Quatermass (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Defunct | 1971 |
| Successor | Quatermass II |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Progressive rock music |
| Parent | Harvest Records |
Quatermass was a London-based English progressive rock ensemble active between 1969 and 1971, with a successor project named Quatermass II emerging during the mid-1990s.
Career
The group consisted of bassist and vocalist John Gustafson, keyboardist J. Peter Robinson, and drummer Mick Underwood. Prior to Quatermass, Underwood performed alongside Ritchie Blackmore in the Outlaws, while Gustafson’s experience spanned Cass and the Casanovas, the Big Three, the Seniors, and the Merseybeats. Both musicians later became members of Episode Six following the departure of Roger Glover and Ian Gillan to join Deep Purple. The band's name was inspired by the fictional scientist Bernard Quatermass, and they were signed to the Harvest Records label.
As a power trio, their music prominently featured the Hammond organ. Their one and only album received acclaim for its concise structure, imaginative arrangements, powerful vocal delivery, and incorporation of classical string sections arranged by Robinson. The composition "Laughin' Tackle" included an orchestral string ensemble alongside a drum solo performed by Underwood. Maintaining connections with Blackmore, Underwood visited Deep Purple during the sessions for In Rock.
Quatermass dissolved in early 1971. Subsequently, Gustafson established Hard Stuff (also known as Bullet) with ex-members of Atomic Rooster.
Their track "Black Sheep of the Family," originally by Fat Mattress, was notably the initial recording by Rainbow, after it was declined for inclusion on Deep Purple's Stormbringer.
- Quatermass II
In 1994, Underwood partnered with founding Deep Purple bassist Nick Simper to form Quatermass II. Gustafson contributed two compositions to their 1997 release Long Road, which also featured guitarists Gary Davis and Bart Foley, with keyboards handled by Don Airey.
Quatermass
- Mick Underwood – drums, percussion (1969–1971; died 2024)
- John Gustafson – bass guitar, lead vocals (1969–1971; died 2014)
- J. Peter Robinson – keyboards (1969–1971)
Quatermass II
- Mick Underwood – drums, percussion (1994–1999)
- Nick Simper – bass (1994–1999)
- Peter Taylor – lead vocals (1994)
- Bernie Tormé – guitars (1994; died 2019)
- Don Airey – keyboards (1994–1999)
- Gary Davis – lead guitars (1994–1999)
- Bart Foley – rhythm guitars, lead vocals (1994–1999)
Albums
- Quatermass (1970)
- Quatermass II: Long Road (1997)
Singles
- "Black Sheep of the Family" / "Good Lord Knows" (1970)
- "One Blind Mice" / "Punting" (1971)
- "Gemini" / "Black Sheep of the Family" (1971)
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1969 establishments in England
- 1999 disestablishments in England
- English progressive rock groups
- Harvest Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1969
- Musical groups disestablished in 1971
- Musical groups reestablished in 1994
- Musical groups disestablished in 1999
- Rock music groups from London