Shagrat (1970-1971)
In February 1970, Farren and Took headhunted guitarist Larry (or "Lazza") Wallis and bassist Tim Taylor from their underground band, the Entire Sioux Nation. A month later, Farren dropped out, leaving Took in the role of bandleader for the first time in his career. With the addition of drummer Phil Lenoir, Shagrat was formed (named after an orc in The Lord of the Rings). They recorded three tracks, Peppermint Flickstick, Boo! I Said Freeze and Steel Abortion, at Strawberry Studios and played live at the Phun City festival, before Lenoir and Taylor left the band. Took and Wallis continued with drummer Dave Bidwell, rehearsing with various bass players and eventually forming an acoustic trio of Took on vocals and guitar, Wallis on acoustic bass and Bidwell on tambourine. This lineup recorded a set of (at least) four home demos, Amanda, Strange Sister, Still Yawning Stillborn and Beautiful Deceiver, at Wallis's father's home studio in South London which in the 1990s would be paired with the earlier electric studio session for limited edition vinyl release and later a CD album release in 2001.
Wallis would later take over the leadership of the Pink Fairies for their Kings Of Oblivion LP, substantially transforming the sound and style of the band. He and Took would work together again at various intervals in 1972, 1975–76 and 1977.
Read more about this topic: Steve Peregrin Took