I saw Rockpile when they opened for Elvis Costello and I felt bad for Elvis Costello. It's an understatement to say they were a great live band. They were Epic. Mink Deville was very under rated also. I instantly became a huge fan. 1978 seems like yesterday.
Saw Dave Edmunds shortly after Rockpile, in June 1982 at a club in Portland, OR; one of my five favorite concerts EVER. Halfway through the opening number you could see tables and chairs being lifted up and passed from person to person to the sides of the room and the whole place was a big dance floor. Never saw a frenzy like that at any other show.
Great video. Here I was thinking all this time that I was the only really hardcore Rockpile nerd. I wish I had seen the 'Pile live though. I've seen Nick three times and Dave once when he was touring supporting his DE 7th record.
There are a few of us out there! I was just talking bands with one of my co-workers, and it turns out that he saw Rockpile back in Ontario. I now hate him.
If anyone isn't aware, the Rockpile concert recorded in Germany for "Rockpalast" is currently back on YT (it has been posted/taken down several times), as is a Danish TV show.
I loved Rockpile too, as well as all thier solo stuff. Never got to see them as Rockpile but did see Nick and Dave many times with thier own bands. Thanks for the video, i learned a little something today!
Nice video. Rockpile was awesome. I did get to see Nick Lowe in November 2023. He did quite a few of his Rockpile stuff so I don't think he is running from it as much as he used to. Great show and affordable - I think tickets were $45 each in a smallish theater.
Well done Mike. It's always hard to rank music as to which is best. I am sorry that you didn't mention "Sweet Little Lisa" and its fabulous lead guitar overlay by Albert Lee with his B-Bender Telecaster. The recording included all of the Rockpile guys and is in the documentary from the time period that you did mention. They are some of my all-time favorites!
It was a great night in Denver and me and the boys were in line early. We knew it was a show where it was all open seating. We ended up third row center. Dave Edmonds ended up sick, or drunk we heard, so they canceled. This was at the Rainbow. He did play the next night and we didn't get such great seats but the show rocked. I have a huge collection of both Edmonds and Lowe libraries.
I want to say thank for this video on Rockpile, I remember back in 1980 when I was a DJ I was really one the only DJ's in the Boston area playing Rockpile music. I thought "Labour of Lust was their best work. the Rockpile album was great. You always got to look for the hidden gems like "Knife and Fork"
Good Video! You should get the Labour Of Lust remaster on Yep Roc records. Sounds good! I seen Nick Lowe in the early 80's at the Fast Lane in Asbury Park on his solo tour with Paul Carrack & the guitarist from the Rumor, can't remember his name. Nick was very fan friendly!
Thanks for covering ‘Rockpile’. In the U.K,Nick Lowe came up on my radar on ‘I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass’ & Dave Edmunds ‘Girls Talk’. I have a memory of hearing the Buddy Holly isms in ‘Deborah’ on the radio too. I first saw Dave on his D.E 7 tour in Birmingham (U.K). I hope to see Nick Lowe live this year, should he tour, as I haven’t ever before! Dave Edmunds ‘As Subtle As A Flying Mallet’ was an early purchase, and it got a CD re-issue. ‘Down Down Down’ ‘Let It Rock’ ‘No Money Down’ and a great version of ‘Leave My Woman Alone’. Dave’s Phil Spector pastiches including ‘Born To Be With You’. I did buy recently the Rockpalast concert cd/dvd package to fill that hole in my live gig experience. Listening back to the official Rockpile release,it’s the Nick Lowe sung songs that standout. By the way you might like to check out The Steve Gibbons Band who mined a similar Well to Rockpile. Their first four albums on Polydor are the best. Their bassist Trevor Burton wrote ‘Down Down Down’ which Dave/Rockpile often featured in their live set.Trevor was also in the early five piece lineup of The Move.
Nice review. However, you omitted the Dave Edmunds “Get It” album which does feature some Nick Lowe tunes and I believe he played on some tracks. Get It is a fantastic album!
