I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog, Pete. From an early age, I've been a "dog person." In my family, our dogs were so loved, and always with us and around us, just like members of the family. My childhood, teenage, and young adult memories of the family dogs are very fond memories. On another note, this video has spurred me to go back and "re-discover" Uriah Heep on a much deeper level! Fantastic band!!
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was an English band. The main protagonist was American, but as a band they're English. Like The Police, Fleetwood Mac, The Pretenders, King Crimson, Rainbow plus many others who are English bands with American members.
Sorry to hear about your dog Pete. Losing a pet is always tough. We rescued a cat a few years ago and he became the best cat we ever had and then died unexpectedly at a very young age. It was tough but you’re right we’ll always have the good memories of our time together.
Pentagram had a demo out in 73 that has some really heavy songs. Those songs are on First Daze Here album. They were already the real American Sabbath back then.
I think something that needs to be recognised when looking at the birth of metal is the differing social backgrounds to the music in the U.K. and the U.S.A. in the early ‘70s. At least until the OPEC oil crisis hit, there were huge differences in living standards (and then everyone was in the shit). The early ‘70s were tough times for many in Britain. The Labour and Conservative governments of the day struggled to contain inflation and very powerful trade union strike action. In 1973 there was a three day working week due to the effects of a miners strike and people had to light candles at home due to power shortages. There was enormous class tension and a heavy atmosphere in the air. When the pubs shut there were lots of pissed (U.K. meaning) blokes on the streets with nowhere to go and frustration to burn. Out of this came groups like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest hailing from the working class industrial Midlands. These were tough places where people left school early and worked in forges and factories. The sounds of clanging metal. This deafening noise really did inform the music that came out of those places. The weather also played a part - the early ‘70s were grey, grimy and rainy. In America by contrast you had the sunny optimism of the West Coast. The closest equivalent would be the Detroit bands I suppose, a similarly blue collar background. In Britain Prog Rock was music for spotty middle class students who didn’t know any girls. Heavy metal was for spotty working class blokes who didn’t know any girls either but pretended they did.
@Patrick Crowther "The Labour and Conservative governments of the day struggled to contain inflation and very powerful trade union strike action. In 1973 there was a three day working week due to the effects of a miners strike and people had to light candles at home due to power shortages. There was enormous class tension and a heavy atmosphere in the air. When the pubs shut there were lots of pissed (U.K. meaning) blokes on the streets with nowhere to go and frustration to burn. Out of this came groups like Black Sabbath" Black Sabbath had been going for a good 3 years before there were any power cuts, longer before the 3 day week and even longer before the strikes that brought down the Heath government. By the time the things you describe came about, they were rolling in money and putting it up their noses in white powder form !
Master Class Boys! Thoroughly enjoyed this episode and learned a bunch. Enjoy your weekend and grateful you guys keep cranking out great content. Cheers!
Heart felt condolences to you and your family Pete . I've had many dogs over my lifetime ( I'm 55 ) and I still miss the dogs that have gone on to heaven . God bless buddy
I'd love for the guys to do something similar for America's answer to the prog rock 70s wave. Also, I know Pete's done an introductory guide to Power Metal but I LOVE to hear what his and Martin's top ten Power Metal albums are.
Great show guys. Love that first Sir Lord Baltimore album Pete. I also had never heard of Bang or Dust so 2 more bands have been added to my list. Love the channel!
What a way to start the show. Talking about the love you had for Mia caught me off guard and I found myself in tears. You're suppose to wait till the end of the show to give the audience something to reflect on. Stay strong. Its better to have loved than not to have loved at all.
A couple of notables on the obscure end of things that maybe should have been mentioned... Granicus from Cleveland in 73 and Canada's Warpig from 72. I could also name dozens and dozens of heavy bands from Germany and Europe and other various countries from as early as 1970 that would be high on the heaviness meter but I guess this show was to mainly point out America's response, which you guys did a great job on.
A friend of mine in 1990 bought Sir Lord Baltimore-Kingdom Come, Dust-Hard Attack and Bang's self titled album. I found all three of those albums to be really impressive. It is interesting to hear lesser known bands that were emulating the big British bands of the time. Ironically, in 1992 the grunge explosion happens and one can easily draw a line to those early seventies fuzzy guitar with what was happening in Seattle.
I completely agree on your final point. I always find it strange that its fashionable in metal and classic rock circles to knock grunge...grunge bands are very influenced by late 60s/early 70s classic hard rock. Seems many people don’t forgive grunge for its contrast with the late 80s rock bands they liked. To me the American glam sound was taking rock music toward being pop. Grunge hauled it back.
Blue Oyster Cult, granted, were not that heavy, but they do stand with the best of the Brits for originality and mysticism. A most untypical American hard rock band! Greatly appreciated in the UK too with a cult following!
I am loving this mini-series on the formation of heavy metal in the 60s and 70s, really stripping it down to short 4-year time blocks (or 5 or 6 for the last video).
Great topic guys. It's interesting to look at how long it took American bands to respond, after all zep were selling huge and the response to the British invasion in the 60s was quick in comparison
Pete so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. Dogs give you that unconditional love. BOC sounds more metal live than on studio recordings.
Budgie and Uriah Heep were the most unique of all the early Heavy Metal bands. Budgie had a mix of really Heavy songs and Folk music. Uriah Heep was arguably the first band that was dramatic in their Heaviness, like classical music. Budgie had unusual song titles
I always considered and it has always been known that Heep is in the big 4. Thanks to Pete's proselytizing, after buying 21 albums in the last 3 months I think Heep is vastly underrated. The Lawton album Firefly is the most underrated in their discography and the last 4 studio albums are monster bangers. Can't wait for their next album.
Regarding the live album. Snaz was recorded at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada. The band recorded on several of the North American dates but the band felt this one show was fine in it's entirety. Mixed at The Manor, Oxfordshire
Loved this show guys. Being aware of or having many of the albums you mentioned here in my collection, I have to agree with everything you have said about them. Dust always had a heavier image than their material and even the more riffy songs have quite a clean guitar sound. Dust, when they played their heavier material probably had the heaviest riffs of all the bands mentioned here with the exception of Montrose.
