Stormtrooper

Stormtrooper formed at the bar in the Marquee Club by British front man Nigel Hutchings and American bassist Jeff Piccinini, who recruited John Pilka on guitar and Mike Lee on drums. They recorded a 4 song demo in August 1975, then signed with Corruption Management on the Portobello Road for a couple of pints and some distant promises. The band’s career was short and very sweet as the PR sheet with the single explains.

Stormtrooper as we appeared in our short but volatile lifespan during the summer and autumn of 1975: Nigel Hutchings, vocals; Jeffery Piccinini, bass guitar; John Pilka, guitars; Mike Lee, drums. After cutting a demo tape in September 1975 and being rejected by one record company after another and also being “Financially Destitute”, desertion set in. Our heroic assault as top-billing act at Bath Pavilion on October 1st, 1975 was our last live appearance. By Christmas 1975 Stormtrooper ceased to exist.

I’m A Mess PR Sheet

However deciding that their music had something in common with the new punk style they cut a single from their demo of 1975 I’m A Mess / Its Not Me (1977 Solent Records).

John Waterman (Solent Records) Jeff Piccinini, who was an American living in Havenstreet, came to me with a tape. He said: ‘I’m a bit worried about the quality of the tape’. The tape was a bit raunchy, but it was an archetypical punk, or post-punk song. The record sold 3,000 copies, a lot of which were sold in London.

Interesting historically. Single sounds like the Who circa Live at Leeds but with sort of weak punky lyrics / themes. You’ll either think it was ahead of its time and good, or just bad heavy rock. Take your pick. Described by the British music press as

“The sound of a commuter being shoved under a tube train in the rush hour, one for howling at the moon and a tale of drunkenness in the wild of Soho.” 

The press release said:

Two years later a record has been cut from our demo tape and has come out of our own pocket. The track I’m A Mess was conceived over two years ago and although it was well ahead of its time we feel it is still as relevant today as it was two years ago. We hope you enjoy this record and don’t forget to Play It Very Loud.

I’m A Mess PR Sheet

You might be thinking where have I seen that title before? The single was sold with a badge

John Waterman (Solent Records) The badge declaring ‘I’m A Mess’ sold with it became well known. Sid Vicious wore his badge on the Sex Pistols American tour and on a Wreckless Eric sleeve, Wreckless Eric is pictured wearing his on his guitar strap.

Somewhere in this history bassist Geoff Myles also fits who at some stage was in the band and went on to become a staple in the reformed Chelsea lineup of late 1977.

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