In the previous posts Stuart Wood provided us precious and very detailed 
information about the different Change to the East line-ups leading to the definitive one, although very little we know about its members’ musical activities before Change to the East.
Here Ian Baker fills this gap concerning his part, and tells us about his musical experiences in the Liverpool music scene:
‘1979: Started off playing keyboards in school in a band called NYLON with David Owen (vocals, keyboards), David Brophy (drums), Mark Phythian (keyboards). Our favourite bands being Kraftwerk, Ultravox, Human League and OMD. We followed Kraftwerk's ethos by building a lot of equipment such as oscillators, filters and phasers (mainly because we couldn't afford to buy them!)
1981 Philip Bliss joined on vocals, we changed the name to Silent Movement and I picked up the bass guitar, and Mark dabbled with the guitar. We had left school by this point, started gigging around Liverpool at The Venue and The Masonic Pub, supporting such bands as P.O.W, and The Games
At some point in this year, (August I think) we actually recorded at the same studio where Woody had done his YOP scheme some months earlier, although we never actually met each other then.
By the end of 1982 people were drifting off to University and the band fell apart.
Unfortunately, I don't know what became of the two Davids and Phil. But Mark Phythian [who also was recording engineer on the band’s ep] went on to be a very much respected sound engineer, earning a Grammy for his work on the first three Coldplay albums, and we're still in touch to this day.
In true 1980's style I actually tried to go solo, using backing tapes at gigs whilst playing keyboards or bass and singing!
Luckily after only one gig at The Cavern Club I decided it was not for me so I started looking for an established band to join.
I think I must have contacted most Liverpool bands that were advertising in the music shops of Liverpool as well as the local newspapers, and more often than not it didn't get past the first phone call. But amongst those who I did get to play with were;- Freeze Frame, The Pale Fountains, The Lilac Trumpets, Western Diplomats, The Presidents Men, Come in Tokyo and 3D.’
‘I auditioned for the Pale Fountains before I joined Change to the East. I remember being given a very rough demo of Jean's not Happening to learn - loved the song and play it still today, but I just didn't fit in with the band. I think they were looking for a more Echo and the Bunnymen style of bass player.
Another band I auditioned for was The Lilac Trumpets, but I haven't heard or seen anything from them since.’
‘I got very disillusioned with the whole thing and when I got Woody's phone number, I actually kept it for about a month before ringing him, - never regretted it when I did ring, because our playing style fitted together so well.
He became a very close friend, and still is.’
Thank you very much, Ian.
information about the different Change to the East line-ups leading to the definitive one, although very little we know about its members’ musical activities before Change to the East.Here Ian Baker fills this gap concerning his part, and tells us about his musical experiences in the Liverpool music scene:
‘1979: Started off playing keyboards in school in a band called NYLON with David Owen (vocals, keyboards), David Brophy (drums), Mark Phythian (keyboards). Our favourite bands being Kraftwerk, Ultravox, Human League and OMD. We followed Kraftwerk's ethos by building a lot of equipment such as oscillators, filters and phasers (mainly because we couldn't afford to buy them!)
1981 Philip Bliss joined on vocals, we changed the name to Silent Movement and I picked up the bass guitar, and Mark dabbled with the guitar. We had left school by this point, started gigging around Liverpool at The Venue and The Masonic Pub, supporting such bands as P.O.W, and The Games
At some point in this year, (August I think) we actually recorded at the same studio where Woody had done his YOP scheme some months earlier, although we never actually met each other then.
By the end of 1982 people were drifting off to University and the band fell apart.
Unfortunately, I don't know what became of the two Davids and Phil. But Mark Phythian [who also was recording engineer on the band’s ep] went on to be a very much respected sound engineer, earning a Grammy for his work on the first three Coldplay albums, and we're still in touch to this day.
In true 1980's style I actually tried to go solo, using backing tapes at gigs whilst playing keyboards or bass and singing!
Luckily after only one gig at The Cavern Club I decided it was not for me so I started looking for an established band to join.
I think I must have contacted most Liverpool bands that were advertising in the music shops of Liverpool as well as the local newspapers, and more often than not it didn't get past the first phone call. But amongst those who I did get to play with were;- Freeze Frame, The Pale Fountains, The Lilac Trumpets, Western Diplomats, The Presidents Men, Come in Tokyo and 3D.’
‘I auditioned for the Pale Fountains before I joined Change to the East. I remember being given a very rough demo of Jean's not Happening to learn - loved the song and play it still today, but I just didn't fit in with the band. I think they were looking for a more Echo and the Bunnymen style of bass player.Another band I auditioned for was The Lilac Trumpets, but I haven't heard or seen anything from them since.’
‘I got very disillusioned with the whole thing and when I got Woody's phone number, I actually kept it for about a month before ringing him, - never regretted it when I did ring, because our playing style fitted together so well.
He became a very close friend, and still is.’
Thank you very much, Ian.
