Studio Equipment…

• 48 Track Digital Studio
• 2 x Fostex D 160 Hard Disc Recorders/1 x Roland 1680
• 16 Track Mobile Studio
• Mackie 32/8/2 analogue desk
• Lexicon/Alesis outboard effects
• Neumann/Shure mics

Jeff Ward…

Jeff began his musical career in the underground Heavy Metal band “ IRON PIG” , during the NWOBHM era of 1979.

The band recorded three demos, one of which was playlisted by Geoff Barton of Sounds and played some high profile gigs, including Guildford University and London`s Marquee Club, before calling it a day in the summer of 1980.

In 1981 he formed “THE HOLLOW” with “IRON PIG” vocalist, Graham Dundas. This band had a more folky/prog rock feel and recorded a limited edition cassette only album “Winter” in 1982.

In 1984, he reunited with former “IRON PIG” members Simon Pengilly and Gerald Goff , along with former “STATIC” and “ ICEMON” vocalist, Noel Jones in the ambitious metal band“ WHITE LIGHTNING”. This line up recorded the ultra rare 7 inch single “THIS POISON FOUNTAIN”, financed by the band themselves. They continued to gig and after the acquisition of their own multi track recording equipment, they recorded more demos.
In the summer of 1985, with “WHITE LIGHTNING” on hold, Jeff joined the cult Space Rock band “MOURNBLADE”. They recorded the album “TIME’S RUNNING OUT” for Flicknife Records, home of “HAWKWIND” and gigged continuously throughout the year, still finding time to record the unreleased mini-album “EIN HELDENTRAUM”.

In 1986 , Jeff reformed “WHITE LIGHTNING” , bringing Richard ‘Max” Goddard from “MOURNBLADE” on Bass. This line up recorded the self financed album “AS MIDNIGHT APPROACHES”. With rave reviews and the patronage of DJ TOMMY VANCE, who played every track on his legendary “FRIDAY ROCK SHOW”, the band were signed by Workshop Records, who re-issued the album in larger quantities in 1988. In 1990, guitarist Simon Pengilly was replaced by John Storey and “WHITE LIGHTNING” proceeded to lay down tracks for the album “PARADISE…AT A PRICE” at Woodcray Studios in Berkshire, where BLACK SABBATH had just recorded their “TYR” album. More high profile gigs followed including support slots to Japanese HM band “VOW WOW” and “MEAT LOAF”.
With the album in the can and things looking rosy, Workshop Records folded and the master tapes dissappeared. Thus bringing the WHITE LIGHTNING story to an ignoble close.1991 was spent mostly in the studio working on various projects, including “THE COMPLETE WORKS” by SKELETON CREW, an album that started a long association with PAUL KING and COLIN EARL from the original MUNGO JERRY line up.

In 1992, Jeff was asked to join the “RAGGED BOYS” a Blues edged rock band signed to London based Timbuktu Records. An album was recorded and a single “RAT TAT (WHO ARE YOU)” was released with a video to promote it.

In 1993, Jeff relocated to Co. Cork in Ireland to begin setting up an independent music production company, licensing music to various labels and TV companies around the world, including the ITV coverage of the Bruno/Tyson fight and two further releases with PAUL KING, the solo cd “HOUDINI`S MOON” and “THE MILL IS GONE” by THE KING EARL BOOGIE BAND, both on the “A New Day” label. Jeff also appeared with legendary DJ BOB HARRIS, as guests of THE KING EARL BOOGIE BAND at the 1996 Cropredy festival.

During his stay in Ireland, Jeff met NOEL REDDING, bassist with THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE and regularly jammed with him at the famous Friday night sessions in De Barra`s, Clonakilty. An album`s worth of new material was recorded , but due to contractual difficulties, it remains unreleased.

However, tracks were laid down for a proposed Blues album that eventually surfaced in 2002 on the Dutch based Provogue label as “PICK IT UP, PASS IT ON” by THE BARRELHOUSE BROTHERS and also featured contributions from ERIC BELL (THIN LIZZY), JOHN COGHLAN (STATUS QUO), DAVID JACKSON (VAN DER GRAF GENERATOR) amongst others.

During this time, Jeff also recorded an album for folk legend and West Cork resident, ROY HARPER. “THE DREAM SOCIETY”, considered by many to be Roy`s finest album in years, also featured Roy`s son, NICK HARPER, top session drummer, SMILEY (JOE STRUMMER/ROBBIE WILLIAMS) and IAN ANDERSON from JETHRO TULL on flute.
Jeff also engineered some tracks for CORKY LAING (MOUNTAIN) and ERIC SCHENKEMAN (SPIN DOCTORS) collectively known as CORK, for their album “OUT THERE”.

Jeff returned to his native West London in 2003 to record an album with Legendary Folk/Blues chanteuse DORRIS HENDERSON. The resulting album “HERE I GO AGAIN” was released to great critical acclaim and reunited her with JOHN RENBOURN, with whom she had recorded in the 60`s. A further album was recorded with her backing band, THE COHORTS, before her sad death in March 2005. “ LET IT SHINE” is scheduled for release in early 2006 from BLUESTONE RECORDINGS.

After Dorris`s death , Jeff teamed up with fellow COHORT, MAC McGANN, who has also worked with RALPH McTELL, BEVERLEY MARTYN and McGUINNESS FLINT, for the acoustic blues album and most recent BLUESTONE RECORDINGS release, “ALL CHANGE” (BS 001).

Plans are underway for a new SKELETON CREW live CD featuring PAUL KING and COLIN PATTENDEN from MANFRED MANN`S EARTHBAND and sessions have begun for a CD scheduled for the new year, featuring Jeff`s distinctive slide guitar coupled with the highly acclaimed sitar player VIJAY JAGTAP, creating an exotic mix of East and West.