Budgie (band)

Budgie
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1967 in Cardiff, Wales
Headquarters	Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Products	Music albums, live performances
Website	www.budgie.uk.com

Budgie originated as a heavy metal ensemble from Cardiff, Wales, established in 1967. Their first album, released in 1971 through MCA and produced by Rodger Bain, showcased a blues-influenced hard rock style. Over the years, Budgie transitioned toward a more intense and forceful metal sound. Primarily functioning as a power trio with occasional keyboard additions, the group issued ten albums between 1971 and 1982 via MCA, A&M, and RCA labels, gaining moderate commercial recognition and developing a loyal fan following.

As pioneers within the heavy metal genre, Budgie played a crucial role in shaping the new wave of British heavy metal movement and inspired subsequent bands such as Metallica. They earned acclaim for being "among the heaviest metal acts of their era."

History

Initially formed in Cardiff under the name Hills Contemporary Grass, the founding members included Burke Shelley (vocals and bass), Tony Bourge (guitar and vocals), and Ray Phillips (drums). After performing several shows in 1968, they adopted the name Budgie and completed their first demo recording. The choice of band name was intended by Shelley to create a contrast between their powerful rock sound and a more delicate image.

Their self-titled debut album was recorded at Rockfield Studios with producer Rodger Bain, known for his work with Black Sabbath, followed by the release of Squawk in 1972. The 1973 album Never Turn Your Back on a Friend featured the track "Breadfan," which would later be famously covered by Metallica. Prior to recording In for the Kill!, drummer Phillips left the band and was succeeded by Pete Boot. Boot's tenure ended with Steve Williams taking over drums for Bandolier. During this time, touring lineups occasionally included second guitarist Myf Isaac.

By 1978, after various personnel adjustments including Robert Kendrick’s addition and a brief period with Huw Lloyd-Langton, Budgie lost their contract with A&M Records. In 1979, "Big" John Thomas replaced Kendrick. This formation recorded two albums on Kingsley Ward’s Active label: Power Supply (1980) and Nightflight (1981). Their final major label album came in 1982 with RCA’s release of Deliver Us from Evil.

During the height of the new wave of British heavy metal, Budgie performed at the Reading Festival in 1980 and returned as headliners in 1982. They gained significant popularity in Poland as the first heavy metal band to play behind the Iron Curtain that same year and also supported Ozzy Osbourne’s Blizzard of Ozz Tour. The band ended regular touring activities in 1987 while members shifted focus toward production roles and guest appearances.

Though their commercial impact in the United States was limited, Budgie maintained a devoted cult audience particularly in Texas, bolstered by radio airplay on stations such as KMAC/KISS in San Antonio and KSHE95 in St. Louis. The band briefly reunited for festival performances during 1995–96 before officially reforming in 1999. Subsequent tours spanned the UK, US, Europe—including an appearance at Sweden Rock Festival—and Poland throughout the early 2000s. In 2006, they released You're All Living in Cuckooland followed by an extensive tour schedule.

Guitarist Simon Lees exited in 2007; he was replaced on tour by guest guitarist Craig Goldy, noted for his work with Dio, including Australian dates in 2008.

In November 2010, Budgie had to cancel a Central European tour after Shelley was hospitalized due to an aortic aneurysm—effectively bringing band activities to a halt.

Former guitarist John Thomas passed away in March 2016; drummer Pete Boot died in February 2018 after battling Parkinson’s disease. Founder Ray Phillips released his autobiography in April 2018.

Burke Shelley died on 10 January 2022 at age 71 following long-term health complications including an aortic aneurysm and Stickler syndrome.

Musical style and legacy

Budgie are primarily recognized as a hard rock and heavy metal ensemble that blended aspects of progressive rock and wit into their sound. Starting with the 1975 release Bandolier, they also began to weave funk influences into their music.

Their sound has often been likened to a fusion of Rush and Black Sabbath. The distinctive vocals of Burke Shelley, characterized by piercing, high-pitched cries, have invited comparisons to Geddy Lee, as both frontmen are bassists in power-trio groups. Although Budgie initially stayed under the radar, numerous influential hard rock and metal musicians have acknowledged them as an inspiration and have performed covers of their tracks, including Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, Van Halen, Melvins, Queens of the Stone Age, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden.

A notable example is Metallica’s 1988 cover of "Breadfan," which was released as a B-side on their "Harvester of Sorrow" single; it subsequently appeared on the 1998 compilation Garage Inc. and became a staple in live performances during tours supporting ...And Justice for All, the Madly in Anger with the World Tour, and the World Magnetic Tour. A live rendition is featured in their Live Shit: Binge & Purge box set from concerts held in Seattle in 1989. Additionally, Metallica covered "Crash Course in Brain Surgery" on the Garage Days Re-Revisited EP, later included on Garage Inc..

Members

Final lineup

Burke Shelley – bass guitar, lead vocals
Steve Williams – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Craig Goldy – guitar

Studio albums

Year	Album	UK	AUS
1971	Budgie	–	36
1972	Squawk	–	–
1973	Never Turn Your Back on a Friend	–	–
1974	In for the Kill!	29	–
1975	Bandolier	36	75
1976	If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules	–	98
1978	Impeckable	–	–
1980	Power Supply	–	–
1981	Nightflight	68	–
1982	Deliver Us from Evil	62	–
2006	You're All Living in Cuckooland	–	–

Live albums

Year	Album
1997	We Came, We Saw... (live compilation featuring material from 1980–1982)
1998	Heavier Than Air – Rarest Eggs (live collection spanning 1972–1981)
2002	Life in San Antonio
2004	The BBC Recordings (live anthology covering 1972–1982)
2005	Radio Sessions 1974 & 1978 (double album)
2022	Live Flight (features live recordings from a 1979 tour)

Compilation albums

Year	Album
1975	Best of Budgie	-	1981	Best of Budgie	-	1996	An Ecstasy of Fumbling – The Definitive Anthology	-	1997	Best of Budgie	-	2004	The Last Stage

EPs

If Swallowed, Do Not Induce Vomiting (1980, Active Records BUDGE 1)

Singles (Primarily UK releases unless otherwise noted)

"Crash Course in Brain Surgery" / "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman" (1971, MCA MK 5072)
"Whiskey River" / "Guts" (1972, MCA MK 5085)
"Whiskey River" / "Stranded" (1972, MCA 2185) – Released in the US
"Zoom Club (Edit)" / "Wondering What Everyone Knows" (1974, MCA 133)
"I Ain't No Mountain" / "Honey" (1975, MCA 175)
"Smile Boy Smile" / "All at Sea" (1978, A&M AMS 7342)
"Crime Against the World" / "Hellbender" (1980, Active BUDGE 2)
"Keeping a Rendezvous" / "Apparatus" (1981, RCA BUDGE 3) – Reached No. 71 in the UK charts
"I Turned to Stone (Part 1)" / "I Turned to Stone (Part 2)" (1981, RCA BUDGE 4)
"I Turned to Stone" / "She Used Me Up" (1981, Tonpress S-445) – Issued in Poland
"Bored with Russia" / "Don't Cry" (1982, RCA 271)

References

The New Musical Express Book of Rock, Star Books, 1975

External links