The Outlaws (band)

The Outlaws
Company type	Instrumental ensemble
Industry	Music
Founded	1960
Defunct	1965
Key people	Chas Hodges, Bobby Graham, Ritchie Blackmore, Mick Underwood
Products	Singles, album

The Outlaws were an English instrumental ensemble active during the early 1960s, including musicians such as Chas Hodges, Bobby Graham, Ritchie Blackmore, and Mick Underwood.

Career

The name "The Outlaws" was coined by producer Joe Meek for a backing band on Mike Berry's 1960 single "Set Me Free," following Meek's decision to replace Berry's previous group, The Statesmen. They served as a principal house band at Meek's London studio, providing support for recordings, demo sessions, and auditions. Numerous compositions credited to The Outlaws were penned by Meek under aliases such as Robert Duke or Peter Jacobs—the latter appearing on their track "Shake with Me."

The group made an appearance portraying themselves in the 1963 British motion picture Live It Up!.

In addition to backing artists like Mike Berry—on three charting singles—Houston Wells and the Marksmen, Gene Vincent, John Leyton, Geoff Goddard, and Heinz, The Outlaws also issued their own singles. One of their notable releases, "Bike Beat," produced in collaboration with the Raleigh Bicycle Company, included cycling-related dance instructions on its picture sleeve.

In 1990, See For Miles released a compilation titled The Outlaws Ride Again (the Singles A's and B's), encompassing all of their singles from the 1960s.

Later years

Harvey Hinsley went on to join Hot Chocolate, contributing to hits such as "You Sexy Thing" and "Every 1's a Winner." Meanwhile, Chas Hodges formed the duo Chas & Dave, and Ritchie Blackmore gained prominence as a member of both Deep Purple and Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow.

Singles

Line-up: Billy Kuy, Bobby Graham, Chas Hodges, Reg Hawkins

"Swingin' Low" b/w "Spring is Near" (March 1961) – UK No. 46
"Ambush" b/w "Indian Brave" (June 1961) – UK No. 43
"Valley of the Sioux" b/w "Crazy Drums" (September 1961)

Line-up: Ken Lundgren, Don Groom, Chas Hodges, Roger Mingaye

"Ku-Pow!" b/w "Last Stage West" (February 1962)
"Sioux Serenade" b/w "Fort Knox" (October 1962)

Line-up: Mick Underwood, Ken Lundgren, Chas Hodges, Ritchie Blackmore

"Poppin' Medley Part 1" b/w "Poppin' Medley Part 2" released as The Chaps (December 1962)
"Return of The Outlaws" b/w "Texan Spiritual" (February 1963)
"That Set the Wild West Free" b/w "Hobo" (August 1963; Underwood did not perform on "Hobo")
"Law and Order" b/w "Do Da Day" (December 1963)
"Keep a Knockin'" b/w "Shake with Me" (April 1964). Recognized by John Peel as an early example of Heavy Metal.
"The Bike Beat 1" b/w "The Bike Beat 2," issued as The Rally Rounders (1964) – promotional flexidisc for the Raleigh Bicycle Company

Line-up: Mick Underwood, Ken Lundgren, Chas Hodges, Harvey Hinsley

"Don't Cry" b/w "Only for You" (February 1965, US release only). Produced by Derek Lawrence. The B-side features Underwood, Hodges, Blackmore, and Nicky Hopkins.

Album

Featuring members Billy Kuy, Bobby Graham, Chas Hodges, and Reg Hawkins

Dream of the West (1961): Contains tracks like "Dream Of The West," "Ambush," and "Indian Brave." Issued again on CD in 2012 with additional bonus material.

Compilations

Rockin' Guitar – Rare Items Vol.6 (1985): A compilation of singles including "Swingin' Low," "Ku-Pow," and "Law And Order."
Ride Again – The Singles As & Bs (1990): An all-encompassing collection of singles.
Back To The West (2003; reissued 2007): A broad anthology featuring extra tracks by The Chaps, The Raleigh Rounders, and The Lancastrians.
The Best Of The Outlaws (2020): Showcases prominent singles along with seven recordings as the backing group for Mike Berry.

External links