Guy Evans – Warwick University and Van der Graaf Generator

 

Guy Evans – Warwick University and Van der Graaf Generator

by Pete Clemons

Guy Evans https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Evans

Guy Evans was and, still is, drummer for Van Der Graaf Generator. In my words he is certainly one of the most complex and expressive drummers I have ever seen perform. Guy studied at Warwick University from 1965 to 1968. While there he was a member of a couple of university bands.

Guy's first group, 'The New Economic Model', were formed at the university. Although it was actually during December 1966 when Warwick University's 'new beat group' called at 'The Fixed Priced Keynesian Economic Model’ actually made its debut.

They played soul and r 'n' b covers and had the classic line-up of Brian Morris and Mike Kostrzewa (vocals), Guy Evans (drums), Pete Lucas (lead guitar), Mike Petty (bass guitar), Mike Haslan (tenor/alto sax), and Pete Welch (organ). Between them they did many gigs. The university equipped the band although there was some kind of controversy around the purchase of the equipment.

To have a full evening of music the university was spending quite a lot of effort and money on support bands. As such 'The New Economic Model' became a resident support act.

And Guy was 'playing in a band on the same bill as all sorts of great people, learning from them. Then came the great dream moment, during February 1967, when Victor Brox’s Blues Train came to play and the drummer didn’t turn up because he’d broken down somewhere. So I volunteered to play and we had a little dressing room rehearsal and I did the whole set with them which was a real blast for me'.

1967 also saw 'The New Economic Model' support The Move, Alan Bown and John Mayall amongst many others.

Toward the end of 1967 'The Green Marble Mind' were formed. They were comprised of three members: John Hadfield (19) - lead guitar and vocalist, educated at St Edwards School, Oxford. He has been described by an authoritative source as 'really very good'. Alistair Smith (20) - bass guitar, also known to be operating in the Oxford area. Guy Evans (20) - drummer - 'A lovely fella'. Possessor of a 'Catholic taste in music' - especially Miles Davies. Comes from Birmingham - In his third year of Economics. Described by others as 'Neolithic'.

The group's style was described as, among other things, 'Blues based with Cream-Hendrix influence'. They played a good deal of university discos and dances. They were also booked to play the 1968 Canley rag week. Apparently they were 'Not one of your clockwork groups'.

'The Green Marble Mind' were great' described Guy. 'I really enjoyed that band. It just went along with swapping the mod gear for the paisley shirts and the long hair and all that. It was a power trio, we wanted to be The Jimi Hendrix Experience really and there was a very good guitar player who was not actually from Warwick University, he was from Oxford. I think he sort of knew someone who was there and he turned up one day and could play all this Hendrix stuff, it sounded brilliant; and there was a very good bass player, so we just started playing'.

Additionally Guy was also on the committee that helped organise the June 1968 Arts Festival. The festival included bands such as Family and Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood of Breath. This was just prior to Guy first joining VdGG. The rest, as they say, is history.