December 30, 2006

Chirp Your Enthusiasm

My friend Miles who introduced me to the Welsh band Budgie always had a theory that they missed out on the sales and success of Black Sabbath (who sometimes had a similar sound – tight but sludgy guitars, falsetto singer – and who shared with Budgie the services of legendary producer Rodger Bain) because, looks-wise, Sabbath had medieval castles, graveyards and spooky crosses in their album art, while Budgie went with Roger Dean and that cute li’l parakeet.

In other words, Budgie neglected certain trappings of serious badass-ism (scowling, strutting, shirtlessness and pyrotechnics) in favor of monster rock riffs and finely-crafted psychedelia. Not that they don’t have a loyal following, but when you peer through the coke-bottle lenses of Burke Shelley’s proto-nerdcore spectacles, it’s easy to reach the conclusion that these guys weren’t overly image-conscious. (I mean, look at ‘em. They’re just having fun playing music. That’ll never do.)

Check out this awesome 1973 film of “Breadfan” (a classic tune later covered by some lesser lights) that I bagged from YouTube – sporting better fake-sync sound than yer average 2006 rap video:

(The direct URL is here.)

If you’re not into the hard rock, it can difficult to explain what’s so charming about Budgie. They aren’t over-the-top or chaotic sounding (their songs are sometimes absurdly mannered and precise) or emotionally distraught like metallish bands are “supposed” to sound. They make a “big” noise that somehow seems like it’s trapped in a small, dark room. They easily slip into sweet, folksy, pretty interludes – check out “Rolling Home Again” from the second LP, below – that might alienate a few Judas Priest fans (the two bands toured together in the early days). There’s a humble, wry sense of humor in the lyrics that imply it’s not to be taken all that seriously.

But man, what riffage! (Sorry, you have to use terms like that when you’re writing about this stuff.) When guitar demigod Tony Bourge starts chugging out one of his stadium-ready hooks, and drummer Ray Phillips dictates a slow, heavy groove, it’s too much trouble to fight the rhythm. Go with it. Somehow, the combination just works.

The original three-man lineup of those spry young whippersnappers is now gigging again, and of course they have a website. Marvel at the photos showing how well they’ve physically held up, compared to the shuffling, jiving walking corpses of most of their contemporaries. Despite my normally strict policy against fogey-rock reunions, I’d definitely go see the ol’ birdies if I got the chance. This band deserved way more than they got.

From Squawk (1972):
Budgie – “Whisky River”
Budgie – “Rolling Home Again”
Budgie – “Hot as a Docker’s Armpit”
Budgie – “Drugstore Woman / Bottled”

From Bandolier (1975):
Budgie – “I Can’t See My Feelings / Rock Climbing”
Budgie – “Napoleon Bona-Part One & Two”

Rick at 10:36 pm

Comments (15)

15 CommentsÈ

oh yes, ‘i can’t see my feelings’ and ‘breadfan’ are all time greats and saw me through many a strange dark place….for many years the only budgie i had was a tape that merkle gave to melanie when she left indiana. she wasn’t bitten and i was sitting at the bar at food for thought one day when she offered it to the listening public…i played it so much over the years it got stretched out and some of the songs had a slight pitch shift…including that existential epic ‘parents’...you know you’ve reached rock nirvana when your song includes seagulls..

Comment by William Thirteen Ñ January 3, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
I’ve been curious about Budgie ever since reading a review of the band Chrome that compared Helios Creed’s guitar playing to Tony Bourge. Thanks!

Comment by jon Ñ January 18, 2007 @ 11:05 am
Currently revisiting my ‘Budgie’ days !! I followed these guys during the early 70’s, lost count how many times I saw them live but saw the original three man version fr the first time, with Tony Bourge, at a little ballroom downstairs at The George Hotel in Burslem, Stoke on Trent !! They really Out-rocked many more illustrious names that I also saw in my youth !!

Comment by IanB Ñ February 4, 2007 @ 9:48 am
This Budgie clip is awesome! When I was a kid buying my metal records, I was always perplexed by those album covers. I wish I had bought those records. By the time I heard Budgie, all those LPs were out of print and way overpriced if you did find them at all. Though I do have a very rare “Bored With Russia” 7” picture disc I bought when I was about 13 or 14 years old.
In the video they kinda look and sound as if Geddy Lee from Rush was fronting Sabbath or Dust. There’s a band you can write about – Dust. Congrats on your 1 year anniversary. I know it’s belated.

