It all started one cold, grey and miserable day in a town known as Swindon. Simon, a former member of Mizlanda who had left that February to concentrate on his other band Disclaimer:, was talking to another former Mizlanda member Mike. (Mike and Rich had left Mizlanda after a few band "disagreements".)

Simon and Mike were ignoring their Maths teacher, Dave, as they so frequently do, and were talking about bands. Mike said that Rich and he were looking for a new drummer so that they could continue their band and asked Simon how Disclaimer: were getting on. Simon said that Disclaimer: had recently split up and he was looking for a new band. He also said that he had a drum kit and a practise space available.

So later on that night Rich and Mike had a talk and decided that they would have a jam with Simon. This was to be held at Simon's house on yet another cold, grey and miserable day (there are quite a few cold, grey and miserable days in Swindon). This practise wasn't exactly the best practise you ever heard. Anyway, the next week the band decided to jam again this time at the Southmoor Scout HQ (The home of Disclaimer: practices) and the band started to sound a bit better. At this point the band were working towards their first gig at the end of January; leaving them just 2 more weeks of practise left.

Practise was then stopped for the festive period and resumed again in the first week of college. By now it was becoming clear that the January gig wouldn't happen. The band continued to practice under their newly found name "AvantGarde". The first week back after the Christmas break, it was clear that practise was paying off as the band started to sound like a band - and could even end songs together.

With this in mind, Rich decided to try and get a gig at the Vic. As it was, there was no slot available at the Vic, but however, there was a free slot at The Furnace - which we courteously took. So now the date was set for the first ever AvantGarde gig - 25th Feb. After this gig, AvantGarde unleashed themselves into the general public (don't worry - there was plently of safety precautions...) for the next few months, doing gigs here, there and everywhere really.

After playing (and raising alot of money for) Riffstock 2004, and playing alongside many excellent bands, Rich decdided that he should go to university to help him get a real job. So AvantGarde are officially no more, though we are still occaisionally doing gigs here and there and everywhere really. So if you would like to recieve information about this, join our mailing list by signing up to our forum, and we will send you mail when we do any gigs.

I would just like to take this opportunity to say thank you for being such a wonderful bunch of fellows. You make me happy. :)