The Mothmen

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The Mothmen were a short-lived musical collective from England.

In 1978, The Durutti Column was formed by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, with guitarists Vini Reilly and Dave Rowbotham, bassist Tony Bowers (formerly of Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias), drummer Chris Joyce and vocalist Phil Rainford. After a 1979 split, the Durutti Column became the sole concern of Reilly and so the Mothmen were formed. The first line up comprised of Joyce (drums), Bowers (guitar, bass, vocals, violin, percussion), Rowbotham (guitar, bass) and Bob Harding (bass, organ, guitar, vocals, percussion).

The recording of an album's worth of material in the first half of 1980 left the group without a label to release it on. Thus in stepped the assistance of a young and cash-strapped Adrian Sherwood, having just launched On-U Sound. A deal was done and in 1981 "Pay Attention!" appeared as its second album. The arrangement and production work remained the Mothmen's own with AMS playing no part in its creation. In fact Sherwood's only direct involvement with the band was when he provided a dub mix of "Afghan Farmer Driving Cattle" [Rhythm 137] on On-U's first compilation release - "Wild Paarty Sounds Volume 1".

During this period Chris Joyce also found time to be the drummer for another of On-U Sound's first generation 'crew', London Underground, as well appearing on Judy Nylon's "Pal Judy" set for the label. However, the Mothmen soon left for Do-It Records and in the process Dave Rowbotham was replaced by Ronnie Hardman (bass) and Charlie Griffiths (synths). The new line-up produced a handful more singles and a further album, "One Black Dot", before they split for good in early 1982.

Of the Mothmen's former members, Chris Joyce and Tony Bowers were to have the greatest subsequent commercial success, forming part of the first Simply Red rhythm section between 1984 and 1989. The On-U association with Joyce and Bowers had two final outcomes in the UK in the form of Sherwood providing flip-side mixes to Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years" and "Infidelity" 12" singles. Through the Sly & Robbie connection Sherwood also contributed to Simply Red's 1997 "Nightnurse" cover of the Gregory Isaac's classic.

As a tragic footnote to the band, the Mothmen's founding guitarist Dave Rowbotham was murdered in 1991 - going on to inspire the Happy Mondays song, "Cowboy Dave".