DR FEELGOOD Pub Rock Album Cover Gallery

Emerging from the gritty pub scene of Canvey Island, Essex, Dr. Feelgood arrived in the 1970s as a defiant antidote to the era's progressive rock and glam excesses. With raw, blues-fueled energy and a working-class image, they spearheaded the pub rock movement that briefly yet profoundly shook up the British music landscape.

Formed in 1971, Dr. Feelgood was the brainchild of singer Lee Brilleaux and guitarist Wilko Johnson. Their no-frills approach was a direct throwback to the rhythm and blues of the 1950s and 60s – a musical world apart from the likes of Pink Floyd and David Bowie. Johnson's choppy, almost manic guitar style was the band's sonic signature, underpinned by the rock-solid rhythm section of John B. Sparks on bass and John Martin, aka "The Big Figure", on drums.

Dr. Feelgood's image matched their raw sound. They dressed in cheap suits, their onstage demeanor a mix of intensity and working-class swagger. Brilleaux, with his menacing stare and bluesy growl, was a captivating frontman. Johnson’s jerky, wide-eyed stage presence made him instantly recognizable and became the band’s visual focal point.

Their relentless gigging schedule quickly built a loyal following, a reputation cemented by their legendary live album "Stupidity" (1976). This record hit the UK number one spot, a remarkable achievement for a band that prided itself on its unpolished sound. Singles like "Roxette," "Back in the Night," and the raucous anthem "Milk and Alcohol" distilled their energetic appeal.

Dr. Feelgood's impact extended beyond their music. Their working-class aesthetic and do-it-yourself attitude inspired a new generation of bands. The punk and new wave movements that arose in the late 1970s owed a debt to the uncompromising attitude that Dr. Feelgood had embodied earlier in the decade.

However, their initial success couldn't be sustained. Internal tensions and Johnson's departure in 1977 dealt a major blow. Though Dr. Feelgood continued performing and putting out records for decades, they never quite recaptured the ferocious brilliance of their 1970s peak.

In the early 1970s, amidst the prog-rock epics and glam extravagance of the era, a defiant back-to-basics movement was brewing in British pubs. This was pub rock, a short-lived yet incredibly influential scene that rejected the polished sound of mainstream rock in favor of raw energy, working-class grit, and a strong DIY ethic.

The Essence of Pub Rock

Pub rock bands stripped rock music down to its roots. Their influences lay in classic rhythm & blues, 1950s rock and roll, and a splash of country-tinged rockabilly. The sound was uncomplicated: driving guitars, a no-nonsense rhythm section, and vocals delivered with passion, and sometimes a bit of a snarl. Pub rock groups focused on the live experience, often playing for rowdy pub crowds rather than aiming for radio hits.

Pub Rock's Legacy

Though short-lived, pub rock left an undeniable mark on British music. Its no-nonsense energy and DIY approach paved the way for the punk explosion of the late 1970s. Many pub rockers, most notably Joe Strummer (of the 101ers) and Elvis Costello, successfully transitioned into the new wave and punk scenes.

While pub rock bands themselves seldom achieved massive commercial success, they became cult heroes, revered for their authentic spirit. The movement's spirit of back-to-basics rock and roll, a rejection of musical pretentiousness, continues to resonate and inspire new generations of musicians.