Cool show guys! I agree with the theme "ain't much" for the US answer to UK "heavy". One album not mentioned, definitely not popular or influential, was by the band Fuse with their self titled in 1970. They were arguably more hard rock, but some pretty heavy tunes on this debut compared to the band they become, Cheap Trick. I have read Rick Nielson doesn't like this album much, but a few tunes I do like.
Martin --- 1) Amboy Dukes/Ted Nugent @7:30 2) Alice Cooper @16:12 3) Blue Öyster Cult @24:32 4) ZZ Top @32:15 5) Aerosmith @42:42 Pete --- 1) Mountain @11:51 2) Cactus @20:19 3) Sir Lord Baltimore @27:55 4) Bang @35:31 5) Dust @38:33 6) Montrose @44:45
Another great show guys, lots of respect to you both for flying the Budgie/Nazareth flag, truly sad to loose both Burke and Dan this year two of the rock greats.
Hey, Pete and Martin, great show with engaging and interesting subject matter as always! I was swishing around an idea for one of your shows that might be interesting. How about a show on the importance of inovations that were taking place in regards to the electric guitar durring the 50s to the 80s. Mainly this would be about the inventions of reverb, distortion (fuzz), wa wa, chorus, phaser and the flanger. Maybe, also talk about, how which effects are more universal and important to hard rock and heavy metal than other ones. Also, as opposed to the more esoteric, but important effects, we all pretty much know that hard rock, especially heavy metal, would not exist without distortion ( hint, more than a clue, to maybe, the most used effect of all time). Just an idea. Thanks!
Would have to pretty much start with Les Paul (multi-track recording, sound-on-sound, echo, delay, reverb). Also a pretty ahead-of-his-time player as well, great technique in country/pop/jazz
Would love to see a big four American heavy metal bands from 1974-1979, big four of heavy metal PERIOD 1974-1979, or even big 4 Canadian heavy metal bands of the 70s. I sure hope this string of episodes continues. It's slam bang!
Not just popularity, Uriah Heep have many quality albums in the 1970s. Its not just about fame or album sales. If you listen to the albums, the quality is there.
Were they really? Yeah they were known but I wouldn't say they were to the level of headlining stadiums, they never really did break through in the US in a big way. Their biggest album in the US was "Demons at Wizard" and even that didn't chart in the top 20 or go beyond gold.
Uriah Heep in 1975 they played in Central Park. Mic Box Kicks Ass playing with a Cast on his Arm .I couldn’t believe His Sounds how he was playing and how he was able to play he was Amazing .Legendary Lee Kerslake Laying it down.Just a really great show. I’m only 15 years old Central Park. In 1975 .WILD✌️ As a 63 old man discussing Uriah Heep 2022 WILD2. What does that tell you?
Wow I was just hangin' in Central Park a couple of months ago.Can't imagine U.H. playing there ! Lucky you and to this day I've never seen them.Disappointing it is !
Alice Cooper is a psychologically a heavy band. I can recall some heavy songs here and there. But it's really the look of the band, and even moreso the dark lyrics written by Alice.
If you don't mind listening to the view of a guy who wasn't there and not in fact born until 1980, my take on this, particularly after listening to some of your shows, and especially the way Martint alks about the concept of "heavy": It's not so much that people were duped by the labels or expecting something to sound heavier than it was; rather it's that bands like Black Sabbath changed the definition of what "heavy" meant. "Heavy" was used to describe music in the 1960s if i remember right. In a sense, The Doors, dated though they may be, would have been considered "heavy". it was a less strictly definable quality that had as much to do with lyrics, atmosphere, as a crunchy, big riff. Steppenwolf would have been considered heavy.. Cream too, for sure. But Sabbath and a few other bands came along and gave people a more specific idea of what "heavy" was. And I think that's why now, you guys are saying that some of these albums are not particularly heavy. Interesting talk, as ever. Friday at the Funhouse is one of my favourite Sea of Tranquility things.
Another thing to consider/remember about the post 60's music industry advertising and vernacular is how the word "heavy" was used. "Man that was HEAVY maaaaan..." said in a stoned accent. It could, in that era, be synonymous with "deep" or "trippy." Someone might even hear a Doors album or a CSNY record and say "wow, that was heavy." Just a thought.
I’m still convinced a lot of the heaviness is in the production. Blue Oyster Cults debut is a perfect example. The production is muddy the drums are kind of quiet and the guitars are sort of clean….but the riffs are all there.Picture those exact same songs but with the guitar more distorted and the drums and bass dialed in like a Sabbath album and the BOC debut would sound just as heavy as any of the British stuff.
When our German Shepherd died, it was the only time I ever saw my dad cry and even though it was 25 years ago, it seems like only yesterday! RIP to them both, I have a feeling they're playing fetch in Heaven! RIP MAYA!✌️
I used to feel that way until i found out about all the plagarism.. The first four zep albums should have been called.."something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.. Parts 1 to 4..I still love emtho.
@Bon Scott, you can make that argument about any band. In regard to Deep Purple, Blackmore talks about influences from Cream, Hendrix and borrowing guitar licks. Black Night is based on a Ricky Nelson riff. On Speed King, Gillan quotes Little Richard lyrics. Black Sabbath Paranoid itself is based on Communication Breakdown by Zeppelin. If you want to get picky and say this invalidates songs, I can tell you I can do it for you with all bands because nothing exists in a vacuum with no influence from before. Beatles- heavy influence from Dylan for one! Hey you’ve got to hide your love away...Did George Harrison invent Indian music? And so on
I'm the same age as Pete and I was not that aware of Uriah Heep back in the day, except to laugh at the Wonderworld cover. This channel has gotten me full into Heep's early records.
I know that the first song I heard by Uriah Heep was Easy Livin on a compilation in the early 1990s. I am younger than you, and I came across Zeppelin-Sabbath and Purple in that order but Uriah Heep were not long after. Apart from Zeppelin my first introduction to the others was songs on classic rock compilations. Paranoid, Fireball and Easy Livin. With Zeppelin I saw a 1969 performance of Communication Breakdown on a 1989 television documentary and then I bought the Remasters 1990 collection on double cassette. To me it was all classic rock. The difference seemed to be that Uriah Heep didn’t have the iconic song with constant radio play. No Stairway to Heaven, War Pigs/Paranoid or Smoke on the Water. Although Heep have great songs.
