Budgie the band from Wales started by Burke Shelley(Bass, vocals) in 1967, adding Tony Bourge on guitar and Ray Phillips drums. Burke was said to have a Geddy Lee resemblance in looks and voice. Their unorthodox approach to musical arrangements made for some interesting and surprising pieces and albums. You never knew quite what to expect or what you were going to get from the band, but you knew it was going to be different and miles away from the norm. Sometimes you would get a folk type intro only to be slammed in the chest with a gut wrenching rock tune. Like other bands the original lineup do not go the distance and there were a few changes over the years, but the forming member Burke remained and his voice is synonymous with Budgie.
There was blues, folk, jazz and rock influence in their music and the ballads or mellow songs were way left field at times from the other tunes on the same album. Unfortunately they never attained the level of bands like Black Sabbath or Led Zep what a shame.
I discovered them around 1980 after purchasing the 8-track Bandolier on a whim, than about a year later with Power Supply.
Recently I have been trying to complete my CD catalog of their albums which is not easy. Most are out of print and hard to get even with multiple re-issues. For a short time in the 90’s I was having Wherehouse music special order CD’s for me but I stopped before I could get them all.
If you can find some of their LP’s I would strongly suggest you check them out if you are into finding obscure off the beaten path rock away from the everyday hum drum same ole’, same ole’.
The early albums are quite a mixture of different styles. Power Supply is one of their more straight ahead Rockers all the way through. Although the drummer may have been bored on this one as the beats are more conservative straight AC/DC style, but it will rock you none the less! Deliver Us From Evil is also more straight ahead rock but not quite as heavy as Power Supply. So go out there and find you some Budgie! I did! And I’m better for it.
Budgie discography
• Budgie (1971)
• Squawk (1972)
• Never Turn Your Back On A Friend (1973)
• In For The Kill (1974)
• Bandolier (1975)
• If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules (1976)
• Impeckable (1978)
• Power Supply (1980)
• Nightflight (1981)
• Deliver Us From Evil (1982)
• Life in San Antonio (2002)
• The Last Stage (2004)
• You're All Living in Cuckooland (2006)
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd16/madpioneer/BUDGIE.jpg

I've got a couple of Budgie recordings, Never Turn Your Back on a Friend
and In for the Kill, but I cannot profess to be a big fan. I like about half the songs on each of these albums.

This band sure knew how to come up with some interesting song titles, e.g., Crash Course In Brain Surgery, You're the Biggest Thing Since the Powdered Milk, and In the Grip of a Tyrefitter's Hand.

I Love their early albums! I had many good times spinning them in my friends den together with a good single malt...maybe i should call him, weekend is coming closer..

I recently acquired these on vinyl.

• Budgie (1971)
• Bandolier (1975)
• Impeckable (1978)
• Power Supply (1980)
• Nightflight (1981)

All once played (to tape). Given to me with the understanding that I would rip them and return a CD. I gave them all one listen and thought they were interesting. Kind of progressive sounding as I recall. I need to give them another listen.

Bought In For The Kill when I was in 7th grade. Progressed to Bandolier and after hearing Sky High Percentage from If I Were Brittania, I'D Waive The Rules I was a fan for sure.

I Ain't No Mountain, Anne Neggen, Nude Disintegrating Parachute Woman, and of course SHP are my fav's. :rockon:

First heard Bandolier while in Berlin.Have been a fan since.Many bands were popular in Europe with us GI's.Heard a lot of good music over there that took a bit to track down here.

I've had a copy of "If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules" on CD for sometime and have always liked it. Guess I need to look into a few of there other albums.

I've had a copy of "If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules" on CD for sometime and have always liked it. Guess I need to look into a few of there other albums.

You need to hear my vinyl copy :banana: