The band played extensively in England and Wales for the next
four years in schools, colleges, pubs, prisons, clubs, festivals,
churches and even cathedrals until Ali left to join the band “Tribe
of Dan”. Danny replaced him behind the drum kit and was
influential for the next few years until in 1994 the entire band
changed all announcing their decisions in a car park in Reading
on the day of a gig! Dan left to join the band “The Mad
Kings”, Derek moved away and Mags retired.
‘The
current line up of Steve, Simon and Matt in action’
Simon and Keith Dixon, the band’s sound engineer as well
as partner with Simon of Plankton Records, had a crash meeting
with some potential new band members. Following discussions,
Greg Nash, who had already stood in on bass a few times and Matt
Wallace, a long-serving stand-in drummer, agreed to join the
band and a new Fresh Claim was born – a tighter, pared
down and more bluesy three-piece. The debut album of this configuration, “Broken”,
still captures some of the urgency of music and communication
of the Good News in troubled times and won high praises from
the critics. They were enthralled by the sound produced by the
band who’s musical influences of Hendrix, Kravitz, Black
Crowes, The Who and the Blues could be heard in the music. “An
album that would not be out of place between your Oasis and Blur
CDs in your collection” wrote one critic. Another wrote “Surely
the most underrated Christian band in the UK today!”
‘Simon and Matt playing in the wind!’
Greg lasted eighteen months until he was unable to join the
rest of the band to be New Zealand Blues man Steve Apirana’s
backing band for his 1996 “No turning Back” UK tour.
So, in came Steve Gale, another bass player who had stood in
at lots of gigs! This line-up has remained unchanged since then,
and is the longest running version of Fresh Claim – ten
years to date!
2006 sees Fresh Claim preparing to go back into the studio to
record their long overdue new album, which is currently pencilled
in for a November release – keep your eye on the website
for more details. In the meantime, if you want to experience
what Fresh Claim sound like and what they say, then listen to
the recordings and come to a gig!
PLANKTON DISCOGRAPHY:
FRESH CLAIM ALBUMS
“Songs From The Rock Communion” cassette
Released 1997 Cat No: PCN151. Available in the on-line shop
“Broken” CD
Released 1995 Cat No PCDN146. Available in the on-line shop
Also available on cassette via mail order
“Outstanding Claims” cassette
Released 1993 Cat No: PCN140. Available in the on-line shop
“In Times Of Rain” cassette
Released 1992 Cat No: PCN134. Available via mail order
“Soapbox” cassette
Released 1991 Cat No: PCN132. Deleted
“Huds Continental” cassette
Released 1989 Cat No: PCN127. Deleted
“No Claims Bonus” cassette
Released 1988 Cat No: PCN125. Deleted
“Odd One Out” cassette
Released 1987 Cat No: PCN121. Deleted
OTHER PLANKTON ALBUMS Featuring Fresh Claim
“Plankton, The First 20 Years” CD
Released 1998 Cat No: PCDN153. Available in the on-line shop
”Guat-A-Gig Live!” CD
Released 1996 Cat No PCDN149. Available in the on-line shop
Also available on cassette via mail order ”Greenbelt Fringe ‘95” CD
Released 1995 Cat No PCDN147. Deleted
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