The Groundhogs albums ranked

[@JoyDivision88]

I saw them in 1971 when they were touring after the release of Split. They were so loud for a 3 piece and when they finished the set before the encore with Eccentric Man I thought the roof was gonna lift off. Great stuff.

[@VinylMonkey58]

Cheers and thanks for the comment. I guess that must make you even older than me :)

[@Mike-aka747]

Black Diamond album is very underrated. It’s got that certain charm as well. Kind of surprised you didn’t rate it. Other than that I agree with your rankings.

[@VinylMonkey58]

Thanks Mike-unfortunately my Groundhogs collection only goes up to 'Solid'. I'll continue to look out for their later stuff

[@Mike-aka747]

@@VinylMonkey58 yeah I think the next 2 are very well worth checking out. They’re freakin good. Razors Edge I didn’t see much for but that’s a matter of musical taste anyways.

[@skyhill4279]

I saw them at the height of their popularity playing to 3000 plus audiences and many times after that playing to a few hundred. I have all their albums both on vinyl and again on CD. They have been my favourite band since I first saw them on BBC's "Disco 2" show forerunner of OGWT. Ken Pustelnik was on drums out front and had a really sore face as some twat had chucked a chair at him during a gig. Great Drummer. RIP Tony "Tough Shit" McPhee. My favourite album is "Thank Christ for the Bomb" and my least favourite track is from Split, "Cherry Red" as most stations would play that instead of their other brilliant songs. I was at a gig where these folks kept shouting for "Cherry Red" and I was so happy that they refused to play it! Enjoyed the video, thanks.

[@VinylMonkey58]

Cheers skyhill -thanks for taking the time to comment. I only seen them twice-once at their height and then much later in a workingmen's club-both great gigs

[@skyhill4279]

When Thank Christ for the Bomb came out originally it had a limited release so I couldn't get it on the Isle of Man. I called Boots record dept. in Liverpool to reserve the one and only copy they had. Luckily I worked for the IoM Steam Packet so it only me 2 shillings and 6d return to head to the UK to get my album. The album cost me 39 shillings and 10d and it has given me decades of enjoyment. I told this story to TS and he offered to autograph the cover. I didn't let him but got him to sign my ticket instead but he did hold the album while on stage. Great videos. Cheers, Sky. 🇮🇲🇮🇲

[@VinylMonkey58]

Great story-much appreciated

[@andrasczehlarik9180]

Excellent band. I love it. R.I.P. TONY McPHEE😭

[@VinylMonkey58]

Cheers Andras -yes sad news of TS McPhee's passing. An innovative and genuine artist.

[@Dafalex22]

Hey "VM"......the YT algorithm brought me to your channel over the death of TS McPhee, known as the "White Hendrix" of his era. Your year old video has become 'relevant' again and might bring you additional viewership. Luv' your music library backdrop.......🖤♠

[@VinylMonkey58]

Cheers Dafalex-thanks for taking the time to comment

[@Dafalex22]

@@VinylMonkey58 like Arney once said...."I'll be bock!!" ♠

[@mattb.2594]

I just shared this with Pete Cruickshank, hi Pete! The guys actually recorded an album with John Lee Hooker called Hooker and the hogs.

[@VinylMonkey58]

Thanks Matt-but oh dear! -I hope I didn't say anything unkind/innaccurate. I shall try to look up the JLH collaboration

[@mattb.2594]

@@VinylMonkey58 He loved it mate, saw him today, we are writing new stuff for our band. He agreed with your chart!

[@VinylMonkey58]

@@mattb.2594 That's a big relief Matt. As a music loving non musician I have the utmost respect for you guys. Good luck with the new material

[@johnlamb2754]

I saw them in Harrogate around the time of Split. The audience were packed to the front of the stage,it was a standing only gig.When the Groundhogs blasted into their first song the whole crowd automatically moved back leaving the whole front empty.

[@VinylMonkey58]

Harrogate? -"the whole crowd moved back falling from their Zimmer frames-hearing aids left tangled on the floor". Sorry John - guess it was a great gig-just not happy that a non football retirement home like Harrogate sustain in the football league, while Hartlepool go down. It's only a daft game I guess. Thanks sincerely for taking the time to watch and comment

[@jameskennedy721]

Ive been curious about these guys . Thank you .

[@VinylMonkey58]

Cheers James

[@Stuck_in_the_70s]

Great video Mal. I’m a big fan of the Groundhogs was thinking of doing a ranking video of their albums as I don’t see many references to them. I’ll prob still do one as my order will be a bit different to yours take care cheers

[@VinylMonkey58]

Cheers-I'll look out for that one

[@bakeone4406]

First exposure was Who Will Save The World in 72 or 73, so I might have a soft spot for that one. It goes out on a limb in terms of intricate twisted psychedelic exploration, but it's still a pounding rock album with explosive power. Split is maybe the most brain melting recording from the Hogs. McPhee's sound on that one is about as narcotic as an electric guitar can get. The Split tracks (1 through 4) are gonna make a lot of good hard rock albums in your collection want run away and hide.

