Do you know the members of 1970s Portsmouth punk band Eyes?Â

A RECORD boss has launched an appeal to track down five city rockers who enjoyed a taste of fame 40 years ago.Â
The cover of Eyes' record I Like It, released through Raw Records. Picture: Lee WoodThe cover of Eyes' record I Like It, released through Raw Records. Picture: Lee Wood
The cover of Eyes' record I Like It, released through Raw Records. Picture: Lee Wood

Lee Wood is on a mission to find members of the Portsmouth-based punk band Eyes, four decades after he recruited them to his Cambridge-based label Raw Records.

Signing over the dotted line in 1978, the outfit '“ which featured musicians Doug Kane, Nick Porter, Reg Marshall, Steve Simmons and John Stuart Mills '“ went on to release two singles which both sold more than 6,000 copies each. 

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While Lee and the band parted ways after the tracks, he said the split was '˜amicable' '“ and wants to include them in a book he is writing about the label following its winding down. 

The cover of Eyes' record Once in a Lifetime, released through Raw Records. Picture: Lee WoodThe cover of Eyes' record Once in a Lifetime, released through Raw Records. Picture: Lee Wood
The cover of Eyes' record Once in a Lifetime, released through Raw Records. Picture: Lee Wood

The 40-year-old said: '˜Eyes were a good band '“ they performed well live and recorded well too. 

'˜They weren't quite what you would call a punk band in the sense of the Sex Pistols because they were more rock oriented. 

'˜But I have fond memories of working with them as it was clear they knew exactly what they were doing.

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'˜They had quite a flamboyant manager too, called Jake Anthony, and he often made the effort to come and see me.' 

The front cover of Eyes' record I Like It, released through Raw Records. Picture: Lee WoodThe front cover of Eyes' record I Like It, released through Raw Records. Picture: Lee Wood
The front cover of Eyes' record I Like It, released through Raw Records. Picture: Lee Wood

The tracks Eyes released via Raw Records, I Like It and Once in a Lifetime, were recorded at a studio on the estate of Wembley Arena, in London. 

If they are tracked down, it is hoped the band's members can share their side of the story as musicians who worked on the Raw label. 

According to Mr Wood, they were in good company too '“ with former Raw talents The Killjoys going on to become Dexys Midnight Runners, and one member of Lockjaw later joining The Cure. 

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With Mr Wood's book set to be published next year, anyone who knows the members of Eyes is welcome to contact him. 

He is also searching for city talent Nettie Waling, who was allegedly close to signing Raw Records. 

Anyone with information should email [email protected] 

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