Vivian Stanshall's Big Grunt - 11 Mustachioed Daughters

[@AccurateCrabLegs]

This is the only thing on youtube that makes sense.

[@davidmakin6984]

I dunno - most of the Bonzo's stuff makes sense ;)

[@styxcreek]

+AccurateCrabLegs best youtube comment ever.

[@portcullis5622]

Probably the finest 5 minutes on the whole of KZbin!

[@AA-eq5wk]

you are absolutely right... I joined this youtube just for this....

[@piplee1439]

Amen

[@johnnycrawford1584]

Anyone interested in learning to play The Leg should be made aware that it does require 10,000 hours however after putting in the time, the thighs the limit.

[@myboythom]

Yeah but to play the leg yooz gotta have sole

[@illuminotmereloaded6896]

biG Grunt was the brainchild of Vivian Stanshall and was created following the demise of The Bonzo Dog Band. Although Stanshall had released a single with his 'Sean Head Showband' after the Bonzo's had split, biG Grunt was intended to be Stanshall's major new post Bonzo project. biG Grunt included two members of the Bonzo Dog Band. The Bassist Dennis Cowan (who was also working in Neil Innes' post Bonzo band, The World) as well as the Bonzo's 'third songwriter',reeds player and eccentric inventor, Roger Ruskin Spear. The other members of biG Grunt were guitarists Bubs White and 'Borneo' Fred Munt (both of whom were members of the Bonzo's road crew) and on drums Ian Wallace (also of Innes' The World and later King Crimson) biG Grunt's career was shortlived spanning from 1970 to 1971. They released only one single, 'Blind date', (written for, but turned down by crooner Matt Monroe). It is the story of a gorilla and a pygmy who meet up through a dating agency. It was doube A sided with 'Suspicion', a song by another of Stanshall's short-lived groups, 'Vivian Stanshall and his Gargantuan Chums.' biG Grunt also recorded four titles for the John Peel sessions in March 1970. It was their first public appearance and the four titles, recorded live, were; 'Blind Date', '11 Mustachioed Daughters' (from the Bonzo Dog band's second album), as well as 'The Strain' and 'Cyborg Signal'. These tracks demonstrate the humour and musicality of biG Grunt as well as the originality and musical diversity of the band. These four songs range in sound from country and western parody through to a rock instrumental 'freakout' not unlike many progressive bands of the day. biG Grunt played a number of well recieved live shows and also appeared on the BBC's "Marty Amok" for comedian Marty Feldman. Despite largely enthusiastic responses from the music press and public alike, the band had, to all intents and purposes, become defunct by the summer of 1971 due to the personal problems of it's founder and leader Vivian Stanshall. biG Grunt never developed into the major project that Stanshall had hoped for but nevertheless, for a time, biG Grunt achieved a genuinely original and pioneering sound that fused avant garde music with surreal visuals and distinctive humour.

[@relic69]

Brilliant musicians

[@carolramsey6287]

Was that Nigel Watson on guitar?

[@illuminotmereloaded6896]

@@carolramsey6287 No that’s Bubs White.

[@TheGroovySideOftheTube]

Dennis Cowan - the most underrated 60s bass player ever? Click like if you agree! He's brilliant!

[@derby1884]

The Groovy Side Of the Tube You said it, man - and not even a Wiki page on him. Shall we open one up?

[@timscott6081]

+The Groovy Side Of the Tube The drummer is killing it too !

[@o_guguito]

The one and only Ian Wallace, later from King Crimson et al.

[@btherr]

Couldn't agree more. I'm often surprised he didn't stand out more, even as a core member of the Bonzos, let alone as a session player. Incredible talent.

[@karpizan]

This isn't Twitter. But yes, very underrated.

[@MrTriaxiom]

So sad to hear that the lovely Bubs White passed away at the weekend following a short illness. I hope he's up there now wearing that angel suit and hammering out those great chops on his Telecaster.

[@irplane]

Bubs getting down on the guitar, I picture him in the angel costume jamming everytime I listen to Vivians 1st album

[@kentclark6420]

I like them more in their videos than with just the audio. So much of their act is visual.

[@bevla341]

Billy Shepherd doing his Viv act

[@MARACUTAIA239]

How did you know that?

[@bigtone1348]

When are you fools gonna stop this Billy crap?

[@Jessamer]

You can't unsee it! Glass eye and all

[@33onlytwin]

Some prat on KZbin doing his 'demented conspiracy theorist' act.

