The Valley Forge

The Valley Forge were active on the Barrow-In-Furness, UK, alternative music scene in the mid to late 80s. The original line-up featured Gaz Oakes (vocals, ex-of The Biscuit Brothers), joint guitarists Phil Pearson and Jonny Ransome, Bob Graham (bass), Steve Edge (keyboards) and Dave Cooper (drums). They played many gigs in the area, including a spot on the ‘Feed The World’-style Band Aid charity gig held at the Grain and Grape in December 1984. Writing all their own material, their set-list included live favourites such as King For a Day and The Thistle, the latter of which became something of an anthem for the band.
By the time they came to release a single, however, Jonny Ransome and Gaz Oakes had both left the band, with Marlon Loughran taking over on vocals. They recorded tracks for their 12 inch single at Cavalier Studios in Stockport, and it was released in 1986 on the band’s own label, Revue Records. Despite having committed their music to vinyl, this second public incarnation of the band was fairly short-lived with few live appearances.
Gaz Oakes went on to form McGinty’s Godfather with other figures from the local scene, including Dave ‘Swags’ Sweeney (bass) and early Active manager Kym Norman taking up keyboard.
Following Marlon’s departure, keyboard player Steve Edge stepped up to the plate and became the band’s vocalist and front-man. New member Andrew Foxcroft covered the keyboards duties, with the rest of the line-up remaining stable. They recorded another 12 inch single, featuring four songs, also released on the band’s own Revue label.
Tracks for a third single, Haunt and Josephine, were recorded, but never released, and the band split up soon afterwards. Rumours of a re-union have so far remained just that.