Alan (guitar)
Lou (vocals)
Neil  (guitar)
Andy Taylor (Vocals/Mellotron
Terry Tetlow (bass)

Ijax Allstars

Featured two tracks on Vaultage 79

Ijax used to practice at Davigdor Road which had musicians all over the house. Neil, Alan and Lou lived upstairs while Dave from Flesh and the Lillettes lived downstairs, plus the long-suffering Mrs Saxby, bless her heart. Tony from Flesh lived there at one time and Paul Roundhill. Are you out there guys? Music was always being made at any hour of the day or night and it was a great place to be. Ijax recorded most of their stuff - there must be some old tapes out there.

If anyone has any more stuff about the band please email us and we can continue to build this page.




Dave | Ijax Allstars | December 2008
Only saw them once. Thought they were great. That was probably the first ska band that I'd ever seen. It was certainly the first time I'd ever seenanyone using a Melodica instead of a keyboard in a band. There was another (softer) reggae band who practiced just up the road from me (Bedford Place or Norfolk Square) who I think were called Natures Way. They were a bit timid about mixing with the punks but the SATCB played with them at least once at a disastrous gig at Acklam Hall (Under the Westway, Notting Hill) organised by the infamous Paul Roundhill (where is he now [and more importantly, do I want to know?]). Only three people turned up and they left after ten minutes. Also on the bill was either Nicky and the Dots or Fan Club, I can't remember. In the end we ended up playing to each other though I seem to remember that certain members of Nature's Way were reluctant to do so but were swayed by other members of the band. I heard that one of their brass players went on to form/play in Pigbag but this may be untrue - perhaps you can confirm/deny this? Dave Cheesybits. www.cheesybits.com P.S. Anyone that wants a Smeggy and the Cheesybits badge can now by one from my range of obscure badges here: http://www.cheesybits.com/shop/badges/sml.php#smeg.gif

Please note: This is not a plug. Thanks for the plug. DCB



Nick McGerr | Ijax Allstars | February 2008
I think you’ve got this one all wrong. I’ve got a brilliant live tape i made of them at the Executives / Woody & the Splinters free gig in Hollingbury and it sure wasn’t the line up you have in that pic. Terry Tetlow, who is Brighton’s best loved ska musician, will tell you all about it (get him a drink). Andy Taylor, who is no longer on the planet starred on vocals and mellotron. Ijax were more ska/bluebeat than dub reggae but could do it all including a massive “One Step Beyond” way before Madness. If you know how to get hold of Caroline Casswell (Brighton Uni/South East Arts Video/ “Reel Time” - Brighton Library) I’m fairly certain she can put you in touch with the festival organizer and may have a copy of the tape. Neil was in “High Time”. n
p.s. when did Executives”  release “Shy Little Girl” (as loved by J.Peel) ?

Alan Hall | Ijax Allstars | February 2008
Ijax Allstars photo looks like the New Regent bottom of West Street to me. I've attached our gig image for comparison. alan (emma sharpe)