Charge

Charge were an English space-rock trio from Botley, Hampshire, that released a self-titled album in 1973 on SRT Records.

Members: Dave Ellis (guitar, vocals), Ian Mclaughlin (bass, vocals), Pete Gibbons (drums)

Charge evolved from Baby Bertha, a psychedelic hard rock band formed in 1971 by members of a south coast act called Relative. By January 1972, Baby Bertha consisted of guitarist–singer Dave Ellis, rhythm guitarist Roger ‘Proff’ Perry, bassist Ian Mclaughlin, and drummer Des Law. They cut a demo album of Ellis originals at SRT Studios, whose namesake label pressed fifty copies of Baby Bertha (SRT 72183). It features seven Ellis rockers and covers of Fleetwood Mac (“Looking For Somebody”) and Fats Domino (“Blueberry Hill”).

Des Law opted out to become a disk jockey. In February 1973, Ellis and Mclaughlin met drummer Pete Gibbons of the band Sweet Poison at the Bournmouth Folk and Rock contest. The trio became Charge, which cut another batch of Ellis originals at SRT Studios.

Discography:

• Charge (1973)