129 - Pub Rock, Ian Dury, Joe Strummer, The Sex Pistols, Dr. Feelgood, Nick Lowe & more with Mark Wilkerson

In the early 1970s the music scene is dominated by prog rock concept pieces, synth solos & overblown tours.

The societal backdrop in Great Britain is one of labour & coal strikes, riding inflation & unemployment & a struggling economy.

In the background of this upheaval an American band named Eggs Over Easy begin to play gigs at The Tally-Ho in Kentish Town in North London.

Another band who come on the scene is Brinsley Schwartz featuring Nick Lowe who goes on to become a key part of the story.

Along with The Tally-Ho others key venues include the Hope & Anchor ins Islington, the Lord Nelson & the Kensington.

Pub rock received positive coverage in the music press of the day & Ian Dury enters the scene after several good reviews for his band Kilburn & the High Roads.

Dr. Feelgood become the first band from the pub rock scene to attain a degree of commercial success including a number 1 album.

The short-lived outfit The 101ers come to an end when Joe Strummer departs to make heavier, punkier music inspired by The Sex Pistols who they share a bill with at The Nashville in West London.

Stiff Records is another key part of the story & Nick Lowe produces a number of early releases including the Damned’s first album & debut single New Rose, often credited as the first punk single in the UK.

He also produces other offshoots from the pub rock scene including Graham Parker & Ian Dury’s debut albums & Elvis Costello’s My Aim Is True. The scene fizzles out once punk arrives.

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Music by Andy Maxwell

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