Big Countries

freakboy1610

As a teenager, Stuart Adamson was one of my first guitar heroes and I liked the first few Big Country LPs, especially Steeltown. Consequently I've been aware of the reformed version of the band and I nearly went to see them a few years ago. I saw a photo on the internet the other day and noticed that Mark Brzezicki was missing. A quick google revealed that he left the band last year due to the usual musical differences, leaving Bruce Watson as the only original member.  Then this morning an advert appeared on my Facebook indicating that Brzezicki, who had a stint playing in From the Jam,  is going out with a couple of other ex later period Big Country members as From Big Country. So two versions of the band will be touring simultaneously later this year!

axisus

They were one of those bands that I was never that into, but I liked the fact that they were out there. 

Basically that's just two tribute bands then. 

Pjon

I loved BC, from start until the shiny suit era, so only a few years really. Saw them in 1985, again in the shiny suit era, again when Mike Peters was with them and then last year. The one that felt like a tribute band, albeit a very good tribute band, was the Mike Peters gig. As good as he can be, he's not Stuart Adamson. Last years gig was very, very good, despite only having Watson and Brzezicki from the original band. Yeah, maybe almost a tribute band but they were good.  I will be seeing them again in May, I think? My brother was telling me about the other Big Country, but I can't find any info on them.

Pjon

Maybe the reason I can't find any info is because both bands are calling themselves Big Country, although FB posts mention From Big Country but without any links at all to them. Apparently Ken Nicol is playing with From BC, ex Steeleye Span.

freakboy1610

The blurb says,
 "Mark Brzezicki , Simon Hough and Gil Allen have been bombarded with fans asking will they tour together...The answer is YES, due to demand the band will be performing an electric set under the banner FROM BIG COUNTRY  THIS IS NOT A BIG COUNTRY TRIBUTE SHOW!THIS IS MARK, GIL & SIMON NOW KNOWN AS FROM BIG COUNTRY with some very special guests....The songs deserve to be played by as many people that want to play them. The songs were written for everybody to hear and enjoy, So sit back and enjoy the ride.

This is a very special union of 4 of the finest musicians performing the ultimate electric homage to the Music of Big Country and the songs of the late great Stuart Adamson.
You can expect songs that has never been played live before along with the classic Big Country hits we all know and love.The fourth member to join this amazing band is Guitar Genus Ken Nicol. Kens background is to say the least very varied from the realms of Steeleye Span and Magna Carta to Al Stewart."

CaseOfAce

I didn't know Brzezicki had split from Watson.
Tony Butler has just released a new solo album. It's great that all 3 original members are still playing music... but absolutely tragic that they lost Stuart Adamson.
I got to see 'em back in '86 and really didn't appreciate it at the time. The Crossing has to be one of the finest Scottish rock records ever recorded.

redwedge

There's been a bit of an issue with Brzezicki leaving mid tour and forming another Big Country that also plays Adamson solo stuff. Includes the latest ex Big Country singer. Adamsons estate have said they don't endorse them.

So Watsons Big Country and remember, unlike Brzezicki he's an original founding member, recruited a vocalist and bass player from a BC tribute act. New drummer. Touring more and an album coming out apparently. Seeing them soon. Reviews suggest it's the best they've sounded in years.

RocknRollDave

Saw BC in Birmingham when they were touring the Through a Big Country compilation (which I still have on vinyl!)

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/big-country/1990/the-hummingbird-birmingham-england-2bc504e2.html

They were great - Adamson was a natural frontman: very sharp with his comic quips.

I remember the atmosphere being absolutely electric. 

They are not one of my favourite bands but it ranks up there with the best gigs I have been to - and I have been to a lot.

TheMarlin

I loved them back in the day. I met Stuart Adamson once, he was the loveliest chap.  I was genuinely saddened when I heard he had passed.  

I wouldn’t see them now. I’ve seen The Stranglers live about 45 times, but not once since Hugh left.  Same with Big Country, I’m not into tribute bands. 

Plectrum

I used to like Big Country. I have no idea of any of their names though or even how many of them there were in the band.

Philly_Q

freakboy1610 said:
The fourth member to join this amazing band is Guitar Genus Ken Nicol. Kens background is to say the least very varied from the realms of Steeleye Span and Magna Carta to Al Stewart.

I was initially quite shocked to read that.  Back in the '80s the idea of someone from Steeleye Span working with Big Country would have seemed absolutely bizarre.  Someone from a previous generation and a different world.  

But in fact he's only a few years older than the rest of them.  We're all old now.

ICBM

I have to say I find it quite sad when there are multiple versions of once-famous bands, each containing at best one original member, some none, and none with the key members who defined the band either as the frontman or main songwriter - but still trying to trade on the original name. It’s not quite a tribute act, it’s almost worse.

Offset

Stuart Adamson...  along with John McGeoch, one of the reasons for my lifelong (and slightly irrational) love of the Yamaha SG1000/2000.

thermionic

I saw them at the Tivoli in Buckley a few months ago (classic old-school venue btw, never been there before). The only original member was Bruce Watson, who seemed to be having the time of his life, and flying the Big Country flag clearly meant a lot to him. His son was one of the other guitarists (there were three!) The replacement lead vocalist/guitarist did a great job fair play, again, it was clear that he took the job of honouring Stuart Adamson’s songs quite seriously.

I also witnessed one one of the most bizarre things I’ve seen at a gig. Three quarters of the way through the set they announced that this was the bass player’s last gig. In fact, it was his last song. He walked off to much applause, a replacement bass player walked onto the stage and played the last 4 or 5 songs.

Hootsmon

I could not stand then or now that bloody BAGPIPE guitar tone!!!!! Arghhhhhhhhh

RocknRollDave

https://youtu.be/MsxQ2goHIco?si=VTsgZYODRlXWIp39

Puts a tear in my eye every time I hear it.
A very moving and thoughtful lyric, written from the point of view of a woman whose husband doesn’t come home from a war.

Redlester

All I can say is that people have to earn a living somehow. 

Good luck to all of them, for as long as there's an audience to entertain.

Pjon

Hootsmon said:

I could not stand then or now that bloody BAGPIPE guitar tone!!!!! Arghhhhhhhhh

Was it really a bagpipey tone, or was it a mix of military sounding drums, droning guitars and the occasional song about Scotland?

Driving up through mid Wales last weekend, a song came on the radio and my wife asked if it was Big Country. It wasn't, it was some 90s band (Radio X) but the reception was so intermittent that I didn't catch who it was , but the guitar tone certainly sounded like BC. Didn't sound bagpipey though.  

Philly_Q

The guitars themselves probably didn't actually sound bagpipey, in isolation, but the overall effect was definitely bagpipey.  And whenever they did a song which didn't sound bagpipey, it seemed really weird.

ICBM

Philly_Q said:

The guitars themselves probably didn't actually sound bagpipey, in isolation, but the overall effect was definitely bagpipey.

Actually they did! The key is the MXR M-129 Pitch Transposer. Instant Big Country.

Philly_Q

ICBM said:

Philly_Q said:

The guitars themselves probably didn't actually sound bagpipey, in isolation, but the overall effect was definitely bagpipey.

Actually they did! The key is the MXR M-129 Pitch Transposer. Instant Big Country.

I stand corrected!