Budgie: the other trio with the banshee singer

Music outside of Rush

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DoctorX
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Budgie: the other trio with the banshee singer

Post by DoctorX »

I've been listening to a lot of this band lately, and realized that they're an unsung legend in the original British metal scene of the early '70s. Maybe they weren't as amazing as Sabbath, Zeppelin, or Deep Purple, but they certainly deserve their due for being serious innovators and talented musicians.

Like most peeps, I discovered Budgie through the songs Metallica covered by them (minus the "wussy acoustic parts"). Their renditions of "Breadfan" and "Crash Course in Brain Surgery" kicked so much ass I decided to track down the originals. Bourke Shelley has some wicked riffs going on in those early albums. Especially songs like Zoom Club and Breaking All the House Rules. And who can't love song titles such as Hot As A Docker's Armpit, Nude Disintegrating Parachute Woman. Though not well known in their own time, they did Budgie did receive a certain level of recognition making appearances on the BBC and headlining at outdoor festivals.

The first five Budgie albums are all exceptional, especially Never Turn Your Back on a Friend. It's a classic. Their mix of Zeppelin and Sabbath presaged the sound Rush would use on their first two albums, except Budgie did it better, and with a really absurd sense of humour.

They're the coolest thing to come out of Wales since Tom Baker was timetraveling in phone booths. If these guys ever come anywhere near Detroit again, I'm definitely seeing them. 8)
Strength and beauty destined to decay
so cut the rose in full bloom.
Till the fearless come and the act is done
A love like blood
a love like blood

~Killing Joke~
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schuette
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Post by schuette »

I remember my brother playing Budgie a lot...not heard them for years
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Fridge
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Post by Fridge »

I always really liked Budgie...hilarious sense of humour and good crowd interaction live...
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Walkinghairball
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Post by Walkinghairball »

I have heard of Budgie, just never listened it.
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awip2062
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Post by awip2062 »

I may check them out. Thanks for the info.
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DoctorX
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Post by DoctorX »

Strength and beauty destined to decay
so cut the rose in full bloom.
Till the fearless come and the act is done
A love like blood
a love like blood

~Killing Joke~
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Big Blue Owl
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Post by Big Blue Owl »

Budgie has been one of my favorites since the '70s. It was the relentless riff of Breadfan that got me at first. At one time back then I had three 'must hear' bands. Rush, Budgie and Klaatu.

Does anyone else smell pot?
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DoctorX
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Post by DoctorX »

Oh great big gobs of it. Must be hiding inside my Kyuss CD case. I don't know how it got in there! :wink:
Strength and beauty destined to decay
so cut the rose in full bloom.
Till the fearless come and the act is done
A love like blood
a love like blood

~Killing Joke~
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Slaine mac Roth
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Post by Slaine mac Roth »

Although I've never been a big fan of Budgie, I do remember seeing them back in the early 80s and thoroughly enjoying them. Just one of theose bands I've never caught up with.
'Do not despise the snake for having no horns, for who is to say it will not become a dragon?'
CygnusX1
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Post by CygnusX1 »

I was rockin' to Budgie in '77....Everybody was like:

Who's THAT???

Guess What...People are STILL asking that! LOL
Don't start none...won't be none.
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