It's been 30 years since 70s Psychedelic rockers Sci-Fi Pebbles reach number 1 with European Steam, and about time their discography was given some re-evaluation, so sit back and relax as we take you through the ins and outs of one of the most controversial British bands ever.
Put The Pebble To The Medal (1973)
3.5/5
Standout Track: Power Chords In The Sun
Chart Position: 7
Recorded in less than 5 days on a budget of just £250, Sci-Fi Pebbles debut album was a surprise success, reaching number 7 in the UK charts and earning them a slot supporting Status-Quo. A blend of late 60s Psychedelia and early 70s Glam Rock, Put The Pebble To The Medal was a joyously simple and unchallenging Rock record, unapologetic about its clearly derivative nature. The last album recorded with original guitarist Simon Warren before he left to form Crystal Fist, it contains some of Sci-Fi Pebbles best-loved songs to date.
Rock N Roll Conspiracy (1974)
1/5
Standout Track: I Like Loving You
Chart Position: 38
Caving into pressure from their record label, Sci-Fi Pebbles rushed their 2nd album, Rock N Roll Conspiracy. Written and recorded in America whilst on tour, their unashamed attempts at breaking the American market resulted in a confused and underproduced album that left behind their psychedelic influences in favour of M.O.R Country Rock ballads. Dreadful lyrics such as, "I love you more than you love me/it's enough to drive me crazy" and awful song titles ('Sex In A Bed', 'I Love You Even More Than Your Parents Do') have seen Rock N Roll Conspiracy effectively written out of Sci-Fi Pebbles' history by their fans.
Sacred Strings (1976)
2.5/5
Standout Track: Unholy Pact
Chart Position: 6
After the critical and commercial failure of Rock N Roll Conspiracy, Sci-Fi Pebbles were dropped from their label and picked up by local Birmingham label Moon Ladder Records. The change saw the band return to their roots with Sacred Strings, a no-nonsense blend of Rock and Psychedelia that tries, but ultimately fails to recapture the glories of their 1973 debut. It was, however, a relative success on the charts and spawned two UK top 10 singles, 'Satellites Of Rock' and 'Party 'Til After The Break Of Dawn'. Its success also led to the bands first ever headline UK tour, which was unfortunately cut short after just three shows amid allegations of plagiarism and moonlighting.
European Steam (1979)
2/5
Standout Track: Karma And Cream
Chart Position: 1
Sci-Fi Pebbles' rebirth with Moon Ladder Records had seen them regain their popularity in the UK, but their resurgence was short-lived after their tour was halted by legal issues. However, the publicity this brought them, coupled with the three year gap that ensued meant that their next album would attract significant attention. 1979 saw them release not one, but two albums of new material, the first of which was the UK number 1 European Steam. The album is very much routed in the early '70s, completely rejecting the Punk aesthetic in favour of radio-friendly Pop Rock that also saw them abandon their Psychedelia roots. The album did, however, have lasting effects - rumour has it that after hearing this album, Sting dropped out of Art School to form The Police.
The Rising (1979)
1.5/5
Standout Track: I Am Human, Hear Me Rock
Chart Position: 30
Released a mere 5 months after their UK number 1 album European Steam, it's quite bizarre how The Rising ever managed to fail so spectacularly. Of course, European Steam was never actually good enough to justify its popularity, and The Rising is certainly no improvement. Recorded at the same sessions as European Steam, its haphazard sequencing makes for incredibly awkward listening. It was, however, their first (and only) top 20 album in America, leading to a six month tour of The States that would result in the death of two members, the sacking, re-hiring and subsequent re-sacking of their bassist, two stints in rehab for lead vocalist Max Discombe and the kidnap of touring guitarist Mark Mahoney. It would be 4 years before we heard another Sci-Fi Pebbles album.
The Lion's Paw (1983)
2/5
Standout Track: Steal Back Paris
Chart Position: 52
Sci-Fi Pebbles' first and last album experimenting with a combination of eastern influenced sitar music and synthesisers, The Lion's Paw leaves a lot to be desired on almost every level. This is a feeling that was obviously mirrored by the public, given that the album reached only number 52 in the charts. Following the album's poor commercial succes and an even worse reception from music critics and fans alike, the band decided to concentrate on solo careers. In a hiatus that lasted five years, not one of the members recorded or released any solo material.
Thistle Metropolis (1988)
1.5/5
Standout Track: Saddle Up The Snake
Chart Position: 199
Although this was deemed by the band as their comeback album, it was widely ignored, mostly due to the fact that it was only released on 120 gram vinyl and was limited to 600 copies, but also due to the generic nature of every track. With themes that had long since been abandoned and lyrics that explained them with childlike naivete, the album was generally thought of as too little, too late from a band whose previous hits could not excuse such lackluster output. However, they did have brief success when the song Saddle Up the Snake (the album's most accessible track) was later used in an episode of Saved by the Bell and reignited interest in this long since forgotten album.
Hell's Only Patron Saint (1993)
0.5/5
Standout Track: Solitude's Knowing Grace
Chart Position: N/A
Sci-Fi Pebbles officially broke up in 1990 following an embarrassing 1980s that saw what little credibility they had completely destroyed. However, in early '92 lead vocalist Max Discombe was approached by little-known independent label Pig Garden Records and put pen to paper on a new 1 album deal. This was Sci-Fi Pebbles' chance to comeback bigger and better than ever. However, following the refusal by all ex-members to join him in the studio, Discombe was left to write, perform and record the album entirely alone. His inability to play any instruments results in an album that is truly baffling, a mixture of dissonant noise, junkie poetry and recorder solos. It really does baffle the mind that any record company would release an album that completely lacks merit, though when research is employed, it doesn't take long to find out why; Pig Garden Records was owned by former roadie and lifelong friend of Discombe, Oliver Wreford. The release of this album saw both Wreford and Discombe plunged into financial trouble and neither have been heard from for sixteen years. They are thought to have fled to Guatemala and are still being searched for by the authorities, trying to reclaim over £250,000 in unpaid debts.
