Two Hohner
Melodicas, soprano and alto. They are wind instruments, but with a two-octave polyphonic keyboard. They have brass reeds and sound like accordions, with rather a nice rounded tone. Our models (HM900 & 901) are still made -- quite pricey at approaching £50. Given to me by the cousins who passed on our
Bontempi organ and used throughout CA's career. Looking a little the worse for wear, CA's instruments are currently used by my son to make horrible blaring noises. [GG]
I felt at the time that our use of melodicas gave us some sort of aesthetic link to the Gang of Four who also used the instrument. However, I was wrong about this. [BN]
I thought there was more of an aesthetic link with Augustus Pablo, often featured on John Peel at the time. I too was wrong. [JP]
See also
abject noise-makers