Gavan Whelan

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Gavan Whelan was the original drummer for English band James, remaining with the band until 1988.

Whelan contributed energy to the sound of the band's music with his wild, heavy, primal drumming. His tastes in music, which included bands like Rush and Deep Purple, clashed with those of bandmates Jim Glennie and Paul Gilbertson from the beginning. (Maconie, 2000) His personality also failed to mesh with the band's atmosphere, and confrontations began to occur during practices and sometimes during performances. At one show the notoriously short-tempered Whelan had a fight with Tim Booth, and Whelan was asked to leave the band.

Whelan fell into a depression after he was fired. He remembers "I wouldn't get out of bed for months...my life had gone. That had been my life for ten years." (Maconie, 2000) A biography of James was released in 2000, and his quotes suggest he is still bitter about the split.

After James, Whelan went on to work as a drum roadie for Primal Scream and the Happy Mondays. He produced music by Alive and played drums on one of their songs.

Gavan has been recently working on a new project with James McNulty. However there are various rumours of conflicting interests between the two already with McNulty allegedly calling Gavan "Smee" (in reference to the character 'Smee' in captain hook). In response to this remark Gavan told close friends and family that he "Never wanted to worked with that ginger loon again." It is currently unknown whether these two eccentric talented musicians are still working with each other.