I think I agree with your ranking of these albums, I purchased these 4 albums+ several Dave Edmond and pure pop also a Carlene Carter album,, back in the day.
Hi Michael, I really enjoyed this. I did a three part video on Nick lowe last year, the 1st being the Brinsley Schwarz years, the 2nd - Rockpile years and the 3rd - Nick lowe 1982 and beyond. I would have included Nick's Jesus Of Cool and Dave's Get It albums in the ranking as JoC features all 4 Rockpile members and Get It features all but Billy Bremner. Great video and looking forward to more of your rankings. All the best, Richard
Great video. I saw Edmunds play in 81. Singin the blues was one of my favorites. Still is. However I think Seconds of Pleasure deserves a little higher ranking. And the Montreaux recordings I didn't know about. I'll have to check it out. Great stuff! Thx!
April 1978, only time I saw either band in concert: Elvis Costello And The Attractions, with opening act(s) Rockpile. Actually (from what I have seen recently), they may have been appearing as "Nick Lowe with Rockpile"...but I can't remember. Mink DeVille opened the show, but I honestly don't even remember them. Rockpile definitely stood out on that concert.
Hi Michael. Thanks for your post, very interesting. Just one thing, you are saying that the first time Edmunds and Lowe got together was for "TRAX ON WAX 4" but I believe Nick Lowe played bass on "Get it", if I remember correctly the drummer on "Get it" was Terry Williams so we are only missing Billy there.
Lowe (with the Brinsleys) and Edmunds were both involved with the 1974 film Stardust, which featured David Essex in a band called The Stray Cats which included Edmunds and Keith Moon.
Dave and Nick also worked together in '74 when Dave produced the Brinsley's New Favourites album. Nick also appears on Dave's Subtle As A Flying Mallet LP, came out in '75 I think but most of the material was from 2 or 3 years earlier
Love So Fine. One of my favorites. For me, their best songs are the ones that make me laugh while screaming along in my truck. Seems most people keep score by the number of concerts they saw. I go with miles & smiles. btw, why are so many Dave Edmunds song lyrics missing from the typical online sources?
Now i know a lot more about two of my favorite musicians. Luckily i got that Labour of lust lp, Edmunds's "Repeat...", and "Jesus of cool",in Buenos Aires was edited with the original title and tracklisting ,Never found the Rockpile album and Tracks on wax, not easy to find now, on the other side of the world. Thanks !
I wasn't a fan way back because boring radio didn't play them. However I eventually got on board. I'm sure he played with Paul McCartney's band in Give my Regards to Broad Street and was the one who was rolling a joint in one scene. That was a tight band. Go Dave !
Big Nick/Dave/Rockpile before and after fan here, so a few comments. . . .you can't go wrong with any of the albums you discussed, but my rankings would be a bit different: #4-Labour Of Lust (I thought it was a bit of a let down after "Jesus Of Cool/Pure Pop"), #3-Trax on Wax 4, #2-Seconds Of Pleasure, and my #1-Repeat When Necessary. You wondered about "Twangin'", I believe the Rockpile tracks were recorded the time they did "Seconds Of Pleasure", but did not make the final cut for that album. I believe the demise of the band was due to Dave having a falling out with Jake Riviera. That being said, there was a Dave & Nick reunion for Nick's album," Party Of One", arguably my favorite post-Rockpile Nick Lowe album. I first discovered Nick Lowe circa "Jesus Of Cool/Pure Pop" and when he was producing Elvis Costello and Graham Parker and all those Stiff Record people. It got me to go back and discover Brinsley Schwarz (the band). AMAZING! I love everything they ever recorded and sad to say THEY never got back together after "New Favourites" (produced by Edmunds, BTW). With that in mind, I want to comment that Nick Lowe has played with a whole bunch of people/bands over the years and they are all impressive outfits, Brinsley Schwarz, Rockpile, Noise To Go/His Cowboy Outfit, The Impossible Birds and these days when he's not playing solo, Los Straightjackets (not really familiar going way back to Kippington Lodge. . .would be interesting to check out their recordings).
