HomeMade Records
incorporating FMV Studios, The Den and Porter Studios
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HomeMade Records |
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|---|---|---|
incorporating FMV Studios, The Den and Porter Studios |
The Fourmost |
| The History of HomeMade Records |
HomeMade Records came into being round about 1990, formed by two friends John Watkins and Andy Smith, to release their first collaboration - 'Two Minds'. A labour of love, it was recorded in Johns' home studio during 1989 using, by todays standards, basic recording equipment. A simple 4 track portastudio, a Roland keyboard and a collection of songs written by Andy. The sessions were intense as they were both eager to get the best out of what they had and they were treading new ground, making mistakes but learning all the time. By the time the recording was complete, both John and Andy were shattered by the experience, though pleased with the result. With the catalogue number of HMR001, 'Two Minds' was released to friends and family and sold on Andy's solo gigs. The follow-up never came. Both Andy and John went on to do their own seperate things, though Andy did go back to a professional studio and recorded his next work - 'Fragile World' and released it under the HomeMade Record label (HMR002). A collection of Andys' songs with just one guitar and voice, his attempt to get back to basics. He issued two more recordings under the HMR label of his own work when in 2006, John suggested they should get together and record a follow-up to 'Two Minds' now that new technology has made it possible to produce a professional CD in the comfort of their own homes. This new CD, titled 'Unfinished Business' was completed in March 2008, but it was during these sessions that John and Andy realised that they had amassed various recordings since 1990 and before, which were just lying around. They decided that they should catalogue them all under the HomeMade Record label and as a result these recordings are all now available to an unsuspecting public. Here's a link to Andy's website |
Catalogue
| Artist | Title | Reference |
Date |
Cover |
Description |
| Mr. Smith | Two Minds | HMR001CD |
1990 |
 |
|
Andy Smith
|
Fragile World | HMR002CD |
1993 |
 |
|
| Andy Smith | Passport | HMR003CD |
2000 |
 |
|
| Andy Smith | Abbey Grove | HMR004CD |
2003 |
 |
|
| Cold Feet | Cold Feet in Rehearsal | HMR005CD |
1989 |
 |
A rock / blues outfit showcasing the guitar and songwriting talents of Greg Slater. Along with John Watkins, Geoff Fisher and Anthony Whittaker, Cold Feet performed in the North West area in 1989/90. This CD is a loose collection of material from various rehearsals before the band hit the road. |
| The Russians | Live at 'The Lamb' | HMR006CD |
1990 |
 |
|
| Oh Boy! | The Oh Boy! Rehearsals | HMR007CD |
1996 |
 |
Oh Boy! are a very popular north west 60's band. Founded by Kevin Clarkson in the 80's, this CD also features John from The Fourmost. A wide selection of 60's material taken from two rehearsals in November 1996. |
Oh Boy! with Dave Dawson |
Black and White Nights? | HMR008CD |
1998 |
 |
A Roy Orbison tribute band that never really got off the ground. Great musical backing by Oh Boy! augmented by Justin Randall on piano, this CD was recorded in the early stages of rehearsal. A collection of Orbison classics. |
| Oh Boy! | 1958 - 1970 | HMR009CD |
2000 |
 |
12 Classic songs from 1958 -1970 recorded in the studio by Oh Boy! with Kevin, John, Gary and Alex providing the music. Track Listing : Move It/ Take me for what I'm worth/ Heartbeat/ Do you love me?/I think of you/When you walk in the room/ Here comes my baby/ The crying game/ Do you wanna dance?/ Black is black/ Bend me shape me/ Hearts in her eyes |
| Red Sunday | no one in sight | HMR010CD |
2005 |
 |
Red Sunday are four young musicians based in Preston, performing their own material to good reviews around the north of England. This 5 track demo CD was produced at FMV studios by John Watkins and has even been played on Radio 1. Good catchy material played in their own indie style. Check out the band at www.redsunday.co.uk |
