Brute Force and Ignorance Part 2
We’re looking at Brute Force, a compilation album released at the height of NWOBHM frenzy, when record companies were falling over themselves to cater to the whims of 14 year old pubescent boys, obsessed with the thought of something electric strapped round their necks and slung low down between their legs.
And it was an album that promised much, as Part 1 revealed tracks by Diamond Head, Fist and Raven – NWOBHM worthy metal icons. But then things started to go peculiar as this Part 2 will show.
First up were the not at all legendary Prowler, a band built around the talents of the Philpott brothers. As befits anything built around anyone called Philpott, this was not a memorable thing. If memory serves, they managed a couple of singles before returning to the hardware counter at Wickes.
MP3 one – Prowler – Gotta Get Back To You
Then it was time for some Sledgehammer. Which was much more like it. It’s hard to believe now, but they were championed by one Garry Bushell in Sounds, not something that seems like a good thing now, but they were nearly a very good band indeed. Sadly, the majors passed them by, and by the time they got round to releasing a couple of indie albums, their chance had passed them by. They were also on “Metal For Muthas”, you know. “I met a real coollady, late last night. She blew my mind and that’s not all”. Legend-ary.
MP3 two – Sledgehammer – Fantasia
Now it’s time for that legendary metal beast that is Colin Towns. Eh? Yup, the Gillan keyboard player best known for not being a metal beast. It’s not that he wasn’t talented. After all, he wrote the best tunes for Gillan in their early days. But brute force? I think not. He ended up writing the music for legendary metal televisual shows “Dalziel and Pascoe” and “Cadfael”. And that is a fact.
MP3 two – Colin Towns – Breakdown
2 responses so far ↓
Jimmy // October 1, 2009 at 7:10 pm |
I’m with you about Sledgehammer. A band that really should’ve made it.
As for Bushell, he never fooled me for a minute even back then.
godshatmyipod // October 1, 2009 at 7:35 pm |
But what about the Cockney Rejects! And West Ham United! And skinheads! Happy days.
Rockin The Blooze is on air right now, and I think they’re repeating my Motorhead show this weekend at http://www.getreadytorockradio.com/player/grtr_player.htm