1970 Adrian Wood
When I left Mayfield in 1970 I was the class hippy and well into rock and pop. Working as a junior in an art studio in Oxford Street I was in my element as the floor below was occupied by a press agent to many rock bands.
At that time I played bass guitar in a band called ‘High Altar’. We rehearsed in the hall above St. Margarets Church in Ilford High Road, much to the amusement of the church goers.
Around 1972 I got together with ex-Mayfield pupil, Charlie Stubbings and three other guys to form a band called ‘Jasper’. This band rehearsed in the temporary block used by Mayfield Youth Club. During the year we were together the band played many local venues.

‘Jasper’ rehearsing at Mayfield
It was sometime after the demise of ‘Jasper’ that I answered an advertisement in the Melody Maker, ‘Guitarist and Drummer seeks Bass player’. I went along to the audition and, after jamming for a while, got the gig. The guitarist, Warren Davis and drummer, Mark Evans had both been to Ilford County High. Marc Ring (vocalist) and John Laws (keyboards) from ‘Jasper’ joined us later. And so ‘Good Thinking’ was formed. We set about writing material and rehearsing using the temporary block at Mayfield School. We were performing and working very hard, hoping for that big break and we came very close. We made a demo tape of five of the band’s best compositions, but sadly we ran out of steam and the band folded.I guess one of the high points for me was working with the talented drummer Mark Evans. He was always keen to experiment and had such a thirst to increase his technical drumming skill. Playing support to Thin Lizzy on two occasions put us on the local map. I can still remember the huge cheer and applause we got as we went on stage at the Barking Tech. We also performed a few times to packed houses at the now legendary Village Blues Club (Dagenham Round House), the major rock venue in East London.I stayed in touch with John Laws over the years and in March this year I came across Warren Davis on Friends Reunited. In April the three of us met in a pub in Chigwell. On the agenda was to look for Marc Ring and to put a website together dedicated to the memory of Mark Evans.
Apparently, Mark had found fame with ‘Warrior Soul’ a New York based Rock Band. They had recorded many Albums and toured extensively in the UK, Europe and the States. He had returned to the UK in 2004 after leaving the band and in 2005 Mark was murdered and his burnt body was found in a wheelie bin in Ilford.

Mark Evans on stage with ‘Warrior Soul’
Marc Ring was found some two months later, alive and well and playing in a band called ‘Tripwire’. Click HERE to visit the ‘Good Thinking’ website.
To bring you up-to-date with the latest on ‘Good Thinking’ on October 19th the band played a live session and were interviewed on BBC local network radio stations, it went out live on BBC Essex ‘The Sue Marchant Show’. This was the first time the band had performed live in 35 years!!!
Further to the release of our single ‘Warrior Soul’ back in March we now have an album being released on Cargo Records available for download, or CD version is available by contacting the band via the web site. Album entitled ‘Turning The Clock Back’ out on the 7th November. http://www.good-thinking.me.uk/
Also the band play their first live concert in 35 years, opening for the legendary rockers Stray at The Royal Standard, Walthamstow on the 11th of November.
All being well the band expect to be playing dates throughout 2012, these will be posted on our web site as and when.
Adrian Wood
Oh my days! Where the devil did that photograph come from Adrian? I remember that guitar of mine, the fun I had trying to get the pick-up to stay in place, the uncontrollable feedback I used to deafen you all with… such great memories! And that purple long cardigan I was wearing, that was my absolute favourite item of clothing back then (along with my dark blue, crushed velvet, embroidered loons)… what a total blast seeing that photo, have you got any others?
PS… and I still haven’t got the faintest idea who the drummer was!