Cheers Martin and Pete. Really interesting show today. I am American and yet very much love Progressive Rock and Metal/Hard rock both of which were clearly invented by the British. Pete had a great point about US loving guitar heroes ( Hendrix, Billy Gibbons, Leslie West, Montrose and Edward) but then again Brits have Beck, Clapton, Page, Iommi and Blackmore). I think Europeans link to classical music in a way might have had an effect on creating heavier music. Classical music can be very intense.Americans have deep roots in Blues, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Country and Rock and Roll all of which were invented in the US. By the way, modern popular music in America really sucks in so many ways ( fake instrumentation and shallow lyrics to mention two). But Europeans still have a much heavier and diverse taste in music right now. To each their own. Rock on to all.
What are you guys thinking about Texas band Josefus? They were pretty heavy and released their albums in 69-70. They didn't make many waves (that I know of at least) but I would have mentioned them here. Cheers.
Great to hear your thoughts on Nazareth and Dan in particular. They should've been included in your Big 5. Also, it would be interesting to hear more about Canadian bands, now that Martin has mentioned it.
Martin's *Guide to Heavy Metal: The Seventies* is a great book and such a perfect elaboration for this show! Funny, I was thinking of it during the first several minutes here, and specifically the "heaviness" rating matched with the overall grade for every album inside (eg, Highway To Hell - 9/10, Toys in The Attic - 7/9, Led Zep III - 4/10, Alice Cooper's From The Inside - 2/2) Seriously, every Rock/Metal fan should own that book. I like the 70s volume (Green) best, but the 80s one (Purple) is great too. Also, within both books, you get plenty of very humorous noun/adjective work from Martin. My all time favorite is in the 70s book, where he calls the Lucifer's Friend album "BANQUET" a *wilted sausage* Heh! Still makes me laugh.
US was still exploring blues rock and psychedelic, and I really think that's a thread that links Alice Cooper, Amboy Dukes, ZZ Top, BOC...here's an interesting one that pushed the psych/blues envelope: Bubble Puppy (later known as Demian). "Hot Smoke & Sassafrass" isn't as heavy as Sabbath for sure, but pretty hard-rockin' for 1969! another one where the argument is flimsy looking at the majority of their songs but occasionally rivaled the big 4 for heaviness: Funkadelic. Maggot Brain (71) is pretty intense!
I got a band that fits what Pete and Martin are saying but is kind of forgotten. They were from Detroit. I've seen one mention of them on this channel in Pete's obscure bands videos and he didn't mention their one hit from their debut, but only talked about their third album which is when they lightened up their sound. I'm talking about Frijid Pink. Their first two albums have alot of heavy blues rock. Released in 70 and 71. But not really a metal band. There's a boogie song or two and a couple of ballads. Has Pete heard their hit version of House of the rising sun from the debut? I think Pete would like these two albums if he likes Blue Cheer. I think they kick ass. The first has a slightly more raw in your face guitar tone then the second, but still has a heavy vide from the bass and drums. Has Martin heard Frijid Pink's albums?
Martin rated the 4 Frijid Pink albums in his Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal the 1970s. He was kind to the first 2 albums and not so much with the last 2
"It Ain't Much"-Martin's got such a subtle but explosively hilarious sense of humor. For my top 4 American bands of 1970-1973, I'm going to take Mountain, Bloodrock, Bang, and Montrose. Without excessive evaluation, that's what my gut says. Four amazingly heavy bands that have had a big influence.
Born 1961 I discovered my personal "fab' 4" (Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple & Led Zeppelin) in 1970/71 thanks to my elder sister and cousins. I was a child but I remember this time and the feelings very well. From 1973/74 on there were so many fantastic bands to discover from Great Britain, Germany, USA (you know them all!), but Uriah Heep was, is and will always be my personal favourite.
One reason I kind of see them going for '70 to '73 is because it is a more challenging era to find great heavy American bands for. Montrose in '73 and Kiss in '74 IMO finally gave the Brits some genuinely super heavy competition, and even though American heavy metal didn't become huge until the 80s, I think the U.S. finally put up a good resistance against Europe, with Angel's debut in '75, Starz' and Y & T's debuts in 1976, Legs Diamond and Riot's debuts in 1977, Van Halen and Alkana's debuts in 1978, and Gamma's debut in 1979.
Funhouse by The Stooges was a pretty heavy album for 1970, even though not really classified I guess as a hard rock/heavy metal album. Down in the street !
Great show as usual gents. Although not falling in either the UK or USA category, I consider Night Sun album 'Mournin' to be one of the heaviest and evil sounding proto metal albums released in that 70-73 era
Good point regarding context - the historical influence of classical European music on British rock, as compared to the historical influence of African American blues on American rock. That really explains how British bands found their way to heavy metal and prog so fast, and how American rock music remained a blues hybrid for so long. It makes me think of Ian Anderson and Bob Fripp. Even though there's British blues on the first Tull album, Ian said somewhere that he didn't feel comfortable co-opting music from a culture that wasn't his own, so Tull went the way of hybridizing British folk music. While Fripp implied the same sentiment, he was more influenced by the European classical avant-garde.
For some reason Uriah Heep's popularity did not continue into 80s folklore of Heavy Metal. Growing up in the 80s, I "heard" of them but their songs were never played on classic rock radio and no musicians ever listed them as an influence. In a way sadly the same thing is happening to Blue Oyster Cult, but not to that degree
Pete, very saddened and sorry for the loss of Maia (spelling?). It's so difficult losing a beloved pet which is actually another family member. I still get sad many days thinking about past beloved pets I lost. Time will lessen the sadness but she'll always be part of you. Again, very sorry.
I gotta throw "Love It To Death" as a metal album. Power chords, image, songwriting. Also Kiss's first album. Kiss were metal up to Dynasty really. Heavy as any hair metal for sure.
