The Valentine Coup

From 2003-2008 Blue Thatcher were a force to be reckonned with, first as a blues covers band then later as a rock band. From their first gig at Jacksons Pit with Bruce Carter (The Whip) on drums, Ollie “The Reverand” Kelly on Bass, Jonno “BB” Donohoe (Sleazy McGuires) on guitar, Andy “Boy Blue” Mac on Sax (Sleazy McGuires) plus original members Paddy “Lightening Boy” O'Hare (RAWCUSS & Fink Ployd) and Dan “88 Keys” Hutchings (I Am Bang), and after the first gig, Ste “Horsepower” James became drummer and the band played the best blues in the area anywhere that would have them. During this period BT also featured regularly Jono’s Dad Dave “the lips” Donohoe on trombone, and Martin “Spadaman” Halbrook.



With the departure of Ollie Kelly to Australia Jorge Escobar (Hurricane Club) stepped in on Bass and eventually Blue Thatcher the original rock band was born, with the fixed and final line up of Paddy O'Hare, Dan Hutchings, Jorge Escobar and Ste James.



The 4 piece released the Wayne / Gentle Surprise EP and played such highlight gigs as Manchesters Academy 2, The Hub in Dublin, The Cavern in Liverpool and the regular local haunts such as Night & Day and The Roadhouse etc. In an attempt to find a new direction the band wrote some new songs and began recording an as yet unfinished single at 80 Hertz studios and changed their name to The Valentine Coupbut it never really stuck, and by the time Ste James announced his departure to the land of Oz the band decided to go out the way they started. So on 12th April 2008 Blue Thatcher performed “Thatcher’s Last Stand” at Delph Club, Saddleworth playing some of their favourite blues and rock and roll covers.



Thanks to everyone who supported us through the years, and maybe we’ll see you again one of these days.

BT x



A LIVE version of TVC's Upcoming single 'Nanny State' @ Jackson's Pit:



Mobile phone video of TVC performing brand new song 'Shorts, T-Shirt, Hangover Day' @ Bluu Bar, Manchester:



Pro-shot video of BT perfroming 'Love Conquers All' (Unplugged) @ M19 Bar, Leavenshulme, Manchester: