed The Noel Redding Band with Noel, Les Sampson and Eric Bell –
after false starts with Pete Kircher, Micky Gee and Mick Taylor - two singles,
two albums on RCA and four major US tours. Another album was eventually released
later on Dave’s own Mouse Record label. He then formed White Line with
Jimmy McCulloch and his brother Jack, 2 singles and one album. Dave met Carl
Wilson and Bruce Johnson in London in 1977 and went to California on the Beach
Boys payroll. He formed a band in Los Angeles with members of Spirit, JoJo Gunne
and The Undisputed Truth - all Dave’s songs, some of which were later
released on his second solo album under the name The Dream Machine. Jimmy McCulloch
instigated another new LA band featuring Jim, Dave, Carl Wilson and Terry Kath
(Chicago). Sadly Terry died and so, prematurely, did the band.
Songwriter throughout for Southern Music, ATV Music, Screen Gems and Heath-Levy.
Dave joined the Royal Navy in 1979 and after active service in the Falklands
War and elsewhere, retired as Commander in 1992, set up Mouse Records and formed
Shut Up Frank (see Mick Avory). He collaborated on and off with Tim Rose from
1974 until Tim’s death in 2002 including shows in Ireland and England
and three albums.
Dave has been a member of the Kast Off Kinks for 15 years.