In 1973 all of what would become Effigy were studying at Newquay School (now known as Newquay Tretherras). Godfrey (Goff) Richards was the music teacher at the time and had the idea of gathering his students together to produce a body of work, and put it out on a record. A friend of Goff's, Basil Taite, owned a mobile recording studio (set up in a horse box!) and was happy to engineer the project. Through the year during lunchtimes and under the guidance of Goff, the performers would rehearse their pieces in preparation for the 'recording session'.
The band started life with the Culcutt brothers getting together with Len (Leon) Davis. Len was the original singer and lead guitar player in the band. They would play around Newquay, performing at the youth club and the airmen's at the local RAF base (RAF St Mawgan). Len was in the RAF and also a DJ on RAF radio. As with many in the forces Len didn't stay in Newquay long and soon moved on to his next posting.
With Len gone Mart was brought in to provide vocals for the recording, with Kevin taking on the lead guitar. Mart designed the artwork for the LP, which was then pressed up on local label TC records and sold to pupils in the school.
The band were fairly short lived. Soon afterwards Kevin took to bass and along with Alan and Brian Payne (keyboards) formed The Jester Band, playing clubs, cabarets, and hotels. They would also regularly back up local comic Jethro.
Brain Payne turned pro as a hotel entertainer on piano. Goff would go on to became an internationally knwon musical composer and arranger. Alan Ibbotson continues to gig, playing in popular South West blues band Devil's Creek. |