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Andy Wickett holds the reputation for being one of the finest performers and songwriters in the Midlands. See his mesmerising live acoustic set or catch him playing with his band World Service. He started his career in the 80s singing and playing in TV Eye, Duran Duran, The Xpertz and World Service. He has played large arenas and venues around the world. Andy has also produced videos and co-written albums with world renowned Asian artists Nusrat Ali fateh Khan, Malkit Singh, Stereo Nation, Taz and DCS. Andy also produces his own brand of electronic music. Sometimes blending musical genres with his acoustic songs. Support act to: The Clash, U2, Culture Club, Burning Spear, Orange juice, UK tours with Duran Duran and Gregory Isaacs.

First gig at Rebbeca's - Note gaffa taped clothes.

Andy Wickett, Eamon Duffy and Dave Kusworth left Moseley Art school in 1976. They formed the band T.V. Eye and started hanging around the punk scene at Barbarella's,Rebbecca's and the Romulus. Andy, Dave and new guitarist Paul Adams Moved into a house in the industrial part of Digbeth Birmingham on a street called Cheapside. They cut a single 'Stevie's radio Station'but didn't release it because the drums were too fast. Andy later performed the song with the Durans. The Durans continued to use the song after Andy had left changing the name 'Stevie' to 'Rio'.

Me Mark (top), Ant, Nils, Shirley, Neil.

World Service - 1984 - 2012 - Across the Sahara

Duran Duran - 1979 - Guys on Film

Andy rehearsed with the Durans and Vision Collision in his room at Cheapside while Steven Duffy's band 'The Hawks' rehearsed downstairs in the veranda. Andy worked the Night shift at Cadburys Bournville where he would read books and write songs to kill time. In the day he'd try out his new ideas with the band. One night he wrote the melody to 'Girls on Film'. He found a lyric in his book: "girls in film they look better, girls in film always smile". John Taylor suggested that he change it to girls 'on' film. Andy told Nick Rhodes to introduce the song by playing the melody on his string machine and the song was born. They recorded the song along with: See me repeat me, Reincarnation, and Working the Steel as part of their first demo at Bob Lamb's studio in Moseley. Nick's dad took Nick and Nigel to see the London record companies. Andy phoned Nick from the factory and was overjoyed to hear that EMI and A&M loved his voice and would sign the band if they could produce more songs like Girls on Film. However Andy left the band for personal reasons. Andy asked for payment for the song and was offered £600 on condition that he sign a waiver. His solicitor advised him to sign the waver as it could be used as evidence that he had been involved in writing their songs. Andy signed the document but later found that his solicitor no longer thought that he could fight a case against EMI because they would 'buy him out of court'.

Girls On Film - Original Demo Version

John Taylor, Fozzit (from Vision Collision, Me.

Xpertz - 1982 - Into the Dubzone

The Xpertz built up a large following in the early eighties and were among the first bands to merge electronica and dub. They played many high profile gigs supported:The Clash, U2, Burning Spear, Culture Club, orange juice and Gregory Issacs on his British tour. Vocals, Keyboard, Harmonica, Percussion: Andy Wickett Bass: Aleem Panwar Guitar: Paul Horton Percussion, Vocals: Ron Cook Drums: Randolph Jordan Management, Photography, Lighting, Sound: Leroy Jones Hemmings

Skala - 1996 - Ska in the Jungle.

Skala produced an album with Saxa from 'The Beat'. Mixing Ska and dub + live recordings of Saxa's band to produce a rich musical journey with their album 'Skambient'.

Saxa is a legend. Not many people are aware that apart from playing the sax, He alsoplays the pipe or bamboo flute as it is also known, and drums. He has also been known to sing and create his own lyrics, as can be discovered on Dan Arsenic - a track to be heard on the 'Skambient' album.

Birdman

Mau 61 - 2010 - Wrestling with a Jaguar.

Mau 61 group playied an ever changing mix of original songs with elements of dub reggae, electro, acoustic, punk and more. Andy plays electric guitar.

Tommo Davis (Bass, vocals, sound engineer) Worked with 80s Reggae group Rebellion. With Altern8 he was responsible for 90’s no1 old Skool tune ‘Alien 8 (Come with me), Also worked as sound engineer at NIA where he mixed for the Who amongst others,

Dave Massey (drums) Is a very well respected drummer and percussionist from the Asian music scene. He has played with many top names in the ndustry and is still sought after for his excellent technical ability and style. Dave is also an accomplished producer and has created many origional works in his own studio.

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World Service began when I was asked to record with a band. The session took place at the BBC Pebble Mill studios in Birmingham. There have been many line up changes over the years. In 1990 the band crossed the Sahara to tour Algeria. In 1996 another line up supported the Durans on their UK tour. Vocals, Guitar, harmonica: Andy Wickett Bass: Roger Cornforth, Nick, Nils Hagstrom, Clive Parry Drums: Bill Coleman, Trevor Cornforth, Daniel, Ant, Neil Harris, John Cummins, Jamie Little, Gilly Greiner Guitar: Ritchie, Steve Harper, Andy Bucknall. Keyboards & backing vocals: Gerry, Shirley, Doro, Bingo. Sax: Mark Overton.