About
Original logo artwork by Steve Norris
Before Jo Jo Namoza, Marble Arch
In 1980, Mark Hawkins (keyboards), Steve Norris (Bass guitar/Guitars), Kenny Stone (Drums) formed Marble Arch a Progressive Pop Rock band with singer song writer Neil Hawkins (Vocal/ Rhythm Guitar).
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Early influences included Genesis, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Supertramp, King Crimson, Mike Oldfield,
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Marble Arch recorded their first demo at Multium studios in Wokingham. It comprised of three songs, Open Mind Surgery, Poets and Politicians and Modern Times.(written by Neil Hawkins - arranged and produced by Marble Arch). At this time, the band did gigs at Silks in Thatcham and Nelsons in London.
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Studio Demo. Recorded 1981. Multium Studio, Wokingham
Marble Arch, Performing Live at Guildford University
Neil Hawkins
Steve Norris
Kenny Stone
Mark Hawkins
‘In the early 80s, new influences such as Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, Japan, all start to shape the style of their song writing, and in the demos of songs such as Birthday Suit, Fi Fi and At Gatsby's Garden…’ (written by Neil Hawkins - arranged and produced by Marble Arch). These were recorded in a garage studio in Tilehurst, Reading in 1982. The song Gatsby’s Garden develops over 9 minutes and 47 seconds and includes a short percussive interlude, with Steve Norris changing from bass to lead guitar and back. Such features would gain the group recognition as they evolved over the next few years. Gigs at this time included Guildford University, (and on the second visit as support to John Martyn), The Out Of Town (Padworth) and The Ship Hotel, Reading.
Studio Demo. Recorded 1982. Garage studio Tilehurst
A Name Change
By the time of their next studio recording at Matinee Studios, Reading, in 1983, Marble Arch are now called Namoza. The songs recorded were Wild Life, Taking Punches and Empty Hands. (written by Neil Hawkins - arranged and produced by Namoza). This batch of songs demonstrate more structured arrangements and closer attention to detail - with fretless bass, syncopated guitar patterns and keyboards playing a mixture of classic DX9 synths as well as a Stevie Wonder-style electric piano. The lyrics now show concern for world affairs.
Namoza
This is the first official photograph of Namoza. 1983
Studio Demo. Recorded 1983. Matinee Studio, Reading.
Jo Jo Namoza
Studio Demo, Recorded 1986, Matinee Studio, reading
An advert in the ‘musicians wanted’ page of Melody Maker in 1985 brings singer Francis Magee. A week or so after an initial audition, Francis joined Namoza on stage for the first time at Winchester College - singing three songs he had learnt for the audition. From then on, Francis was the band’s front man, and it was decided that in recognition of him joining (and his previous band Jo Public), Namoza’s name would include the prefix Jo Jo’. Thus Jo Jo Namoza was born. Early in 1986, the band returned to Matinee Studio in Reading to record their first demo with the new line-up. The songs were Kissing The Babies and Back At The Farm. (written by Neil Hawkins - arranged and produced by Jo Jo Namoza).
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First official photograph of Jo Jo Namoza, 1986. Taken by Steve ______?_______
The following five years would see Jo Jo Namoza building a serious fan base not only in their home territory of the Southern Counties but in London and across the UK. After being spotted performing by a Norwegian promoter (Oyvind Jelestad) at The Rock Garden one of London’s better known venues in Covent Garden in 1986, JJN were invited on a mini tour of Norway. They flew into Stavanger airport one Friday in the Spring of 1987. They played at one of the local music venues - then took the overnight ferry through the fjords to Bergen. On the Saturday night they played to a packed house in Bergen’s brilliant venue The Hulen - and flew home the next day.
The following year, JJN returned to Norway. They expanded upon their successful first trip, recording live performances at The Fish Factory in Bergen during their visit.
Two Reading Uni students - Emma Banks and Neil Richards- both active with the Students Union - took on management duties with the band. They financed live recordings, arranged tours of universities / established venues across London and the South East - as well as the recording of the band’s EP at Matinee studios in Reading.
Building on their continued success, the band became regulars on the British university circuit, and played to packed London venues such as The Ceanarvon Castle and Dingwalls in Camden - where they became firm favourites with the local London crowd. By now the band had a reputation as being a live act like no other - with their heady mix of hypnotic, frenzied polyrhythmic grooves with frontman Magee’s uber-charismatic persona and his manic improvised mime/surreal monologues between songs.