[@marcfedak]

Thanks to KZbin this highly entertaining late 60s psychedelic rock absurdist theatre song is accessible anytime. It seems to me like it's a friendly parody of "Tales of Brave Ulysses" by Cream. For years I only encountered Vivian Standshall in UK mid 60s rock history books.

[@freshmountain]

My sister saw The Bonzo Dog Band at the Isle of Wight concert. Found out they were appearing in Minneapolis, 1970?, along with Steve Miller Band (what a combo!) so I went. I collected all their albums, and, basically no others, as a teen!

[@relic69]

Get's more intriguing with every view. Bless I was lucky to follow all they have done in the 60s & 70s

[@MARACUTAIA239]

Magical Mistery Tour

[@stevesavitsky296]

Possibly the greatest musical video piece in the entire history of humankind...

[@growlerthe2nd712]

You are not wrong

[@davesmatedave]

This is the best version of this song I've heard.

[@alanollier9683]

Viv was an unrecognized National treasure, so English He almost broke the mold, a superb satirist and so versatile He could work with Mike Oldfield and The Damned ( lovely Money is laugh out loud funny) not to mention the outragious Rawlinson End, a work that really did put Him up with the likes of Joyce and Dylan Thomas, real genius sadly missed.

[@615al4]

He sure was. I would of really liked to have seen this band with Viv. I have heard from two fans that i guess knew him and one said he was a really nice guy also.

[@forestsoceansmusic]

He had EXTRA CHARISMA from the start (1966).

[@Talvec12]

@@615al4 I met him once, he really did come across as nice.

[@markdylan8676]

@@forestsoceansmusic The 'Vivian' from the 1960s is a different man than the later one from the 70s and 80s. They are obviously different people. The 'Vivian' from the 1960s is now 'Paul McCartney',

[@limzog9]

Sounds a bit like tragic with Michel Bentine

[@nigelmitchell351]

I'm privileged to have grown up with this stuff on children's TV. I believe this has made me the well rounded individual I may or may not be today. Thanks Viv, we'll never see your like again .

[@615al4]

nigel mitchell just check Paul McCartney s new album, same guy..... look into it.......

[@abcbcde9985]

Well rounded? Just like me!!! The accountant who gave up the profession to join a circus (very round).... ha,,,,ha,,,, ha and other manic laughter type noises as I disappear into the undergrowth, along with Major Bloodkonk.

[@pearlfisher2813]

Bravo sir. Hear hear !

[@thehellyousay]

You lucky bastard. You lucky, jabby bastard...

[@GLK-London]

How blessed we were!

[@mehcol]

quite possibly the funniest fing ever ! god bless the bonzo fan who gave us the chance to watch such beauty !

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Words cannot express how much I love this footage!

[@BrianKishreviews]

tho this is a re-upload, this is the first video i can recall specifically seeking out on youtube so many years ago. damn the bonzos and viv are still so briliant

[@D1fferentDrummer]

"The guy up the front with teh robots" is Roger Ruskin-Spear one of the Bonzo's Saxophonists (still performing & still with the robots). The Bass player; Dennis Cowan is also ex-Bonzo's The Drummer on the other hand is ex- King Crimson; Ian Wallace. Great stuff !

[@renata3691]

The Drummer on the other hand is ex- King Crimson OH!!

[@spoonjarjarspoon]

Eleven moustachioed daughters, running in a field of fat, the moon is full, the mandrake screams, please come to our sabbat. The changeling children shiver, round the fire their mothers dance, with strangely painted faces, that smile but never laugh. The crow-pecked gibbet's victim swings broken in his cage, his hands cut down to make a crown, to wear as our homage. Around and round the magic ring soft figures fastly rush, and wolf-like things and toads with wings whisper wetly "Come with us"

[@Nomadmandolin]

These cats are something else....love the bass/drums all of it yea....

[@deepindercheema4917]

There is much to like about this remarkable performance, but today it is the vision how Bubs propels this monster along by sheer Telecastergoodness and by the hem of his gown.

[@mehcol]

still the best, still watching in my dotage, thanks for the memories guys from the bottom of my heart

[@BognarRegis]

The groove on this reminds me of Captain Beefheart from the Safe As Milk era. Fucking brilliant.

[@reginaldside4575]

Now, just supposing Don Van Vliet had got into making props as well as paintings and drawings

[@randyklimstra5817]

I particularly liked the leg solo.

[@a.a.1253]

It's a theremin.

