Summer 2019Noddy's Puncture

There aren’t many people who can say they have shared a stage with their musical icon, and even fewer have released a CD, or even loaned out musical equipment. Local musician Tom Szakaly can tick these boxes as one of the fortunate few to have performed alongside the legendary Keith Emerson, of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, thanks to his ELP tribute band, Noddy’s Puncture.

They first met in 1987 after Tom knocked on Keith’s door to invite him to the pub, paving the way for future collaborations.

Their paths crossed again in 1992, during ELP’s Black Moon tour. With ELP due to play the Manchester Apollo, Tom had a phone call from Keith, in Holland at the time, asking if he knew of anyone who could take a look at his equipment, which had been rendered useless the night before.

In 2005, Keith Emerson came along to one of the Noddy’s gigs at his local pub, The Six Bells, before getting on stage and joining in with the set. The gig, which was, being recorded, was subsequently released on CD – a dream for many musicians.

Tom said: “I knew he was going to be there. Keith’s son and his partner always came to my gigs, so I had an inkling he would bring his dad. He turned up and joined in on the third number, going on to play a few on his own. It was just a big jam really; everyone’s jaws were on the floor and I was over the moon. Keith had a whale of a time.”

An ardent ELP fan since the age of 14, Tom finally had the chance to form the prog tribute band he had always dreamed of, with Noddy’s Puncture rising from the ashes of his previous band, Shanghai.

Noddy’s Puncture – named after Carl Palmer’s ‘Noddy’ drumskin – started 30 years ago and is made up of Tom on keyboards, drummer Frank Askew, from Bognor Regis, and Ed Blaney from Seaham, on vocals, bass and guitar.

Tom explained: “Because of the distance, we rehearse online. Prog is an era of people playing their instruments. You still need to be dedicated, which is something you will only get from other fans.

“The show would not go on though without Dave Derbyshire. He helps load and unload the vans and does our sound mixing.”

The group have performed right across the country, from Rochdale to the north east, Sussex to Wales and Scotland, and most recently performing at the Prog in the Park festival in Dunfermline.

In true ELP fashion and with similar dedication, Tom uses a Hammond organ and Leslie cabinets as Keith Emerson did, even going as far as to import a Moog modular synthesizer or a truly authentic sound – and that is before you include emulating Emerson’s unique style of performance.

Tom said: “Keith used to wrestle the organ, stick daggers in it, play it from behind and tilt it. So having a background in electronics really comes in handy at times.

“Keith needed an organ when he guest starred with Spinal Tap in 2009, so he borrowed mine, which he used again for the last song of ELP’s gig in 2010.”

Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s title track of their second album, ‘Tarkus’, is Tom’s favourite track to perform, but it has to be the live version.

Tom said: “It was recorded for the studio but totally changed when it was live. It is so atmospheric and really synthesises a 25-minute epic journey. I love recreating it.”

The band was once called the “closest thing to a live ELP performance”. In addition to utilising the same equipment, Noddy’s Puncture also brings the visuals associated with a classic ELP show from on-stage antics to similar stage costumes.

Tom laughed: “We do try and do the stage gear as well as the pyrotechnics. Greg Lake had a Persian carpet which he used to stand on on stage to reduce the risk of electric shock. A roadie used to come out and vacuum it. We haven’t got a carpet roadie – yet – but I am thinking of it.”