KISS was modeled to be the heaviest most outrageous band around. Most of the New Wave of Heavy Metal say KISS was a influence on their sound and song writing.
@@richardjones4466 Nonsense my ass. KISS (esp 1973-1978) was very influential, heavy & catchy as hell. Still comes of fresh too. The killer stage show only added to the brilliance of the songs, and the indelibly bad ass Ace Frehley solos within those songs. I adore the U.K. (was all about Monty Python, Bowie, Sabbath, etc. when I was a kid) but you guys were late in the game with Kiss, and it seems, never really got how good, wildly cool and magical KISS was in the 70s. ⚡ 🦇 🐆 ⭐
@@themindwasntbuilttobendthi833 yep. I would say KISS was as heavy as most NWOBHM. Whenever I check out a "hidden gem" from that movement I'm always disappointed by the lack of heaviness and poor songwriting. Love em or hate em. KISS was metal. No blues to be found for sure. All power chords and Marshalls on 10 from the day they started.
@@miketheyunggod2534 "very big influence" = proto-metal. Not 'equating' Hendrix to metal but citing him as a big influence on later 'real' metal bands. Like Sgt Pepper's is not a prog album but influenced later prog bands
Other than Hendrix I agree heavy was started in England, Europe where most of catalog isn't heavy I myself as a kid thought the kinks all of the day you really got me 65 66 ish was heavy love zz top but don't think ok them as a heavy metal band had heavy blues I'd call it closest to heavy in USA to me was grand funk but really it's heavy blues great show👍🤯
Hendrix was in England...The debut album was on British Track records (Kit Lambert/Chris Stamp), two-thirds of The Experience was British & the album was recorded in 3 different London recording studios. Also released in Britain 3 months before the US version came out
When I first saw the title of the video I thought this was going to be them discussing the YT comments posted for the last video which I thought was a bit strange.
I think you should do a show called The Big Four. Get various personalities from all your weekly programs and ask.... who are the Big Four Bands in your opinion . The variety and similarities would be fascinating.
Always remember the UK music press quote, "the best thing metal to come out of the USA in the 70's was the aeroplane that brought Van Halen". Over simplistic I know, but they were a revelation in 78'. Great show as per usual.
Hey Pete, not sure if I told you this before, but the BOC gong is in the showroom of Harley Davidson of Scottsdale. If you by a new MC you get to bang the gong.
I agree. Sir Lord baltimore were actually a pretty heavy rocking outfit. I do agree that they weren't well recorded, but that doesn't take away their heaviness.
i have to weigh in on Uriah Heep...they have always been my favourite band and the best of the 4, underrated to a Tee... true they werent as big as the other 3 but Heep were a hugely successful band worldwide throughout the 70s selling Gold albums and playing huge arenas (Fun Fact: KISS Alive was recorded when they were a support to Heep on the Wonderworld tour) but across the European and Asian continents the band were massive (3 no1 albums in Finland, wouldve been 4 but Sweet Freedom peaked at #2) here in Australia The Magicians Birthday was a Top 10 charting album and they headlined Randwick Racecoarse with support from Cold Chisel. Most of their albums in the 70s across Europe were Top 5 charters) they were also the unluckiest band around , but thats another discussion. Love this show and again , condolences for Myah, . Peace
Researching Sir Lord Baltimore is how I discovered Pete and SOT, it's been a great ride since 🤘
I'm so sorry for the loss of your dog, Pete. From an early age, I've been a "dog person." In my family, our dogs were so loved, and always with us and around us, just like members of the family. My childhood, teenage, and young adult memories of the family dogs are very fond memories. On another note, this video has spurred me to go back and "re-discover" Uriah Heep on a much deeper level! Fantastic band!!
I'm glad they paid tribute to Budgie and Nazareth. Two of my favorite heavy bands from '71 to '75. Lots of top notch heavy albums.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience was an English band. The main protagonist was American, but as a band they're English. Like The Police, Fleetwood Mac, The Pretenders, King Crimson, Rainbow plus many others who are English bands with American members.
Pete, sorry about your loss.
Amazing show, you and Martin are my dynamic duo when it comes to everything music.
So sorry for the loss of your pet Pete. Always a horrible experience to go through ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
32:00 Sir Lord Baltimore - Kingdom Come; title track. Worth it.
Im a child of heavy metal !!! The best genre of music 🤟🤟🤟
Sorry to hear about your dog Pete. Losing a pet is always tough. We rescued a cat a few years ago and he became the best cat we ever had and then died unexpectedly at a very young age. It was tough but you’re right we’ll always have the good memories of our time together.
Pentagram had a demo out in 73 that
has some really heavy songs. Those songs are on First Daze Here album. They were already the real American Sabbath back then.
Amen and all hail Satan! 🤘
Great to see you guys back in action
Pete, I am sincerely sorry to hear about your dog. We just lost ours of 14 years a month ago. Peace to her and you.
Another great show, guys - I feel like I learn something new every day on Sea of Tranquility :)
I think something that needs to be recognised when looking at the birth of metal is the differing social backgrounds to the music in the U.K. and the U.S.A. in the early ‘70s. At least until the OPEC oil crisis hit, there were huge differences in living standards (and then everyone was in the shit). The early ‘70s were tough times for many in Britain. The Labour and Conservative governments of the day struggled to contain inflation and very powerful trade union strike action. In 1973 there was a three day working week due to the effects of a miners strike and people had to light candles at home due to power shortages. There was enormous class tension and a heavy atmosphere in the air. When the pubs shut there were lots of pissed (U.K. meaning) blokes on the streets with nowhere to go and frustration to burn. Out of this came groups like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest hailing from the working class industrial Midlands. These were tough places where people left school early and worked in forges and factories. The sounds of clanging metal. This deafening noise really did inform the music that came out of those places. The weather also played a part - the early ‘70s were grey, grimy and rainy. In America by contrast you had the sunny optimism of the West Coast. The closest equivalent would be the Detroit bands I suppose, a similarly blue collar background. In Britain Prog Rock was music for spotty middle class students who didn’t know any girls. Heavy metal was for spotty working class blokes who didn’t know any girls either but pretended they did.