[@Pwecko]

@@a.a.1253 Yes, but it's disguised as a leg.

[@Macilmoyle]

​@@Pwecko I've actually played with Roger's leg (phnar, phnar) when he used to have a residency in The Cartoon in Croydon with Tattyollity.

[@gurgisjones1120]

Wow, what did I just stumble across? This is wonderfully freaky and original.

[@andrewcollins4118]

Viv Stanshall was a genius

[@markdylan8676]

He still is. He's now known as 'Paul McCartney'.

[@Claytone-Records]

Since Paul Mach 1 blew his mind out in a car.

[@johnmitchelljr]

I think the verdict is brilliant. I sometimes this is the best video I've ever seen. Thank you.

[@beesleyc]

AMAZING upgrade! I used to love this even when it looked like it was all under muddy water, but THIS is more like it. THANKS!

[@mehcol]

get's better every view. God bless ya Viv et al.

[@fabios66]

This is ace, i rock out to it once a day

[@seansbentley]

Certainly glad these moments of insanity have been preserved!

[@paulewhite]

Wow the band sounds great!!!

[@KidCarlyle]

Maybe the best goddam thing I've ever seen or heard.

[@forestsoceansmusic]

Brilliant send-up of the heavy rock bands from the early '70s. It was still basically the Bonzo Dog Band, and they had a proud history of sending up just about every other big band of their time.

[@kentclark6420]

I was wondering if this was Bonzo. I thought it was, but the title?

[@forestsoceansmusic]

Well yeah, as the Bonzo Dog Band shed members in the early 1970s they began to use other names like "The Vivian Stanshall Sean Head Showband", so maybe Vivian Stanshall's Big Grunt was another such name. (Vivian was the usual lead singer of the Bonzo Dog, but didn't always sing lead. Neil Innes the next most frequent lead singer, and other different members at different times.)

[@reverendbarker650]

Actually it is not the Bonzos, who would split up 14th March 1970, other than Viv and Roger Ruskin Spear and an ex Bonzo member Bubbles White on guitar, this is a different lineup This was a new band which only lasted a few gigs, pity, as they had a great deal of potential, Viv was too out of it at the time to make a go of this band , a few months later he was was in a psychiatric hospital for a stay of 2 months.

[@jonasrmb01]

@@reverendbarker650 Actually Vivian Stanshall wasn't a real person

[@brianjones4026]

yes even the Beatles with the Sgt Pepper Lonely Heart Club Band, with Viv, sorry, Billy playing Our Paul, who actually blew his mind out in a car !

[@dartboardpicasso]

@beesleyc My sentiments exactly. I'm so happy to see its back on KZbin in such better quality. I wonder if there's any more Big Grunt stuff out there?

[@geraintgriffiths9435]

Faul's off his head !

[@TheCablad]

Utter...utter...utter...GENIUS! Vic & Bob watch and learn.

[@maxwellfan55]

I believe Viv would have loved KZbin. God bless you Viv. priceless. The bass player's pretty hot too!

[@BrianKishreviews]

same bass player as in the bonzos (from tadpoles on-wards i think)

[@digitalramyun]

Dennis Cowan. Sadly, he didn't have long to live after this - I understand he died in 1973 of peritonitis. Cowan was close to Viv and Neil Innes, both of whom paid tribute to him in their work - Innes dedicated his "Re-Cycled Vinyl Blues" album to Cowan, and Stanshall penned "Empty Chair" in his memory, which Stevie Winwood recorded.

[@BrianKishreviews]

he was quite underrated as well, i love his distinctive bass tone on those albums

[@neilsun2521]

"Fireman likes KZbin" - Sir Paul

[@TippetyWichet]

Vacant Chair.

[@beesleyc]

AMAZING upgrade! I loved this even with a download that looked like everything was taking place under water. But this is really something! THANKS!

[@ruebenroder]

It's a long time since I saw this one here... quality IS better, but mostly I'm happy I can see it again... without it I really felt lost.... Great!

[@Goatman333]

This is such an excellent piss-take of the contemporary early 70s prog rock - whilst remaining a hard driving on point bit of rock. I was ( slightly) reminded of Cream :-) check the lyrics of ' I Feel Free'. rest in peace Sir Vivian [ for shurely he would have been by now.Ed ]

[@markdylan8676]

The man who played 'Vivian Stanshall' in this video is named William Shepherd. Later on in the 1970s, another man took over the role of 'Vivian'. The one with the bald head and ginger beard - it's a different man. He died in 1995. The original 'Viv', this one in the video, William Shepherd, is now 'Paul McCartney'. So yes, you're right - he's now a 'Sir'.

