We remember… Trousers

For several years around 1976/7/8, Wendy and I regularly attended somewhat rude but hugely enjoyable gigs by a band called “Trousers”. Timothy Murton-Laight and Roger Curtis were excellent entertainers. Jon Davie was an occasional bassist with them. Jon was an excellent session musician who we also saw at the National Theatre, providing musical backing to Michael Herr’s “Dispatches”. Jon later played alongside Ric Sanders, (now of Fairport Convention) in a band called 2^nd Vision. No-one can forget Warwick the Roadie I’m sure. The gigs we attended were in the “Feathers” pub in Wraysbury and in a Wine Bar in Esher too, from what I recall. Their music was an enjoyable mix of folk, rugby songs and contemporary songs with a largely acoustic backing of guitar, banjo and piano.

The Feathers eventually burned down! No-one was amazed.

The dynamic duo famously appeared on “Opportunity Knocks” singing “Bottoms”.

We lost touch with them over the years, but still retain an album, made in May 1977 at Abbey Road where a coach load of us went with them to record a live album - “Mad Nelly Rides Again”. About 50 of us went, got plastered at their expense and sang along. We all had a great time and I retain very fond memories of them through this album, which I transcribed to CD in the 1990’s and still play in the car!

I recently heard that Roger died around 1997, sad news indeed.

Tim, Jon and Warwick are still around and I hope to catch up with them sometime. I’ve been very happy to exchange email from Wendy and Jolyon Curtis and Jon Davie.

If you’d like to listen to the album, click here. I’d like to thank Wendy & Jolyon for their permission to make this available, 29 years after it was recorded.

If you want the vinyl record itself, I know the album is still around because I found a copy for a friend recently. Google away and you’re bound to find it. Or you can send me an outrageous bid for mine.

If you want to share your “Trousers” memories, then please mail me. Have you any pictures (I only have the one above, from the album cover) – if so, please mail them to me.

Last Updated by Andy Leslie on Sunday, 03 August 2008