The Music ~ The Legend ~ The Band

BEAVER Bandography

Based in Helmshore / Haslingden, Beaver got together in September 2004 with new drummer & long lost friend Dave Janusz, after a ten year break recovering from their 80's exploits as heavy rock purveyors Rich Dandy Rats, formed in 1989, after a messy but character building few years as an experimental spandex outfit under the guise of ‘D-Brief’.

Despite RDR pumping out a couple of hundred or so gigs all over Lancashire, their only documented claims to fame were a slot headlining the “Not The Full Shilling Club” hippy festival, somewhere high on the moors above Edenfield, a gig at Rawtenstalls' Astoria, supporting the then local 'big hair' band Sister Rose, earning a respectable "3 K's" in Kerrang magazine. Later, a 60-second ‘Red Nose’ day interview on Radio Lancashire!

A 10 year break in the proceedings came in ’94 when the band had simply burned out, due to over-gigging - the lack of ability to say no to less than 3 gigs in a weekend. However, Ian Swales and Andy Traynor, guitarist and drummer continued to gig on & off with other mates & muso’s during this time.

Over the intervening years the band has matured, slightly, appreciating that the ‘old school’ of rock has something going for it in today’s world of often overrated, drive-by Chav bands. Beaver has a strong local following from those that demand a regular square meal of the likes of Thin Lizzy, Bad Company, the Stones, Yes, Black Crowes, U2, washed down with some vintage Van Halen. In addition to the pub circuit Beaver enjoy a healthy stream of bookings for private gigs, with 40th & 50th birthdays, or any beer based bash, down to a fine art.

D-Brief 1986-89
Mark Beviss – Lead Vocals
Andy Astbury – Guitar
Mick Rothwell – Guitar
Andy Gaffey – Bass & backing vocals
Graham Hind – Drums

Rich Dandy Rats (I) 1989-90
Mark Beviss – Lead Vocals
Ian Swales – Guitar
Andy Astbury – Guitar
Andy Gaffey – Bass & backing vocals
Andy Traynor – Drums & backing vocals

Rich Dandy Rats (II) 1990-94
Mark Beviss – Lead Vocals
Ian Swales – Lead Guitar
Flaggy (ex Badger) - Rhythm Guitar
Andy Gaffey – Bass & backing vocals
Andy Traynor – Drums & backing vocals

2005 - Present, Beaver are...
Mark Beviss – Lead Vocals
Ian Swales – Guitars
Dave Janusz – Drums & backing vocals.
Andy Gaffey – Bass & backing vocals