| The Fourmost | Hits Revisited | HMR011CD |
Still in production
|
||
| Red Sunday | oh no too late | HMR012CD |
2007 |
 |
The second 4 track demo CD from Red Sunday, containing the tracks ; No Money No Way, The Shakes, Sailing and Stationary Carnival, showing a growing maturity in their writing and performance. Again, produced at FMV Studios by John Watkins, these songs are currently showcased on their my space site - www.redsunday.co.uk. You can obtain this demo direct from the band at this site. |
| Valid Ticket | The Assembly Line Demo | HMR013CD |
1985 |
 |
Valid Ticket,named by the drummer inspired by waiting on a railway platform, used to play the local clubs and pubs round Preston in the early eighties. When a local recording studio was opened, they made a demo of four tracks (Apache / I think of you / Don't talk to him / Needles 'n' Pins) to send to agents and promoters. An early group of Johns, it was where he met Rick Lewis with whom he later founded 'Transfer' - see below |
| The Russians | The Silent Sky Sessions | HMR014CD |
1986 |
 |
|
| The Russians | Live at Joplins | HMR015CD |
1988 |
 |
|
| The Russians | Live at The 100 Club | HMR016CD |
1988 |
 |
|
| The Russians | Live at The Gatsby | HMR017CD |
1988 |
 |
|
| Double Trouble | Live at Bank Hall | HMR018CD |
2000 |
 |
|
| Alibi | The Wedding Album | HMR019CD |
2005 |
 |
|
| Acid Test Radio | Demo EP | HMR020CD |
2005 |
 |
|
| Transfer | Live at Burnley | HMR021CD |
1990 |
 |
In a time when it was the vogue to dispense with drummers and replace them with a machine, so 'Transfer' came into being. Another 60's band, this time a trio, to tour the local hotspots and despots of North West England. John introduced Andy to the delights of cabaret and along with Rick Lewis, 'Transfer' became a hard working, popular band of the time. This CD is a rough recording from that era. |
| Running Hot | Live at The Seven Stars | HMR022CD |
Still in production |
||
| The Eclectic Electric Collective | The Eclectic Electric Collective | HMR023CD |
Still in production |
||
| The Fourmost | Live at The Club Tropicana | HMR024DVD |
2007 |
 |
New for 2007, this DVD was recorded at The Club Tropicana, Chapel St. Leonards, Skegness on the 7th April 2007. It contains one hour of material from The Fourmosts' show and is a lasting reminder to treasure. Produced and released by John under the HomeMade Record label, it is currently on sale direct from their website. |
| Transfer | Live at The 55th. Division Club | HMR025DVD |
1990 |
 |
Again, a snapshot in time of the hard working trio 'Transfer'. Taken by a member of the audience on a vidcam, it was offered to Andy after the performance who promptly shelled out for the tape and left it to gather dust until 2007 when he transferred it to DVD. Now available under the HomeMade Record label. A collection of fifties and sixties hits. |
| The Fourmost | Live at the Club Tropicana Audio Soundtrack |
HMR026CD |
2007 |
 |
The audio soundtrack to the DVD - "The Fourmost - Live at the Club Tropicana" recorded in April 2007. Live arrangements of the biggest hits now on CD including all the stage banter. Released June 2007 |
| Smith & Watkins | Unfinished Business |
HMR027CD |
2008 |
 |
The follow-up to the 1990 release 'Two Minds'. Andy and John get back together in the studio to record another collection of material from Andys' songbook. ‘Unfinished Business’ is a mixture of new and old original songs with eclectic influences |
| Slick Nickel | Rockin' The Moonshine Hollow | HMR028CD |
2008 |
 |
A side project featuring Gary and John from The Fourmost showcasing their guitar and vocal talents. Comprising the self-penned title song along with a mixture of modern and classic country hits. See their website for more details and sound clips from this album. http://www.slicknickel.moonfruit.com/# |