The Visitors

When the Spanners  re-formed in order to tour Czechoslovakia in  1992 only half the band went. Mac, Smedley & Bartlett were joined by Gary ‘mad as a mad twat’ di Campo (drums), Wildman Napthine (guitar) and Jo Cox (flute)-re-naming themselves the SkaCats (a Czech word for bouncy).

Upon return the band and  incumbent musicians pottered around for several years  staging a series of ‘theme shows’ for visiting Czech guests based on cover songs from specific years-38/58/68/78 and forming ad hoc bands to entertain the troops.

Formation

 In 96 bassist and blossoming songwriter Bartlett decided he was fronting a band and had written enough original songs to do so. By 1998 they were up and gigging as THE VISITORS.

 Bartlett on vocals and acoustic guitar, Brian Smedley on six string bass and Kevin Freeman on drums were later supplemented by Alexia Vernon in backing vocals.

Czech tours

 The Visitors who toured the Czech Republic and Slovakia in April 1999-(but with Andy Paton on drums) brought out a CD full of Bartlett songs ‘Flying to the Ocean Floor’ (Midnight Mango label).

 In 2000 the Visitors again toured Czech Republic but this time with Emma Whitley replacing Alexia on vocals and Nick Tuckwell (Bikeshed bassist) on drums.. Matt wrote the song ‘Bohemia Sekt’ about his experiences. It features Kevin on drums and Alexia on harmonies with Smed playing bass and accordion.

 In June 2000 the Visitors brought out their second CD ‘MOVING DARKLY’-(Midnight Mango) again full of Bartlett songs but also featuring  overdubs on acoustic guitar, harmonica, accordion and keyboard by bassist Smedley plus an exciting re-working of the Barty classic ‘Air from the Lung’ by ace photography chick , cover artist and junior Bartlett, Ellie

In April 2002 the Visitors 3rd CD ‘Post Industrial Dark’ came out. From this final album comes the song ‘Sands of Morocco’ written by Bartlett and featuring Kevin on drums and Smed on bass and acoustic lead guitars. Craig Barnett also added some extra lead guutar.

In December 2002 the Visitors supported Joe Strummer  and the Mescaleros at his last gig in Bridgwater at the Palace Theatre (Nov 17 2002). It turned out to be his second to last gig ever as he died that Christmas. Video footage here.

Matt Bartlett went on to set up MIDNIGHT MANGO as a successful music agency. On his website he remembers Joe Strummer here

Visitors Gallery