line up 1 (1972-73)

- Bob Cee (aka Bob C. Benberg) - drums, percussion

- Mick Molloy - guitar, backing vocals 

- Deke O'Brien - guitar, backing vocals

- Ruan O'Lochlain - guitar, keyboards, sax 

- Barry Richardson - vocals, bass 

  line up 2 (1973-74)

NEW - Fran Byrne - drums (replaced Bob Cee)

NEW - Rod Demick - bass, vocals (replaced Ruan O'Lochlain)

- Malcolm Morley - keyboards 

- Mick Molloy - guitar, backing vocals 

- Deke O'Brien - guitar, backing vocals 

- Barry Richardson - vocals, bass 

  line up 3 (1974)

NEW - Fran Byrne - drums (replaced Bob Cee) (1973-74)

- Ed Dean - guitar (replaced Mick Molloy) (1974)

- Rod Demick - bass, vocals (replaced Ruan O'Lochlain)

  (1973-74)

- William Finlayson - guitar, vocals (replaced 

  Deke O'Brien) (1974)

- Bob Cee (aka Bob C. Benberg) - drums (1972-73)

- Kevin McAlea - keyboards (1974)

- Malcolm Morley - keyboards (1973-74)

- Mick Molloy - guitar, backing vocals (1972-74)

- Deke O'Brien - guitar, backing vocals (1972-74)

- Barry Richardson - vocals, bass (1972-74)

- Ace (Fran Byrne)

- The Barry Richardson Band

- Help Yourself (Malcolm Morley)

- Man (Malcolm Morley)

- Meal Ticket (Rod Demick and William Finlayson)

- Supertramp (Bob Lee)

- Wheels (Rod Demick)

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Music Every Night

Company: EMI

Catalog: EMG 3013

Year: 1972

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: UK pressing

Available: SOLD

Catalog ID: SOLD 4249

Price: SOLD $75.00

Cost: $1.00

These guys are virtual unknowns in the States, though they were in the foreground of England's brief mid-1970s infatuation with 'pub rock'.  That lack of recognition is sad given they were quite talented and turned in a wonderful slice of rock with their 1972 debut "Music Every Night".

Barry Richardson started his career in the Irish show band The Alpine Seven.  By the late 1960s he'd relocated to London, where he played in a number of professional and semi-professional bands, including Jan & the Southerners.  Richardson eventually reunited with fellow Alpine Seven alumni Deke O'Brien (guitar), Ruan O'Lochlain (guitar) and Mick Molloy (guitar).  Adding American drummer Bob Cee (aka Bob C. Benberg) to the line up, they started playing local clubs, eventually landing a semi-permanent gig at North London's Tally Ho pub.  Latching on the the 'Bees make Honey' moniker, the band also attracted the attention of manager Dave Robinson.  Already enjoying some success via his work with Brinsley Schwartz, Robinson helped The Bees record some demo material, eventually attracting the attention of EMI Records.  

Signed by EMI, the group made it's recording debut with the single "Knee Trembler" b/w "Caladonia" (EMI catalog number 2078).  The 45 did well enough for EMI to finance an album, resulting in the release of 1973's "Music Every Night". Produced by manager Robinson, this is probably one of the best of all the so called pub rock albums.  Largely written by Richardson  and O'Brien, exemplified by tracks such as "Kentucky Chicken Fry" and "Booterstown" the album's full of taunt and enthusiastic rockers.  If you're a lyric person, be forewarned that the words are suitably obscure (as an example a knee trembler is English slang for a quickie done up against a wall (its also a method for rolling a joint)).  Imminently likeable, to be honest there are only a few missteps including the mildly country-flavored title track.  Curiously the set didn't see an American release.

"Music Every Night" track listing:

(side 1)

1.) Caladonia   (Fleecie Moore) - 

2.) Music Every Night   (Barry Richardson) - 

3.) Knee Trembler   (Barry Richardson - Deke O'Brien) - 

4.) Kentucky Chicken Fry   (Hogan - Barry Richardson) - 

5.) Booterstown   (Deke O'Brien) - 

(side 2)

1.) Chinee's Dead   (Barry Richardson) - 

2.) Bloodshot Eyes   (Penny - Hall) 

3.) Blood Brother   (Barry Richardson) - 

4.) Highway Song      ( Barry Richardson - Deke O'Brien) - 

5.) My Rockin' Days   (Kenny O'Dell) - 

Adding to their problems, about to embark on a tour to support the LP, the band underwent a nasty personnel shakeup with O'Lochlain and Cee both leaving (Cee ended up with Supertramp).  The two were promptly replaced by ex-Wheels guitarist Rod Demick, drummer Fran Byrne and former Help Yourself keyboard player Malcolm Morley.   The new line up began touring, but within a matter of months a second set of personnel changes saw Morley head off to join Man.  Original members Molloy and O'Brien tendered their resignations shortly thereafter, with guitarist Ed Dean and keyboard player Kevin McAlea being brought in as further replacements.  

Things turned even uglier when EMI refused to release an already recorded sophomore set.  The band  subsequently recorded an album for DJM, however nothing was ever released and by the end of the year they were history.

Following the band's collapse Richardson returned with the cleverly named Barry Richardson Band.  Byrne hooked up with Ace, while Demick and Finlayson reappeared with Meal Ticket.