THE TRIAL

 

Trial were formed by Paddy Donnelly and Gordy Blair around the start of 1981. Gordy, a well known face on the local music scene having previously played bass with pre Stiff Little Fingers combo Highway Star in 1976 then subsequently joining Belfast punk band Rudi, with whom he stayed with for three years. After leaving Rudi, he played with The Outcasts and briefly with Stage B.

Trial however saw Gordy swap his trusted bass for a guitar and he also penned all the bands songs. Bass duties were taken up by Paddy Donnelly and Ex Stage B member Owen Howell occupied the drum stool. The band cited their influences at the time as late 60s underground bands, American fiction and existential philosophy. Below is an interview with Gordy Blair, conducted by Davy Sims for his Downtown Radio Show, Sound Check, broadcast on 17th August 1981.

The band’s live set included songs such as Erotica, Matters Of Religion, All Tomorrow’s Parties, Solitude, View From A Corner and King Of The Facedowns. Studio demos such as Another Tin Soldier and You Don’t Look At All were also recorded during the band’s short lifespan. A live set recorded at the Dunbar Arms in August 1981 also exists.

Gordy would later play with Big Self and Ruefrex before emigrating to Australia where he spent various periods of time playing bass for Australian outfit Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes between 1987 and 1997, before finally hanging up his bass to concentrate on a new career in desktop publishing.

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