Egg The Civil Surface 1974 1 Germ Patrol

One of the first bands from the Canterbury School (SOFT MACHINE or HATFIELD AND THE NORTH), EGG was a trio consisting of... Dave STEWART on organ, piano and tone generator, Mont CAMPBELL on bass and vocals (also organ, piano and French Horn), and Clive BROOKS on drums. The music is very structured and composed, with classical pieces (BACH) and some light jazzy influences. The band explored a variety of time signatures and key relationships, sometimes explored classical ideals, and even composed their own symphony. Canterbury band that released three organ-prominent albums. "The Polite Force" was EGG's second release, and was better developed musically from their debut, a style that was carried on to the subsequent "The Civil Surface". If you like that, go on and get the other two eventually. (if you don't like it, then don't bother). Fans of organ-driven progressive rock with a perfect 70's atmosphere will eat it up. Although EGG is an essential part of any progressive collection. An historical band...!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Egg
• The
• Civil
• Surface
• 1974
• 1
• Germ
• Patrol

[puddypuss]

@NeilThompson30 I bought this on november16th 1974 and was so pleased that I took it with me to a barclay james harvest concert at imperial college that day, as the music scene that I was used to late 60s very early 70s was melting away, as the 70s borought us punk glam and disco. I know dave stewart wasnt happy with the drum mix on this. I think the difference between this and earlier egg isnt so great, maybe a bit more melodic like caravan, but still with the mont campbell influence

[Doobie1975]

Great song, this was the very first Egg song I've ever heard and I still remember the night I've heard this song on SIRIUS radio (in the wee hours of May 21, 2007) and it totally blew me away!

[Big77Jim]

This band is killer.I never heard them before today.I have heard other cantubury bands like Gong,Matching Mole or Henery Cow.I guess you learn something new everyday.

[Moralix]

Germ Patrol was the first track i ever listened to, when i discovered Egg back in highschool. Today i ordered the original pressing of The Civil Surface in MINT condition :D

[Tengent]

Sure there are "Canterbury" sounding bands out there today (Amoeba Split, Soundchaser, The Battleship Ethel), but no one EVER EVER has come close to the harmonic and rhythmic (beautiful) complexity of Egg. Actually, the only band that has was Frank Zappa. Maybe Kayo Dot... anyways I dig this and I hope to bring music similar to this on to a stage one day.

[threeby8887]

It's too bad they don't make bands like this anymore!

[svenghoulieil]

@MrColMC The toms on the intro are pretty dang loud, but the rest of the tune they are equitable

[Doobie1975]

@NeilThompson30 I thought you were talking about Hatfield's "Rotter's Club" album instead of this album

[NeilThompson30]

@Doobie1975 - Egg's Civil Surface came out in October 74 - if it was by the Hatfields it would have been their second album.

[Doobie1975]

@NeilThompson30 I thought Hatfield & the North's second album was released in March 1975