THE MUSTARD MITTS
A development from The Martellos
with some of the same songs (and virtually the same line-up) although this time the emphasis was more
on power-punk riffs and less on experimentation. The band often had two drummers - with Bertie Monson
occasionally joining on congas - and created a huge sound. Fronted by Dave Marsland (aka Dave Martian, brother of Dennis)
on vocals and surgical bowl*, they were an intriguing spectacle live in the years they were together
between 1984 and 1986. Heavily influenced by Captain Beefheart, their performances featured
songs like the fabulously-titled 'Wooden Mutant Devil Goat From Hell' featuring Zark Starfish (Nick Kenward)
playing guitar wearing a latex horror mask. The Mustard Mitts played several gigs around Heathfield including the Six Bells,
Chiddingly (with Danny Goring on guitar) and the Cowbeech Live Aid festival of 1985.
*It was in fact a stainless steel mixing bowl 'borrowed' from the kitchen of the Barley Mow. Once half filled with water
and struck, it produced an interesting sound
Some of the original Mustard Mitts repertoire lives on in the music of The Fourfathers
which features the original Martellos/Mitts line-up fronted by Dennis Martian.