(c’64-’67) Colin Telling (guitar), Geoffrey Andrews (bass / vocals), Alan Franklin (drums), and Bruce Roberts (guitar).

Primevals: (L to R) Andrews, Roberts, Telling and Franklin. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records via June Telling and Alan Franklin.

The band’s early days caught them playing around home town Guildford at venues such as Congregation Hall, Bellfields. In ’64, the Primevals were the runner-up in a ‘Battle of the Bands’ contest, undertaken at the Civic Hall, Guildford; losing to Phillip Goodhand Tait and The Stormsville Shakers. In a similar Battle of the Bands at Charlotteville Youth Club they were the runners-up again, this time to The Phantom Four. That didn’t deter the band, and over the coming years they kept roadie Peter Greaves very busy.

The Primevals on stage at the “Battle of the Bands” contest 1964 at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records

After more rehearsals at the Methodist Youth Club, Godalming they secured a regular spot at the Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, once sharing the stage with Rod Stewart, they certainly supported Group Survival there on 27 August and The Stormville Shakers on 3 December ’65. Ian Latimer, of The Phanton Four, recalls a night at The Harvest Moon, standing in for Andrews on bass with The Primevals – as they were often listed – to support The New Seekers.

Primevals as “A threesome but no trio”. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records

The Primevals were the first band to play the Guildford Youth Centre on 16 October ’65. Almost a year later, on 31 September ’66 they were at the Stoke Hotel, Guildford supporting The Downliners Sect. At some point the band consisted of only three members, with enquiries to be made at the Ministry of Noise, and Franklin was replaced by ex-Stormsville Shaker, Dick “Fancy” Forcey. The last gig listing we have found to date was on 19 March ’65 when Primevals supported the Mark Leeman Five at Methodist Youth Club, although we know they were playing the Wooden Bridge, Guildford in ’67 with Dick “Fancy” Forcey on drums.

Roberts went on to play with The Quik, who released three singles on Deram Records in ’67 and have appeared on over 30 compilations since. In the early 70’s he was with Southampton based Iguana, staying with them when they morphed into The Jess Roden Band in the mid-70s.

Gallery:

In 1964 the Primevals were runners up in “Battle of the Bands” contest at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
The Primevals’ fans. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
Primevals! Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
Primevals! Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
Primevals! Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
The Primevals at the Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photo by Geoff Burch and here courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
The Primevals at the Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photo by Geoff Burch and here courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
Primevals’ Andrews and Forcey at the Wooden Bridge, Guildford. Photo by Geoff Burch and here courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
Primevals’ Geoff Andrews up front the Wooden Bridge in 1967. Photographed by Geoff Burch and published here courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records
The Primevals. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records