@Patrick Crowther
"The Labour and Conservative governments of the day struggled to contain inflation and very powerful trade union strike action. In 1973 there was a three day working week due to the effects of a miners strike and people had to light candles at home due to power shortages. There was enormous class tension and a heavy atmosphere in the air. When the pubs shut there were lots of pissed (U.K. meaning) blokes on the streets with nowhere to go and frustration to burn. Out of this came groups like Black Sabbath"
Black Sabbath had been going for a good 3 years before there were any power cuts, longer before the 3 day week and even longer before the strikes that brought down the Heath government. By the time the things you describe came about, they were rolling in money and putting it up their noses in white powder form !
Fascinating discussion on a topic I never really considered before.
so sorry for the loss of your pet Pete, they are certainly a family member and loved.
Master Class Boys! Thoroughly enjoyed this episode and learned a bunch. Enjoy your weekend and grateful you guys keep cranking out great content. Cheers!
Awesome choices, guys! I agree! Also, I am so sorry for your loss, Pete. My deepest condolences.
Glad to see you guys back
Sorry to hear about your loss Pete.
Heart felt condolences to you and your family Pete . I've had many dogs over my lifetime ( I'm 55 ) and I still miss the dogs that have gone on to heaven . God bless buddy
My Condolences on your loss Pete
AMAZING EPISODE! Would love to see another in this series. Keep the good tunes coming ...
I'd love for the guys to do something similar for America's answer to the prog rock 70s wave.
Also, I know Pete's done an introductory guide to Power Metal but I LOVE to hear what his and Martin's top ten Power Metal albums are.
Great show guys. Love that first Sir Lord Baltimore album Pete. I also had never heard of Bang or Dust so 2 more bands have been added to my list. Love the channel!
What a way to start the show. Talking about the love you had for Mia caught me off guard and I found myself in tears. You're suppose to wait till the end of the show to give the audience something to reflect on. Stay strong. Its better to have loved than not to have loved at all.
Thanks!
A couple of notables on the obscure end of things that maybe should have been mentioned...
Granicus from Cleveland in 73 and Canada's Warpig from 72. I could also name dozens and dozens of heavy bands from Germany and Europe and other various countries from as early as 1970 that would be high on the heaviness meter but I guess this show was to mainly point out America's response, which you guys did a great job on.
A friend of mine in 1990 bought Sir Lord Baltimore-Kingdom Come, Dust-Hard Attack and Bang's self titled album. I found all three of those albums to be really impressive. It is interesting to hear lesser known bands that were emulating the big British bands of the time. Ironically, in 1992 the grunge explosion happens and one can easily draw a line to those early seventies fuzzy guitar with what was happening in Seattle.
I completely agree on your final point. I always find it strange that its fashionable in metal and classic rock circles to knock grunge...grunge bands are very influenced by late 60s/early 70s classic hard rock. Seems many people don’t forgive grunge for its contrast with the late 80s rock bands they liked. To me the American glam sound was taking rock music toward being pop. Grunge hauled it back.
Agreed. That's why I was drawn to the early grunge stuff. Talking late 80s till Nirvana broke.
Blue Oyster Cult, granted, were not that heavy, but they do stand with the best of the Brits for originality and mysticism. A most untypical American hard rock band! Greatly appreciated in the UK too with a cult following!
Pete, nice meeting you guys last night at the Mercyful Fate concert. I was wearing the bootleg Scorpions tour shirt. You guys are awesome!
Thanks! Great meeting you!
I am loving this mini-series on the formation of heavy metal in the 60s and 70s, really stripping it down to short 4-year time blocks (or 5 or 6 for the last video).
Great topic guys. It's interesting to look at how long it took American bands to respond, after all zep were selling huge and the response to the British invasion in the 60s was quick in comparison
You guys are the best! ❤
Pete so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. Dogs give you that unconditional love. BOC sounds more metal live than on studio recordings.
Very sorry for your loss.
Uriah Heep is my personal favorite out your "Big Four" and I was really happy to see you include them.
Really sorry about your loss Pete.
Any honorable mentions? Also, I really love when you talk about obscure 70s hard rock albums. It’s really cool.
Yeah, have a listen to Josefus. And have a listen to Help's "Second Coming" on a stereo, loud.
Budgie and Uriah Heep were the most unique of all the early Heavy Metal bands. Budgie had a mix of really Heavy songs and Folk music. Uriah Heep was arguably the first band that was dramatic in their Heaviness, like classical music. Budgie had unusual song titles
I always considered and it has always been known that Heep is in the big 4. Thanks to Pete's proselytizing, after buying 21 albums in the last 3 months I think Heep is vastly underrated. The Lawton album Firefly is the most underrated in their discography and the last 4 studio albums are monster bangers. Can't wait for their next album.
Regarding the live album. Snaz was recorded at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada. The band recorded on several of the North American dates but the band felt this one show was fine in it's entirety. Mixed at The Manor, Oxfordshire
Loved this show guys. Being aware of or having many of the albums you mentioned here in my collection, I have to agree with everything you have said about them. Dust always had a heavier image than their material and even the more riffy songs have quite a clean guitar sound. Dust, when they played their heavier material probably had the heaviest riffs of all the bands mentioned here with the exception of Montrose.
Cool show guys! I agree with the theme "ain't much" for the US answer to UK "heavy". One album not mentioned, definitely not popular or influential, was by the band Fuse with their self titled in 1970. They were arguably more hard rock, but some pretty heavy tunes on this debut compared to the band they become, Cheap Trick. I have read Rick Nielson doesn't like this album much, but a few tunes I do like.
My condolences Pete for the loss of Maya 🥲🥲.Hold onto those memories.
Martin
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1) Amboy Dukes/Ted Nugent @7:30
2) Alice Cooper @16:12
3) Blue Öyster Cult @24:32
4) ZZ Top @32:15
5) Aerosmith @42:42
Pete
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1) Mountain @11:51
2) Cactus @20:19
3) Sir Lord Baltimore @27:55
4) Bang @35:31
5) Dust @38:33
6) Montrose @44:45
Another great show guys, lots of respect to you both for flying the Budgie/Nazareth flag, truly sad to loose both Burke and Dan this year two of the rock greats.
