The Electrics formed in August 1988 for the specific purpose of playing a one off show at a music festival in Glasgow known as IMPACT. Popularity for the band was such that more shows were requested and played .. and more shows.. and more, until 15 years on, the story continues. The original line-up members were Sammy Horner, Paul Baird, Alan Hewitt and David McArthur.

Since all members had a common appreciation for both folk and rock musical styles, the band sound took shape and was born ....
Celtic Folk/Rock !

The original members of the band toured together throughout the U.K., Europe and the U.S. for five years and recorded three albums in that time.
The first recording was a custom cassette entitled 'Views and Blues' which gave the band some promotional material with which to develop their sound.
In 1990 the band signed to british record label Word U.K. who released their debut CD album entitled 'Visions and Dreams' to the International market.

Building on the success of the Visions and Dreams album, the band signed a two album record deal with German company PILA Music, and began playing to a growing German fan base.

Changing Direction and Personnel

In 1994, the band recorded the second album for PILA Music entitled 'Big Silent World', and took on an option for a third album to be recorded the following year.

Late 1994 brought about a line-up change when Alan Hewitt left the band to pursue other avenues. His place was filled with two new members, namely Kris McEwan on mandolin and Heather Negus on accordion.

In 1995, this new formation went on to record the third album with PILA, entitled 'The Whole Shebang'. Having enlisted Buddy Miller as producer for the album, the band flew to Buddys studios in Nashville, Tennessee to record the tracks.

This new band line-up remained until 1997 when another shake up saw Kris and Heather leave and three new guys come on board, namely David Lyon, Kenny MacNicol and Robin Callander.

With a new line-up and after signing to an American label named Five Minute Walk records, the band undertook extensive tours of the U.S. and Europe to promote the release of 'The Electrics' album which was made up of the best of the previous albums that had not been released in the U.S.A.

Robin Callander left after one year with the band and was replaced by the bands' token englishman, Tim Cotterell who claims entitlement to wear a kilt through scottish descendancy - courtesy of his granny ... Bless her !

Tim has become a mainstay of the Electrics Folk Rock sound, and has taken on reposibility for the engineering of the new album that is currently under production for release in 2004.

With a new, improved and what would be referred to as the strongest and loudest line-up till that time, the band set about making another album for the American label 5 Minute Walk, and once again hit the road to promote the latest recording entitled 'Livin' It Up When I Die'.

The new line-up was quickly taken to the hearts of Electrics fans, and the new era was born. With a touring personnel roll call like the 'Waltons' at bedtime, the swelling numbers of the band had reached it's highest point.

Following successful tours of Europe and the U.S., the personnel were to change again with David Lyon deciding to leave the fold to pursue a solo project. Following shortly afterwards, piper Kenny MacNicol also departed to marry a Texan girl he had met on tour.

To cover the gap, an old friend of the band who had sessioned on both live shows and recordings stepped in to take on mandolin and guitar duties, his name ... Jim Devlin.
Larger than life and louder too, Jim has taken the band sound to a new punkier level.

A New Dawn
Having recorded once again for another German label named Pleitegier Records, the new album amusingly entitled 'Reel, Folk'n'Rock'n'Roll' has the band back on the road with a new rock/punk edge to their sound.

As this website production was in the making, founder member and guitarist Paul Baird decided to leave the band to pursue other ventures.
The four remaining band members continue to tour and record with the same enthusiasm and party attitude that has always been a part of the Electrics make up.




2005/2006 The “Lost Website” Year!

The latest album is called "Old New Borrowed and Green" and is available from Tame Your Tongue Productions/Records.The band recorded and produced the album themselves in Horner’s "Ted’s Place" studio.

It is a step further towards a much harder and punkier sound but also has ALL the elements that make up the fine mix that is an Electrics album. There are classic tracks on this album that stand up beside other bands’ best-loved songs of the last 15 years, and the reviews have all been absolutely fantastic.

From the wild rock n roll of "17 Bottles of Porter" to the lilting ballad "As Long As I Get To Keep You" (featuring a particularly raspy-voiced Horner), this album has acoustic instrumentals sitting comfortably beside the rock monster that is "The Dark Side of Dunoon".

For fans of the more traditional, there is a classic Electrics-style reworking of "Wild Rover" as well as a fine and heavy version of Rabbie Burns "A Man’s a Man for a That".

It also turned out to be the swansong for another original member, drummer Davie McArthur. Davie’s wife had just given birth to their first child and he felt it was the correct time to give up the drum stool after the album sessions. We wish Davie, Sheila and wee baby Lewis all the very best!

Another long time friend of the band and bandmate of JimmyD’s for many years is the current occupant of the drum stool, Jim "Skinny" Cosgrove. Jim started his rock n roll drum career with Scottish heavy metal band Nightrider many years ago. He went on to play in several bands with JimmyD. In fact, they still play together in three bands.

Jim is an excellent drummer and is currently fulfilling his long time ambitions of touring and recording with the guys. He has already gigged in Holland, Germany and Norway, as well as recording some superb new tracks in Volum Studios in Norway for a planned future release.

We hope you like the long overdue new look and colour scheme of the site, which is courtesy of Miss Angel in Texas.

The Electrics are VERY much alive and kicking and hope to see each and every one of you on our travels around the world soon.

JimmyD (June 2006)