- \n
- Ian Wilson: Vocals, Guitar, Laptop<\/li>\n
- Peter Devine: Guitar<\/li>\n
- Ian Williams: Bass<\/li>\n
- Andy Williams: Drums<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Extended family<\/h2>\n
- \n
- Ian Wilkie: Metal<\/li>\n
- Ben Suttey: Vocals<\/li>\n
- Bradley McQuewan: Management<\/li>\n
- Mick McCarthy: Management<\/li>\n
- Dave Barr: Management<\/li>\n
- Tony Jeakins: Metal<\/li>\n
- Jason Chalk: Metal<\/li>\n
- Chris Edwards: Metal<\/li>\n
- Keith ?: Guitar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Timeline<\/h2>\n
1983-1985
\nWanna join my band!<\/h3>\nAutumn 1983<\/span>
\nThe band first forms when Ian and Peter meet.<\/div>\nAutumn 1983<\/span>
\nGigs are hard to get. The band spend time planning how to assault the city of Milton Keynes rather than trying to write songs. The city is still young and unfinished. Metal bashing and pile-driving formed an urban soundtrack. Unformed sound<\/div>\nAutumn 1984<\/span>
\nClaire plan first visit the studio in Buckingham to record a demo.The first demo<\/a><\/div>\nSummer 1985<\/span>
\nA second demo recording in Bugbrooke. The second demo<\/a><\/div>\n1985-1987
\nEnd of the beginning<\/h3>\nEvery Sunday and Monday night, 1985 – 1987<\/span>
\nThe Point nightclub becomes the bands rehearsal space. Thanks Nod! Rehearsals at the The Point<\/a><\/div>\nAutumn 1986<\/span>
\nThe Claire radio interview on MK Radio with Graham Dee.Berlin tour<\/a><\/div>\nSpring 1987<\/span>
\nFutures Looking Brighter \u2013 Demo recording 3 and 4Third demo<\/a><\/div>\n13 May 1987<\/span>
\nFrom Compass Club to Countapoint.Countapoint nights<\/a><\/div>\n14 June 1987<\/span>
\nClaire record a John Peel session at the BBC Maida Vale studios. John Peel session<\/a><\/div>\nSummer 1987<\/span>
\nClaire gig in Bow Brickhill woods. Hundreds attend. Unfortunately a shooting occurs whilst band are on stage. Summer woodland party gig<\/a><\/div>\nSummer 1987<\/span>
\nDemo number 5 is recorded in Buckingham. New material is flowing fast although this session – titled ‘The Future Is Grim’ is less optimistic. 5th Demo<\/a><\/div>\n02 September 1987<\/span>
\nThe Pitz – Claire become the first band to play the new Milton Keynes venue. The Pitz<\/a><\/div>\n03 September 1987<\/span>
\nThe Five-O Club, Luton. Friends of Claire, UK Decay, organised the gig. The Five-O Club<\/a><\/div>\n12 September 1987<\/span>
\nClaire play Countapoint one last time. Gig attended by Mark Refoy of Spiritualized who later commented:<\/div>\n\n10. Claire, The Compass Club, Bletchley 1987<\/p>\n
I went to see a Northampton group called The Apple Creation (Jonny Mattock on drums) support a group called Clare (sic) from Milton Keynes. Clare (sic) had a totally nuts singer who jumped onto the venue floor and pushed himself around on his back from one side of the room to the other, screaming into the mic at the same time. The band had their backs to the audience and played as if it all was completely normal. They were fantastic but I never heard of them again. I think they did a Peel session, does anyone know anything else about this band? Reference<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
06 December 1987<\/span>
\nAs a result of the Peel session Claire are invited to record for a compilation LP.
\nThe Driffield Experience<\/a><\/div>\n1988-1989<\/strong>
\nThe beginning of the end<\/h3>\nJanuary 1988<\/span>
\nClaire relocates to south-east London.
\nThe move<\/a><\/div>\nFebruary 1988<\/span>
\nA temporary band for a one-off occasion.
\nWretched Stench at the Countapoint<\/a><\/div>\n24 February 1989<\/span>
\nThe Overstrand gig
\nA gig in Stoke<\/a><\/div>\nMarch 1989<\/span>
\nA change in personel. Ian Wilkie is replaced by Chris Edwards in metal percussion. It isn’t unusual for someone to be blamed when things don’t work out as planned, and usually signals terminal decline.<\/div>\n4th April and 17th May 1989<\/span>
\nClaire record LP, a rare triumph … of sorts!Record Maxi Power Bulge.<\/a><\/div>\n2nd May 1989<\/span>
\nSupport Lush at the North London Polytechnic.<\/div>\nAutumn 1989<\/span>
\nSupport Back To The Planet in Deptford<\/div>\n1989<\/span>
\nA new guitarist joins to help beef-up the sound, welcome Keith! Claire are rehearsing in a space beneath a chuch in Camberwell and also in a room in the Peckham Dolehouse.London rehearsals<\/a><\/div>\nLate 1989<\/span>
\nDespite the personel changes, the rehearsals, the LP and the occasional gig it was becoming obvious that Claire was over for now.<\/div>\n2014 – 2017<\/strong>
\n25 years later<\/h3>\nOctober 2013<\/span>
\nA vague conversation about local music in Milton Keynes led to a discussion about bands and records that – at some point – may have mentioned an unreleased Claire LP. One thing then led to another, as is so often the case.<\/div>\nAugust 2014<\/span>
\nThe idea of getting the LP mastered and manufactured fired up the thought of rehearsing and gigging. Rehearsals began at Westbury Arts Centre.<\/div>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/kollapso.co.uk\/claire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/suttey-portrait-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/kollapso.co.uk\/claire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/andy-DSC01701-150x150.jpg\")