Biography
Bodast represented one of Steve Howe's lesser-known endeavors prior to joining Yes, occupying the interval after his time with Tomorrow and before his entry into that band. Joining Howe were Clive Skinner on vocals and guitar, Dave Curtis handling vocals and bass, and Bobby Clarke, also known as Woodman, on drums. Earlier, Curtis and Clarke had been members of Roundabout, the short-lived ensemble assembled by ex-Searchers member Chris Curtis; they formed the segment that never transitioned into Deep Purple. Clarke had also spent the late 1950s performing skiffle as part of the house band at Soho’s 2 I’s coffee bar, later appearing with Screaming Lord Sutch and Vince Taylor’s group. Curtis, for his part, had previously cut recordings with his own outfit, the Tremors.
As a psychedelic-cum-progressive rock unit, Bodast formed an unusual bridge between those skiffle and early rock & roll origins and the art-rock developments of the early 1970s. Throughout 1968 and 1969 the group worked the underground circuit without issuing any official recordings. Although Tetragrammaton, the label associated with Deep Purple, expressed interest, nothing resulted, and live appearances remained infrequent even as the members devoted extensive time to composing and rehearsing original songs. Howe declined opportunities with the Nice and Jethro Tull out of commitment to Bodast, yet ultimately departed once the Tetragrammaton arrangement collapsed. In 1969 they tracked unreleased material under the production of ex-Tomorrow vocalist Keith West.
When those tapes surfaced during the 1980s, they revealed an unexceptional ensemble documenting British underground rock’s shift from psychedelia to progressive styles. The material holds value chiefly for Howe enthusiasts, though it does not rank among his more significant contributions.
As a psychedelic-cum-progressive rock unit, Bodast formed an unusual bridge between those skiffle and early rock & roll origins and the art-rock developments of the early 1970s. Throughout 1968 and 1969 the group worked the underground circuit without issuing any official recordings. Although Tetragrammaton, the label associated with Deep Purple, expressed interest, nothing resulted, and live appearances remained infrequent even as the members devoted extensive time to composing and rehearsing original songs. Howe declined opportunities with the Nice and Jethro Tull out of commitment to Bodast, yet ultimately departed once the Tetragrammaton arrangement collapsed. In 1969 they tracked unreleased material under the production of ex-Tomorrow vocalist Keith West.
When those tapes surfaced during the 1980s, they revealed an unexceptional ensemble documenting British underground rock’s shift from psychedelia to progressive styles. The material holds value chiefly for Howe enthusiasts, though it does not rank among his more significant contributions.
Albums
