Seelie Court pleasantly surprised with the release of mono master tapes recorded on a BBC Mobile Unit at a live gig in 1973. Flux were an incredible band consisting of ex-Motiffe and ex-Babe Ruth members. The recordings are hard to describe. Lead guitarist John Grimaldi [later joined Argent] is incredible. This is a stunning mix of ‘Red’-era King Crimson and demonic version of John McLaughlin.

Richard Blanshard played saxophone, flute and did the vocals. He later joined Italian prog rockers Flea On The Honey and continued career in well known bands. Members of Flux were Charlie Chandler, Dave Punshon, David Shackley, John Grimaldi, Richard Blanshard.

“It was a great time to experiment and no rules”

Where and when did you grow up? Was music a big part of your family life?

Richard Blanshard: I grew up in Eastcote in Pinner some of our other local people in music were Elton John and Simon Le Bon. None of my family were musical but they like music and we listened to it all the time.

When did you begin playing music? What was your first instrument? Who were your major influences?

My first instrument at school was the violin which I hated. My mother was French so she wanted me to play the accordion, so I had this huge machine to deal with and I didn’t enjoy it. I loved Motown and Stax music and later I loved Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea and I fell in love with the sax and taught myself.

Were you in any other bands before forming Flux?

I used to sit in with any bands that I could. I used to spend my school holidays in Spain and I played with a Spanish group whenever I could. I used to do many auditions with bands. I answered an ad in Melody Maker for Flux – that was the way most bands were formed in those days.

Seelie Court really surprised us with the release of Flux recording. This was a very short-lived art rock/fusion band composed of ex-Motiffe and ex-Babe Ruth members. Can you elaborate on the formation of Flux?

John Grimaldi was an incredible talent both as a guitarist and writer. It was a great time to experiment and no rules so I was able to discover some areas that I had never touched in music. Dave Punshon, the keyboard player had been in Babe Ruth and decided to join Flux and after Flux he gave up music for many years… he found a guru and ashram and entered that world. The other members Charley (drums), Dave (bass) were already in place. Flux were based in St. Albans which had a good musical heritage. Their Zombies and Argent had come from St. Albans.

This recording is taken from a mono master tape recorded on a BBC Mobile Unit at a live gig in 1973. What’s the story behind it? Where did you record it? What kind of equipment did you use and who was the producer? How many hours did you spend in the studio?

There was a really good BBC sound engineer who had decided to build his first track mobile studio and he wanted to test it for the first time and he used it on gig at City Hall St. Albans so it was a live recording, no studio work. I had thought he recorded in stereo but somehow the master was in mono.

“Every track took you on a journey”

A shocked Record Mirror journalist witnessed the concert and described it in a published Record Mirror review as “a new form of music”. What influenced the band’s sound? How would you describe your sound?

John Grimaldi was also a talented visual artist as well as being a talented musician, and I think he saw music in his visuals and translated them back into music. Every track took you on a journey. I think listening back now, it was not flawless, but it was from the heart… each musician giving a part of them rather than just following a traditional format for a piece and each input was respected and we wanted to listen to each other and bounce from there.

How important is improvisation for you? It seems to me that some organ parts were completely improvised.

For me improvisation is important as long as it is respectful and compliments and adds to the piece rather than just an exercise of being technically brilliant which for me is cold. The best bands are the ones who love to listen to each others playing and knowing when not to play. Dave Punshon’s background was heavily in classical music and jazz and he is an extraordinary player where his playing comes from I have no idea but he’s out there…

The guitar part is truly astonishing.

John Grimaldi had his own way of playing the guitar… not conventional at all… no pick but just using his fingers, he was amazing to watch. Sadly we lost him to multiple sclerosis far too young. After Flux he joined Argent and he had a few more bands. He became respected as a great talent.

How come the band never recorded anything else? You sounded incredibly unique.

We started getting any interest from record companies. Dave Punshon left and Charlie the drummer and we brought in in new people. Ultimately we didn’t get a record deal

What’s the story behind the IRA bomb scare?

It was a time when the IRA were targeting bombing in the UK and there were many scares around the country and unfortunately it happened in the middle of our set

What can you tell me about your involvement with Flea On The Honey?

My friend was the singer in an Italian band called Oliver. They later became Goblin who created all the soundtracks for Dario Argento’s movies. They came to London to meet with Eddie Offord who produced Yes, to see if he would produce them. They came to see Flux and their friend’s band Flea on The Honey were looking for a British singer and they asked me to join them in Rome. I went to Rome and was with them for two years. They are amazing musicians and they have all gone on to do very big things in Italy.

Is there any other unreleased material?

I think as far as Flux is concerned there are some tapes that have been found and we will see what they are.

Did you do any other gigs?

We did a number of gigs, but ultimately it was a record deal that we needed to survive and reach the biggest audience.

What occupied your life after the band stopped?

After Flux and returning from Italy I have played and been a vocalist with many artists including Russ Ballard, Kim Wilde, Paul Young, Barbara Dickson, Elkie Brooks and many others . I have also written music for film and produced.

Thank you for taking your time. Last word is yours.

It’s great that Flux has reappeared for a new audience. I hope it is liked. It is very much music that speaks of an exciting period in our music history… no rules, no formula and playing from the heart and taking people on our journey.

Klemen Breznikar