The Groundhogs
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1963 in London, England |
| Founder | Tony McPhee, John Cruickshank, Peter Cruickshank |
| Defunct | 2014 (ceased activities) |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
The Groundhogs were a British blues and rock ensemble established in late 1963 in London. Their name was inspired by John Lee Hooker's track "Ground Hog Blues." Originating from the UK's rhythm and blues circuit, they notably supported Hooker on his album ...And Seven Nights. The principal lineup consisted of a power trio: Tony McPhee (vocals, guitar, and songwriter), Peter Cruickshank (bass), and Ken Pustelnik (drums). In 1972, Clive Brooks replaced Pustelnik until the group disbanded in 1974. They issued seven albums under Liberty/UA, with three reaching the UK Top 10: Thank Christ for the Bomb (1970, #9), Split (1971, #5), and Who Will Save the World? (1972, #8).
McPhee revived The Groundhogs name with different members in 1975 for two studio releases, and again from 1982 to 2003 for two additional albums. A reunion of the early '70s trio in 2003 concluded McPhee's participation; Cruickshank and Pustelnik continued as The Groundhogs Rhythm Section. From 2007 to 2014, McPhee used the name solely for live shows.
Formation and Early Period, 1962–1967
Initially called the Dollar Bills, the band formed in 1962 in New Cross, London, by brothers John and Peter Cruickshank (born 1943 and 1945 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India). Later that year, Tony McPhee (1944–2023), lead guitarist of the Seneschals, joined and shifted their style towards blues, renaming them after John Lee Hooker’s "Ground Hog Blues."
At John Cruickshank’s urging, they adopted the name John Lee’s Groundhogs while backing Hooker during his 1964 UK tour. Subsequently, they supported artists such as Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, and Champion Jack Dupree. McPhee contributed to Dupree’s album From New Orleans to Chicago (1966) alongside Eric Clapton. In January 1965, Groundhogs released the single "Shake It" with "Rock Me" on Interphon.
Liberty Records Era and Commercial Peak, 1968–1974
Their debut album Scratchin' the Surface, produced by Liberty Records’ A&R head Mike Batt and released in November 1968, featured McPhee (vocals, guitar), Peter Cruickshank (bass), Ken Pustelnik (drums), and Steve Rye (harmonica).
Following Rye’s exit, the trio recorded Blues Obituary (September 1969), reflecting McPhee’s belief that traditional 12-bar blues audiences were diminishing. Although their single "B.D.D." did not chart in the UK, it topped charts in Lebanon.
Their subsequent three albums—Thank Christ for the Bomb (May 1970), Split (March 1971), and Who Will Save the World? The Mighty Groundhogs (March 1972)—achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim, all reaching the UK Top 10. Manager Roy Fisher named Thank Christ for the Bomb to stir controversy following Lennon’s remarks; promotion included appearances on BBC Radio 1.
Split reached number five on UK charts, remained for 27 weeks, and earned gold certification. Its first side contained a four-part suite inspired by McPhee’s personal challenges. At Mick Jagger’s invitation, the band supported the Rolling Stones on their UK tour in 1971; their performance at Leeds University was later released as Hoggin' the Stage, subsequently reissued as Live at Leeds. The single "Cherry Red" was featured on BBC Television's Top of the Pops, supplemented by multiple BBC Radio sessions.
Promotion for Who Will Save the World? The Mighty Groundhogs included BBC Radio concerts and sessions early in 1972. That year saw drummer Pustelnik depart; Clive Brooks from Egg took over for Hogwash (November). Their initial North American tour was cut short due to McPhee’s horse riding injury. They also appeared on BBC's In Concert in December.
The group’s final charting record was Solid released in 1974. A live show from Playhouse Theatre was broadcast on BBC Radio 1. The band disbanded later that year; however, McPhee, Cruickshank, and Pustelnik recorded a concluding BBC Radio 1 John Peel session in March 1975.
Revival and New Line-up, 1975–1976
In 1975, McPhee resurrected the band's name, assembling a lineup that included Martin Kent on bass and Mick Cook on drums, accompanied by a second guitarist who was either Dave Wellbelove or Rick Adams. The group released two albums in 1976 under the UA label: Crosscut Saw and Black Diamond.
Reformation and Activity, 1982–2003
McPhee established a fresh trio featuring Alan Fish on bass and Wilgar Campbell on drums; following Campbell's replacement by Mick Kirton, they produced the studio album Razor's Edge in 1985, followed by the live album No Surrender in 1988.
A different rhythm section composed of bassist Dave Anderson and drummer Mick Jones recorded the album Back Against the Wall (1986) at Anderson’s Foel Studio, which was issued through his Demi Monde label. This formation also released a live recording titled Hogs On The Road, captured during their 1987 tour in Germany.
