Who Were They? Ric Horlock - Guitar Alan Cooper - Bass Kieran Iles- Drums Russell Banyard - Vocals/Trumpet Kevin Woodard - Vocals Ragman began as a vision to create a hard hitting rap/dance band. Kevin Woodard had been drumming in guitar bands for years, but he wanted spread out and create something a little different. So armed with little more than a sequencer, he teamed up with Russell Banyard (the only brass player he knew), to create Ipswich's own "One man, a drum machine and a trumpet". But for a powerful live sound, and a swing towards more industrial hard-core rock, guitarist was needed, and found in the form of Ric Horlock (ex Mysterons). It was in this format that their first 5 track EP, Excess, was recorded in April '95. However, using the sequencer soon became a restriction, and the decision to drop it and become a "proper" band left them with the painstaking task of finding a suitable drummer and bass player. They didn't have to look far, Kieran Iles from Stowmarket fitted the drum stool perfectly, and Kevin's partner from the departed Chucks Buzz, Alan Cooper, was more than happy to complete the line-up. March '97 saw the recording of their second and final EP "Twisted", 4 punchy tracks that are very different from that first visionary dance idea. After a few highly sucessful and memorable local gigs, the Ragman bandwagon had to come to an end. A three month break followed that Earl Roberts gig in March '98, after which it was decided enough was enough, we'll take the money and run! June '98