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The incredible Dr Feelgood return to The Apex...

The incredible Dr Feelgood return to The Apex

Gritty Rhythm & Blues combo open their tour in Bury St Edmunds Having endured for over 45 years, Dr. Feelgood remain one of the most popular and exciting live rhythm and blues acts in the world.

Almost in defiance of the increasingly larger venues, the early 1970s saw a Pub Rock scene starting to gather momentum in a number of increasingly crowded London pubs. Dr Feelgood quickly developed a reputation as a no-nonsense, "in yer face" act, whose gritty anti-fashion appearance and stage antics quickly caught the attention of the music press. In an article in the NME, journalist Charles Shaar Murray famously likened their act to "Hiroshima in a pint mug".

By 1974, the band's reputation secured them a contract with United Artists, and following tours with Brinsley Schwarz and Hawkwind, the band's first album "Down by the Jetty" was released in January the following year. The raw and uncompromising style of their performance resulted in the band's first live album ‘Stupidity’ soaring to the number one position in the U.K. charts in 1976.

Dr. Feelgood enjoyed global success with a string of hit singles including ‘Roxette’, ‘Milk and Alcohol’, ‘Down at the Doctors’, ‘She Does it Right’ and ‘See You Later Alligator’ - which gave the group their first gold record.

The last album to feature Lee Brilleaux , ‘Down at the Doctors’, was recorded live at the Dr. Feelgood Music Bar on Canvey Island, (now the site of the Oysterfleet Hotel) just two months before he died. Julien Temple’s film Oil City Confidential, released in 2010, tells the story of the bands formative years, featuring the Wilko Johnson era.

The current line-up comprises Kevin Morris on drums, Phil Mitchell on bass (both in the band for 35 years) and Steve Walwyn on guitar (28 years), with Robert Kane (formerly of the Animals) being the most recent addition – joining in 1999.

As they continue to tour extensively throughout the World, Britain’s most enduring and best loved R&B band continue to enthrall audiences with their "no-nonsense" live energy.

Dr Feelgood are at The Apex on Wednesday 13 February at 7.30pm. Tickets are £22, ring the box office on 01284 758000 or see www.theapex.co.uk for details.