Select six songs from the seventies was the brief. A seemingly impossible task, as that decade saw the growth of heavy rock, glam rock, the rise of punk and the early stages of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. It was also the decade when I heartily embraced music and beer as I entered my teens. So, rather than state the obvious, Purple, Zeppelin, Sabbath, Heep, Tull, etc. I have selected six of the deserving but relatively unrecognised bands that embody that innovative and, at times, challenging decade.
Socrates Drank The Conium – ‘It’s A Disgusting World’ – 1971
They took all that was good about the burgeoning underground rock scene, added quirky vocals and some absolutely delightful, imaginative and addictive riffs, bass playing and soloing that makes the whole album an enlightening experience. Their self-titled debut is a must-have and is a rock classic that should be recognised.
From this album, I chose the fabulous ‘It’s A Disgusting World’ that brings Cream/Heep/Budgie together in a blissful seven-minute treat of excellence. Just beware that, then unknown, Vangelis contributed to their fourth album Phos and destroyed their individuality.
Jodo – ‘One Night Stand’ – 1971
Jodo album Guts is something special from a British band produced by Derek Lawrence and engineered by Martin Birch. They’re seriously heavy blues rock with a quality that will forever make me wonder how this great album only saw release in New Zealand and the US, although I managed to find a CD reissue. The track, ‘One Night Stand,’ is quality rock and could easily be an outtake from Green Bullfrog.
Primevil – ‘Your Blues’ – 1972
Primevil were a short-lived Indiana band, and the brilliant ‘Your Blues’ from Smokin’ Bats At Compton is a wonderful blues workout that sounds like Free were in their minds at the time. The guitar solo is genius and it’s a shame they never did anything else.
Fuzzy Duck – ’Mrs Prout’ – 1971
Fuzzy Duck were a London band that may have been a bit Purple Heep, but their individuality still shone through on their self-titled and only album. Difficult to choose just one, but try the fiery and expansive ’Mrs Prout’ to experience premium heavy rock with a bit of prog thrown in.
Flied Egg – ‘Guide Me To The Quietness’ – 1972
Flied Egg were a Japanese band with a sense of humour and their heavy rock debut, Doctor Seigel’s Fried Egg Shooting Machine (yes, really), was an understated and fascinating guitar and Hammond treat. Listen to the weird but lovely ‘Guide Me To The Quietness’ to hear a broad and entertaining palette.
Toe Fat – ‘Three Time Loser’ – 1970
Toe Fat wasn’t just a strange choice of band name; in fact, with Cliff Bennett at the helm, the band should have succeeded. The first album had future Heep and Tull members but from the second album, the brilliant ‘Three Time Loser’ was very Creamy but shows their weight and illustrates how many of us missed out.
So, here are six exceptional ideas for your Spotification (other streamers available), although (according to my iTunes) I could have listed 5,761! I hope you’ll agree that introductions to ‘new’ old bands is better than rehashing the lists so many sites and magazines seem to think add to our musical knowledge and scope.
