There cannot be many bands that are equally at home playing to both a Rockabilly crowd and a Psychobilly crowd, yet the Caravans find themselves in that enviable position. Led by multi-talented Mark Penington, the band have been touringing and recording for over 20 years and despite line up changes and even near fatal accidents, they are still going strong.
In 1983, singer/songwriter Mark Penington was about to be discharged from the British Navy and was already rehearsing with local Rockabilly musicians. He was writing new songs as well as covering old obscure Rockabilly cuts like Speed Limit (Tommy Lamb) and Ice Cold Baby (Mad Marlon Mitchell). One cover in particular influenced his choice of band name; Everybodys Rockin by Billy Pragar, whose 50s backing outfit called themselves The Caravvans (Yes spelt with two vs!).
Back in Portsmouth and unhappy with the line up he had assembled, Mark hooked up with Lee Barnett & Rob Taylor. Other names were brought in as time passed in an effort to create something different. It was with Brian Gilman & Darren Francis that they recorded their first album Easy Money, released in 1988.
Now becoming more established, The Caravans regular appearances in Londons The Klubfoot provided an oasis of melodic, yet hard-hitting, up-tempo Neo Rockabilly, in what was often a barren thrash of Psychobilly acts. The band appeared regularly at the major Psychobilly festivals in Europe and played often on the London circuit, included on the bill at the Clarenden Hotel, Gazs Rockin Blues, and later the St. Moritz. Away from the scene they provided support for the likes of soul legends Buddy Curtis & The Grasshoppers, British one-hit wonders Doctor & The Medics and R&B wildman Barrence Whittfield.
A European tour followed the albums release, during which time it became apparent that some band members were more interested in partying than in doing what they were actually there for. Darren and Brian argued about who the culprits were before both promptly leaving. Lees focus was now on his own business and a more percussive club band. He left on amicable terms to persue his own future, staying in touch and guesting from time to time.
Rich Caso, who had replaced Rob Taylor weeks before the recording of Easy Money, was still in touch with Get Smart bassist Jonny Bowler, who also played drums. Jonny jammed with the band a mere couple of times before going quickly into the studio to record their second album No Excuses. Then it was off to Europe again for an extensive tour, as well as finding time to record their second 7 single No Show No Go.
Back from tour, a jaded Rich Caso explained that the constant loop of touring, recording and rehearsing was wearing him down and he needed a break. Jonny & Mark had met a harmonica player/vocalist at the Big Rumble who had an albums worth of self-written tunes and was looking for musicians to take on tour to Switzerland. Mid-way through the tour, the said lead-singer blew his lip and his liver and without much explanation left for home, leaving Mark, Jonny and Sean Goan to finish the tour. The path of least resistance was to continue the tour doing Caravans tunes with Mark on lead guitar, Jonny on bass and Sean on drums.
A new album soon followed; Glamorous Heart demonstrated a sound which was more powerful and direct. A further four tracks were demod for an EP that was to be called Motel Blue. The tracks were later re-recorded with Lee Barnet on drums and Rockabilly legend Paul Diffin on Bass. These tracks appear as the first four tracks on the CD version of Glamorous Heart.
With Paul Diffin relocating to the States, the door was left open for Gary Day, back from touring with Morrissey. Gary had always been interested in the band and had previously released the album Straightside on his Rock-Out label, so he knew the material. This line-up recorded mini CD-album Action or Slander, which was actually intended to be the soundtrack to a short film, but the budget, as small as it was, became completely non-existent.
After a tour of Scandinavia- where Gary had broken his hand at the first gig, the van had all but fallen apart, a guitar had been stolen and the ferry home missed- they pressed on to record Saturday Nites Alright with Paul Lambourne on bass. Lambourne has been with the band ever since - the longest serving bass player to date! As they continued to play and record, Return to Zero was released. This was a compilation of acoustic material recorded over the years.