[@velvetpilot2008]

William Shepherd was and still is a genius. He could do it all from Stanshall to McCartney and who knows what else lies between.

[@mehcol]

still with ya Viv. Thanks to Neil, too. Many fab memories.

[@Claytone-Records]

When we were truly fab.

[@mehcol]

@@Claytone-Records they were totally fab.

[@JamesBarometer-jv9kk]

Amount of effort and thought and rehearsal that went into the visual show....

[@spudcustardx1]

I mean, I love the MC5 but this makes me smile more, think I have just about everything the Bonzos and Viv did, bleedin love spud awesome

[@AyliCarper]

MC5 at Aylesbury Friars is somehow similar to this.

[@micheleturley8870]

What's they on? I want some !

[@naulahka1]

The goons, python and the undeniable link between this and music, thanks Vivian......

[@Ghoopty]

I can't help wishing that the music was as surreal as the visuals.

[@mrgordons]

I have finally seen all there is to see. It took me awhile.

[@forestsoceansmusic]

That's a big claim. You will retract that statement if you have an open mind and keep looking.

[@nighowkins1936]

I keep coming back to this...they are cookin. Wonder if Vic n Bob were influenced by the Bonzos...The big night out? ... i reckon so.

[@ruebenroder]

I already lost hope .... I saw it a lot of times but then it was gone... quality is much better but mostly I'm happy to have it back.... Great!

[@robertjamesgreen]

There will never ever be a band as genius as these again. So glad I lived thro that generating

[@mcmanwich]

I see Devo, Homer Simpson and Herbie Hancock's Rockit video in this clip. Very influential, apparently.

[@ericmuschlitz7619]

I've only just found out about Neil Innes, Vivian Stanshell, theRutles . It's like a mandala experience, so many references blew by me before. In the states, we never really were exposed.

[@RalphPacheco2]

I also see Billy Shears

[@micheljch]

It's Ian Wallace, but this was in 1970. I believe it is from Marty Feldman's variety/comedy special "Marty Amok", which was broadcast on 30vMarch of 1970, a full year and then some before Wallace became part of King Crimson.

[@kyrastube]

so wonderful! another man I miss even if I never met him.

[@jamesrossi8442]

Love this song. LIKE A BEASTSssssss.

[@jonvalinski]

Absolutely brilliant !!!!

[@maxinemckenzie5765]

A parody of Black Widows "Come to the Sabbat"? Groovy!

[@desperatemohammedantheworl5833]

Now you mention it Maxine I hear it too. However as davey said the song actually predates Black Widow's track by a few years.

[@daviddavis3155]

So much more entertaining than anything else out there

[@GLK-London]

Wonderful! How we miss dear Viv .

[@markdylan8676]

He's still around.

[@pippasghost]

@Notebooked - It's from a BBC show called "Marty Amok", first broadcast in March 1970.

[@AndyMossMetta]

Makes Frank Zappa seem middle of the road!

[@GekoPish]

Franks musicianship is waaaaaaaaay beyond this.

[@zelly8163]

Did you know that Vivian Stanshall and Captain Beefheart were friends?

[@alanollier9683]

@@zelly8163 The Band do sound awfully like "The Magic Band" here..

[@MrJimbaloid]

@@zelly8163 oh go on.

[@roverenderalligator9104]

I'm a Zappa fan too but don't see it as a way-outness or musicianship contest between The Bonzo's & The Mothers. Both phenomenal bands & room for both. And yes, l knew Viv & Beefheart were buddies. I understand they talked about art mostly.

[@illuminotmereloaded6896]

Innovations in sound, no doubt. I find myself missing the sound of the electric shirt collar though.

[@postatility9703]

A clear example of the best in absurdist humor,sorely missing in today's music in any genre.

[@fistofonan]

Isn't it! A BBC session recording of this song (and 3 other numbers) was rebroadcast on BBC 6music the other week, and I missed it. Gah!

[@Stationario]

Is there anyone in the world who can compare to this. Love the man, the times, the anarchy

[@JoshuaCraigStrain]

His green wig has flies - cute !!

[@SLEEKGOD]

these guys ate there vitamins!!!

[@desertrance]

Fucking Magic!!! Wish this was a full show !

[@hdoddema]

Oh, its that type of KZbin recommendation. Thanks!

