Dr. Feelgood are an English pub rock band formed in 1971. Hailing from Canvey Island, Essex, they are best known for early singles such as "She Does It Right", "Roxette", "Back in the Night" and "Milk and Alcohol". Their original and distinctively British R&B sound was centred on Wilko Johnson's choppy guitar style. Along with Johnson, the initial band line-up included singer Lee Brilleaux and the rhythm section of John B. Sparks, known as "Sparko", on bass guitar and John Martin, known as "The Big Figure", on drums. Although their most commercially productive years were the mid to late-1970s, and in spite of Brilleaux's death in 1994 of lymphoma, a version of the band continue to tour and record.
Dr. Feelgood in 2009. Left to right: Robert Kane, Steve Walwyn, Kevin Morris, Phil H. Mitchell
Dr. Feelgood's mascot, as used by the band in the 1970s and early 1980s
Guitarist Steve Walwyn in Barcelona, 18 March 2009
Current vocalist Robert Kane performing in Barcelona, 18 March 2009
Pub rock (United Kingdom)
Pub rock is a subgenre of rock music that emerged in the early to mid-1970s in the United Kingdom. A back-to-basics movement, which incorporated roots rock, pub rock was a reaction against the expensively-recorded and produced progressive rock and flashy glam rock scenes at the time. Although short-lived, pub rock was played live in small traditional venues like pubs and clubs. Since major labels showed no interest in pub rock groups, pub bands sought out independent record labels such as Stiff Records. Indie labels used relatively inexpensive recording processes, so they had a much lower break-even point for a record than a major label.
The Hope and Anchor in Islington, a notable pub rock venue
Ian Dury and the Blockheads live at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, 1978