After one show at The Majestic in Reading, where JJN supported a band fronted by legendary producer Martin Rushent, JJN were invited into the producer’s professional studio on Streatley Hill in West Berkshire, to record a demo. The demo was recorded and all was well. Both Martin and engineer Neil O'Connor were pleased with what they heard and were keen to work further with the band. Shortly after this session, the studio had various issues and resultingly nothing came of the session. There is a copy of the recording somewhere, but who knows where…?
E.P. Studio Recordings. 1988. Matinee Studio, Reading.
Recorded Live at Reading University. 1989
JJN made their penultimate recording at The White House Studios in Kewstoke, outside Western Super Mare. The songs recorded were Sugar Train and King For a Day (written by Neil Hawkins - arranged and Produced by JJN). These songs show a departure from the stylised, quirky, rhythm-based material of previous recordings, and saw the band moving into more mainstream pop/rock.
Studio Recording. The Whitehouse Studio. 1989
SONET RECORDS
Elevator , Assault and Battery
Re Mix By Producer Kenny Denton
In 1990, drummer Kenny Stone took an earlier demo of the band’s EP into Sonet Records in Acton, London - where it was heard by the studio’s MD. As a result, JJN were invited to Sonet Records’ studio to remix songs from the band’s earlier EP. Sonet’s in-house producer Kenny Denton remixed Elevator , Assault And Battery, and Sonet records wanted to put it out as a single. However, two weeks later, Sonic Records distribution company went bust, the label closed its London office and the single never happened..
J J N recorded a single in collaboration with Acorn Records at Edgar Broughton's studio in Barnet, London.
The A side is a re recording of Kissing the Babies with the B side featuring the song Elevator previously recorded at Matinee Studio in Reading.
J J N were not pleased with the quality of the recording and production of this version of Kissing the Babies and reluctantly aloud its release.
Line up Additions
Andy Marshall
Over the course of Jo Jo Namoza's existence, additional musicians added their talents to recordings and live shows. Former band mate of Francis Magee, Andy Marshall, started out as an occasional backing singer with his then partner Evonne. (pictured below at Reading University)
After several tours, Andy became a permanent member of JJN adding his excellent vocal and percussion skills to the energetic live shows.
Andy Marshall
James Carter
Guitarist James Carter worked with JJN on their Matinee Studios EP and all subsequent recordings, bringing jangly guitar and frenetic wah-wah to the band. He also joined them for several tours, including the last tour of Norway with gigs at The Hulen and The Fish Factory. The latter gig saw JJN supporting Norway’s top band, The Dum Dum Boys and was recorded for a live radio broadcast that included an interview with members of the band.
James Carter
With a deterioration of the local live music scene and the University circuit across the UK it became increasingly
difficult for J J N to continue without the support of a record company.
The music industry was changing rapidly and times were changing.
With heavy hearts in 1991 the decision was taken to bring Jo Jo Namoza to an end.
Neil Hawkins, Went on to write and record more original music with Sugar Train, a band comprised of Ex members of JJN and The Complaints.
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Steve Norris, To the present day is writing and recording his own music and is heavily involved in independent film making.
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Kenny Stone, Pursues a career as a freelance musician, writing and recording with a variety of original artists, most notably The Occasional Orchestra.
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Francis Magee, Can be seen on TV and cinema screens having become a professional actor.
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Mark Hawkins, Continues to write and record his own original music which has been widely used in the advertising and commercial arena.
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Andy Marshall, Returned to The Isle Of Man where he currently writes and performs.
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James Carter, Has gone on to become an established children’s poet and writer-in-schools.
Thank you to all our family and friends for their help and support throughout the Marble Arch and Jo Jo Namoza years.
To Mr and Mrs Hawkins, Mr and Mrs Norris for allowing us to use their garden sheds for rehearsals on what should have been quiet weekends.
A special mention of Greg Lewis, Simon Tonah and Neil Rawlings for all the the late nights loading gear in and out of dubious venues, and the well earned breakfast at Heston services at 3am. Thanks to Simon Parker for joining us on stage to have a dance and smash up his Mum's vacuum cleaner !