And Manny!
@@sotdude7 Too true! their cover of Morning Dew is one of the best with great guitar work from Manny.
Hey, Pete and Martin, great show with engaging and interesting subject matter as always! I was swishing around an idea for one of your shows that might be interesting. How about a show on the importance of inovations that were taking place in regards to the electric guitar durring the 50s to the 80s. Mainly this would be about the inventions of reverb, distortion (fuzz), wa wa, chorus, phaser and the flanger. Maybe, also talk about, how which effects are more universal and important to hard rock and heavy metal than other ones. Also, as opposed to the more esoteric, but important effects, we all pretty much know that hard rock, especially heavy metal, would not exist without distortion ( hint, more than a clue, to maybe, the most used effect of all time). Just an idea. Thanks!
Would have to pretty much start with Les Paul (multi-track recording, sound-on-sound, echo, delay, reverb). Also a pretty ahead-of-his-time player as well, great technique in country/pop/jazz
Would love to see a big four American heavy metal bands from 1974-1979, big four of heavy metal PERIOD 1974-1979, or even big 4 Canadian heavy metal bands of the 70s. I sure hope this string of episodes continues. It's slam bang!
A lot of younger metal fans are not aware of how popular Uriah Heep were in America in the early to mid 70's.
Not just popularity, Uriah Heep have many quality albums in the 1970s. Its not just about fame or album sales. If you listen to the albums, the quality is there.
Were they really? Yeah they were known but I wouldn't say they were to the level of headlining stadiums, they never really did break through in the US in a big way. Their biggest album in the US was "Demons at Wizard" and even that didn't chart in the top 20 or go beyond gold.
@@metalmat3651 I agree. Easy Living was the only song played on the radio.
@@danielwolski873 "Stealin" was big on radio, but a lot of people mistook this as a song by Head East.
Uriah Heep in 1975 they played in Central Park. Mic Box Kicks Ass playing with a Cast on his Arm .I couldn’t believe His Sounds how he was playing and how he was able to play he was Amazing .Legendary Lee Kerslake Laying it down.Just a really great show. I’m only 15 years old Central Park. In 1975 .WILD✌️ As a 63 old man discussing Uriah Heep 2022 WILD2. What does that tell you?
Wow I was just hangin' in Central Park a couple of months ago.Can't imagine U.H. playing there ! Lucky you and to this day I've never seen them.Disappointing it is !
The edited version of Gypsy was played on radio in South Africa in the early 1970s - heard it a number of times
Sorry for the loss of Mia. A tough one...
Professional, insightful and on point as always. Between you both...nailed it. Great reviews guys 👍
Sorry for your loss Pete, never easy.
Alice Cooper is a psychologically a heavy band. I can recall some heavy songs here and there. But it's really the look of the band, and even moreso the dark lyrics written by Alice.
Sorry to hear about Maya Pete, Condolences
If you don't mind listening to the view of a guy who wasn't there and not in fact born until 1980, my take on this, particularly after listening to some of your shows, and especially the way Martint alks about the concept of "heavy": It's not so much that people were duped by the labels or expecting something to sound heavier than it was; rather it's that bands like Black Sabbath changed the definition of what "heavy" meant. "Heavy" was used to describe music in the 1960s if i remember right. In a sense, The Doors, dated though they may be, would have been considered "heavy". it was a less strictly definable quality that had as much to do with lyrics, atmosphere, as a crunchy, big riff. Steppenwolf would have been considered heavy.. Cream too, for sure. But Sabbath and a few other bands came along and gave people a more specific idea of what "heavy" was. And I think that's why now, you guys are saying that some of these albums are not particularly heavy.
Interesting talk, as ever. Friday at the Funhouse is one of my favourite Sea of Tranquility things.
Another thing to consider/remember about the post 60's music industry advertising and vernacular is how the word "heavy" was used. "Man that was HEAVY maaaaan..." said in a stoned accent. It could, in that era, be synonymous with "deep" or "trippy." Someone might even hear a Doors album or a CSNY record and say "wow, that was heavy." Just a thought.
My condolences, Pete.
I’m still convinced a lot of the heaviness is in the production.
Blue Oyster Cults debut is a perfect example.
The production is muddy the drums are kind of quiet and the guitars are sort of clean….but the riffs are all there.Picture those exact same songs but with the guitar more distorted and the drums and bass dialed in like a Sabbath album and the BOC debut would sound just as heavy as any of the British stuff.
When our German Shepherd died, it was the only time I ever saw my dad cry and even though it was 25 years ago, it seems like only yesterday! RIP to them both, I have a feeling they're playing fetch in Heaven! RIP MAYA!✌️
I think an exploration of early Australian heavy metal would be interesting. Zoot, Buffalo, AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, The Angels would be interesting.
Yes I love the first 2 Buffalo albums. Classic and I believe they were very popular in Germany also.
Crazy to think that Zep had already put out IV by 1971. Probably the shortest and most impressive run by a new band.
I used to feel that way until i found out about all the plagarism.. The first four zep albums should have been called.."something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.. Parts 1 to 4..I still love emtho.
Led Zeppellin does seem impressive but once you listen to Deep Purple In Rock released in 1970,it blows you away more than anything LZ did.
The Beatles, sabbath etc all put out heaps early on. Not just zeppelin
@Bon Scott, you can make that argument about any band. In regard to Deep Purple, Blackmore talks about influences from Cream, Hendrix and borrowing guitar licks. Black Night is based on a Ricky Nelson riff. On Speed King, Gillan quotes Little Richard lyrics.
Black Sabbath Paranoid itself is based on Communication Breakdown by Zeppelin.
If you want to get picky and say this invalidates songs, I can tell you I can do it for you with all bands because nothing exists in a vacuum with no influence from before. Beatles- heavy influence from Dylan for one! Hey you’ve got to hide your love away...Did George Harrison invent Indian music? And so on
@@bonscott6353 Have you ever listened to the original bluesmen? They rip off each other mercilessly. At least Zep made the riffs interesting.
