Rivvits

The Rivvits (1977-79) were a West London-based pop-punk band formed by vocalist and guitarist, Chris Burne, bassist Martin Godfrey, guitarist/keyboard player Nick Jones and drummer Dave Hawthorn. The band played many of the influential punk/new wave clubs and pubs in and around London, such as, The Marquee, The Hope & Anchor (Islington), The Roxy, The Vortex, The Rock Garden, The Red Cow (Hammersmith), The Windsor Castle (Harrow Road) and The Brecknock (Tufnell Park). The Rivvits played alongside (then) fledgling punk bands such as, XTC, The Lurkers, Subway Sect, The Slits, Jilted John, The Buzzcocks, The Adverts, Chelsea and UK Subs, The Police, Dire Straits among others.

The band signed to Alien Records in 1977 after an initial (unhappy) signing with London 'Prog Rock' manager, Del Taylor. It was said by friends of the band that Burne and Godfrey chased Taylor around his office in Hammersmith and threatened him with physical violence unless he released them from their draconian management contract. Strangely, Taylor did release the band from their contract rather quickly and with no financial penalties!

The Alien Record Company was run by their new manager, Nigel Lucas. Alien also handled the publishing of the Rivvits' material, although this later became a cause of contention. Chris Burne co-designed the Rivvits record sleeves with his then girlfriend, graphic designer, Sonia Ferrier (who sang some backing vocals on studio sessions) and he also wrote most of the Rivvits material, along with Martin.

The Rivvits played medium and large venue gigs, and universities, throughout 1977/79, sometimes headlining, sometimes as support band. They once supported the famous rock 'n' roll act The Pirates, in 1978. Bernie Rhodes, The Clash manager, was at one time interested in managing them after seeing the Rivvits at the Pirates gig.

Their first single was released as ALIX-1 in 1978: Saturday Night at the Dance (Burne) B/W The Girl Next Door (Godfrey) on Alien. This came with a FREE give-away flexi disk, a Duane Eddy influenced rocker, Alright On the Night (one sided). Saturday Night at the Dance sold well for a new-wave single and reached the 40s in the UK chart and No.6 in the alternative charts. After extensive publicity executed by the band themselves that was later an influence on today's Guerrilla Marketing techniques, they plastered London's underground, buses, cafes, bars and punk venues with distinctive circular Alien stickers advertising the single. Debbie Harry of Blondie was in London during this campaign and is said to have seen the stickers and bought the single. 'Saturday Night at the Dance' is an up-tempo rock ‘n' roll teen anthem with "Dance, dance, dance" as the chorus lyrics and a Chuck Berry-style lead guitar solo played by Nick Jones who also produced the single. 'Girl Next Door' is a Buddy Holly-style spoof about an underwear fetishist. 'Never', their next single, was more adventurous. Written by Godfrey, arranged by Burne and produced by Nick Jones, it features unusual modal multi-sax harmony on the chorus, using elaborate counterpoint. Nigel Green, the sax player, then blasts into a jazz/blues sax solo over the following chorus. The sound is minor key, 60s, psych/garage-band influenced with a distinctive bass line by Godfrey. Julie Birchall was a fan of 'Never' and gave it a good review in the NME. Her opening line was, "The Rivvits are cool and completely acceptable..." Praise indeed from the usually acid tongue of Miss B! 'Never' is backed with ‘Boy Meets Girl’, written by Chris Burne. This is a classic three minute pop song in very fast tempo with catchy 60’s organ and antiphonal girl backing vocals on the chorus' ‘Boy Meets Girl’ chant. The lyric is cynical about marriage and mortgages and is amusingly witty.

Alien Records continued to bring out singles into early 1980, using personnel formed from The Rivvits under various band names; The Beaks (Dr X), 1979, a spoof Hammer Horror influenced song written by Godfrey, with a strong Iggy/Stooges type bass and guitar riff; and, Nathaniel Halcrow & The Mastodons (Move to the Right), written by Burne, which is a classic organ/bass riff pop song with a very catchy chorus. It's about liberty versus the dangers of extremist politics, both right and left!

Chris Burne also collaborated with noted keyboardist Vic Martin, in early 1979, on another Alien single that charted in several European countries, 'Don't Turn Me Away'. This is a synth-orchestrated slow ballad co-written by Martin and Burne. The singer was a strikingly attractive 19 year old brunette, a St Martin's art student named Rexy, who spoke the vocals simply because she couldn't sing at all! Wistful harmonies on the chorus are by Martin, Burne and Ferrier. It was recorded in John Foxx's studio, The Garden, in Covent Garden. Vic Martin later went on to become the keyboard player with the Eurhythmics, then with Curiosity Killed the Cat, and he now plays with Gary Moore's Blues Band and occasionally, Alan Price's Band.

Chris Burne and Martin Godfrey split from Alien in late 1979, after a policy dispute over publishing rights with manager Nigel Lucas. Chris Burne had recently formed another band, 'Colour Vision,' playing many gigs in London (Dingwall's and the Music Machine (now Koko) gigs in Camden got good reviews) and various home-counties venues (Chelmsford Town Hall/Corn Exchange, Devizes). The backing band was formed of various seasoned players, including ace jazz/rock guitarist Clive Copland and legendary ex-Bob Marley drummer, Bob Drumbago. Colour Vision released one single on Alien, 'Until Tomorrow' as the A side, and 'Waiting into Eternity' on the B side, both written by Chris Burne.

Chris Burne has since forged a name for himself as a writer, composer/arranger and player in new wave/Rock/Improvisation, classical music and jazz, releasing material throughout the 1980s and 90s. Burne has also written media soundtracks and jingles.

Nick Jones lives in rural Leicestershire and works on a farm. He is an accomplished accordionist and plays in a dance band at festivals around the UK and has worked in a studio writing library music. In 1994, Leicester University commissioned him to write a piece for the University orchestra which was performed there that year.

Martin Godfrey runs an antique shop in the Home Counties.

Dave Hawthorn is a qualified dentist, practising in London.

The Rivvits' singles and other vinyl by Alien Records are collectable and are regularly sold on E-Bay and other auction sites.