Brinsley Schwarz

It's a tad unfair that Brinsley Schwarz became a global laughing stock after their infamous "Fillmore trip" of 1970. The ill-fated jaunt saw them pay for scores of drunken British music writers to fly to New York on a freebie and write about how rubbish they played. They deserved better.

The band were still reeling from the New York fiasco when they first saw Eggs Over Easy performing in London and were immediately impressed. Styling themselves on Americana heroes The Band (although Brinsley were actually nice middle class kids from Northwood) they became the darlings of the thriving Pub Rock scene during the early 70s. With wry songs by Nick Lowe, and second-guitarist Ian Gomm on board, Brinsley Schwarz became kings of the London pubs, where they often appeared under a pseudonym to keep the size of the crowds down.

Out of London they toured constantly, headlining their own college shows or supporting bands such as Wings. But despite great songs like What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding? and Cruel To Be Kind - and seven albums for United Artists - big hits eluded them.

After the band broke up, Schwarz and Andrews joined Graham Parker & The Rumour, while Nick Lowe became a pillar of the punk community as a producer (The Damned, Elvis Costello and The Pretenders) as well as a solo artist in his own right.

 

The Band
Brinsley Schwarz Guitar, vocals Bob Andrews Keyboards	Nick Lowe Vocals, bass Ian Gomm Guitar	Billy Rankin Drums Barry Landerman Keyboards, vocals Pete Whale Drums