Comus - Drip Drip (1971) UK Progressive Folk Band

Comus - Drip Drip

1971

Album - First Utterance

Roger Wootton - acoustic guitar, lead vocals
Glenn Goring - 6-12 acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide, hand drums, vocals
Andy Hellaby - fender bass, slide bass, vocals
Colin Pearson - violin, viola
Rob Young - flute, oboe, hand drums
Bobbie Watson - vocals, percussion

Tracks:
1. Diana
2. The Herald
3. Drip Drip
4. Song to Comus
5. The Bite
6. Bitten
7. The Prisoner

A gig at the London Purcell Rooms- November 1969 - David Bowie, Juniors Eyes, Comus

The UK progressive / psychedelic folk rock band Comus began with the meeting of Roger Wootton and Glenn Goring, both aged 17, at Ravensbourne college of Art in Bromley, Kent in 1967. They both played guitar, and shared a liking for the work of John Renbourn and Bert Jansch (who were forming Pentangle at about this time), and for the Velvet Underground. Glenn and Roger began playing at local folk clubs, (Velvet Underground numbers didnt go down too well), and on a visit to the local club in Beckenham, the Arts Lab, they become friendly with the organizer, one David Bowie. Glenn and Roger started playing regularly at the Arts Lab, laying the foundation for what would eventually become Comus.

Whilst at Ravensbourne, Glenn and Roger met Chris Youle, (later to become Comuss manager), and violinist and media student Colin Pearson, the first recruit for the new band. Comus was first suggested as a band name by Chris Youle who had been studying Miltons masque of the same name. Inspired by the character of Comus, Roger began working on some of the songs that were later to appear on First Utterance.

Bassist Andy Hellaby was the next person to join the band, after an approach by Glenn and Roger at the Beckenham Arts Lab where he had been playing with another group. Shortly afterwards 16-year-old singer and percussionist Bobbie Watson was also invited to join, after she was overheard harmonizing some music during a visit to the house in Perth Road, Beckenham, where Roger, Glenn, Andy and Chris all lived.

The sixth and final member of the original band, flautist Michael Bammi Rose, responded to an advertisement placed by Comus in Melody Maker. He would come to rehearse at the house in Beckenham, accompanied by a Jamaican Rastafarian contingent from Brixton, which included the now legendary trombonist, Rico.

Mikes time with the band was fairly short however, and on leaving, he was replaced by a friend of Colin and Bobbies called Rob Young. Though Robs first instrument was the piano, he taught himself flute, oboe and bongos in order to play with Comus.

Thus, by the beginning of 1970, the classic First Utterance Comus line up of Roger, Glenn, Colin, Andy, Bobbie and Rob was complete. The residency at David Bowies Beckenham Arts Lab continued, giving Comus time to both gell as a band and to hone their live set. Chris Youle meanwhile set to work booking gigs, tours and promotion across the U.K . Audiences quickly recognised the passion, originality and breathtaking musical quality of a Comus performance, and the band soon became a favourite on the college circuit.

Forward 30 years....

The band has since inspired the likes of Current 93 (who covered the album's opener and single) as well as a legion of Black Metal bands.

Comus released one more record before disbanding. Released three years later, it was a far more commercial, yet still captivating affair. However, the band has since reunited in 2009, and are planning to release a new record as soon as it is completed.