They were famous for performing free concerts, often on the backs of lorries (which is probably not that pertinent here, except to the extent that this was you had do, in those days, to ensure the achievement of complete political independence from the recording industry oligarchy, and, by implication, the political establishment. Their political aim was said to be 'subverting what's above'. Their bluesy and psychedelic hard rock, combined with their politics, led to their frequent inclusion in the bracket of protopunk..
Arguably, their original approach to music could also be interpreted, a little more liberally, by crediting them with the label protoheavy metal (given their pioneering, as well as creative, guitar work). This radical approach to music, art, and, pertinently,active (hence {hoperfully} effective) politics, also seems to have resulted in frequent hassle by the "filth" (police) for no (apparently) justifiable reason.
Edgar Broughton a Band that was clearly strongly influenced by Captain Beefheart , as evidenced, for example, by "Apache Dropout. This is a clear tribute to, and endorsement of, "Dropout Boogie" from Beefheart's first album (Safe as Milk), as well as a somewhat more tongue in cheek allusion to "Apache" (a big '60's hit for the Shadows).
Perhaps best known for their chant: "Out Demons, Out!" which was always played at length, with variations for political leaders on both sides of the 'pond'. Performing this at Keele University they handed out spray cans and the union bulding was covered in graphiti police arrived and a riot ensued.
In 1971, the band decided that existence as a power trio was limiting, and asked Victor Unitt, who had been playing meanwhile in The Pretty Things, to rejoin the band. In May 1971, with the new lineup, they released possibly their finest work: their eponymous third album, which contained the classic "Evening Over Rooftops" (again with strings by David Bedford which Edgar Broughton called "stunning"). Mike Oldfield also featured on "Thinking Of You".
Shortly after the release of Bandages in 1975, John Thomas left and was replaced by Terry Cottam. In 1976, having recorded the live album Live Hits Harder (which was not released until 1979), the Edgar Broughton Band dissolved.
Later, Edgar and Steve Broughton, together with Grant, re-grouped as The Broughtons to release Parlez-Vous English in 1979, with Tom Nordon and Pete Tolsen playing guitar and Richard DeBastion on keyboards.
After releasing Superchip in 1982 the band recorded no more studio material but did continue touring infrequently.
Following a lengthy hiatus with occasional gigs, the band returned to live action in 2006, after the re-issue of their back catalogue had stimulated new interest in their work. The band then completed a European tour in 2007, including an appearance at the German Burg Herzberg Festival.
The EBB disbanded in 2010.
Crying
Edgar Broughton Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got off a train about midday into a yellow taxi cab
The station was deserted, the taxi driver said
‘Where you want to go the Bar, Hotel, looking for a place to go?'
I saw no-one who knew me, nor no-one did I know
I went down the mall, to Mary below, to Blackbull shop
The man said ‘My dear, she died last year' and I said I will not stop
The sky it was all bleeding, the rain cloud crashing down
We saw people drawn out, nobody you will steal
Statesman sitting there at the table, unharmed by fire or fear
Oh, said his name so boldly, the others followed on
What I had seen that morning could never be undone
Everything was gone, gone, everything was gone
Everything was gone, gone, everything was gone
A boy playing with a gun there, colder than the air
A bill to give him, gave him, felt he was not there
The skins they were all boiling, and the heap rose 10 miles high
I saw a priest praying for me, shockwave in the sky, sky, sky
Shockwave in the sky
The lyrics of Edgar Broughton Band's song "Crying" depict a surreal and dystopian world that the singer finds himself in. He arrives at a deserted train station and goes on a journey through the town, encountering strange and disturbing scenes. He learns that a woman he knew has passed away and sees the aftermath of violence and destruction with people drawn out and a boy playing with a gun. The sky is bleeding and there is a shockwave in the sky. The singer seems to be lost and disoriented, unable to make sense of the world around him.
The song can be interpreted as a critique of societal structures and the chaos and violence they can create. The singer's inability to find his way or connect with others suggests a sense of alienation and disconnection that many people may feel in modern society. The image of a boy playing with a gun highlights the destructive potential of unchecked aggression and the toll it can take on individuals and communities. The shockwave in the sky suggests a catastrophic event that has brought about this dystopian world.
Overall, "Crying" offers a bleak and unsettling view of the world. The disjointed and surreal imagery creates a sense of dislocation and despair, while the singer's confusion and bewilderment suggest a need for deeper understanding and meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
I got off a train about midday into a yellow taxi cab
After arriving at the train station, I took a yellow taxi cab at around noon.
The station was deserted, the taxi driver said 'Where you want to go the Bar, Hotel, looking for a place to go?'
The train station was empty and the driver asked where I wanted to go - a bar or a hotel, perhaps.
I saw no-one who knew me, nor no-one did I know
I didn't see any familiar faces and no one recognized me.
I went down the mall, to Mary below, to Blackbull shop
I walked down the shopping center to see Mary's store, Blackbull Shop.
The man said 'My dear, she died last year' and I said I will not stop
The man at the shop told me that Mary had passed away last year, but I refused to stop and leave.
The sky it was all bleeding, the rain cloud crashing down
The sky turned red as if bleeding, with a heavy downpour of rain.
But what I saw that moment could never be undone
Something I witnessed during that moment cannot be reversed or erased from my memory.
We saw people drawn out, nobody you will steal
We saw people coming out of their houses, but there was no one to rob or steal from them.
Statesman sitting there at the table, unharmed by fire or fear
A prominent leader was seated at a table, unscathed by any danger or fear.
Oh, said his name so boldly, the others followed on
I said the statesman's name loudly and others began to repeat it.
What I had seen that morning could never be undone
Something I saw earlier that day cannot be reversed or undone.
Everything was gone, gone, everything was gone
All that was familiar or known had disappeared completely.
A boy playing with a gun there, colder than the air
I saw a boy playing with a gun, and it felt colder than the atmosphere around us.
A bill to give him, gave him, felt he was not there
I tried to give the boy some money, but it felt like he wasn't even present in that moment.
The skins they were all boiling, and the heap rose 10 miles high
The temperature increased so much that the skins of those around me began to boil, and a heap rose up to 10 miles high.
I saw a priest praying for me, shockwave in the sky, sky, sky
I witnessed a priest praying for me as a shockwave reverberated through the sky.
Shockwave in the sky
A shockwave was felt throughout the sky.
Writer(s): Robert Broughton
Contributed by Alex V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Stephen Solar
on Death of an Electric Citizen
and the trickle was a stream.. (not raindrop was a stream)
Run, run, runnin' runnin' to the sea. (not ready... ready to the sea)