Ducks Deluxe

If the old scientific adage is true -- that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction -- then British pub rockers Ducks Deluxe were purely and simply a reaction. With the mid-'70s English pop scene dominated by glitter/glam rockers like <a href="spotify:artist:61zv3hX7l838ZyhaDyAx8S">Gary Glitter</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:3JaAGmSTpJK35DqWrDUzBz">Sweet</a> or blustery, chops-heavy art rockers like <a href="spotify:artist:7AC976RDJzL2asmZuz7qil">Yes</a>, Jethro Tull, and <a href="spotify:artist:3CkvROUTQ6nRi9yQOcsB50">Genesis</a>, then Ducks Deluxe represented none of the above. One of the first pub rock bands, the Ducks played basic American-style blues and boogie with remarkable panache and thorough disregard for the whims of the zeitgeist. They never were hugely popular, but the unpretentious, do-it-yourself, working-class attitude they and their contemporaries exuded (most notably seminal pub rockers <a href="spotify:artist:25IRTisJjqI6JlkyCVMBsV">Dr. Feelgood</a>) influenced the English punk scene that was right around the corner. With friends like <a href="spotify:artist:65Gh3BfK84aTIugiRCgLBA">Dave Edmunds</a> producing their records, the Ducks (guitarist/vocalist <a href="spotify:artist:31ilBOzmRbXrQ0J2rYg34g">Sean Tyla</a>, guitarist <a href="spotify:artist:7wJ05JqQDDNEOD26mRL1C4">Martin Belmont</a>, bassist Nick Garvey, and keyboardist Andy McMasters) came up with engaging, though not life-changing, records that celebrated the simple joys of rock & roll. Sure, much of it sounds like recycled <a href="spotify:artist:293zczrfYafIItmnmM3coR">Chuck Berry</a>, but there's an infectious enthusiasm that the fan in you, who simply wants to hoist a pint of ale and hear some <a href="spotify:artist:4xls23Ye9WR9yy3yYMpAMm">Little Richard</a>, will love. Ironically, their biggest promotional boost in America, the Ducks Deluxe LP was released three years after they'd split up. This little bit of shift marketing came as a result of ex-Ducks going on to more prominent bands like <a href="spotify:artist:4NsDGsuSfCM30e1JSMGeAn">the Motors</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:34XOKvo8R7mnjdS8S0Gwvq">the Rumour</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:3n5lfWnQVMg3u4WFdyXh11">the Tyla Gang</a>. In 2007, the band reuinited to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their formation by playing some shows around Europe. Reinvigorated by touring, the band released Side Tracks and Smokers, their first full album of new material in over thirty years. ~ John Dougan