Pub rock was a mid to late 1970s musical movement, largely centred around North London and South East Essex, particularly Canvey Island and Southend on Sea. Pub rock was largely a reaction to much of the popular music of the era, which tended to be dominated by progressive rock and highly polished, supposedly over-produced American West Coast 'AOR' sounds. Many viewed such music as inaccessible and 'out of touch', whilst pub rock was very much about getting 'back to basics', tending to be based around live performances in small pubs and clubs, playing unpretentious rhythm and blues influenced hard rock.

Pub rock was viewed by many as being an immediate precursor to the UK punk rock scene. Indeed, many pub rock acts such as Eddie and the Hot Rods went on to find fame in the first wave of British punk, whilst groups such as the 101er's featured Joe Strummer of The Clash, and Kilburn and the High Roads included Ian Dury amongst their members.

Influential pub rock acts

(please add names in alphabetical order);

• The 101er's
• Ace
• Bees Make Honey
• Brinsley Schwarz
• Elvis Costello
• Ducks Deluxe
• Eddie And The Hot Rods
• Dave Edmunds
• Eggs over Easy
• Dr. Feelgood
• John Otway
• Wilko Johnson
• Mickey Jupp
• The Hamsters
• Kilburn and the High Roads
• The Kursaal Flyers
• Man
• The Motors
• Graham Parker and the Rumour
• Riff Raff (Billy Bragg's first band)
• Sniff 'n' the Tears
• Squeeze
• Tyla Gang
• Wreckless Eric

See also;Power pop, Pub rock (Australia), Stiff records, British popular music, UK topics

Further information

• No Sleep Till Canvey Island- The Great Pub Rock Revolution by Will Birch