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Pub rock was a mid to late 1970s musical movement, largely centred around North London and South East Essex, particularly Canvey Island and Southend on Sea. Pub rock was largely a reaction to much of the popular music of the era, which tended to be dominated by progressive rock and highly polished, supposedly over-produced American West Coast ' AOR' sounds. Many viewed such music as inaccessible and 'out of touch', whilst pub rock was very much about getting 'back to basics', tending to be based around live performances in small pubs and clubs, playing unpretentious rhythm and blues influenced hard rock.Pub rock was viewed by many as being an immediate precursor to the UK punk rock scene. Indeed, many pub rock acts such as Eddie and the Hot Rods went on to find fame in the first wave of British punk, whilst groups such as the 101er's featured founder members of The Clash, and Kilburn and the High Roads included Ian Dury amongst their members.
1 Influential pub rock acts
(please add names in alphabetical order);
- The 101er's
- AceAce were a British rock music band who enjoyed moderate success in the 1970s. Formed in the UK during December 1972 and originally called Ace Flash And The Dynamos quickly abbreviated after a couple of gigs Ace comprised; Paul Carrack (b. 22 April 1951, S
- Bees Make Honey
- Brinsley SchwarzBrinsley Schwarz is a 1970s English pub rock band named for guitarist Brinsley Schwarz . With Nick Lowe on bass and vocals, keyboardist Bob Andrews and drummer Billy Rankin, the band had evolved into its most well-known form by 1969 (see 1969 in music) af
- Elvis CostelloDeclan Patrick Aloysius McManus (born August 25, 1954), better known as Elvis Costello is a popular British musician, singer, and songwriter of Irish descent. He was an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid- 1970s, and later became assoc
- Ducks DeluxeDucks Deluxe were an English pub rock band from the 1970s. Martin Belmont, Nick Garvey, Sean Tyla and Andy McMasters formed the band in 1972 (see 1972 in music). Ducks Deluxe remained a cult band throughout their career, with their final LP, Ducks Deluxe
- Eddie And The Hot Rods
- Dave EdmundsDave Edmunds (born April 15, 1944) came out of Cardiff in the late 1960s, fronting a band called Love Sculpture who were playing blues and rocked up classical pieces. Sabre Dance" was typical of this, a top ten hit after much airplay from DJ John Peel.
- Eggs over EasyEggs over Easy is one of the earliest and premiere pub rock groups of the 1970s. They began recording in 1970 (see 1970 in music) with producer Chas Chandler (of the Jimi Hendrix Experience), but various label problems ended the sessions and they began pl
- Dr. FeelgoodFeelgood is a nickname given to physicians who overprescribe psychoactive medications. The piano- blues musician Piano Red briefly recorded under the name Dr. Feelgood & the Interns which is the source of the name for the band described below. His biggest
- John OtwayOtway at Glastonbury Festival, 2002 John Otway (born October 8, 1952) is a self-confessed unsuccessful singer songwriter, who built a large cult audience through unrelenting touring, a surreal sense of humour and a winning underdog personality. Arriving o
- Wilko Johnson
- Mickey Jupp
- The Hamsters
- Kilburn and the High Roads
- The Kursaal Flyers
- Man
- The Motors
- Graham Parker and the Rumour
- Riff Raff ( Billy Bragg's first band)
- Sensational Alex Harvey Band ( SAHB)
- Sniff 'n' the Tears
- Squeeze
- Tyla Gang
- Wreckless Eric
See also; Power pop, Pub rock (Australia), Stiff records, British popular music, UK topics
