User:Herb Gordon/sandbox

Herb Garden (band)
Herb Garden was a rock group formed in 1987 in their hometown of Bristol, UK. They found recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s initially as an absurdist thrash band and later as a more rhythmically tempered, ‘funky punk’ outfit, but always as a hard-working tour band. Sometimes known as 'The Herb Garden' and 'The Herb Garden Quartet', even though the outfit comprised five members, they ploughed a specific, peculiarly English furrow for themselves in Bristol, the UK and Europe.

Musical influences
Although their music and attitude reflected the traditions, sounds and styles of 1970s and 1980s punk rock Herb Garden were a difficult band to label as their own sound drew on several genres. In the words of vocalist and co-founder Carl the group ‘welded three-chord tricks to multiple sounds of the 70s before running off to the circus - raiding auntie’s make-up bag on the way!’ To interpret this, in the music you can detect psychedelic rock, heavy metal LINK, thrash or speed-punk LINK, hardcore and smatterings of jazz. Band members cite such musical influencers as: Jimi Hendrix, The Damned, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, XTC, Gong (and Steve Hillage), The Clash, Cream, New Model Army, Gentle Giant, The Cardiacs, to name just a few for flavour.

Peer performers
Before the city's 'Bristol Sound' enjoyed international popularity (circa 1993) Herb Garden performed alongside a number of eccentric or cult rock acts including, The Seers, Rita Lynch, The Moonflowers and The Heads before striking out and trying their hand at tours of Europe. On the Continent they

Discography
Herb Garden - five track, 12" EP on Vermin Vinyls

Personnel
Original line-up

Final line-up