Comment by Dean Rispler Ñ February 8, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
Budgie is one of the best hard rock group of 1970s. Tony Bourge’s riffs are masterpieces that next generations will listen when learning playing rock music. This guy was one of the most undervalued musicians in the gallery of guitar masters but definitely he desrves the place in the pantheon of 1970s rock music at the same level as Jimmi Page , Ritchie Blackmore, Alvin Lee or Peter Green. If anyone knows what is going on with him now I would appreciate information. I have seen tham in London’s Marquee Club in 1981 but those days where rather tough for them (after Tony’s departure from the band). Now after 26 years, I am going to see Budgie in today’s line-up in Warsaw Progresja Club on April 13, and what I hear recently from scratches of their live performences available on the web they are in excellent form. Will go there together with my 19 year old son who loves them as well. CU in Warsaw.

Comment by Jacek Fotek Ñ February 14, 2007 @ 2:34 pm
Where is tony Bourge? Does anybody know how to contact him or if it is even possible?

Comment by Big John Ñ April 7, 2007 @ 12:16 am
This brings back memories of rocking the college dorm room with obscure 70’s rock that all of the rap guys had never heard of. Check out “I can see my feelings.” More cowbell and for Christ sake, turn up that wah wah during the instrumental break.

Comment by Jerry Aldini Ñ June 26, 2007 @ 5:59 am
This one of my favourites rock bands, I heard them for first time whit Napoleon Bona parts one and two in earlies seventies in a lp Bandolier bought in Venezuela, but never brougth more lp`s to this country. Budgie is very interesting band, in a Piramyds theme, some compassess of the perfomance remembered a Camel`s works by Andew Latimer. Really I`m proud to knew Budgie and hear his musicÂ¡Â¡Â¡. My respects. Sincerly:
Clemente Hoyos.

Comment by Clemente Hoyos Ñ January 20, 2008 @ 12:13 pm
Always loved this band.They are legendary.Just saw them last night at the “forum” in Melbourne on their first ever Aussie tour…..brilliant!

Comment by Noel Hamilton Ñ February 20, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
This band rocks! they have a totally unique sound and the guitar riffs are brilliant! metallica’s remake doesn’t even compare

Comment by Bronwyn Gore Ñ May 25, 2008 @ 10:40 am
Been a big fan since the late 70’s. Great to see and listen to the fabulous :Breadfan:

Comment by Jeff Holmes Ñ June 22, 2008 @ 8:49 am
Glad you like the Breadfan clip. I found it on ebay with no sound track, and with help from Ray Phillips getting the sound rein(stated it’s there for all to enjoy.
Ray loved it. He had never seen the footage until I sent him the silent video.

Budgie management were not interested when I offered them the film @2002. Funny how it got included on the remaster of NTYBOAF once Ray and myself had done all the hard work….

Tezza

Comment by Tezza Ñ July 31, 2009 @ 3:55 pm
Tezza: Thanks for the info and the video itself. It really is great.

Comment by Rick Ñ July 31, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
I just want to say that great music such as Budgie’s isn’t completely lost on today’s generation. I am currently a freshman in college, and I would definitely have to rank Budgie as my second favorite band, right behind the holy triumvirate: Rush. I’ve driven so many of my less rock-inclined friends (a.k.a. idiots) out of my dorm room by blasting obscure Budgie songs that I’ve lost count. I really hope I get the chance to see them perform live someday.

Comment by Daniel Ñ December 8, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
I was introduced to the awesome trio of Budgie by a rock loving Welshman back in 71, He flew into the room screaming, You just gotta hear this, I found a track heavier than Sabbath. Guts ripped through the speakers 2 minutes later and that was it, I was hooked. Many many pleasurable hours of musical bliss over more years than i care to admit too. Budgie have always done it for me, Especially the first four riff laden albums. It took till 2005 and 06 too actually get to see them, Burke , Simon and Steve gave me one of my best musical appreciating nights of my life and a long ambition fulfilled. Sadly Simon left the band shortly afterwards, All i can hope for is another reformation and an English tour but hey, If it doesnt happen, At least i got my memories of those two great nights. Thankyou Burke and Co for some real rock. Mick.

Comment by Mick Ñ December 22, 2009 @ 8:44 am