On stage Talent

Steve - Guitar / Backing Vocals

Name: Steve Gilbert aka: Stevie, Gillie, Skinless, Mr. Softy, Soap Head, Fodder Breath Skills: Guitar, Backing Vocals, Hiding behind the PA, Breaking strings, Sticking pictures all over guitars and amplifiers (the Head First Eyes were Steve's creation). Bands: 1985-1987 Taras Bulba 1989-1992 Headstrong, 1992-1994 Resist the Force, 1994 onwards Blood Orange. Vices: Eating Kentucky Fried Chicken, Monthly pictorial publications

Dean Harrison - Vocals / Keyboards

Name: Dean Harrison aka: Steamhead, Dino, Torvill, Orbit, Baked Bean, Cliff Skills: Vocals, Keyboards, Lighting and Stage Effects, Picking up electric shocks, Being the only one sober enough to drive the van back Bands: 1982-1985 Stella, 1986-1987 Predator, 1987-1988 New World Asylum, 1989-1993 Headstrong, 1993-1994 Freakzone 2000 Sub Xero 2003-2006 Sack Sabbath 2007 ??? Vices: Eating Gillie's Kentucky Fried Chicken, Diet Pepsi, Four injections a day (insulin)

Paul Morley - Bass / Backing Vocals

Name: Paul Morley aka: Podge, Guts Skills: Bass, Backing Vocals (sort of), Alcohol abuse (spilling drinks all over carpets), Not being able to find cars (or even the car park), Sneezing whilst driving (and wrecking the car), Smashing Dean in the face with his Bass. Bands: 1989-1992 Headstrong, 1992-1994 Resist the Force 2007 Blood Orange Vices: Pop - not the fizzy kind, Horse racing (vicariously)

Russell Saxton - Guitar

Name: Russell Saxton aka: Russ, Spud, Sacko, Taters, Mr Thrifty Skills: Guitar, Ugly Faces, Not always wearing clothes on stage, Getting value for money, Improving profits for British Telecom, Remembering dates for anything - however trivial Bands: 1984-1987 Tarras Bulba, 1988-1988 Henry Lurcher and the Safe Dancers, 1989-1993 Headstrong, 1994-1998 Hostile, 1998-1999 Stadia/Sideline, 2000 Sub Xero 2003 onwards Sack Sabbath Vices: Anything alcoholic - especially if bought by someone else

Simon Timms - Drums

Name: Simon Timms aka: Simple, Simps Skills: Drums, Generating sawdust, Getting hot and sweaty, Getting the females in the audience hot and sweaty Bands: 1989-1992 Headstrong, 1992-1994 Resist the Force, 1994 onwards Blood Orange. Vices: Not being able to beat them off with a shitty stick, Driving crap vans (lovingly known as Nails or Sheds), Wringing his boxer shorts out at the end of a gig

Backroom Boys and Girls

Rob "GD" Shaw - Master of Ceremonies
Grandad or GD as he is known was the first person ever to utter the name Headstrong upon an unsuspecting public as he introduced the band on the 15th of April 1989. Following that he did many a humorous intro including the now legendary "I've been told beer drinkers get more head".

Stephen "Sid" Flinders - PA
Known to the whole musical world as Sid, he's the choice for PA hire in The East Midlands and beyond. Sid was behind the desk for most of the Headstrong gigs. The quality of some of the live tapes captures the Headstrong sound much better than the studion sessions. Sid has engineered many famous artists on their way up (and down), such as Ocean Colour Scene, Henry Rollins, The Wedding Present. Sid is also turning author with his release of a local history of Ilkeston, released November 2000.

Andy "Big Siddy Lights" Siddals - Lights
Andy was regularly behind the lighting desk for Headstrong, and also operated the Steamhead Lighting rig for other bands.

Tamasine "Tampon" Eileen Shipsides - Keyboard and Lighting Roadie, general dogs body and butt of all jokes
Yes that is her real name, she prefers to be called Tammy, but even Tampon was preferable to her real name. Tammy was originally a fan of New World Asylum and followed on to Headstrong. Helping shift the gear, set the lights and keyboards up and general "runner". Tammy also operated the lights from time to time and went out helping Sid on other PA gigs and Dean on other lighting gigs.

Tina White (now Saxton) - Photography
Russ originally ran a photography business so when it came to promotional photos Tina, his then girlfriend - now wife, stepped up to the challenge since all the equipment was available. All of the black and white photos on this site are taken by Tina. Always one with an artistic flare, Tina now has an Art degree.

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