The Mode

Jim Henderson (lead vocals)

Terry Taylor (lead guitar)

Graham Bircumshaw (Hammond organ)

? (bass)

Bob Thackway (drums)

British band The Mode arrived in Spain during 1966 and cut a lone (rare) 45 for Sonoplay: “What You Been Doing” c/w “Love is to Blame, Not You”, composed by Henderson and Taylor.

Although Colin Giffin of The End, who the musicians befriended while in Spain, is sometimes credited for appearing on the recording, the single’s picture sleeve shows a five-man group (and not including Giffin), so it looks like there was a bass player whose name is missing from the list above.

It’s not clear when the band split up but Taylor did sessions for The End in late 1967 and joined the group back in London in March 1968 as a permanent member. Jim Henderson also joined The End (but in spring 1970) just before the band changed name to Tucky Buzzard.

He is also rumoured to have recorded some solo material before joining The End but it’s not clear if it was as The Jimmy Henderson Set.

Both Bircumshaw and Thackway stayed in Spain. Bircumshaw went on to join Canarios and appeared on their LP Libérate!

Thackway also stayed in Spain and went on to play with La Mosca among others as well as Miguel Rios. He was last heard of teaching English.

We would love to hear from anyone who can add more information about the band and its origins.

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