I'm the same age as Pete and I was not that aware of Uriah Heep back in the day, except to laugh at the Wonderworld cover. This channel has gotten me full into Heep's early records.
Same here, never heard of 'em until much later (unlike the 'big three')
I know that the first song I heard by Uriah Heep was Easy Livin on a compilation in the early 1990s. I am younger than you, and I came across Zeppelin-Sabbath and Purple in that order but Uriah Heep were not long after. Apart from Zeppelin my first introduction to the others was songs on classic rock compilations. Paranoid, Fireball and Easy Livin. With Zeppelin I saw a 1969 performance of Communication Breakdown on a 1989 television documentary and then I bought the Remasters 1990 collection on double cassette. To me it was all classic rock. The difference seemed to be that Uriah Heep didn’t have the iconic song with constant radio play. No Stairway to Heaven, War Pigs/Paranoid or Smoke on the Water. Although Heep have great songs.
Has to be said...that album sleeve was comedy gold... 😆
Cheers Martin and Pete. Really interesting show today. I am American and yet very much love Progressive Rock and Metal/Hard rock both of which were clearly invented by the British. Pete had a great point about US loving guitar heroes ( Hendrix, Billy Gibbons, Leslie West, Montrose and Edward) but then again Brits have Beck, Clapton, Page, Iommi and Blackmore). I think Europeans link to classical music in a way might have had an effect on creating heavier music. Classical music can be very intense.Americans have deep roots in Blues, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Country and Rock and Roll all of which were invented in the US. By the way, modern popular music in America really sucks in so many ways ( fake instrumentation and shallow lyrics to mention two). But Europeans still have a much heavier and diverse taste in music right now. To each their own. Rock on to all.
You guys forgot to mention Pentagram, who did have a single out as Macabre during your 1970-1973 timeline. Real oversight.
Another great example of what you are talking about is “ Frost Music” by The Frost.😀❤️
What are you guys thinking about Texas band Josefus? They were pretty heavy and released their albums in 69-70. They didn't make many waves (that I know of at least) but I would have mentioned them here. Cheers.
I dig them!
Sorry for your loss,Pete😪
Great to hear your thoughts on Nazareth and Dan in particular. They should've been included in your Big 5.
Also, it would be interesting to hear more about Canadian bands, now that Martin has mentioned it.
My condolences Pete
Martin's *Guide to Heavy Metal: The Seventies* is a great book and such a perfect elaboration for this show!
Funny, I was thinking of it during the first several minutes here, and specifically the "heaviness" rating matched with the overall grade for every album inside (eg, Highway To Hell - 9/10, Toys in The Attic - 7/9, Led Zep III - 4/10, Alice Cooper's From The Inside - 2/2)
Seriously, every Rock/Metal fan should own that book. I like the 70s volume (Green) best, but the 80s one (Purple) is great too.
Also, within both books, you get plenty of very humorous noun/adjective work from Martin. My all time favorite is in the 70s book, where he calls the Lucifer's Friend album "BANQUET" a *wilted sausage*
Heh! Still makes me laugh.
US was still exploring blues rock and psychedelic, and I really think that's a thread that links Alice Cooper, Amboy Dukes, ZZ Top, BOC...here's an interesting one that pushed the psych/blues envelope: Bubble Puppy (later known as Demian). "Hot Smoke & Sassafrass" isn't as heavy as Sabbath for sure, but pretty hard-rockin' for 1969! another one where the argument is flimsy looking at the majority of their songs but occasionally rivaled the big 4 for heaviness: Funkadelic. Maggot Brain (71) is pretty intense!
I got a band that fits what Pete and Martin are saying but is kind of forgotten. They were from Detroit. I've seen one mention of them on this channel in Pete's obscure bands videos and he didn't mention their one hit from their debut, but only talked about their third album which is when they lightened up their sound. I'm talking about Frijid Pink. Their first two albums have alot of heavy blues rock. Released in 70 and 71. But not really a metal band. There's a boogie song or two and a couple of ballads. Has Pete heard their hit version of House of the rising sun from the debut? I think Pete would like these two albums if he likes Blue Cheer. I think they kick ass. The first has a slightly more raw in your face guitar tone then the second, but still has a heavy vide from the bass and drums. Has Martin heard Frijid Pink's albums?
Martin rated the 4 Frijid Pink albums in his Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal the 1970s. He was kind to the first 2 albums and not so much with the last 2
"It Ain't Much"-Martin's got such a subtle but explosively hilarious sense of humor. For my top 4 American bands of 1970-1973, I'm going to take Mountain, Bloodrock, Bang, and Montrose. Without excessive evaluation, that's what my gut says. Four amazingly heavy bands that have had a big influence.
seems like pentagram should be mentioned here, even though it took so long for them to get a proper album out
One more mention.The debut from Mahogany Rush
Born 1961 I discovered my personal "fab' 4" (Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple & Led Zeppelin) in 1970/71 thanks to my elder sister and cousins. I was a child but I remember this time and the feelings very well. From 1973/74 on there were so many fantastic bands to discover from Great Britain, Germany, USA (you know them all!), but Uriah Heep was, is and will always be my personal favourite.
One reason I kind of see them going for '70 to '73 is because it is a more challenging era to find great heavy American bands for. Montrose in '73 and Kiss in '74 IMO finally gave the Brits some genuinely super heavy competition, and even though American heavy metal didn't become huge until the 80s, I think the U.S. finally put up a good resistance against Europe, with Angel's debut in '75, Starz' and Y & T's debuts in 1976, Legs Diamond and Riot's debuts in 1977, Van Halen and Alkana's debuts in 1978, and Gamma's debut in 1979.
Funhouse by The Stooges was a pretty heavy album for 1970, even though not really classified I guess as a hard rock/heavy metal album. Down in the street !
