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Brinsley Schwarz

From Alfawiki
Brinsley Schwarz
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1969
Defunct1975
Headquarters
England
ProductsMusic albums, singles

Brinsley Schwarz was an English pub rock group active during the 1970s, deriving their name from their guitarist, Brinsley Schwarz. The lineup featured bassist and vocalist Nick Lowe, keyboardist Bob Andrews, and drummer Billy Rankin. Originating from the 1960s pop ensemble Kippington Lodge, the band later incorporated guitarist and vocalist Ian Gomm.

Formation

Brinsley Schwarz (guitar, piano, vocals) first connected with Nick Lowe at Woodbridge School, where they collaborated in school bands alongside Barry Landeman (keyboards, vocals) and Phil Hall (guitar). In 1964, while still students, they toured German RAF bases under the name "Sounds 4+1". After completing school, Schwarz established "Three's A Crowd" with Pete Whale on drums and Dave Cottam on bass. Landeman joined in 1967, prompting a name change to "Kippington Lodge". Their initial two singles, produced by Mark Wirtz, did not achieve commercial success. Following Cottam's departure, Schwarz invited Lowe to join. Landeman left to become part of Vanity Fare, Bob Andrews came in on keyboards, and Whale was succeeded by Billy Rankin. Despite releasing three additional singles without success, they secured a residency as a support act at The Marquee. Their musical direction shifted from pop toward folk-rock infused with psychedelic influences. In 1969, they adopted the Brinsley Schwarz name for new material while maintaining pop performances as Kippington Lodge. Early management was handled by John Schofield, whose partner Hattie Jacques occasionally provided meals for the group. The band lived communally in Beaconsfield, using their residence as a rehearsal venue for visiting artists like The Band during the Warner Brothers tour; notably, The Band rehearsed using Brinsley Schwarz's instruments.

Publicity campaign

Under manager Dave Robinson of Famepushers, Brinsley Schwarz embarked on an ambitious promotional campaign. They supported Van Morrison and Quicksilver Messenger Service at New York City's Fillmore East on April 3–4, 1970. Robinson organized for British music journalists and winners of a Melody Maker contest to attend for pre-show publicity. Visa complications delayed their entry into the US, requiring them to fly into Canada via a light aircraft shortly before their performance and use unfamiliar rented equipment. Meanwhile, the journalists' flight was delayed, causing several to arrive intoxicated or hungover. The concert received unfavorable reviews along with their debut album Brinsley Schwarz, released soon after returning to England. This episode became infamously known as the Brinsley Schwarz Hype.

An episode of American Top Forty hosted by Casey Kasem in 1979 noted that the band's surprise at the critics' attendance contributed to the event's outcome.

Pub-rock

Later in 1970, Brinsley Schwarz issued their second album, Despite It All, which showcased a clear country influence inspired by laid-back acts such as Eggs over Easy. In 1971, guitarist Ian Gomm joined the lineup and contributed to their third album, Silver Pistol. Reacting against previous overexposure, the band adopted an anti-commercial ethos and engaged in extensive rehearsals throughout 1971 while touring with labelmates Help Yourself and Ernie Graham, all managed by Robinson. They also provided instrumental support for Graham’s solo record.

Their performance at the second iteration of the Glastonbury Festival in 1971 included the track "Love Song", which was featured on the Glastonbury Fayre compilation. Their compelling live performances cultivated a dedicated following in London, leading music critics to categorize them within the nascent "pub rock" movement alongside groups like Eggs over Easy. Their sound bore resemblance to that of The Band, with Schwarz’s guitar style influenced by Robbie Robertson. In February 1972, they supported both Hawkwind and Man at the Greasy Truckers Party, an event captured on a double album that garnered critical praise—though it remained their sole live album release.

The 1972 album Nervous on the Road, a tongue-in-cheek take on country-rock, also earned favorable reviews but failed to chart. This success led to them opening for Paul McCartney's Wings during their 1973 UK tour. That same year saw them backing Frankie Miller on his debut album Once in a Blue Moon. Their fifth studio effort, Please Don't Ever Change (1973), was met with lukewarm critical reception and limited commercial impact. During this period, they appeared successfully on The Old Grey Whistle Test and recorded sessions for BBC Radio 1's John Peel show.

In 1974, under producer Dave Edmunds, they released their sixth album titled The New Favourites of... Brinsley Schwarz, which featured a more refined production style and received positive reviews. This partnership led them to tour as Edmunds' backing band and contribute to live tracks on his Subtle as a Flying Mallet album. Despite issuing singles under various monikers—including "The Hitters," "The Knees," "Limelight," and "The Brinsleys"—none achieved commercial success. Their final album, It's All Over Now (1974), remained unreleased at that time. The band ultimately dissolved in March 1975.

Later Endeavors

Brinsley Schwarz and Bob Andrews became members of Graham Parker & the Rumour, which remained active until 1981. Following this period, Andrews moved to New Orleans, whereas Schwarz continued working as a supporting musician for various acts from the 1980s through to the early 2000s. In 2009, Schwarz reunited with Ducks Deluxe for their reformation, and both he and Andrews came together again with The Rumour in 2012.

Billy Rankin went on to join Terraplane and later played with Big Jim Sullivan's Tiger before retiring in 1977. He made a brief comeback for Ducks Deluxe’s 30th anniversary reunion in 2007.

Nick Lowe and Ian Gomm embarked on solo ventures that achieved modest success. Lowe's 1978 release, Jesus of Cool, was met with critical praise and reached number 22 on the UK Albums Chart. This album included the popular track "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass", which climbed to number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, featuring performances by Bob Andrews and Dave Edmunds. Additionally, Lowe co-wrote Dr. Feelgood’s top ten hit "Milk and Alcohol" (number 9 in 1979). His international hit from 1979, "Cruel to Be Kind", co-written with Gomm, was initially recorded by Brinsley Schwarz for their unreleased final album; this original version was later included in the 30th anniversary edition of Jesus of Cool released in 2008. Ian Gomm also found success in the United States with his single "Hold On," which reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1979.

The original version of "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding", penned by Lowe and subsequently covered by Elvis Costello, appeared on Brinsley Schwarz’s 1974 album The New Favourites of... Brinsley Schwarz. Costello, who admired the band and occasionally worked as a roadie, first met Lowe through this connection. The track gained wider recognition through inclusion on multi-platinum soundtracks such as The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album, performed by Curtis Stigers, and was prominently featured in Sofia Coppola’s film Lost in Translation, where it was sung by Bill Murray’s character.

Studio Albums

Singles

Archive Releases

  • It's All Over Now (recorded in 1974, released in 2017)

Compilation Albums

  • Original Golden Greats (1974) (features two live tracks and two studio recordings not available on other albums) (LP)
  • 15 Thoughts of Brinsley Schwarz (1978) (includes two singles excluded from albums) (LP)
  • Surrender to the Rhythm (1991) (CD)
  • Nervous On The Road/The New Favourites Of... Brinsley Schwarz (1995) (CD)
  • Hen's Teeth (singles collection) (1998)
  • Rarities (2000)
  • What IS So Funny About Peace Love & Understanding? (BBC sessions) (2001)
  • Cruel to Be Kind (BBC sessions) (2004)
  • Last Orders! (2021) (early radio and television recordings, outtakes, rehearsals, home demos)
  • Thinking Back: The Anthology 1970-1975 (2023) box set compiling all seven studio albums plus bonus material

Compilation albums featuring various artists

Contributions as a supporting band

Additional resources

External resources

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