The Groundhogs

Groundhogs are a British blues-rock group that was founded in 1963 and early seventies was quite successful.

Band History

The early sixties were the Groundhogs backing on the European tours of John Lee Hooker and Champion Jack Dupree. They named themselves after the song " Groundhog Blues" by Hooker.

After the first album in 1968 the music style became increasingly electrified. The classic cast consisting of Tony McPhee (vocals, guitar), Pete Cruickshank (bass) and Ken Pustelnik (drums) played a four albums, of which "split " rose to number five on the British album charts. The Rolling Stones dedication to the band as the opening act for the 1971 tour of England.

The band was never as well known as other power trios of the time (eg Cream or button). However, Tony McPhee is one of the outstanding British blues guitarists. His often ajar to Jimi Hendrix style with extended solos and unusual sound effects influenced the sound of the group. The lyrics were often initially politically motivated, for example, " Thanks Christ for the Bomb ".

1972 Pustelnik was replaced by Clive Brooks. The group was disbanded in 1976. However, McPhee played in the subsequent period with changing musicians but also original cast in clubs and at festivals under the name of Tony McPhee's Groundhogs Groundhogs or.

The band has a loyal fan base and is still active.

Discography

As The Groundhogs

  • Scratchin ' the Surface ( November 1968 )
  • The Groundhogs with John Lee Hooker and John Mayall (1968 )
  • Blues Obituary (July 1969)
  • Thank Christ For The Bomb (May 1970) - UK charts - 9th place
  • Split ( March 1971 ) - Number 5
  • Who Will Save the World? The Mighty Groundhogs ( March 1972 ) - 8th place
  • Hogwash ( October 1972 )
  • Solid (June 1974) - # 31
  • Crosscut Saw ( February 1976 )
  • Black Diamond ( October 1976)
  • Hoggin ' The Stage ( live) ( April 1984)
  • Razor's Edge ( May 1985)
  • Moving Fast, Standing Still (1986 )
  • Back Against the Wall ( May 1987)
  • Extremely Live (1988 )
  • Hogs On The Road ( live) ( 1988)
  • No Surrender (live) (Dec 1990)
  • Groundhog Groundhog Night ... Live (Jun 1993)
  • Who Said Cherry Red (Oct 1996)
  • Hogs in Wolf 's Clothing (Jan 1998)
  • The Muddy Waters Songbook (Apr 1999)
  • UK Tour '76 (1999)
  • Joker's Grave ( 2005) ( 2 CD set in digipack, ADD 24 bit/96 Khz high-end mastering, contains the albums Solid and Live At The Astoria, Label: Eagle Rock / membrane)

As Tony McPhee and the Groundhogs

  • Two Sides of Tony (TS ) Mc Phee ( 1973) ( Tony Mc Phee Solo)
  • No Surrender ( August 1989 )
  • Foolish Pride ( 1993) ( Tony McPhee Solo)
  • Bleaching the Blues ( April 1997) (Tony McPhee Solo)
  • 60/40 Split ( 2005) [ DVD]
  • Blue Band
  • English band
Bluesrock Cream (band) Taste (Band) Record chart
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