Metro was an English symphonic/art-pop combo that was active through two iterations between 1976 and 1980. In its initial trio formation with veteran singer/songwriter Duncan Browne, the band released a classic self-titled album in late 1976. After his departure, two further albums appeared circa 1979/80 from a revised five-piece lineup. Musically, Metro wed the quasi-symphonic […]
The Doctors of Madness were an English post-psych, proto-punk band that released three albums on Polydor: Late Night Movies, All Night Brainstorms, Figments of Emancipation (both 1976), and Sons of Survival (1978). Historically, the Doctors are a missing link between the avant-garde fringe of symphonic/space-rock (Van der Graaf Generator, Curved Air, Hawkwind), the theatrical side […]
Fox was an English dream-pop band that released three albums on GTO between 1975 and 1977. After the departure of vocalist Noosha Fox, the band morphed into Yellow Dog for two further albums on Virgin during the late 1970s. Members: Noosha Fox (vocals), Herbie Armstrong (guitar, vocals), Kenny Young (guitar, percussion, vocals), Pete Solley (keyboards), […]
Easy Street was an English pop-rock trio that issued two albums on Polydor/Capricorn: Easy Street (1976) and Under the Glass (1977). They evolved from a musical partnership between singing guitarists Ken Nicol and Peter Marsh, who bookended Easy Street with two albums as a duo. Marsh surfaced in the synthpop band Blanket of Secrecy. Drummer […]
Deaf School are an English art-rock band that released three albums on Warner Brothers between 1976 and 1978. On its first two albums — 2nd Honeymoon (1976) and Don’t Stop the World (1977) — the band pairs ’30s/’40s ambience (cabaret, music hall) with the lavish arrangements of contemporary theatrical pop (Sparks, Sailor, Cockney Rebel, Brian […]
Sailor was an English music-hall pop band from London that released five albums between 1974 and 1978 on Epic. Rupert Holmes produced their 1975 second album Trouble, which spawned the UK hits “Glass of Champagne” and “Girls, Girls, Girls.” After the departure of singer–guitarist Georg Kajanus, a revamped Sailor linked with onetime Chicago producer James […]
Pilot was a Scottish pop-rock band, best known for the transatlantic hit “Magic” and the UK/Australian chart-topper “January.” They released four albums between 1974 and 1977, led by the singing/songwriting team of bassist David Paton and keyboardist William Lyall. Alan Parsons produced their first two albums: From the Album of the Same Name and Second […]
Cado Belle was a Scottish soul-funk band that released a 1976 self-titled album and a 1977 EP, both on Anchor. Singer Maggie Reilly sings on the Mike Oldfield hits “Family Man” and “Moonlight Shadow.” Members: Maggie Reilly (vocals), Alan Darby (guitar), Gavin Hodgson (bass), Stuart MacKillop (keyboards), Davy Roy (drums, percussion), Colin Tully (saxophone, flute) […]
Mr. Big was an English hard-rock band from Oxford that made the 1975–77 EMI albums Sweet Silence and Mr. Big and scored a UK Top 5 hit with “Romeo.” Ian Hunter produced their intended 1978 third album, Seppuku, which went unreleased until the 21st century. (Not to be confused with the Nineties American band of […]
The Heavy Metal Kids were an English hard-rock/pop band from London that released a self-titled album on Atlantic in 1974. The following year, they shortened their name to The Kids for a second Atlantic album, Anvil Chorus. In late 1976, the name returned for the RAK release Kitsch. The Kids’ rhythm section backed French singer–songwriter […]
Jet was an English glam-rock band that released a 1975 self-titled album, guided by bassist and songwriter Martin Gordon with fellow Sparks sidemen. Radio Stars formed from Jet’s remnants and scored a 1977 UK hit with “Nervous Wreck,” followed by the albums Songs for Swinging Lovers and Holiday Special. Members: Martin Gordon (bass), Andy Ellison […]
Kursaal Flyers were an English comedy-rock/pub band from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, that released two albums on Decca-subsidiary UK Records in 1975, followed by Golden Mile on CBS in 1976. Guitarist Graeme Douglas joined Eddie and the Hot Rods in time for their 1977 sophomore effort Life on the Line. Drummer Will Birch and late-period guitarist John […]