Drummer Rich Taylor- who had been with the band since 1997- was now drifting back to playing the rock n roll clubs with his other band the House Wreckers. Because The Caravans schedule was increasing, Mark Richards (ex Get Smart) joined in on drums for a trip to New York to play CBGBs, The Rodeo Bar & the New York Rumble, where they were filmed and included in the festival flick Rumble In New York.
The year 2001 saw the band all but wiped out in a car accident. The collision happened whilst driving back from a festival in France, leaving Mark critically ill and in intensive care in a French hospital. Paul was in a different hospital with a broken back whilst drummer Mark Richards walked away with just a few broken teeth. Following this, Richards decided to quit touring with the band for the sake of his family.
Nevertheless, less than five months later with Penington and Lambourne barely recovered, the band appeared at the Calella festival, Spain, with drummer Lee Barnet back on board. Things were pretty quiet after this with Marks condition deteriorating and a program of corrective surgery following through to 2003. Finally towards the end of the year Mark was back on his feet, writing and recording again. The band then recorded their latest album Less Smoke More Powder in Marks hometown of Southsea and set off on a successful tour of Europe with American psychos the Tombstone Brawlers. More festivals followed and the line-up was now complete with Jim Jeffries on second guitar replacing Craig Boyd, who had been guesting and jamming with the band on and off for many years.
This is by no means the end of the story, just the story so far. The Caravans have had a prolific output, one known and loved for its consistently high quality. With many of the Caravans songs now scene favourites, the bands place in the history of Neo-Rockabilly is assured and their popularity greater than ever.
Alan Wilson 2005
2004 -WITH THE ORIGINAL & FOUNDER MEMBER of the Vans, Lee Barnett re-joining back in 2001 - a busy summer 2004 touring Europe and Scandinavia, the guys found themselves on the other side of the pond LIFTING the roof of The Knitting Factory In Hollywood, Los Angeles USA - The Show such a huge success that a whole tour of the West Coast was planned for the not too distant future. Meanwhile back in the UK New Album No Mercy was underway and the insueing European tour in the planning. This completed successfully, the focus was now on The West Coast of USA. Towards the end of 2005 The Bands popularity increasing in the UK found the guys playing in front of "Normal" crowds in Venues such as the Wedgwood Rooms, The Joiners, & Koko's At home and in London - A live album now emerged from a performance at The Wedgwood Rooms - Completely unplanned and without the bands permission, tapes were leaked to Jungle Records in Finland who released the captured performance after brief negotiations with The Band. For the next two years the band quit touring and concentrated on Festival appearances & One off shows- Album No Mercy had taken the band to new levels musically and audience wise, with the video of No Mercy appearing on several underground music shows - 2008, now the bands 25th anniversary they had never been so busy - A sell out show in Berlin, festival performances with Levi Dexter, Bedlam Breakout headliners, and finally The West Coast tour Of USA !! LA, Vegas, A radio show in San Francisco, Long Beach, Santa Cruz followed, Phoenix Arizona was all but sold out, terminating in San Diego & hundreds of cd's sold it was back to UK. Over the years The Caravans have recorded and released over 50 compilation album trax, so they decided to take the best of them and re record them at STUDIO 1 @ The Soundcraft Studios in Portsmouth UK . These are the trax you will find on the CD WHISKEY, WOMEN & LOADED DICE - This is classic Neo Rockabilly and a long way from the nu sound of NO MERCY & LESS SMOKE, MORE POWDER probably an indication of where the band will go in the future. But make no mistake, as the years roll by they still sound as fresh as they did In the Eighties and will continue to find new pastures musically - New Album THE ORCHID LOUNGE is planned for 2010 & will be another step forward. With the sound, an amalgamation of all things Trailer Park but with the Unique Studio 1 sound they captured with Whiskey Women & Loaded Dice.
Pending Releases a live performance recorded and video ed at THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE @ Xmas 2007 called GET A HEAD & a LIVE REHEARSAL In Studio 1, Recorded and video taped on surveillance cam - Usual STUDIO 1 Sound - some stunning visuals too. That's about it for now - Stay tuned though and catch em live if you can.
SHARON "TRAILER PORK" SHAGNASTY 2009.
