Electroscope was the duo formed spontaneously in 1996 by John Cavanagh and Gayle Harrison. They set out to test an old valve tape recorder and from one improvised track came the idea to form a band. In the four years until Electroscope fragmented, they made two full length albums (Homemade Electroscope and Journey to the Centre of Electroscope), a split l.p. shared with Minmae and a host of singles, e.p's and split singles. Including material for compilation albums - and the initial 12 track tape release which sparked everything off - they had over 100 titles released.

Gayle and John at the 13th Note. It's Hallowe'en 1997 and Electroscope have been invited to play at a show organised by the Pastels and also featuring Pam Berry's band the Castaway Stones. Audience members had been invited to bring along a carved pumpkin lamp and a prize was offered for the best one, so the place was filled with the scent of pumpkin and candle!

Because of the way they recorded their material, creating a live set was never easy for Electroscope. Having said that, they played about a dozen shows; three in London, one in Leeds and a few at Glasgow's 13th Note.

Two photos (thanks to Sheena and Torsten) taken at what turned out to be Electroscope's last live show; November 4th 1999 with Zurich in Glasgow.

John had not been a member of any bands prior to Electroscope, but made the occasional cameo appearance on sessions for his radio shows. This one is a particular favourite: the only session ever from Melody Dog, from John's Radio Five Earshot programme, September 1993.

On the far left, BBC producer Stewart Cruickshank holds a zube tube (which Katrina Mitchell's sister found in Kircaldy for £1!), Katrina is playing guitar, Aggi (long term Pastels member) is seated and partially obscured, John (seated with Mexican guirro) and Pat Laureate (standing on the right).

Stephen Pastel also guested on this session. Her amidst the array of Melody Dog instruments, revealing his hipster be bop tendancies!

When Hefner recorded their first album in Glasgow, they stayed for a week at Electroscope H.Q. John and Gayle appeared on three tracks...Hefner managed to mention "a fair amount of whiskey" when they credited this contribution