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ELECTROPATHICS
The Electropathic Battery Band was formed in 1979. The English Country Dance revival was just getting going and the band was inspired by the Old Swan Band and New Victory Band, among others. As well as playing for dances they also specialised in performing Music Hall material, and made a feature of appearing in Edwardian costume. The original members were Alan Rawlinson, John "Grog" Gregson, John Lewis, Dave and Moira Hanvey, and Nick Tamblin and Maggie Andrew.
The original lineup:
L to R: Moira Hanvey, Dave Hanvey, Maggie Andrew, Alan Rawlinson, John Lewis (John Gregson out of shot)
In 1984 Nick, Dave and Moira left the band and Howard Jones and Keith Hancock were invited to join. As both were melodeon players, this gave the opportunity to share melody and harmony lines rather than be dependent on one lead instrument. Howard also played concertina and hammered dulcimer, and sang. Keith was making a namve for himself as a singer-songwriter and brought some of his own compositions into the band's repertoire. The band also decided to modernise its image, and dropped the period costume in favour of modern clothes in red and white.
The band’s sound was starting to evolve into something more adventurous. In addition to the possibilities offered by having two lead instruments, the supporting instrumentation was also changing. In particular, John Lewis put aside his rhythm banjo in favour of wild tenor sax and clarinet, giving a much more jazzy effect. Jackie Hamilton (later Rawlinson) joined on fiddle, and percussionist Maggie Andrew left and was replaced by Pierce Butler.
As well as playing ceilidh tunes, the band also had a varied repertoire of songs, reflecting the eclectic tastes of its members. As well as both traditional and contemporary folk songs, including several by Keith Hancock, this also included Music Hall and 1930s songs, as well as Sacred Harp harmonies.
L to R: John Gregson, Jackie Rawlinson, Howard Jones, Maggie Andrew, Keith Hancock, Alan Rawlinson, John Lewis
Shortly afterwards Keith Hancock left to pursue his solo career, and John Lewis and Grog also departed. Pierce Butler also decided that playing in a North West band while living in Aylesbury didn’t really work! However the band carried on, with Alan and Jackie Rawlinson and Howard Jones being joined by various combinations of musicians, including among others Tim Kenny, Dave Manley, Ian Sherwood, Alistair Gillies and Tim Veitch. For some reason it was particularly difficult to find and keep percussionists, and a whole series of these came and went until the band finally settled down with Chris 'Yorkie' Bartram.
In spite of these personnel changes the band continued to develop a distinctive sound and was in great demand throughout the country. Their popularity was confirmed when in the 1988 Folk Roots magazine's readers' poll they were voted among the top 10 most popular dance bands, and in 1993 earned an entry in the Guiness Who's Who of Folk Music. The Electropathics appeared at most of the major folk festivals and dance clubs, and on national and local radio.
The band continued until 1994 when Jackie moved away from the area. By this time, family and work demands were taking their toll, and it was becoming harder to give the band the commitment it required. It was decided to finish while still on a high. However the band has got together from time to time for the occasional reunion gig.
The final line-up consisted of:
Howard Jones (melodeon, concertina, hammer dulcimer, guitar)
Jackie Rawlinson (fiddle, sax)
Alan Rawlinson (trombone, flute, trumpet, sousaphone)
Dave Manley (sax, flute)
Ian Sherwood (guitar)
Tim Veitch (cello)
Chris Bartram (percussion)
Chris Donek (sound engineer)
20-something years on: after a reunion gig at Poynton Ceilidhs in 2011
L to R: Alan Rawlinson, Nick Tamblin. Tim Veitch. Howard Jones, Jackie Allen, John 'Grog' Gregson, Pierce Butler, John Lewis, Dave Hanvey. Front: Joe Allen
"Electropathics" is the use of electricity to promote health. The original Electropathic Battery Band was a Victorian invention, an electric hatband (!) which it was claimed would invigorate and promote the health of the wearer. Somebody thought this was a good name for a band which had its original emphasis on Music Hall material.
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
In 1987 the band went into the recording studio to record its only album. At the same time it was decided to shorten the name, since the associations of the original name (see below) no longer suited the material or style. The Electropathic Battery Band became simply "The Electropathics", and the album was released under the name "batteries not included".
Later that same year, they were invited by BBC Radio Manchester to contribute a track for a double-length cassette album of folk music which was being released for the Children in Need Appeal. Another session in a recording studio resulted in "Harry Rag", a cover of an old Kinks’ song with a traditional morris middle-eight!