Further lineup adjustments ensued; in 1996, a live album called Who Said Cherry Red? was recorded with Pete Chymon on bass and Dale Iviss on drums. Subsequently, two studio albums were released: Hogs in Wolf's Clothing (1998), paying homage to Howlin’ Wolf, and The Muddy Waters Song Book (1999), dedicated to Muddy Waters. These marked the final studio projects under The Groundhogs moniker.
In 2003, original manager Roy Fisher briefly reunited the initial lineup for the band's fortieth anniversary. McPhee departed to focus on an acoustic career, touring in 2004 alongside Edgar Winter and Alvin Lee, and issuing the acoustic blues album Blues at Ten.
The Groundhogs Rhythm Section Era, 2004–2014
After McPhee exited the 2003 reunion, Peter Cruickshank and Ken Pustelnik continued performing as The Groundhogs Rhythm Section with various lead vocalists, most recently Eddie Martin. In February 2011, Bob Bowles (guitar and vocals) and Jon Buckett (guitars, keyboards, vocals) joined the ensemble.
Final Formation, 2007–2014
In 2007, McPhee assembled a new band featuring longtime bassist Dave Anderson (formerly of Hawkwind) alongside Marco Anderson on drums. This trio toured across the UK in 2008 with Focus and Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash. By 2009, the lineup evolved to include McPhee, Anderson, and former drummer Mick Jones. As of 2011, the group consisted of McPhee, Anderson, vocalist Joanna Deacon, and Carl Stokes—formerly of death rock band Cancer—on drums.
Due to complications from a stroke suffered in 2009, Tony McPhee & Groundhogs ceased activities in January 2014. Subsequently, McPhee and Stokes collaborated with David Tibet’s Current 93 project. Tony McPhee passed away on June 6, 2023.
Musical Style
Initially rooted in blues, The Groundhogs expanded their sound by incorporating rock, psychedelic influences, progressive elements, and space rock nuances. Between 1970 and 1972, their albums Thank Christ for the Bomb, Split, Who Will Save The World?, and Hogwash demonstrated increasing compositional sophistication and conceptual ambition. The use of Mellotron and synthesizers contributed to a fusion of progressive rock with blues foundations. They also gained recognition as an energetic blues/acid-rock power trio.
Members
- Past members
- Joanna Deacon – vocals (2001–2003, 2011–2014)
- Tony McPhee – guitar, vocals (1963–1974, 1976, 1982–2004, 2007–2014; deceased 2023)
- Dave Anderson – bass (1986–1988, 2001–2003, 2007–2014)
- Carl Stokes – drums (2011–2014)
- Peter Cruickshank – bass (1963–1974, 2003–2004)
- Dave Boorman – drums (1963–1965)
- Bob Hall – keyboards (1963–1965)
- John Cruickshank – harmonica, vocals (1963–1964)
- Ken Pustelnik – drums (1965–1972, 2003–2004)
- Tom Parker – keyboards (1965)
- Steve Rye – harmonica (1969; deceased 1992)
- Clive Brooks – drums (1972–1974; deceased 2017)
- Dave Thompson – bass (1972)
- Mick Cook – drums (1976; deceased 1997)
- Martin Kent – bass (1976)
- Dave Wellbelove – guitar (1976)
- Rick Adams – guitar (1976)
- Alan Fish – bass (1982–1994)
- Wilgar Campbell – drums (1982–1984; deceased 1989)
- "Mighty" Joe Young – guitar (1982–1983)
- Mick Kirton – drums (1984–1989)
- Mick Jones – drums (1989–1994, 1999–2003, 2009–2011)
- Chris Bennett – drums (1990–1991)
- Jon Camp – bass (1989)
- Eric Chipulina – bass, live guitar (1994–1996, 1996–1999)
- Pete Correa – drums (1994–1996, 1996–1999)
- Pete Chymon – bass (1996)
- Dale Iviss – drums (1996)
- Brian Jones – bass (1999–2001)
- Marco Anderson – drums (2007–2009)
Lineups
| 1963–1964 | 1964–1965 | 1965 | 1965–1969 |
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| 1969 | 1969–1972 | 1972 | 1972–1974 |
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| 1974–1975 | 1975–1976 | 1976 | 1976–1982 |
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Group disbanded |
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Group disbanded |
| 1982–1983 | 1983–1984 | 1984–1987 | 1987–1988 |
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| 1988–1989 | 1989 | 1989–1994 | 1994–1996 |
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| 1996 | 1996–2000 | 2000–2001 | 2001 |
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| 2001–2003 | 2003–2004 | 2004–2007 | 2007–2009 |
* Dave Anderson – bass guitar * Mick Jones – drums |
* Tony McPhee – vocals, guitars * Peter Cruickshank – bass guitar * Ken Pustelnik – drums |
