Direct Drive


Main image

Mick Ward, Pete Quinton, Bob Williams, Bones, Paul Hardcastle, Derek Green

Direct Drive were a British Disco, Soul and Electrofunk act in the 1980s.
When the band was founded, it consisted of 4 members: Mick Ward on bass, Pete Quinton on drums, Bob Williams on guitar and Bones playing congas. Later Paul Hardcastle applied as keyboard player, and was joined by Derek Green on vocals to make up the original lineup of the band.

After the release of 2 singles “Don’t Depend On Me” and “Time’s Running Out” on Oval records, Paul and Derek left the band to form First Light.

Direct drive then used a succession of keyboard players for live work and auditioned for a new vocalist; they picked Helen Rogers and released the track In The Middle Of Spring on the Passion label.

They then formed their own label 'Direct Drive Records' and Production Company 'BPM' and released Pass The Paper.

In November 1984 they released Anything on Direct Drive Record.

This was so successful that it was picked up by Polydor Records and re released by them in early 1985.

Polydor subsidiary label Boiling Point then released a follow up single called ABC (Falling In Love's Not Easy) with two remixes of Anything led by Paul Hardcastle's A Side Mix with Mark King providing an alternative Mix on the B side.

Direct Drive parted company with Polydor and reverted to releasing tracks on their own label.

Until 1986 they released another 2 singles “I Need Some Sunshine”, and “Oh Yeah!”.


ALBUMS


APPEARANCES +


First Light
16 Minutes Of 1st Light
1982, Vinyl, ,
Jazz-Funk/Electro/Soul/Synth-pop
Various
Rhythm On The Radio - Oval Records Singles 1974-1987
2016, CD, Comp, Ace, ,
Cajun/New Wave/Post-Punk/Funk/Highlife/Electro/House/Afrobeat
Various
Nighttime Lovers Volume 11-20 (A Fine Collection Of Disco Funk Classics Of The 80's)
2014, 10xCD, Comp, RM + Box, PTG Records, ,
Disco/Synth-pop/Funk/Soul
Various
Golden Eighties The Rare Funky Selection Volume 19
2013, CD, Comp, Not On Label, ,
Funk/Soul/Disco
Paul Hardcastle
Electrofied 80s Essential
2013, 2x CD, ,
Electro/Smooth Jazz
Various
Nighttime Lovers Volume 17
2012, CD, Comp, RM, PTG Records
Various
Nighttime Lovers Collectors Box Volume 1 – 10
2011, 11xCD, Comp + CD, Comp, Mixed + Box, PTG Records
Various
Nighttime Lovers Volume 8
2008, CD, Comp, PTG Records, ,
Disco
Various
Jazz Funk Sessions
2005, 2xCD, Comp, Sessions
Various
Sixty/Forty In Your Favour - Paul Bevoir
1994, CD, Album, Comp, Promo, Tangerine Records (2),
Pete Q* Featuring Helen Rogers
Shifting Sands (Love So Hot)
1988
Various
Cuttin A Groove - Top Class Soul From Britains Brightest New Artists
1986, LP, Comp, Vinyl Mania (2)
Various
April 85 - The Mixes
1985, 12", Mixed, DMC, ,
Pop Rock/Disco/RnB/Swing/Hip Hop/Cut-up/DJ/Electro/Synth-pop
Various
Boiling Point Volume 1
1985
Various
Disco Mix Club - July 1983 - Tape 2
1983, Cass, Comp, Promo, DMC, ,
Disco
Various
Jazz Funk
1983, Cass, Comp, Creativ
Various
Cuttin A Groove - Top Class Soul From Britains Brightest New Artists
LP, Comp, TP, W/Lbl, Vinyl Mania (2)
DJ Foued
100% Funk Selection Vol 3 & 4
2008, 2xCD, Comp, Unofficial, Double Style Music, ,
Funk
Various
The Best Of British Jazz-Funk Volume Two
Cass, Comp, Unofficial, C.S
Various
Music For Dancing Vol. 4
Cass, Comp, Unofficial, Thomsun Original