X-Offender (1979-80)

X Offender had commenced regular work in 1979, when drummer Russell Baker decided to link up with one of Kel Gordon's bands, with Mark Allen linking up from a local Maitland band. The final gig of the first line-up including Russell, unusually saw the introduction of new drummer Mark for the last set on the night.

The new and final line-up that played the majority of 1980 (as shown left to right in photo) was ;
Mark Allen; drums 1980 (Maitland)
James Davis; Keyboards/backing vocals.....and all the girls' favourite ! (Maitland)
Nigel "Nuge" Griffith; Bass/ Vocals (Epping)
Ed Pearson; Guitar/vocals (Toronto)

The band was starting to work up to 5 times a week before recording 4 original songs at the Cordial Factory Studios with Tony Heads.
The songs recorded were:

• 'Baby Jane' (Griffith/Pearson)
• 'Hey Lady' (Pearson)
• and 'Comin' Down The Line' (Pearson) / 'All I Ever Wanted' (Davis/Pearson)
  (EMI 13058-A/B) which was released in 1980

Whilst opening for Jimmy & The Boys during 1980 the band was approached by, and signed with, a non Newcastle agency, 'Omega Promotions'. A single was cut and released of the first 2 songs above The final production of the single was credited to Tony Heads, with Mark Tinson (Heroes) being involved in the remixed and final version released.

The band continued to work regularly around many of the Hunter venues; eg Bel Air, Ambassador, Doylson RSL, Mawson Hotel, Hunter River, Catherine Hill Bay, Charmhaven Hotels etc etc, often opening for DV8 and Atlantis, (having much respect for both Greg Bryce and Peter Anderson from these bands). It also returned for the final of the 1980 Raworths Battle Of The Sounds at The Palais.

'Omega Promotions' saw the the band's single get good airplay in the Central Coast and from some of the independant Sydney Radio stations. This resulted in the band spending significant amounts of time in Sydney, the Central Coast and places further north of Newcastle.

Most Sydney work allowed the band to play more original material, and gigs were generally with local and overseas bands of the time, such as Lonely Hearts,The Eyes, Outline, Radio Active(UK), The Benders(Melb), Flowers, The Voices, Lipstick Killers etc etc.

Plans were to record an album with the original material that had now been accrued during the year, were quickly faded in December 1980 following the departure of Nigel Griffith to Melbourne, to start a career teaching music. The band decided to called it a day.

• James Davis went on to surface in Raiding Party with Mark Tinson.....(remaining the "wild child" he always was).
• Mark Allen moved briefly to the UK before ultimately packing away the drum kit to become a pilot.
• Ed Pearson permanently relocated to Sydney from 1981 and continued writing, recording and performing with numerous Sydney bands through the 1980s, but none that achieved any commercial success.
  

A special thanks must always go to the un-named road crew, the regular group of troupers who travelled plenty of distance to watch the band develop and Lorraine Macey, journalist from The Star, for their support of the band during those hectic years.

20 Years On....... in 1999 the original X-Offender single and other material written in 1980 was updated and (re) recorded, (this time minus the keyboards), in Damien Gerrard Studios in Sydney, as part of a planned album. The large old X-Offender backdrop was dusted off, an old song list revived, and an Annandale audience of 200+ people got to hear something that had occurred 20 years previous. Only the one original founding member from Newcastle was left to "fly the flag" for the last time .......(see photo..... the old X-Offender referred is far left in photo).

EdPearson

Ed Pearson: (guitar/vocals).....Toronto
Nigel "Nuge" Griffith: (bass / vocals)...originally Epping in Sydney but relocated to become a Novocastrian for the next 3 years
Russell Baker: (drums/vocals)....Cardiff

In 1978 three musicians already working in local Newcastle bands at the time struck up a friendship and started jamming. This friendship ultimately saw them form three piece rock band Boulevard in early 1979.

They commenced regular work at various Newcastle Hotels such as the Criterion & Maryville Hotels,Toronto RSL and support roles at venues such as The Ambassador etc.

This three piece line up featured in the final of Raworth's Battle Of The Bands in 1979 at the Civic Theatre........something all three members remembered for many years to come ......as the PA system died temporarily midway through the three song set ....an unexpected experience for all ..... the band just played on through and "came out" at the right spot.......fun, but not how they planned it ! .......

After 6 months of working the local venues, more opportunites arrived and after regular stints opening for high profile acts, the band looked to add a fourth member and change its direction. With this change came all new material, a change of name and image.

Keyboard player James Davis from Maitland joined the trio and the band re-emerged as X Offender with the new song lists comprising of reworked late 60s/early 70s songs, a mix of popular new wave/punk music and again a handful of original songs.

Ed Pearson