Group disbanded |
* Tony McPhee – vocals, guitars * Dave Anderson – bass guitar * Marco Anderson – drums |
| 2009–2011 | 2011–2014 | ||
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* Tony McPhee – vocals, guitars * Dave Anderson – bass guitar * Mick Jones – drums |
* Joanna Deacon – vocals * Tony McPhee – vocals, guitars * Dave Anderson – bass guitar * Carl Stokes – drums |
The Groundhogs Rhythm Section
- Present lineup
- Bob Bowles – guitar, vocals (2011–2014)
- Jon Buckett – guitar, keyboards, vocals (2011–2014)
- Peter Cruickshank – bass guitar (2004–2014)
- Ken Pustelnik – drums (2004–2014)
- Previous members
- Chas Depaolo – guitar, vocals (2004–2006)
- Dave Weld – guitar, vocals (2004–2006)
- Eddie Martin – guitar, vocals (2006–2011)
Albums
credited as Groundhogs:
Studio albums
- Scratching the Surface (December 1968)
- Blues Obituary (September 1969)
- Thank Christ for the Bomb (May 1970) – reached UK No. 9
- Split (March 1971) – peaked at UK No. 5
- Who Will Save the World? The Mighty Groundhogs (March 1972) – UK No. 8, US No. 202
- Hogwash (October 1972)
- Solid (June 1974) – attained UK No. 31
- Crosscut Saw (February 1976)
- Black Diamond (October 1976)
- Razor's Edge (May 1985)
- Back Against the Wall (July 1987)
- Hogs in Wolf's Clothing (January 1998)
- The Muddy Waters Song Book (April 1999)
Live albums
- Hoggin' the Stage (April 1984) – recorded live in Leeds and London during 1971 and Stockholm in 1976
- Extremely Live (July 1988)
- Hogs on the Road (June 1988) – captured in Germany, December 1987
- No Surrender (August 1989)
- Groundhog Night (July 1993)
- Who Said Cherry Red? (October 1996)
- Live at Leeds '71 (August 1998) – includes five tracks from Leeds previously issued on "Hoggin' The Stage"
- No Surrender – Razors Edge Tour 1985 (1998) – recorded in Northfleet, Kent, during 1985
- UK Tour '76 (1999)
- U.S. Tour '72 (1999) (Akarma Records)
- Live at the Astoria (September 2001) – recorded at London's Astoria on February 20, 1998
- Live at the New York Club, Switzerland 1991 (2007)
- Live at Anti WAA Festival 1989 (CD, 2014; Nibelung Records)
- Christmas Marketing in Weiden (Download, 2017; Nibelung Records)
- Road Hogs: Live from Richmond to Pocono (3LP/2CD, 2021; Fire Records) – performances from Richmond Athletic Ground, London, November 1969 & Pocono Raceway, Pennsylvania, July 1972
Radio sessions and concert recordings
- BBC Radio One Live In Concert (1994, Windsong International) featuring shows from February 24, 1972 and May 23, 1974
- Groundhogs On Air 1970–72 (1998, Strange Fruit) including sessions from July 21, 1970; March 29, July 26 of 1971; and December 7, 1972
- The Radio 1 Sessions (2002, Strange Fruit) with recordings from July 21, February 17 and March 29 of 1971; plus July 26, 1971
- BBC Live In Concert (2002, Strange Fruit) featuring performances from February 24 and December 7 of 1972 and May 23, 1974
Compilations
- Groundhogs Best 1969–1972 (March 1974)
- Moving Fast, Standing Still (May 1986) – combines tracks from Razor's Edge, The Two Sides of T.S. McPhee, plus four songs from the mid-1960s
- The Best Of (May 1997) – selections drawn from the first six studio releases
- 54146 (October 2001) – compilation merging Back Against The Wall and live material from Hogs On The Road
- Thank Christ For The Groundhogs: The Liberty Years (1968–1972) (2010)
- The United Artists Years (1972–1976) (2013)
Tony McPhee Solo Releases:
- The Two Sides of T.S. McPhee (1973)
- The Blues and the Beast (1991) released via Nibelung Records
- Foolish Pride (February 1993)
- Slide, T.S., Slide (1996)
- Bleaching the Blues (April 1997)
Collaborations with John Lee Hooker:
- ...And Seven Nights, a joint album with John Lee Hooker released by Verve Folkways in 1965
DVDs and Videos
- Live at the Astoria (1999) [video]
- 60/40 Split (2005) [DVD]
- Live at Anti WAA Festival 1989 (DVD, 2014; Nibelung Records)
Bibliography
External links
- Articles with short description
- British acid rock music groups
- English blues musical groups
- English blues rock musical groups
- English progressive rock groups
- Liberty Records artists
- United Artists Records artists
- Transatlantic Records artists
- Fire Records (UK) artists
- Vertigo Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1963
- Musical groups disestablished in 2014
- 1963 establishments in England
- 2014 disestablishments in England