Colin Tench

Colin Tench (30 May 1954 – 27 December 2017) was an English guitarist, songwriter and producer.

After being with Odin of London for some years in the late 70s and early 80s, he founded BunChakeze, who recorded a progressive rock album.

Because that genre was not commercially interesting at the time, no record label could be found to release it.

The band was born in 1981 and was composed of Gary Derrick (bass), Derek Sanderson (keyboards), John Culley (guitars), Colin Tench (guitars), and Cliff Deighton (drums).

Carl Lucas was hired to replace the former vocalist, and Anne Tench designed the artwork for the band's poster.

Odin of London recorded several original songs at a studio belonging to Alex Foulcher, with one song, "Catherine", featuring Tench on vocals.

Their song "Alcatraz" was chosen to be included on a compilation LP, but the company desired a different vocalist.

Tench discovered Tony Butler, and the song was rerecorded with Butler's vocals.

The contract with the label, however, did not favour the band and they declined to permit the use of their song.

Odin of London sent out their recordings on cassette to record companies but were repeatedly rejected.

In 1984, the band simply stopped doing anything and three members decided to start a new project.

Tench, Derrick, and Deighton formed a new band in 1984.

One of the first compositions, a short instrumental piece with many key changes, was brought forward by Tench.

When asked by his band members about the composition, he allegedly replied that it was a "bunch of keys".

This led to the band being named BunChakeze, a rough homophone of "bunch of keys".

The trio began writing new music but needed a place to record.

The band turned to Alex Foulcer at whose studio they had recorded Odin of London's tracks.

Foulcer was building a new studio and, according to Tench, a deal was made over a card game one night; the three musicians would help build the studio during the day in exchange for recording time at night.

Between 1984 and 1985, the studio and BunChakeze's songs came together.

With an album's worth of music ready, the band decided to audition a singer.

After a few months, American singer Joey Lugassy from Los Angeles arrived in London on his first visit to the United Kingdom and advertised that he was looking for a band.

He was called to meet with BunChakeze and was hired to sing the songs, a challenge for him as the music had already been recorded and he had to make his vocals fit the music.

With the album Whose Dream completed at last, the band was satisfied with the results, the purpose having been to record an album of music on their own terms.

A few record companies were contacted but no one expected any positive results and none came.

At last, the band split up, and Tench once more took to traveling.

In 2010, after not playing in any bands for 25 years, encouraged by friends he met on the internet, Colin released the BunChakeze album.

The album was received very well, and led him into releasing a string of albums with his own projects, of which Corvus Stone and Colin Tench Project were most important, and as a guest musician for other acts.

He also produced albums for these same other acts, building him a cult following around the world.

Colin died unexpectedly of natural causes on 27 December 2017, 3 days after the release of his second album with the Colin Tench Project.

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At the age of 22*, Tench left England to live in Sydney, Australia for three years.

During his stay, he decided to take up playing the guitar.

Together with other English expats and sons of expats, he formed The Pommie Gentlemen.

The group played local clubs and joined Battle of the Bands contests, but by Tench's own admission, they were not particularly very good.

At one gig, however, he spotted legendary AC/DC vocalist Bon Scott in the audience and afterwards spoke briefly with him, Scott reportedly saying that he thought the band was alright.

After leaving Australia, Tench forgot about guitar playing and returned home to London via a journey of several months through Asia.

Originally he had no aspirations to continue playing the guitar, but then he decided to audition for a new band named Odin of London.

At the time of the auditions, former Black Widow and Cressida guitarist John Culley had also tried out for the band.

According to bassist Gary Derrick, Tench called every day to ask if he had passed the audition.

Someone suggested having two lead guitarists, and both Tench and Culley were hired.