Oh, how I love some British Rock. I want to thank Clive for bringing this song to my attention. I first learned about Pub Rock a few years ago from CB and Dave. The Motors are the first band I knew about and then Brinsley Schwarz. The genre sounded like raw rock and roll with a lot of power and punch. I could relate after playing in many bars myself through the years. There is a feel to that music…a lot of loud guitar and sweat which I enjoy.
I’ve been told that “pub rock” was not a compliment at the time. It started in the UK in the early 1970s. It was the anti-progressive and glam rock at a time when they were popular. It’s more of roots-type music which is right up my alley. Not that I don’t like glam and progressive but I like the stripped-back approach.
Dr Feelgood was formed in Caney Island, Essex, in 1971. Their members included Lee Brilleaux on vocals and harmonica, Wilko Johnson on guitar, John B. Sparks (Sparko) on bass, and John Martin on drums. They were one of the main bands in pub rock along with Brinsley Schwarz. They got their name from a Johnny Kidd and The Pirates song Dr. Feelgood. I’ve read different origins but that came from their official site.
By 1973 they were getting popular on the pub circuit and released their debut album in 1975 called Down By The Jetty. They released Milk and Alcohol in 1979 and it was written by Nick Lowe and John Mayo. Doesn’t it seem there were like 5 Nick Lowes back then? The man was everywhere. The song was influenced by Lowe drinking Kahlúa-milk drinks after a John Lee Hooker in the United States. It was inspired by a Hooker lyric about milk, cream, and alcohol.
The song peaked at #9 on the UK charts in 1979. This was the only top 10 song of their career. It was on the 1978 album Private Practice which peaked at #41 on the UK Album Charts that year. A version of the band is still going on now with different members.
Milk and Alcohol
White boy in townBig black, blue soundNight club, I paid inI got a stamp on my skin
Main attraction dead on his feetBlack man rhythm with a white boy beatThey got him on milk and alcoholThey got him on milk and alcohol
Stay put I wanna goHard work, bad showMore liquor, it don’t helpHe’s gonna die, it breaks my heart
I decided eventuallyThis ain’t doing a thing for meThey got him on milk and alcohol
They got him on milk and alcohol
They got him on milk and alcoholThey got him on milk and alcoholThey got him on milk and alcoholThey got him on milk and alcohol
Got up, I walked outTo the car, start it upFeel bad, sad nightI never saw a red light
Sirens were a screamin’ all aroundI pulled on over and I shut her downA black cop gave me a shove with his gunSaid up against the wall and don’t make a runThey got me on milk and alcoholThey got me on milk and alcohol
…
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Great tune Max. They seem to me from the live clips I watched to have a harder edge than most of the Pup Rock scene. But without them it might not have developed. As Chrisse Hynde is quoted as saying “All roads lead to Nick Lowe”!
I never heard that quote…but damn it’s true! I heard of these guys but never really heard them much. After Clive sent a link…I was like yea…this is good.
I read it in the Will Burch book about Nick.
I like it Max…nice work.
Very interesting I’ll check this out.
Thanks for reading!
The first mixed drink I ever had was a White Russian, which combines vodka, Kahlúa and cream.
Mine was a Pina Colada
Mine was ‘Cold Duck’ aka ‘Pre-hangover Special.’
LOL
I don’t remember what my first mixed drink was, but I remember the first time I got drunk it was on Strawberry Hill. I puked red in a phone booth…
Oh geez…I gotta stop reading these comments lol
LOL. My stomach hurts just thinking about it.
mine already is there!
feeling better today?
Yes…at work…just blah…but that is better than yesterday!
glad you’re heading in the right direction
Lol: Wow Lisa. Talk about putting a phone booth ‘Out Of Order.’
Indeed. I pity the foo who tried to use it next!
you and Randy are thinking along the same lines today! Funny, I don’t know if I had heard of these guys , I hear the term ‘Dr Feelgood’ and I think of the ’80s metal song. But they seem to have had something going. The Motors you mention made a few good records too.
Hope you’re feeling better today!
I’m so so Dave…not there really. I called out sick because there was no way I could go through a day. Just really tired and still feeling stuffed although nothing is in me lol.
They were known over here too, this was their big hit. Nick Lowe involved? No!
Feel better Max. Rest up, take aspirin, keep hydrated. NOT with ‘Cold Duck.’ Oh no no, never with ‘Cold Duck.’
Darn…I wanted a fun rest…Cold Duck doesn’t sound bad.
Sounds and tastes good going down. Coming back up..? Too bad.
I did NOT need to read that lol
Yes, you’re not feeling 100%.
Sorry.
My bad.
lol no problem!
It still sounds great, even after all these years. I’m pleased you like it, and thanks for the link back to me, but I apologise for messing up your Brinsley Schwarz link, which I’m guessing was to my post from Sunday? I posted again today so it just goes to the new one 🤣
LOL…sorry about that!
Oh yes I really like it and started to listen to some others that were popping up like Ducks Deluxe and some of the others…I really appreciate it. I do like out of the box here.
I’m glad you’ve found something new to enjoy here. If you look at the Wikipedia page for the genre you’ll find more, if you’re interested.
They were great but they weren’t as popular after Lee Brillaux (R.I.P.) and Wilco Johnson left
They did indeed have a great sound at that time.
Good one. I’ve been listening to a Wilko and Daltrey release for the last while.
I never knew they got together…I just pulled something up by them.
Good record.
Yes it is…very gritty.
That’s a cool album. I listened to it a few years ago! 🙂
I think I remember you featuring it.
You’re right, I did, like 3 or 4 times in different contexts – I love that song! 🙂
My kind of rock and roll. It’s got the geetars and it’s got the attitude.
YES!
Another great pick, Max, as far as I’m concerned. I love Dr. Feelgood! I remember hearing “Milk and Alcohol” on the radio back in Germany. Another song by this group I love is this one: 🙂
OH man I love that! I love this pub rock stuff…I really do.
Isn’t that a friggin’ cool song? Plus, nobody exactly knows what happened to those eight bars on the piano! 🙂
LOL… it is a great song. A lot of good songs came out of this scene…I liked this much better than the punk scene that followed.
I just love how tight it sounds. I also love the drums, especially the use of the crash cymbals. And the guitar part. A guess I love everything about the song! 🙂
Excellent article! But now I have Motley Crue’s Dr. Feelgood stuck in my head… yes, just seeing that name gets my internal head spinning with music. And I must sleep now. Ha!
I can’t say I knew anything about British pub rock. I have been to a hard rock concert in a Scotland pub though! Ha!
lol…that is closer than I got!
Cool tune Max! 😎
“He’s the one they call Dr.Feelgood” oh wait , Yeah I had to be that guy!
LOL…I knew someone would!
Ha! I can’t believe this! I was just listening to Dr. Feelgood the other night! Milk and Alcohol and Down at the Doctors. That’s Weird. Anyway, I really like them. Just good, straight ahead rock n roll.
Same wavelength!