The original members of The Federals were:- John Evans, lead vocals from Irlams'o'Heights, Brian Cusick, drums from Worsley. Bob McDonough, rythmn guitar from Swinton, Trevor Johns, lead guitar from Swinton, and Chris Evans, bass guitar from Irlams'o'Heights.

Brian later joined the Cymerons in place of their drummer Max. Both John and Chris attended Halton Bank Secondary School Pendleton in the sixties.

The band played a gig at Birmingham Silver Blades Ice Rink, and discovered that a Birmingham band also had the name the Federals, so they changed the name to The Manchester Federals about 1964.

Chris Evans

I once had the good fortune to see The Federals at a pub in Salford called The Fusiliers.

I walked in with Rod Gerrard (ex Hells Angels, Herman's Hermits, Salford Jets, etc) and they were playing a cover of the just released Beatles song "All my lovin" - note perfect and identical to the record.

The memory still remains even though I am now 61 - good stuff lads!!!!

Geoff Parkinson

I remember playing at the Fusiliers on Cross Lane, there were two rooms. On a Saturday night the Stylos played in the main room, and I played in the smaller room with The Federals. Must have been mayhem standing at the bar between the two rooms!

Chris Evans

I think the Manchester Federals were one of the first bands to play Bredbury Hall in the early '60s. We were resident every Wednesday night for about 2 years. Does anybody remember?

Chris Evans
15/2/09

Yes Chris you are right we were the first group to play at Bredbury hall. The owner Frank Michell saw us working in the Bodega in Manchester and booked us for the following new years eve. It went down a bomb as the audiance did not know that a live band was coming on. I still have the demo disc we made and lots of photos. We are in the middle of moving at the moment and they are all in storage but when we get settled I'll post them on site.

Bob McDonough
20/4/10