[@VinylMonkey58]

Thanks for this brilliant comment-sorry for tardiness of my response-just seen it today

[@nickryder9669]

Fantastic band live or on vinyl 3744 James road what a track ! What could be better ? Cherry red ! Makes my blood ! Or Garden ! Over grown ?

[@VinylMonkey58]

Cheers Nick-thanks for taking the time to comment

[@hasseelmerson]

First I must say I like your taste of music and like all your albums you showed, saw them once in Stockholms TV house for a radio Show even read a book about the group.......

[@VinylMonkey58]

Thanks for your kind comment Hasse

[@tomtrana3449]

Back then at parties, most of whom were listening to Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, put Cherry Red from the album Split on the turntable and crashed the party.

[@nickbarton3191]

I got into The Groundhogs because of The Hunt, when I was desperate for all things electronic. Tony's political take was just about right. Saw them live '74, brilliant stuff. These days, I love even the blues stuff. BTW lost all my lovely album covers in a divorce 20 years ago.

[@johnbellamy3406]

Hi Vinyl Monkey, I've just stumbled onto your channel. I didn't see an obvious place to start so I'll start with this video. Don't know much about the Groundhogs but I've picked up a couple of famous LPs by them from carboot sales this summer. First I found Split and then a week later found Thank Christ For The Bomb. I'm still trying to get to know them so it's interesting to hear your ranking. Oh, it seems the two I have are your top two. Nice I quite like the look of the cover on 'Who Will Save The World? The Mighty Groundhogs'. I'm a sucker for gimmick record covers. Cheers

[@VinylMonkey58]

Hi John -there must be nowt on the telly tonight :) Thanks for stumbling onto my channel and for your comments on all four (so far) videos. I will get round to replying to the individual comments, probably tomorrow

[@VinylMonkey58]

Ditto re album covers John. Over the years I've bought a few albums of artists I'd never heard of on the basis of an interesting cover. I've often been disappointed with the music within, but I'd say you won't be with that Groundhogs one-if you see it in a car boot-go for it

[@stevecullum2792]

Great band, great reviews. Met Tony once in Ipswich Corn Exchange after a gig seemed a very quiet humble man, well off stage anyway.

[@VinylMonkey58]

Cheers Steve -tanks for the kind comment

[@vinylrichie007]

The second album got you choked up.

[@cavewaller]

Love the Hogs!! Have you ever thought about doing something about the band Stray?

[@VinylMonkey58]

Hi Cavewaller- I do remember Stray from the 70s and one of my mates had some of their stuff, but for whatever reason I never got into them and haven't got any of their albums. Maybe you'd be best placed to do a video on them?

[@cavewaller]

@@VinylMonkey58 Ah!!! wouldn't know where to start. They were getting quite a high profile before covid and did some reunion gigs and did make a couple of DVDs. Always a good show but didn't really crack the 1st division. Bit like the Hogs; pallet was a bit broad maybe.

[@FighterPilot1945]

Good review of the hogs I've all their albums seen them few times they were a bit different rock band great 70s band ,cherry red, song I remember...

[@VinylMonkey58]

Thanks for sharing your memories of the Hogs Jon

[@davidlynch433]

Putting Hogwash bottom of the list means I am not watching the rest of this video.

[@VinylMonkey58]

I hope you are well David and can find videos you enjoy

[@chrisbennett1243]

Hey I would have hogwash right up there. But we all have slightly different tastes and it’s not like you said you didn’t like it.

[@whatevershebrings]

No 'Crosscut Saw' or 'Black Diamond', huh? 'Hogwash' is right up.there w,/ ' Thank Christ...' and 'Split', in this reporter's opinion. Thanks for your ranking just the same; a fabulous band that deserves more recognition than they got.

[@VinylMonkey58]

Thanks for the comment whatevershebrings. Unfortunately I don't (yet) own any of their albums beyond 'Solid'.

[@777sLc1]

Moving fast. Standing still. Was so ahead of time but its like hens teeth. All my hogs albums are vinyl its the only way .

[@VinylMonkey58]

Thanks for comment-I've never heard their post 70s stuff-I'll look out for that one

[@ShidaSoundfurniture]

Yeah nah, Hogwash is top three material.

[@amritsagar4964]

My favourite of theirs.

[@colinwhite5355]

It is rumoured that, in the early 70’s, the band were considering hiring a bespoke vocalist and that you auditioned. Sadly, rejected on the grounds that they found your views on humanity altogether too depressing. Your number one also mine.

[@goingnowherefastman]

You better cut down a bit, Mr.Smoketoomuch....

[@VinylMonkey58]

Haha-never smoked a tab since behind the bike sheds circa 1972

[@goingnowherefastman]

@@VinylMonkey58 Heh