Brinsley Schwarz

Brinsley Schwarz were a 1970s English pub rock band, named after their guitarist Brinsley Schwarz. With Nick Lowe on bass and vocals, keyboardist Bob Andrews and drummer Billy Rankin, the band evolved from the 1960s pop band Kippington Lodge. They were later augmented by Ian Gomm on guitar and vocals. Brinsley Schwarz and Bob Andrews joined Graham Parker & the Rumour, which functioned as a unit through 1981. Later Andrews moved to New Orleans. He now plays in Dos Jefe's Uptown Cigar Bar and has a web page: www.neworleanspiano.com. Schwarz, meanwhile, continued playing as a sideman for various artists through the 80, 90s and 2000s. Schwarz joined a reuinted Ducks Deluxe in 2009, then both Schwarz and Andrews joined a reunited Rumour in 2012.

Billy Rankin joined Terraplane and then Big Jim Sullivan's Tiger. He retired from the music industry in 1977, though he was persuaded to play with a reunited Ducks Deluxe for their 30th anniversary reunion show in 2007. Though Ducks Deluxe continues as a touring and recording act, Rankin is not involved with them.

Nick Lowe and Ian Gomm both began solo careers, achieving moderate mainstream success. Lowe's 1978 album Jesus of Cool received considerable critical acclaim and reached number 22 in the UK albums chart. It included the track "I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass", which reached number 7 in the UK singles chart. The album also included Bob Andrews on keyboard and Dave Edmunds on guitar. Lowe also co-wrote Dr. Feelgood's top ten hit "Milk and Alcohol", which reached number 9 in 1979. Lowe's 1979 single and biggest worldwide hit "Cruel to Be Kind" was co-written with Gomm and originally recorded by Brinsley Schwarz for their unreleased final album. This version was included on the 2008 30th anniversary edition of the Jesus of Cool album. In 1979 Gomm had a hit with "Hold On", which reached number 18 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The original version of "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding", which written by Lowe and later would become a hit for Elvis Costello, was released by the band in 1974 on their album The New Favourites of... Brinsley Schwarz. Costello knew of the song as both a fan and part-time roadie for the band, which is where he and Lowe first met. Another rendition (by Curtis Stigers) was featured on the multi-million-selling film soundtrack The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album, as performed by Curtis Stigers