Slik was a Scottish pop-rock quartet that released five singles and a 1976 album on Bell Records. They hit No. 1 with “Forever and Ever” and scored a second hit with “Requiem.” After their prescient followup single “The Kid’s a Punk,” they morphed into the punk-oriented PVC2 for the 1977 EP Put You in the […]
Flashman was an English cabaret/art-pop trio that released a 1977 self-titled album on Pye/Vanguard. Pianist and singer/songwriter Gerald Watkiss released the 1978 solo album Purgatory and Paradise, followed by three albums as Gerald Masters. Members: Gerald Watkiss [aka Gerald Masters], Nick Walpole (timpani, percussion), Chris Hudman (bass), Dylan Fowler Background Flashman formed by 1975 while […]
Burlesque was a comedic English sax-rock quintet that released back-to-back albums on Arista. Formed in 1972, they gigged London’s pub circuit for five years before their two 1977 albums, Acupuncture and Burlesque. Members: Billy Jenkins (guitar), Ian Trimmer (saxophone), Dave Harries (saxophone, 1972-73), John Williams (drums, 1972), Howard Edgar (bass, 1972), Peter Pope (bass, 1972-74), […]
The Fabulous Poodles were an English rock band that released the 1977–78 UK Pye albums Fabulous Poodles and Unsuitable. Their 1979 Epic compilation Mirror Stars spawned a minor US hit with the title track. John Entwistle produced the first album and onetime Spencer Davis Group bassist (and Sparks–Deaf School soundman) Muff Winwood produced Unsuitable and […]
Kilburn and the High Roads were an English R&B/rock band from London, active for five years prior to their 1975 singular album Handsome, issued on Dawn upon the group’s disbandment. In 1976, singer Ian Dury and saxophonist Davey Payne assembled a new lineup that became the Blockheads. Kilburn guitarist Keith Lucas reemerged as 999 singer […]
The Winkies were an English rustic/hard-rock band that released a 1975 self-titled album on Chrysalis. Beforehand, they backed Brian Eno on his only solo tour. Canadian-born frontman Philip Rambow recorded two subsequent solo albums and gained industry renown as a songwriter. Members: Philip Rambow (vocals, guitar), Guy Humphrys (guitar), Brian Turrington (bass), Michael Desmarais (drums) […]
Casino was an English pre-wave cabaret glam band that released a 1976 self-titled album on State Records. Members: Peter O’Donnell (guitar, vocals), Rob Sinnick (bass), Chris Moores (guitar), Syd Guppy (drums, 1973-?), Steve Mills (vocals), Simon Breakspear (keyboards), Timothy Pavitt (drums) Background Casino evolved from Tuesday, a Yeovil, Somerset, folk act formed in 1972 by […]
Fringe Benefit was an English art-pop band that released a self-titled album on Capricorn in 1977. Bassist Chris Haines had previously cut singles with the bands Albatross and The Hotshots, the latter falsely credited with the 1973 U.K. novelty hit “Snoopy vs. The Red Baron,” recorded by Clive Crawley and the Cimarons. Drummer Steven Laurie […]
Oscar was an English art-rock/pop band from Manchester that released a 1974 self-titled album on Buk Records, followed by the 1976/77 DJM titles Twilight Asylum and Cobblestone Heroes. Members: Tony Bamforth (keyboards, vocals), Gary McDougall (bass, vocals), Brian McGladdery (12-string guitar, vocals), Kevin Parrott (lead guitar, vocals), Roger Tweedale (drums, vocals) Background Oscar formed in […]
Nasty Pop was an English pop-rock band that released a self-titled album on Island in 1975, followed by Mistaken I.D. on Polydor in 1977. Musically, the band crossed the folksy whimsy of Stackridge and Stealers Wheel with the updated Revolver-isms of Pilot and the string-laden effervescence of Jigsaw. Members: Jon Fitzpatrick (piano, vocals), Steve Grace […]
Shabby Tiger was an English hard-rock/pop band that released five 1974–76 singles on RCA Victor, culminating with a 1976 self-titled album. In 1980, they reappeared as Hendy for two final singles. Members: Tony Baker (keyboards, vocals), Dave Almond (guitar, flute, vocals), Graham Fielden (drums, percussion), Henderson Gibson (vocals), Mike Ryan (bass) Background Shabby Tiger formed […]
