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Sunday Old School: Budgie

posted Oct 11, 2009 at 7:02 PM by Diamond Oz.  (6 Comments)

Continuing on from last week's edition of Sunday Old School, which focused on Black Sabbath, this week's column takes a look at another band from the very first wave of heavy metal, in this case, Welsh rockers Budgie. Budgie is perhaps best known for their song, "Breadfan" because Metallica frequently covered the song during live performances (Metallica has also covered another Budgie song, "Crash Course In Brain Surgery.") Metallica isn't the only big name band to have covered Budgie either. Iron Maiden covered the song, "I Can't See My Feelings," Van Halen covered the title track from the 1974 album, "In For The Kill," and Soundgarden recorded a cover of "Homicidal Suicidal," which comes from Budgie's self-titled debut.

Many people, myself included, feel that Budgie never really got the full recognition they deserved and when comparing the two bands, one could state that Budgie was, "the RUSH that didn't quite make it." However, their influence on heavy metal remains to this day, with the band still holding a large fan base in Poland, an to a lesser extent, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Budgie - "Breadfan"

Budgie - "Breaking All The House Rules"

Budgie - "Zoom Club"

Budgie - "Napoleon Bona Parts 1 & 2"

Budgie - "Pyramids"

Diamond Oz's avatar

Ollie Hynes has been a writer for Metal Underground.com for four years and has been a metal fan for ten years, going so far as to travel abroad for metal shows.

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6 Comments on "Sunday Old School: Budgie"

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deathbringer's avatar

Founder, owner & programmer

1. deathbringer writes:

Nice pick, Oz!

# Oct 12, 2009 @ 12:15 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
2. Fuzzypig writes:

Fantastic!

I worked with a guy, about 4 years ago, who is probably the only guy left who still held a torch for Budgie! Had everything they put out, still on immaculate vinyl copies.

I just love that old simple sound, that "rehearsal room" sound you only got on record in the early days.

Terrible shame, as you rightly say they were the Rush that sadly never made it.

# Oct 12, 2009 @ 3:26 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Diamond Oz's avatar

Senior News Correspondent

3. Diamond Oz writes:

Thanks guys! Not bad for something written at the last minute eh?

# Oct 12, 2009 @ 4:42 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
wilco's avatar

Member

4. wilco writes:

one of my favourite old school metal bands together with hawkwind
budgie allways had good album covers

hail to diamond oz

talk about oldschool oz what ever happend to raven

# Oct 12, 2009 @ 6:57 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Diamond Oz's avatar

Senior News Correspondent

5. Diamond Oz writes:

Yeah Budgie's album covers were great. They ranged from awesome to downright bizarre at times haha!

Raven are still going I think Wilco. Last I heard they were recording a new album.

# Oct 12, 2009 @ 8:45 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
KMADD's avatar

Supporter

6. KMADD writes:

A great and often overlooked rock band.

# Oct 12, 2009 @ 9:13 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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