Scottish Roots Rock
Glasgow, Scotland

The Electrics was started by former members of Infra Penny and The Victors. Ex-Infra Penny bassist and vocalist Sammy Horner teamed up rhythm-and-blues guitarist Paul Baird for an impromptu session at the Impact Festival. They persuaded ex-metal drummer Davey McArthur to join, and then after a session with the band, Alan Hewitt (keyboards, accordion and woodwind) also joined.

The band recorded a six-song debut demo and began playing anywhere they could. In 1989, they recorded another demo called Views'n'Blues. Their early music was described as all different stlyes - Horner was a big country music fan, Baird was a rhythm-and-blues man, McArthur came from the heavy metal scene, and Hewitt was into jazz. Listening to bands like The Waterboys and Runrig helped them to focus their style.

In 1990 at Scotland's Impact Festival, the band met Cross Rhythms' editor Tony Cummings. Cummings was impressed with their live show, and knew that Split Level was already covering one of their songs (“Mercy Mercy”). Cummings was in the process of forming a new record label and management company called Full Circle with ex-Nutshell manager Paul Bennett. Because of their show at the Impact Festival, The Electrics were asked to sign to Full Circle and recorded their next album Visions and Dreams at the Glasgow Music Studio.

198? Independent

Reportedly had 6 songs.

1989 Independent

Had 10 or 12 songs

1989 Independent

1. Belfast Town
2. Hope and the Pain

1991 Myrrh Records (MYRCD1282)

Sammy Horner - Vocals, bass
Allan Hewitt - Accordion, keyboards, woodwind
Paul Baird - Guitar
David McArthur - Drums

Neill Forrest - Mandolin on “Disciples of Disaster,” “Justify Your Love,” and “T-Hule Beannachd (The Blessing)“
Dave Fitzgerald - Saxophone on “Wishing on a Dream” and “Free,” whistle on “T-Hule Beannachd (The Blessing)“
Joanne Quigley - Violin on “Justify Your Love”
The Divine Choir featuring Tracey Riggan - Backing vocals on “Mercy Mercy” and “Free”

1. 2000 Years
2. Mercy Mercy
3. Disciples of Disaster
4. Some Things a Young Man Shouldn't Have Seen
5. The Turning Tide
6. Wishing on a Dream
7. Visions and Dreams
8. Justify Your Love
9. Free
10. Stems and Thorns
11. Hellhound on My Trail
12. Belfast Town
13. T-Hule Beannachd (The Blessing)

1993 Independent

Sammy Horner - Acoustic bass, mandolin, vocals
Allan Hewitt - Acoustic guitar, accordion, piano, whistle, Hammond, BVs
Bairdy (Paul Baird) - Twelve string guitars, six string guitars, acoustic guitars, mandolin, BVs
Davie McArthur - Drums, bodhran, BVs

1. Heres to You
2. Take Take Take
3. Carry Me
4. Bogeyman
5. Gotta Have Love

1993 Pila Music (271922)

Sammy Horner - Lead vocals, bass guitar, mandolin, bodhrán, backing vocals
Allan Hewitt - Keyboards, Hammond organ, accordion, whistle, acoustic guitar, tambourine, backing vocals
Paul Baird - Acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
Davie McArthur - Drums, percussion, backing vocals

1. End of the World (3:00)
2. Heres to You (3:25)
3. Song of the Least (4:08)
4. I Believe in Freedom (2:59)
5. Back of Your Head (2:42)
6. Ragin' Cajun (3:06)
7. He is There (5:11)
8. Take Take Take (3:37)
9. Big Important You (3:05)
10. All That You Want Me to Be (2:43)
11. Irish Rover (3:59)
12. Finally Over With You (3:58)
13. I Can Say I Tried (2:24)
14. Sing My Song (4:03)

(…to be continued…)

• The Electrics: The Glasgow-Based Band Who've Become Celtic Visionaries
• The Electrics: The Rockin' Reelin' Cajun Country Irish Scottish Troubadours