why control

The Punks

Cookie - Vocals

Cookie aka Clif Ison we think that he is still living. Not related to anyone famous although he could have been. Good stage presence and strongly supported the punk ideology. Learned to play guitar but showed better singing ability so we made him sing.  Notorious for numb chucks and karate stage antics stolen from his man JJ Burnel of the Stranglers. Used to fit carpet on the side. Brought a dancehall type sound to the band from his reggae collection. Got to know band through Eric's club association and general involvement in the local scene. At his wedding he had a mod scooter motorcade in front of the Roller. Last seen hunting rabbits on the Welsh hills. Cookie, great memories if you read this get in touch.

Mart - Guitar

Al Bum aka Mart aka Martin Cass still living.  Not related to anyone famous although his father played in bands around London with Lonny Donigan and Chris Barber. Good idea person with mechanical and technology interests. Learned how to make things in high school. Started to play guitar at 13 and rewired his Dad's hifi system to use for electric guitar amp. Laid down most of the guitar riffs for Why Control. Inspired to play guitar by Marc Bolan and Ziggy Stardust album in the early 70's and re-enthused by the Clash garage band style. Participated in band interviews, and reviews for Bombsite fanzine.

Moved to USA in 1982 and now runs a manufacturing company. Specializes in PLC and robotic automation equipment. A late bloomer who started a family at 48 years old. Still listens to The Clash and the Sex Pistols, enjoys reading about the UK punk explosion of 1977.

Algy - Drummer

Rip Nolan aka Algy aka Mark Hodgkinson still living. Not related to anyone famous.  Pretty good writer and very detailed. Learned creative writing in high school and always got good grades.  At a young age started drumming with the British Army Cadets. Wrote all of the lyrics for Why Control and usually negotiated gig fees. Although most of the time the band played for beer. Enjoyed the journalistic part of working the fanzine. Carried around his sister's expensive 35mm camera to all the gigs. Took musical direction from Roxy music, Diamond Dogs, Ziggy Stardust and Mowtown.

Recently returned from a tour of Iraq and bought a Triumph motor cycle.  Still listens to the Clash and the Pistols. 

Grom - Bass

Col Ide aka Grom aka Colin Gronbach still living.  Not related to anyone famous. Good contributor to fanzine with a no BS writing style. During the last year of high school he spent most of his time drinking beer down at the Bear and Billet in Chester. Owned an old Lambretta scooter and listened to The Jam.  Started to play bass at an early age and took direction for his musical style from The Who and the Stranglers. Mart and Grom roomed together and worked out bass and guitar tracks smoking and drinking in their spare room. Lived in Manchester for a while and felt a connection with that scene.
Moved out to Hamilton New Zealand in 1982, and specializes in power station information architecture and analysis type stuff. We are sure that he still listens to The Jam and The Stranglers. Grom if you read this "all the best mate"