thegroundhogs

1968	The Groundhogs were formed this year by TONY McPHEE (guitar and vocals) and PETE CRUICKSHANK (bass). For how the band got it's name you have to go back to a previous band that Tony and Pete had been in John Lee's Groundhogs. The name had come from their favourite blues artist, John Lee Hooker and Tony's favourite Hooker song Groundhog Blues. When Tony and Pete met up again to form a new band they dropped the John Lee and kept the Groundhogs. Augmenting the line up are KEN PUSTELNIK (drums) and STEVE RYE (harmonica and vocals). On the 5th and 12th of this year the band were in the studio recording the first Groundhogs album "Scratchin' The Surface" which was released the same year. Not long after the album is released Steve Rye leaves the band leaving only McPhee, Cruickshank and Pustelnik.
1969	After touring the band take time out to record their second album "Blues Obituary". It is said that the title of the album came about by Tony realising that blues were dying out and were being superseded by rock.
1970	February of this year saw the band in the recording studio again. The resulting album "Thank Christ For The Bomb" would peak at 9 in the UK album charts. After touring the band went back into the recording studio November of this year to record what was destined to be the bands biggest commercial success to date.
1971	When the band went into the recording studio of November last year I doubt they realised what they would be unleashing. The album "Split" was released April of this year. The first half of the album is based on Tony's experience of a mental breakdown. The album peaked at 5 in the UK album charts. Such was the sudden demand for the album that shops ran out of copies of it. It is strongly believed that if more copies had been pressed and made available to the public the album would of reached the coveted number 1 spot in the UK charts. To Date Split has been The Groundhogs biggest commercial success
1972	January found the band back in the recording studio. The album cover was done first and it is said that the resulting album cover by artist Neal Adams gave Tony the ideas he needed to write the songs for the resulting album "Who Will Save The World". The album was released March of this year and peaked at 8 in the UK album charts. A tour of America that year was cut short because of Tony suffering a fracture. On their return Pustelnik, feeling totally burnt out, quit the band. His place was eventually filled by CLIVE BROOKS. It was this line up of McPhee, Cruickshank and Brooks that recorded the album "Hogwash" after which the band begin touring again.
1974	Using Tony McPhee's Suffolk studio the band record the album "Solid". The album peaked at 31 in the UK album charts. Later this year the band was to disband.
1975	Towards the end of 1975 Tony reforms The Groundhogs. The line up this time consisting of himself (vocals/guitar), DAVE WELLBELOVE (guitar), MARTIN KENT (bass) and MICK COOK (drums). It is this line up that recorded The Groundhogs next album.
1976	The album "Crosscut Saw" was released early this year. After a change of personnel which saw Wellbelove replaced by RICK ADAMS the band recorded another album to be released the following year. The band would eventually disband this year though.
1977	The album "Black Diamond" is released.
1984	With the release of the album "Hoggin The Stage" Tony reforms The Groundhogs. The line up this time being Tony McPhee (guitar/vocals), ALAN FISH (bass) and MICK KIRTON (drums).
1985	The album "Razors Edge" is released.
1987	Alan Fish and Mick Kirton are replaced by DAVE ANDERSON (bass) and MICK JONES (drums). It is this line up that record "Back Against The Wall".
1988	Two albums to be released this year were "Hogs on The Road" and "Extremely Live". The band were to disband this year though.
1994	The album "BBC Radio One Live in Concert" is released.
1996	After an absence of eight years The Groundhogs reform. As well as Tony on guitar and vocals PETE CHYMON is on bass and DAVE IVISS is on drums. The album "Who Said Cherry Red" is released October of this year.
1997	By the end of this year The Groundhogs were back in the studio to do a tribute album to blues artist Howling Wolf. The line up this time consisting of Tony McPhee, ERIC CHIPULINA (bass) and PETE CORREA (drums).
1998	The album "Hogs in Wolfs Clothing" is released. Other albums released this year include "Groundhogs on Air" and "Groundhogs Live".
1999	January saw the band back in the studio to do "The Muddy Waters Songbook". A tribute album to blues guitarist Muddy Waters. The album was released the same year.
2000	Personnel changes within the band again with Eric Chipulina being replaced by BRIAN JONES on bass and Mick Jones returning to replace Pete Correa on drums.
2001	This year saw the band touring again but with Dave Anderson back in the line up replacing Brian Jones