You could listen to any of those four albums individually and not be disappointed but if one must ask... 4. Trax on wax 4 3. Repeat when necessary 2. Seconds of pleasure 1. Labor of lust All are amazing albums though and over time I'd probably move the list around.
You probably know this, but "Repeat when necessary" and "Labour of lust" were released on the same day... Without the record label problem, they would've made an incredible double album!!
@Saving Schrödinger's Cat It wasn't a Love Sculpture recording, but did feature John Williams (now John David) who went onto be in Love Sculpture, and Mickey Gee.
Nov. 1980, The Agora in Cleveland. Didn't really know who I was going to see, but I'll never forget.
I saw Rockpile when they opened for Elvis Costello and I felt bad for Elvis Costello. It's an understatement to say they were a great live band. They were Epic. Mink Deville was very under rated also. I instantly became a huge fan. 1978 seems like yesterday.
I saw that tour! They were the best!
Terry Williams was in the great Welsh band MAN who I love, Dave is Welsh too.
Saw Dave Edmunds shortly after Rockpile, in June 1982 at a club in Portland, OR; one of my five favorite concerts EVER. Halfway through the opening number you could see tables and chairs being lifted up and passed from person to person to the sides of the room and the whole place was a big dance floor. Never saw a frenzy like that at any other show.
Great video. Here I was thinking all this time that I was the only really hardcore Rockpile nerd.
I wish I had seen the 'Pile live though. I've seen Nick three times and Dave once when he was touring supporting his DE 7th record.
There are a few of us out there! I was just talking bands with one of my co-workers, and it turns out that he saw Rockpile back in Ontario. I now hate him.
@@keithmills778 me too....hate him lol
I own this it cost me 60 pence and in good Nick in a cheap record store in the 80s
If anyone isn't aware, the Rockpile concert recorded in Germany for "Rockpalast" is currently back on YT (it has been posted/taken down several times), as is a Danish TV show.
I loved Rockpile too, as well as all thier solo stuff. Never got to see them as Rockpile but did see Nick and Dave many times with thier own bands. Thanks for the video, i learned a little something today!
Nice video. Rockpile was awesome. I did get to see Nick Lowe in November 2023. He did quite a few of his Rockpile stuff so I don't think he is running from it as much as he used to. Great show and affordable - I think tickets were $45 each in a smallish theater.
Well done Mike. It's always hard to rank music as to which is best. I am sorry that you didn't mention "Sweet Little Lisa" and its fabulous lead guitar overlay by Albert Lee with his B-Bender Telecaster. The recording included all of the Rockpile guys and is in the documentary from the time period that you did mention. They are some of my all-time favorites!
It was a great night in Denver and me and the boys were in line early. We knew it was a show where it was all open seating. We ended up third row center. Dave Edmonds ended up sick, or drunk we heard, so they canceled. This was at the Rainbow. He did play the next night and we didn't get such great seats but the show rocked. I have a huge collection of both Edmonds and Lowe libraries.
I want to say thank for this video on Rockpile, I remember back in 1980 when I was a DJ I was really one the only DJ's in the Boston area playing Rockpile music. I thought "Labour of Lust was their best work. the Rockpile album was great. You always got to look for the hidden gems like "Knife and Fork"
Good Video! You should get the Labour Of Lust remaster on Yep Roc records. Sounds good! I seen Nick Lowe in the early 80's at the Fast Lane in Asbury Park on his solo tour with Paul Carrack & the guitarist from the Rumor, can't remember his name. Nick was very fan friendly!
