Rock'n'Roll Gypsies were formed by Mat Sargent (Sham 69, Chelsea, Splodge) to perform songs from his Sex, Drugs n HIV album, a charity album project started by Mat. Many musicians were tryed for the line up including Poly Styrene (X-Ray Spex - vocals), Roly Wynne (Ozric Tentacles - bass), Andy Reid (Christian Death, RDF, Chelsea - drums), Bill Steer (Carcus, Firebird - guitar), John Mageoch (Magazine,PIL, Banshees - guitar). The various jam, audition/rehearsals in New Cross South East London happened in early 1996.
A prototype line up for the Gypsies lasted for a few months before Wally Nightingale (original Sex Pistols - guitarist) joined. The band were set to record an album in New York called Daylight Robbery, Topper Headen (Clash - drums) was also to be in this line up but it didn't work out. Wally played one gig with the Gypsies at the Goldsmiths Tavern in New Cross before his untimely death in 1996.
1998 saw a new Rock'n'Roll Gypsies line up with Mat Sargent - guitar & vocals, Wurzel (Motorhead - guitar), Leo Smee (Cathedral - bass), Seaweed (Ozric Tentacles - keyboards), Clive (Space Goats - diderydoo/ tambourine/ backing vocals). Andy Reid played drums but was later replaced by Stewart Soulsby (Chelsea - drums). Clive left after a few months to travel & tour with the Space Goats which left the Rock'n'Roll Gypsies as a 5 piece. Stewart Soulsby - Drums, Seaweed - Keys, Wurzel - Lead guitar, Leo Smee - bass and Mat Sargent - guitar & vocals. This line up played the first official Rock'n'Roll Gypsies show on the 12th September 2000 in Chislehurst Caves in Kent which was filmed & recorded for Sex, Drugs'n'HIV album. This line up lasted on and off for 2 years and in 2003 a Rock'n'Roll Gypsies line up was put together to headline the Rock Am Turm Festival in Meerbusch/Germany on December 27th playing in front of 2000 people; Mat Sargent on guitar and vocals, Kevin Peberdy (Conflict - drums), Seaweed (Ozrics - keys), Big Jon (Lab Rat/ Axis Of Evil - lead guitar), Johnny Chunders (Splodgenessabounds - bass),2004 a new Rock'n'Roll Gypsies line up was born with Mat Sargent vocals and guitar, Johnny Chunders (Splodge - lead guitar), Tracey Lamb (Girlschool/Rock Goddess - bass), Smeg - drums, . This line up rehearsed and played around 5 low key shows before Monique Maasen from German Polka Trash Punkband The Beatlesons (ex Frontgirl B-Bang-Cider) joined on vocals in December 2005. This, the current Rock'n'Roll Gypsies line up played a handful of warm up shows in the Croyden area of Sarf London, Splodge and Honest John Plain & Amigos supporting. August 10th 2006 Rock'n'Roll Gypsies were one of the headline bands to play the main stage on the opening night of the Blackpool Winter Gardens, Wasted festival infront of 2000 people. Rock'n'Roll Gypsies played The Hobgoblin, Brighton on the 7th September 2007.Plans for 2007 include; More recording sessions, musicians recorded so far this year include; Mike Joyce - Smiths, Suzi Webb - Slits, Dee Generate - Eater, Robin Guy - Faith No More, etc, Smeg - Rock'n'Roll Gypsies, Tracey Lamb - Rock Goddess/Girlschool, Richard Stone - Splodge, Nigel Millichamp - Splodge, Gary Lammin - Cocksparra, Gemma - Babyshambles/Krak, Animal - Anti Nowhere League. Beki Bondage & Paul - Vice Squad, Roddy Radiation - Specials.The Sex, Drugs & HIV project was started in 1995, a double CD it includes 40 original songs written by Mat Sargent for the project and involves around 150 musicians all from different name bands. The project was recorded at the late Dave Goodmans (Sex Pistols - producer) and is due to be completed by 2008. The project has also been filmed and will also be released as a tripple box set DVD with out-takes, interviews & album videos. Mat is currently booking sessions for 2008 and looking for musicians from name bands, ex & current to finish off the project. Mail Mat if you want to help out on these final sessions....................................................
...............................................KEEP ON ROCKING !
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