Edgar Broughton Band

Edgar Broughton Band

Edgar Broughton Band are a rock group from Warwick, England, formed in 1968. They emerge from the late 1960s British underground blues scene and are associated with acid rock, blues rock, heavy psych, progressive rock and psychedelic rock. The core of the group centres on brothers Edgar Broughton, who sings and plays guitar, and Steve Broughton, who plays drums.

Line-up and early work

The band’s early line-up also includes bassist Arthur Grant and guitarist Victor Unitt. Unitt has also played with The Pretty Things. In 1971 the group moves away from its earlier trio format and brings Unitt back into the band, expanding the line-up.

Style and reputation

The band is known for combining bluesy and psychedelic hard rock with openly radical political ideas. Their approach places them alongside groups such as Groundhogs, Hawkwind and The Pink Fairies, while setting them apart through the political content of their work. They also gain a reputation for free concerts, including performances on the backs of lorries. Their music is also linked to protopunk and proto-heavy metal because of its forceful guitar work and confrontational edge.

Key songs and recordings

They are particularly associated with the chant “Out Demons, Out!”, which becomes one of their best-known performance pieces and is often extended with variations. Their self-titled third album, released in 1971, contains “Evening Over Rooftops”, with strings arranged by David Bedford, and “Thinking of You”, which features Mike Oldfield. The group’s 1975 album Bandages is followed by changes in personnel, including the departure of John Thomas and the arrival of Terry Cottam on guitar.

Later years

After recording the live album Live Hits Harder in 1976, the band dissolves. Edgar Broughton, Steve Broughton and Arthur Grant later regroup as The Broughtons and release Parlez-Vous English in 1979, with Tom Nordon and Pete Tolsen on guitar and Richard DeBastion on keyboards. They then record Superchip in 1982. After that, they do not record further studio material, though they continue to tour occasionally.

Return to live performance

Following a long break, the band returns to live activity in 2006 after renewed interest in their back catalogue. They complete a European tour in 2007, which includes an appearance at the Burg Herzberg Festival in Germany, and the group ends in 2010.