Thanks for covering ‘Rockpile’. In the U.K,Nick Lowe came up on my radar on ‘I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass’ & Dave Edmunds ‘Girls Talk’. I have a memory of hearing the Buddy Holly isms in ‘Deborah’ on the radio too. I first saw Dave on his D.E 7 tour in Birmingham (U.K). I hope to see Nick Lowe live this year, should he tour, as I haven’t ever before! Dave Edmunds ‘As Subtle As A Flying Mallet’ was an early purchase, and it got a CD re-issue. ‘Down Down Down’ ‘Let It Rock’ ‘No Money Down’ and a great version of ‘Leave My Woman Alone’. Dave’s Phil Spector pastiches including ‘Born To Be With You’. I did buy recently the Rockpalast concert cd/dvd package to fill that hole in my live gig experience. Listening back to the official Rockpile release,it’s the Nick Lowe sung songs that standout. By the way you might like to check out The Steve Gibbons Band who mined a similar Well to Rockpile. Their first four albums on Polydor are the best. Their bassist Trevor Burton wrote ‘Down Down Down’ which Dave/Rockpile often featured in their live set.Trevor was also in the early five piece lineup of The Move.
Thanks for the tip on Steve Gibbons.
Nice review. However, you omitted the Dave Edmunds “Get It” album which does feature some Nick Lowe tunes and I believe he played on some tracks.
Get It is a fantastic album!
Thanks for sharing your experience. Rockpile forever
Cool vid and I love Rockpile. One point - Billy actually played about half the guitar solos on the records and live.
I think I agree with your ranking of these albums, I purchased these 4 albums+ several Dave Edmond and pure pop also a Carlene Carter album,, back in the day.
Big fan. Glad I found your site.
Cool video. 👍😎
Interesting facts, thanks a bunch!
Hi Michael, I really enjoyed this. I did a three part video on Nick lowe last year, the 1st being the Brinsley Schwarz years, the 2nd - Rockpile years and the 3rd - Nick lowe 1982 and beyond. I would have included Nick's Jesus Of Cool and Dave's Get It albums in the ranking as JoC features all 4 Rockpile members and Get It features all but Billy Bremner. Great video and looking forward to more of your rankings. All the best, Richard
Thanks - can't wait to check your vids out.
I'm a happy new subscriber. Great video
Love Rockpile. Proper rockers , fantastic band
I saw Rockpile the first time when i was 14 years old and i fell in love
Great video. I saw Edmunds play in 81. Singin the blues was one of my favorites. Still is. However I think Seconds of Pleasure deserves a little higher ranking. And the Montreaux recordings I didn't know about. I'll have to check it out. Great stuff! Thx!
April 1978, only time I saw either band in concert: Elvis Costello And The Attractions, with opening act(s) Rockpile. Actually (from what I have seen recently), they may have been appearing as "Nick Lowe with Rockpile"...but I can't remember. Mink DeVille opened the show, but I honestly don't even remember them. Rockpile definitely stood out on that concert.
Hi Michael. Thanks for your post, very interesting. Just one thing, you are saying that the first time Edmunds and Lowe got together was for "TRAX ON WAX 4" but I believe Nick Lowe played bass on "Get it", if I remember correctly the drummer on "Get it" was Terry Williams so we are only missing Billy there.
Yes - that is correct.
Lowe (with the Brinsleys) and Edmunds were both involved with the 1974 film Stardust, which featured David Essex in a band called The Stray Cats which included Edmunds and Keith Moon.
Dave and Nick also worked together in '74 when Dave produced the Brinsley's New Favourites album. Nick also appears on Dave's Subtle As A Flying Mallet LP, came out in '75 I think but most of the material was from 2 or 3 years earlier
Owned Seconds of Pleasure and really liked it Never saw them live but would have liked to.
Love So Fine. One of my favorites. For me, their best songs are the ones that make me laugh while screaming along in my truck. Seems most people keep score by the number of concerts they saw. I go with miles & smiles.
btw, why are so many Dave Edmunds song lyrics missing from the typical online sources?
