The Che Men are a studio band from the North East of England and were formed in March 2003 by the ex- Afterglow bassist Bazza . He was quickly joined by David Abrahams-Edley aka Tetley (guitar / backing vocals) from the Mod band Yellowcayke, ex- Thee Strawberry Mynde & Afterglow drummer Ian Lowes and Nick Wesson from the punk band Billy Got Fired. Dins from the Ska band The G Men was the final member to join the band.
The Che Men's debut release was a cover of the Redskins song "Kick Over The Statues" which was recorded at Mirage Studio in Marske on 13th April 2003. The song was released on the Redskins tribute EP "A Flame That Can't Be Dimmed" in October 2003 on the Middlesbrough based record label Red Star Recordings.
Carl Nottingham from Bazza's old band Afterglow replaced Tetley in December 2003. The Che Men were back in Mirage Stuios in May 2004 to record cover of the Redskins song 'Keep On Keepin' On' with Norman Strike. The Che Men cover of 'Keep On Keepin' On' was released on 2 CDs - 'Reds Strike The Blues' (Red Star Recordsings REDS002) in 2005 and 'This Is R.A.S.H. UK & Ireland' (Red Records) in 2006. During this recording session The Che Men also recorded a cover of 'Take A Look' by the Mod band Squire which was released on a Squire tribute album 'The Young Idea' on Twist Records in January 2007
Nick , Carl & Ian all left the band in October 2004. The band resurfaced in August 2006 with Dins taking over as lead singer & Andy from the punk band Major Accident on guitar & vocals. In October Phil & Euan joined the band. Laze took over from Euan in January 2007. Laze had previously played drums for The Restrictors, The G Men & Major Accident.
The Che Men were back into Mirage recording studios in Marske in 2007 to record 3 tracks - 'Eyes Of Ice', 'State Of The Union' and 'Wednesday Girl'. 'Wednesday Girl' is due out soon on The Jetset tribute album 'Do You Wanna Be In The Show?' which is to be released by Twist Records USA with the other 2 songs due out later in the year.
After recording the 3 tracks Bazza reformed his old garage/psych band Thee Strawberry Mynde whose line up also includes ex-Che Men drummer Ian Lowes. The band made their live comeback on 4th July 2008 at The Clarendon in Hartlepool.
Of the other members Dins , Andy & Laze reformed their Ska band The G Men. Andy also reformed his old punk band Last Rough Cause whose new line up also included Phil .
THE CHE MEN DISCOGRAPHY:
'A Flame That Can't Be Dimmed' 10 inch EP - Featuring 'Kick Over The Statues'. (Red Star Recordings) 2003.
'Reds Strike The Blues' CD album - Featuring 'Keep On Keepin' On'. (Red Star Recordings) 2005.
'This Is R.A.S.H. UK & Ireland' CD album - Featuring 'Keep On Keepin' On'. (Red Records) 2006.
'The Young Idea' CD album - Featuring 'Take A Look' (Twist Records USA) 2007.
'Do You Wanna Be In The Show?' CD album - Featuring 'Wednesday Girl'. (Twist Records USA) 2009.
Click on the images for more information and sound clips from the albums.
