Back In the Day, 1977

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band

Rock Drill

(Mountain)

1970s S.A.H.B. concert spectacles were gaudy melanges of props, costumes, kilted bagpipers, choreography, shenanigans, and leggy showgirls cavorting to rock-ribbed dynamism. Soft-shoeing beneath rainbow stobes, flamboyant showman Alex waved high the Vaudevillian tradition. For fans unable to attend the group's shows (which found much more favor with Europeans than Americans), characteristically eccentric records provided fulfillment. Rock Drill was S.A.H.B. LP number eight and has seen numerous rereleases, including in CD format. Alex's wondrous storytelling and hoarse propoundings (not to mention waggishness) had earned the Scotsman legions of adherents and shone on the record, as did his fascination with Nessie. As was typical of his combo, its prog-rock propensities  - visible in both compound constructions and synthesizer expansiveness - were not predominant as equal voice was granted orthodox hard-rock thrust. Mime-faced Zal Clemenson's fantastical guitar adventurings had their roots in Blues, but exploited those as springboards into licks that slashed through arty gestures with conventional potency.

Recommended: "The Dolphins," "Rock & Rool," "King Kong," "Who Murdered Sex?," "Nightmare City," "Mrs. Blackhouse"

Video: "Nightmare City"

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