[@mikejaz2]

God Bless Viv Stanshall!

[@fistofonan]

@lechaise Gideon Coe, on BBC 6music, has played out the Big Grunt sessions in the last couple of years. So they still exist in the BBC archives.

[@mikesportmurphy]

@cottageorgan : that's Bubs White, also played on Bonzos "Let's Make Up And Be Friendly" and Stanshall's "Men Opening Umbrella's Ahead"

[@lenafan492]

02:43 Nice to see Vivian bringing diversity to television back in the 70s

[@nuteski]

can't stop watching

[@patrickdoake6022]

Captain beef hearts lost band!!

[@emilyoshiro]

OMG!!! THIS IS BLOODY MAD!! THANK U SON OF GOD!!!

[@cliveabbey8587]

I LOVE this band ❤️ SO Funny and Cool 😎 😄

[@stevenkalka]

Absolutely surreal! A total blast.

[@TRASHBOUTIQUE-ow8gw]

My fave Bonzo's track along 'we are normal' a big influence

[@TRASHBOUTIQUE-ow8gw]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4O1lYVnrs6fbpIsi=yaIbxqcViiQO3Lk3

[@peggs1]

Step back Zappa , move aside Beefheart , these guys are before you were born

[@cliffordadams8353]

I’m Irish but this is the best of English eccentricity in-line with Monty Python. Bonkers

[@dogsnoses]

Fuck me. Viv I can't stop laughing !!!

[@Ghoopty]

Cool......heard good things about that album. I only have History Of The Bonzos (the compilation), which is nevertheless great. Your picture is from that Vorhias video, "Pie, Right?" Awesome!!!

[@haroldz2323]

Craziness....pure fun!!!

[@HughTerry69]

Juicy Loosey! I like it. A bangin' little tune that somehow missed the Top 20 ;)

[@Wilma1529]

I can see it now! This is creative and was transferred into the Beatles. Shepard was a Genius. Check out The Gong and Peter Gabriel with the costumes and the like.

[@grahamwilliams1375]

I don't know much,but I know what I like and I like this.........

[@MrDersuUzala]

Roger Ruskin Spear was being very naughty in this one!

[@lordjagged8625]

We all need some viv in our lives.

[@karimtabrizi376]

Wow this fantastic !!!

[@chriscameron9321]

Monty Python & The Big Boosh would never have been, without Bill & his Band.)

[@andymoore9977]

Yep!

[@Zopf-international]

I came here because Windows 10 is fucking horrendous. I feel safer here.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Does anyone know who the little guy in the dress playing guitar is? He's great! Viv, genius as usual. What a dull and restrained world we live in. Imagine turning on your T.V. and seeing this blasting out! You'd think the water source had been dossed with acid!! Sure beats The Fattest Loser or American Idol or whatever...what am I saying I don't even have a T.V. for this very reason!! Thanks so much for the post, I'm beaming...A

[@Housephonestimes4]

The COMICAL FLEETWOOD MAC! LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM!

[@baconmaster1023]

Lyrics 11 Moustachioed Daughters. Running in a field of fat. The full moon high, the mandrakes speak, please come To our sabat. The changing children shiver round the fire their Mothers dance. Strangely painted faces that smile but never laugh. The crow pecked gibbet's victim, swings broken in his cage His hands cut down to make a crown to wear as a Homage. Round and round the magic things our fingers fastly Rush And wolf like things and toads with wings whisper wetly "Come with us" Fresh plucked eye of a favourite cat, pulped and mixed With white hens fat, a lapwings wing, and lions roar, like belladonna to make your eyes Like a beast To anoint the body and make it shine To drink and make thyself divine To choose another form and make it thine And knowledge of a blasphemy And fill the fetid air With ancient lies And leprous cries This night he will be there A madness has the mouthsgate wide, As one they sway and moan, And every brutish face is turned To see our goat kings throne

[@MARACUTAIA239]

I lost my little girl.

[@MegaDodoRecords]

Big Grunt's only John Peel session is available on limited edition 12-inch vinyl. Also comes with a download code. megadodo.bigcartel.com/product/vivian-stanshall-big-grunt

[@nneilzen]

Had some of this bunch of lovely loons play at a piss up to celebrate me birthday, lovely.

[@thomasbell7033]

This performance seems as if Viv threw it together at the last minute. And yet, ever since I discovered it I can't stop coming back. I also can't put my finger on what, if anything, is being parodied, as though everyone's in on the gaff but me. Anybody know where it was taped?