Now i know a lot more about two of my favorite musicians. Luckily i got that Labour of lust lp, Edmunds's "Repeat...", and "Jesus of cool",in Buenos Aires was edited with the original title and tracklisting ,Never found the Rockpile album and Tracks on wax, not easy to find now, on the other side of the world. Thanks !
Interesting to hear!
But what about Dave Edmunds album Get it?
Only some Nick and Terry but no Billy.
Saw Rock Pile & Blondie at Dallas Texas'
I'd pretty much agree with your ranking,take it easy mate
Billy Bremner played both lead and rhythm guitar in Rockpile, as did Dave Edmunds. They traded their duties in the band effortlessly and with aplomb..
I’ve got 3 sealed copies. I saw them with Blondie.
I saw Nicks Cowboy Outfit a bunch of times
excellent.
I wasn't a fan way back because boring radio didn't play them. However I eventually got on board. I'm sure he played with Paul McCartney's band in Give my Regards to Broad Street and was the one who was rolling a joint in one scene. That was a tight band. Go Dave !
Yes, Dave Edmunds was in "Give My Regards To Broad Street".
Saw on you tube Bremmer and Edmunds playing together an outside gig that's was only several months ago. Not the best sound but they're still great.
Gran banda de mis favoritas 👏👏👏👏👏🤘✌
Big Nick/Dave/Rockpile before and after fan here, so a few comments. . . .you can't go wrong with any of the albums you discussed, but my rankings would be a bit different: #4-Labour Of Lust (I thought it was a bit of a let down after "Jesus Of Cool/Pure Pop"), #3-Trax on Wax 4, #2-Seconds Of Pleasure, and my #1-Repeat When Necessary. You wondered about "Twangin'", I believe the Rockpile tracks were recorded the time they did "Seconds Of Pleasure", but did not make the final cut for that album. I believe the demise of the band was due to Dave having a falling out with Jake Riviera. That being said, there was a Dave & Nick reunion for Nick's album," Party Of One", arguably my favorite post-Rockpile Nick Lowe album. I first discovered Nick Lowe circa "Jesus Of Cool/Pure Pop" and when he was producing Elvis Costello and Graham Parker and all those Stiff Record people. It got me to go back and discover Brinsley Schwarz (the band). AMAZING! I love everything they ever recorded and sad to say THEY never got back together after "New Favourites" (produced by Edmunds, BTW). With that in mind, I want to comment that Nick Lowe has played with a whole bunch of people/bands over the years and they are all impressive outfits, Brinsley Schwarz, Rockpile, Noise To Go/His Cowboy Outfit, The Impossible Birds and these days when he's not playing solo, Los Straightjackets (not really familiar going way back to Kippington Lodge. . .would be interesting to check out their recordings).
You could listen to any of those four albums individually and not be disappointed but if one must ask...
4. Trax on wax 4
3. Repeat when necessary
2. Seconds of pleasure
1. Labor of lust
All are amazing albums though and over time I'd probably move the list around.
Rockpile is the most ferocious band I've seen in concert..blew Blondie off stage at Fox theater..
You probably know this, but "Repeat when necessary" and "Labour of lust" were released on the same day... Without the record label problem, they would've made an incredible double album!!
saw them open for blondie......poor blondie couldnt match what had been on the stage before them
Imho "Girls Talk" is a perfect song.
To my ears, "when I write the book" might very well be Nick's 3rd best song... but "God bless whoever made you" might knock it down to the #4 spot.
Baby lets Play House...is on the TWANGIN LP....Thats the other track your looking for....lol
@Saving Schrödinger's Cat It wasn't a Love Sculpture recording, but did feature John Williams (now John David) who went onto be in Love Sculpture, and Mickey Gee.
Sorry. I was speaking about Dave Edmonds...
I don't think Van Morrison has ever had a decent live performance.
Dave & Nick both consider 'Rockpile' to be their weakest collaboration. They felt they had run out of decent songs.