This is an amazing read and a very well researched book by drummer Will Birch of the Kursaal Flyers.
This topic totally resonated with all of us fledgling musicians, learning their craft and watching the up and coming bands, playing a harder edged music -in the pubs and clubs in the mid 70’s in London.
This book charts this change in British music in the mid 70’s.
Musical change and movements really do start with a small group of change makers.
Nick Lowe and Brinsley Schwarz come to mind- as well as influential manager Dave Robinson
Inspired by hippie ideals ,commune living and a broad musical palate- notably fans of the Band- the Brinsleys developed a loyal fan base playing just a few London pubs and replacing the jazz bands that were typically the pub entertainment.
Nick Lowe would split from the band and become a very important hit maker and respected songwriter and producer in his own right.
In a way he encapsulated this pub rock era perfectly.
Another group playing the pub circuit was Dr Feelgood playing 50’s and 60’s Chicago style rhythm and blues via Canvey Island, Essex.
There were also many other pioneering bands playing at this time on the pub circuit which are named in the book - eg. Ducks Deluxe - which will bring back memories to some readers.
However the chart success and sustained careers of Ian Dury , Nick Lowe ,Doctor Feelgood and Elvis Costello in some ways overshadows the early pioneers.
This book recounts the change that was in the air with the newer bands evolving and getting more hard edged and shaking off the excesses of the huge commercially successful rock acts of the time: Yes ,ELP , Led Zeppelin etc.
There was a definite feeling something new was coming- energetic and more exciting and playing direct to smaller audiences at close quarters than larger club gigs.
There was virtually a pub on every street corner in any British town at the time- so the network of opportunities grew to play live!
That feeling hadn’t happened since the 60’s when the Rolling Stones , Kinks and the Who started.
Newer bands would replace the early pub rock bands- and their names have become immortalized in what would become the punk and New Wave era -Ian Dury and the Blockheads,the Clash , Sex Pistols,Elvis Costello, the Jam etc.
Management developed too -as newer key players such as the amazing Jake Riviera (and Stiff Records ),became instrumental to the musical success of the newer generation of bands- organizing record releases, distribution and touring and promotion.
The rest is history - to quote that well worn phrase - but this time it’s true: the legacy of those “back to basics “ pub rock performers and managers-still reverberates to this day
Indeed today as we are dominated by huge streaming and record companies- it’s certainly time for another music revolution …
A final mid 70’s quote of the time from Jake Riviera of Stiff Records :
“Basically speaking we want to put out singles that are two and a half minutes long and have got two and half chords in them “
Enough said and back to basics.
Highly recommended!
More info:
https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Till-Canvey-Island-Revolution/dp/0753507404