Biography
1. Budgie is a hard rock band from Cardiff, Wales, formed in 1967 by bassist and vocalist Burke Shelley, with guitarist Tony Bourge and drummer Ray Phillips. The band is recognized for its contribution to the development of heavy metal music.
Budgie’s early sound combined heavy riffs with high-pitched vocals, drawing comparisons to bands such as Black Sabbath and Rush. The original trio signed with MCA Records and released their debut album "Budgie" in 1971, followed by "Squawk" in 1972 and "Never Turn Your Back on a Friend" in 1973. These albums are often cited as significant works in the early heavy metal genre. The band was known for unusual song titles, including "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman", "Hot as a Docker's Armpit", "In the Grip of a Tyrefitter's Hand", and "You're the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk".
Ray Phillips left the band before the release of their fourth album, "In for the Kill!" (1974), and was replaced by drummer Pete Boot. Over time, Budgie experienced multiple lineup changes, with Burke Shelley remaining the sole consistent member. The band continued releasing albums during the 1970s, including "Bandolier" (1975), "If I Were Brittania I'd Wave the Rules" (1976), and "Impeckable" (1978).
During the rise of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal in the early 1980s, interest in Budgie resurged. They performed at the Reading Festival in 1980 and 1982 and released "If Swallowed Do Not Induce Vomit and Power Supply" (1980), "Nightflight" (1981), and "Deliver Us from Evil" (1982). The band disbanded in the mid-1980s.
Former members Bourge and Phillips formed the band Tredegar and released a self-titled album in 1985. Several prominent artists later covered Budgie's songs, including Metallica ("Crash Course in Brain Surgery", "Breadfan"), Iron Maiden ("I Can't See My Feelings"), and Soundgarden ("Homicidal Suicidal"). Van Halen also performed Budgie songs in their early years.
Budgie reunited occasionally during the 1990s for live performances. These reunions led to the release of compilation albums such as "An Ecstasy of Fumbling: The Definitive Anthology" and "Best of Budgie", as well as live albums including "Heavier Than Air: Live on the BBC" and "We Came We Saw", which features recordings from their Reading Festival appearances.
2. Budgie is also the stage name of Peter Edward Clarke, an English drummer born on August 21, 1957, in St Helens, Lancashire. He began his musical career with the Spitfire Boys and Big in Japan, later joining The Slits and playing on their album "Cut". In 1979, he became a member of Siouxsie and the Banshees and remained with the group until its dissolution in 1996.
3. Budgie is the name of a punk and acoustic punk rock act from Glasgow.
4. Budgie is also a hip-hop producer based in London and Los Angeles, whose work is influenced by gospel, soul, and funk music. He has collaborated with artists including The Alchemist and Action Bronson. Notable releases include "Holy Ghost Zone", "Holy Ghost Zone II", "The Good Book - Sweet Sweet Spirit", "The Good Book II - Chuuch Preach Tabernacle", "The Ballad Of A Dopehead", "Panty Soakers 0", "Panty Soakers 2", "Panty Soakers 3", "Panty Soakers 5", "Panty Soakers 6", and "Late Summer Soakers DX".
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