Artist: Diggory Venn

by on 19th January 2019
 

Years Active

1974 – 1979

Personnel

Martin Peirson (vocals / guitar)
Peter Robinson (bass)
Shaun Devitt (drums)
Brian Nelson (guitar)
Paul Bird
Barry Ross

About

Diggory Venn started out as a Beverley sixth-form band performing covers but quickly became a duo comprising Martin Peirson (song writer, vocals, guitars) and Peter Robinson (bass) mainly performing their own material.  They were joined by Robin Peirson for early recording projects at Fairview Studios in 1974 – and for live shows.

The band released a cassette album from those first recordings, entitled And Then In The Night, which sold well locally. Returning to the studios for further sessions in the next couple of years, they recruited other musicians to broaden the sound –including drummer Shaun Devitt. One of those tracks (“Tickle Bang & Slap”) was included on a recent Fairview CD collection A Perfect Combination.

The group swelled its ranks – blending with friends from local group Smile (Paul Bird and Barry Ross) plus Shaun and guitarist Brian Nelson to form a 7-piece band – performing mostly original material. The band had two songs featured on an album on the Workhorse label recorded live at The Light Dragoon Etton – ‘Just a Taste of The Processed Pea’.

Diggory Venn played folk clubs and venues, including a residency at the Hull Cheese. As the band expanded it became difficult finding suitable venues for their own songs and folk-rock covers, but Spring Street Theatre and the Centre Hotel were regular city haunts.

After releasing the LP Good Friends on the Workhorse label in 1977, the group continued its run of irregular bookings at venues, folk clubs and private events before disbanding in September 1979. The core of the band resurfaced as Jump The Gun.

(Martin Peirson)

Discography

Albums

And Then In the Night (Cassette) – self released, 1974

Good Friends (LP) – Workhorse Records, 1977

Appeared On

Just A Taste Of The Processed Pea (LP) – Workhorse Records, 1978 (tracks: Bathtub / Over The Hill)

A Perfect Combination (CD) – 2016 (track: Tickle, Bang And Slap)

Gallery