News: A Throb will return to the Brick
THROB's history goes back 37 years
THROB was formed in 1974 by singer/frontman Dave Marshall and guitarist Dennis Temple, both of whom are still in the current line-up. Throughout the years, other members have come and gone, but Dave Marshall has been the one constant member through the years of the bands existence. That’s dedication for ‘ya! They caused a stir with their up to date Glam material and dress code, plus their lighting rig which was all part of the Glam explosion. However, as the years have gone on, they have become a more Fun Rock band, than strictly Glam. Never denying their roots though, they still play the odd Glam number here and there.
The band was very well supported locally back then, and still hold a large proportion of that following today, drawing crowds from all over East Anglia.
Whilst THROB was and always has been extremely capable musically, it was never the songs that the band wanted to perform from a musical point of view, but those that THROB knew would work for their audience that made it onto the set lists. The main factor regarding the band was its focus on its supporters and this has never changed. Dave has always ensured that the songs were picked with the audience in mind…….. “What do they want to hear ?........What gets them going ?”
After a long gap during the 1980’s, Throb was re-formed when they all decided to have an impromptu jam in a village hall just for something to do rather than vegetating in front of the TV.
THROB then proceeded to perform more frequently and gained a good local following. Line-up changes occurred once more during the mid 90's, but this line up carried on through the rest of the nineties up to 2004 and they became even more renowned for it's brand of "Fun Rock" which included tracks by bands including Sweet, Queen, AC/DC, Nazareth, Bon Jovi and Slade……..the Slade song "We'll Bring The House Down" soon became the accepted THROB anthem.
During the mid 1990's and up to 2004 THROB were flying in top gear and playing to packed houses including the Brickmakers in Norwich. They were always concerned with how to keep their amazingly loyal supporters entertained and wondering what would happen next. They always dressed up in glam gear and always strived to be different and non-conformist. This included recruiting Paul Fulcher (the singing lighting engineer) and even 2 girl dancers!
In 2004 the Band decided to call it a day once more.
This however was not the end, as Dave and Kenny just could not let go and decided they were not going to retire just yet! After many phone calls, Dale and new bass player Gary Rix were cajoled into having a few jams at Norwich's Earth Studios and even though it seemed like every other band we saw there looked 60 years younger than them, the band was rehearsed up to gig standard.
In May 2007, THROB performed a charity gig at Sutton Staithe Hotel in aid of the Big C Appeal together with local rock and roll band Big Black Cadillac and were amazed to see all their old mates turn out for a packed Gig. Many even had their old THROB scarves with them and those who did not waved the cheaper version known locally as ‘toilet roll’.
The gig raised over £600 for the Big C APPEAL.
After this amazing night, Dale decided to leave the band due to work commitments, and at this point Dennis Temple, the band's first guitar player in the 1970's, stepped up to fill the void producing THROB as it is today. Interestingly all the current and former band members have been mates from the 1970's until this day.
THROB have had an amazing run through the last 37 years and have no plans to stop yet, in fact they have just announced that they’re returning to The Brickies in Norwich once more (for the first time in 10 years!!), to play another belter of a gig on 16th December 2011.
THROB are looking forward to seeing all their supporters for what will be a great night.
“It’s great to be back on the local scene and especially, at the Brick”
P.S. The name THROB was actually the suggestion of Dave's then girlfriend and now wife Lesley…….quite how she came up with this no one is sure!