Pete's face when Martin says that there are 5 BOC albums better that Secret Treaties. LOL
pete sorry to hear of the passing of your friend. Hang in there bud.🤘
Great show as usual gents. Although not falling in either the UK or USA category, I consider Night Sun album 'Mournin' to be one of the heaviest and evil sounding proto metal albums released in that 70-73 era
Good point regarding context - the historical influence of classical European music on British rock, as compared to the historical influence of African American blues on American rock. That really explains how British bands found their way to heavy metal and prog so fast, and how American rock music remained a blues hybrid for so long. It makes me think of Ian Anderson and Bob Fripp. Even though there's British blues on the first Tull album, Ian said somewhere that he didn't feel comfortable co-opting music from a culture that wasn't his own, so Tull went the way of hybridizing British folk music. While Fripp implied the same sentiment, he was more influenced by the European classical avant-garde.
19 minutes in and I was wondering when you were going to bring up first Montrose album.
Alice Cooper, I agree with Martin. I've heard Alice in a interview say many considered the band heavy metal...Alice had a big smile.
For some reason Uriah Heep's popularity did not continue into 80s folklore of Heavy Metal. Growing up in the 80s, I "heard" of them but their songs were never played on classic rock radio and no musicians ever listed them as an influence. In a way sadly the same thing is happening to Blue Oyster Cult, but not to that degree
Pete, very saddened and sorry for the loss of Maia (spelling?). It's so difficult losing a beloved pet which is actually another family member. I still get sad many days thinking about past beloved pets I lost.
Time will lessen the sadness but she'll always be part of you. Again, very sorry.
I gotta throw "Love It To Death" as a metal album. Power chords, image, songwriting. Also Kiss's first album. Kiss were metal up to Dynasty really. Heavy as any hair metal for sure.
KISS was modeled to be the heaviest most outrageous band around. Most of the New Wave of Heavy Metal say KISS was a influence on their sound and song writing.
@@themindwasntbuilttobendthi833 Nonsense. Kiss were only a cult band in the UK. A lot of heavy rock fans dismissed them as gimmicky Yank crap!
@@richardjones4466 Nonsense my ass. KISS (esp 1973-1978) was very influential, heavy & catchy as hell. Still comes of fresh too. The killer stage show only added to the brilliance of the songs, and the indelibly bad ass Ace Frehley solos within those songs.
I adore the U.K. (was all about Monty Python, Bowie, Sabbath, etc. when I was a kid) but you guys were late in the game with Kiss, and it seems, never really got how good, wildly cool and magical KISS was in the 70s.
⚡ 🦇 🐆 ⭐
@@marclahn7072 truth! Its funny how well this shit version of KISS is doing there these days too.
@@themindwasntbuilttobendthi833 yep. I would say KISS was as heavy as most NWOBHM. Whenever I check out a "hidden gem" from that movement I'm always disappointed by the lack of heaviness and poor songwriting. Love em or hate em. KISS was metal. No blues to be found for sure. All power chords and Marshalls on 10 from the day they started.
I believe Jimi Hendrix had a very big influence on shaping the sound that would be monster of heavy metal .
Totally agree. I always tell people he was so metal.
Yes, "Peace in Mississippi" is one of the heaviest songs I know...
@@miketheyunggod2534 "very big influence" = proto-metal. Not 'equating' Hendrix to metal but citing him as a big influence on later 'real' metal bands. Like Sgt Pepper's is not a prog album but influenced later prog bands
I hear some Hendrix influence in Zeppelin, especially on What Is and Never Should Be and the last couple of minutes of Stairway.
@@ClearTheRubble7 that is an excellent metal song indeed!
Other than Hendrix I agree heavy was started in England, Europe where most of catalog isn't heavy I myself as a kid thought the kinks all of the day you really got me 65 66 ish was heavy love zz top but don't think ok them as a heavy metal band had heavy blues I'd call it closest to heavy in USA to me was grand funk but really it's heavy blues great show👍🤯
Hendrix was in England...The debut album was on British Track records (Kit Lambert/Chris Stamp), two-thirds of The Experience was British & the album was recorded in 3 different London recording studios. Also released in Britain 3 months before the US version came out
When I first saw the title of the video I thought this was going to be them discussing the YT comments posted for the last video which I thought was a bit strange.
I really enjoyed that.
I think you should do a show called The Big Four. Get various personalities from all your weekly programs and ask.... who are the Big Four Bands in your opinion . The variety and similarities would be fascinating.
Snaz was recorded at the PNE in Vancouver.
How about Bloodrock from Texas. 6 albums 1970-1974. Quite heavy stuff also.
Good one. Love Bloodrock!
Yeah, great call - should have got mentioned.
Just finished your Blue Oyster Cult book Martin. Great stuff!
Always remember the UK music press quote, "the best thing metal to come out of the USA in the 70's was the aeroplane that brought Van Halen". Over simplistic I know, but they were a revelation in 78'. Great show as per usual.
Hey Pete, not sure if I told you this before, but the BOC gong is in the showroom of Harley Davidson of Scottsdale. If you by a new MC you get to bang the gong.
I think the first Sir Lord Baltimore album deserves more credit than Martin Popoff was willing to give it. It was REALLY heavy.
I agree. Sir Lord baltimore were actually a pretty heavy rocking outfit. I do agree that they weren't well recorded, but that doesn't take away their heaviness.
@@grimtraveller7923 The recorded at Electric Ladyland with Eddie Kramer. Martin apparently doesn't like a raw production. I do.
Pete, sorry to hear about Maya. I bet she was a great dog.
i have to weigh in on Uriah Heep...they have always been my favourite band and the best of the 4, underrated to a Tee... true they werent as big as the other 3 but Heep were a hugely successful band worldwide throughout the 70s selling Gold albums and playing huge arenas (Fun Fact: KISS Alive was recorded when they were a support to Heep on the Wonderworld tour) but across the European and Asian continents the band were massive (3 no1 albums in Finland, wouldve been 4 but Sweet Freedom peaked at #2) here in Australia The Magicians Birthday was a Top 10 charting album and they headlined Randwick Racecoarse with support from Cold Chisel. Most of their albums in the 70s across Europe were Top 5 charters) they were also the unluckiest band around , but thats another discussion. Love this show and again , condolences for Myah, . Peace