Home Service

The UK folk rock outfit Home Service first assembled in 1980 under the name First Eleven, emerging from the constantly shifting personnel of the Albion Band. John Tams, born 16 February 1949 in Derbyshire, England, fronted the group on vocals and melodeon, supported by Bill Caddick (born 27 June 1944 in Hurst Hill, Wolverhampton, England; vocals, guitar, dobro), Graeme Taylor (born 2 February 1954 in Stockwell, London, England; vocals, guitar), Michael Gregory (born 16 November 1949 in Gower, South Wales; drums), Roger Williams (born 30 July 1954 in Cottingham, Yorkshire, England; trombone), Howard Evans (born 29 February 1944 in Chard, Somerset, England; trumpet), and Jonathan Davie (born 6 September 1954 in Twickenham, Middlesex, England; bass). While Evans and Williams continued their parallel roles in Brass Monkey, Caddick had already issued several solo albums prior to joining.

The band issued its first recording, the single ‘Doing The Inglish’, in 1982; two years later the self-titled debut album appeared after keyboardist Steve King had joined. National Theatre commissions followed, including the score for the York Mystery Plays, which yielded a 1985 album. That release introduced Andy Findon on clarinet, saxophone and flute, included guest vocals from Linda Thompson, and mixed traditional material with contemporary songs. Caddick departed shortly afterward, dissatisfied with the scarcity of live dates caused by the group’s heavy schedule of theatre, television and film work. The remaining musicians completed Alright Jack, widely regarded as one of the finest folk albums of the 1980s, on which Tams’ songwriting was showcased in ‘The Scarecrow’ and the title track.

Home Service ceased activity in 1987 after Tams had already left and the others disagreed over future direction. They reconvened in 1991 without Tams or Caddick to contribute to the Hokey Pokey charity compilation All Through The Year. Caddick rejoined the following year to complete a well-received UK tour, after which the band disbanded.