Monday, September 10, 2012

40 Year Itch: Surrender To The Rhythm





It's refreshing to know that as the 1970's introduced an era of side-long progressive rock symphonies and  self pitying singer songwriters, there were still bands that just wanted to make feel good three minute rock'n'roll songs about girls, girlfriends and ex girlfriends. In the UK, Brinsley Schwarz was arguably the best of the pub rockers. Led by Nick Lowe and Brinsley Schwarz, the band's second 1972 studio album Nervous On The Road didn't make much of an impact on the charts but its 40 minutes of country-flavored rock earned the band a UK tour opening for Paul McCartney and Wings.

After a sixth album that would be produced by Dave Edmunds and feature "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love And Understanding", the members of Brinsley Schwarz would play a big role in the New Wave movement. Nick Lowe scored some solo hits ("I Love The Sound of Breaking Glass", "Cruel To Be Kind") and produced Elvis Costello, Graham Parker and The Damned among others. Ian Gomm hit the Top 20 in 1979 with "Hold On". Brinsley Schwarz and Bob Andrews joined former Brinsley Schwarz roadie Martin Belmont and  recorded as The Rumour with and without Graham Parker.


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