Gama Biographies

All Human life is here - no stone unturned- they are naked and they move!!!!

David Knight

Knight, to give him his full name, was the main songwriting force in Gama. A song and dance man by inclination, he quickly abandoned the bass guitar in favour of the role of front man. His stage persona was clearly based on Halifax Town's cheeky wing half Arthur Shagster whose penetrating runs from deep troubled many a full back in the old Third Division (North).
In an interview with the Melody Maker he described himself as "an artichoke running around a garden with loamy soil". Instrumentally, his first love was the descant recorder and he was voted Artichoke of the Year by Loamy Soil Magazine in 1975. Currently working for the Government at the top-notch Bibliotek Nationale. Hates books.

Steve Knight

Reclusive personality who has known the cruelties of modern life. A former inmate of Stalin's Death Camps™, his entry in Burkes Peerage reveals little of his life and The Wath Observer doubts that he even exists. Mr Knight, as he is sometimes known, was never comfortable in the spotlight and was, according to his official biographer, relieved when the BBC refused to re-commission his One Man Christmas Show in 1979, following a series of complaints by Mary Whitehouse.
In a departure from the music scene, he landed a part in a West End production of Henrik Ibsen's "On The Buses". His performance, in which he played 'Arthur' to Barbara Cartland's 'Olive' was seen by many critics, both elderly and infirm, as something of a nadir and he was panned by the theatre critic of the Wath Observer, Charles "Zenith" Stone. The critic was later attacked by a masked assailant wielding a descant recorder. Knight moved away from Wath in the early 1980's but can now be contacted without supervision

Phil Robertson

Eccentric Scot and a virtuoso on the fife and piccolo. A former student at the Leeds College of Art and Design, Robertson was holding down a steady job as a postman when he met up with the Knight brothers in the lounge bar of the Royal Oak, Wath late in 1976 and was instrumental in the forming of Vasco da Gama MkI shortly afterwards. Was a key player in developing the Gama Sound and was also the business brain behind Green Aardvark Records.
A violent temper during his youth which manifested itself with great notoriety on the Jill Grundy Show (during which the host was murdered) has latterly given way to a more mature and sociable demeanour and he is now quite fit for public appearances. He was voted Postal Worker of the Year in 1976.

David Atha

Distinguished guitarist who was voted Man Most Likely to Succeed Briefly with a Woman in 1978. Failed Art student who had been a contemporary of Knight (Major) at the Leeds College of Art and Design in 1976. Although not a prolific songwriter, his rip-snorting guitar style was a trademark of the Gama Sound.
Following the break-up of Gama, Atha joined up with Helmut Taylor in Catch a GooGoo, an archetype 80's band where publicity photos were as important as Knopfleresque headbands. It is rumoured on the Wath Undergound that he is currently in hiding and has not been seen in public during daylight hours since 1984, although a medical-man has recently confirmed that he is still breathing and, better still, there are signs of a pulse. Check this out!

Dave "Sticks" Hodgson

Accomplished drummer who drove a red Escort and then a Cortina. Was unique within the Gama ranks in that he was licensed to drive, he had a proper job and a real girlfriend. Sue Lennox, the real girlfriend, was most famous for pelting an unruly audience at the YMCA in Leeds with oranges. The band left the stage soon afterwards, to chants from the mob of "Shakin' Stevens". Shakey did not appear.
Sticks has been seen only once since the halcyon days - in the Skyrack, a pub in Bottomley-Sidoil. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Simon Hitchen

Wore the widest trousers ever seen - many years before it became unfashionable. Took over the bass from the mysterious Spenny whom few people can remember. Was a man of few words. He probably still is. Has not been seen since 1935. Voted Supermarket Manager's Brother of the Year in 1984 but didn't turn up to collect the award.

David Umpleby

Original drummer. An eccentric Yorkshireman whose farm provided the rehearsal space for many local bands in the Wath area, most notably Scapegoat, Buffoon and VDG. Following a period of hibernation, in the real sense of the word (six months, buried nuts in his territory) he teamed up with the legendary bluesman Mad "Martin" O'Flaherty to form "The Krankies" - a Scottish vent act -and enjoyed great success on the Butlins Circuit.

Philip Hitchen

Had been at Art College with Phil Robertson in 1975 and joined the Gama Ranks in 1978. Brought a fluent keyboard style to the band's sound but caused a rift when he proclaimed that the group were keyboard based. There was rioting on the streets when the news broke and Hitchen was attacked by a masked assailant wielding a descant recorder.
When the band broke up he became a supermarket manager in the Bottomley-Burleigh borders and was spotted near the tinned fruit in 1984.
WHAT'S he been up to in tha past 25 years? Get it from the Horse's Mouth

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