Biography
After having played as a three piece outfit in their formative years, Blind Allez were revamped in the 1983 (when original drummer Stuart Thompson left) by Guiliano 'Jools' Gizzi with vocalist Peter Scallan and bassist Cami Morlotti.
The band started writing and rehearsing acoustically in a bedroom just off Abercromby Street, Calton, Glasgow before auditioning for new members.
In stepped guitarist Chris Bowes.
After answering an advert in a local newspaper, Alan Thornton auditioned for the job of drummer and was promptly asked to join the band.
The boys rehearsed with this line-up for a while before Chris left and it was obvious another guitarist was needed to complete the overall sound.
Ian Murray was recruited from local band Cannes to complete the line up.
After rehearsing in a dingy, damp studio under a railway arch in the West End of Glasgow, the band started to gig. They played places such as The Venue-Glasgow, The Preservation Halls-Edinburgh, The Heathery Bar-Wishaw, The Ponda Rosa-Linwood, The Doon Castle-Glasgow, Dundee and ultimately, in May 1985, the band secured a spot at the Radio Clyde Kelvingrove Rock Festival with such acts as Lion Rampant, Able Ganz, Zero Zero and Glasgow.
Ironically the Kelvingrove appearance was to be the last time Blind Allez were to play together for 21 years, as both Peter and Ian parted company with the band and went to other projects.
Ian went on to form local rock outfit Five Past Midnight, while Peter left to join East Kilbride band, Passion Play.
Passion Play's line-up also included David Aitken (who later joined Phobia), Jim "Jazzer" Rae on drums and Billy Hepburn on bass. Passion Play later split up when Peter Scallan left to join Alloa Prog Rockers, Chasar. After Chasar Peter Scallan then went on to work with Paul Samson as vocalist with traditional heavy rock act, Samson.
When Peter Scallan left to join Passion Play, Blind Allez went on to recruit Mark Rankin to take over on vocal duties. After changing the name of the band to Phobia they also recruited the services of David Aitken on lead guitar as Passion Play never really recovered after Scallan's departure for Chasar.
Phobia continued to write new material and play live until, in 1986, they secured a management contract and eventually, in 1987, a recording contract with A&M Records. The band then changed their name to Gun. Gun split in 1997 but have since reformed in 2008, with Toby Jepson (ex Little angels) on vocals. The original Blind Allez line up also got back together to play some more gigs in 2006.
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