The Groundhogs Albums Ranked

The Groundhogs are a British blues band founded in late 1963, that toured extensively in the 1960s, achieved prominence in the early 1970s, and continued sporadically into the 21st century. Tony McPhee (guitar and vocals) is the sole constant member of the group, which has gone through many personnel changes but usually records and performs as a power trio. The band was originally formed as The Dollar Bills in New Cross, London in 1962 by brothers Pete and John Cruickshank (born in 1943 and 1945 respectively in Calcutta, West Bengal, India). Tony McPhee (born 22 March 1944), the lead guitarist in an instrumental group called the Seneschals, joined the group later that same year. McPhee steered them towards the blues and renamed them after a John Lee Hooker song, “Groundhog’s Blues”. Here are all of The Groundhogs albums ranked.

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10. Scratching The Surface (1968)

“I always tend to compare anything the Groundhogs do to their Who Will Save The World album and for this early release, the similarities are very vague. This is pure blues. There are a few odd timings here and there to add unique twists to the usual 12 bar structure and for the first time ever, I heard a different vocalist on a Groundhogs song in Steve Rye on two of the cuts.”

9. Solid (1974)

“Classic 70’s prog/blues/rock, by far and away the best Groundhogs album, no serious collection should be without this CD. Clever and careful use of early guitar synth and mellotron, but still lots of great guitar happening. Exceptional mixing as this Cd was only recorded on an 8 track machine, you would never know it, it stands the test of time superbly well..!

8. Hogwash (1972)

“As many have said, The Groundhogs are an acquired taste, no different than say, Motorhead. That being said, the Hogs are my taste when it comes to blues rock. Tony’s no-pick guitar style is unique and fresh, and his vocals are like no other. Yeah, he’d probably not do so well on American Idol, but most likely because he can actually play an instrument besides sing. However, when it comes to his craft, there is nobody better.”

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7. Live At Leeds ’71 (2002)

“Here’s some good music that should have impressed the music world of 1971. And if you were there this will sound perfectly fine. Much much better than anything Savoy Brown ever did. Guitar heads, listen up! This is some good stuff here.”

6. Blues Obituary (1969)

“Innovative 1969 second album from the legendary T.S. McPhee & band. On “Blues Obituary”, the Groundhogs take their Chicago-style electric British blues/rock sound and twist it through a maze of aggressive, drug-induced progressive psychedelic guitar rock. The band’s bluesy side shows influence from the likes of John Lee Hooker, Alexis Korner, John Mayall, Peter Green, etc. McPhee’s guitar work is extraordinary, and the influence of The Groundhogs on later bands was major. An exceptional combination of electric Brutish blues and psychedelic guitar rock. Highly Recommended.”

5. Who Will Save The World? The Mighty Groundhogs (1972)

“According to McPhee, the theme of the album is “man’s devastation of his environment, mainly for profit.” This theme was chosen not by the band, but by the great cartoonist Neal Adams! Responding to a request from the band’s manager, Adams drew/wrote a short comic strip featuring the superheroes The Mighty Groundhogs, who fight Pollution, Overpopulation, War, and corporations — the comic strip is included as the CD insert — and this was the basis for McPhee’s songs. I can’t make out all the lyrics, which are not included, but the theme is certainly clear, and McPhee provides a brief sketch of the meaning of each song.”

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4. Black Diamond (1976)

“”Black Diamond” is a slight return to form for this top-notch British blues band. The outstanding strident blues guitar from Tony McPhee is the highlight of this long play. Good material and toe-tappers abound on this album. Good stuff if you enjoy solid guitar-driven hard blues rock from England.”

3. Hoggin’ The Stage (1984)

“Disc one features live tracks from the original line up with excellent versions of Cherry red and Split part one. Disc two features recordings made several years later but is still worth listening to, even though the sound quality is not as good as disc one. Recommended to all Hog’s fans!”

2. Thank Christ For The Bomb (1970)

“This was the first album of three that catapulted what had been a blues band into the progressive rock scene. The first one I heard was “Split” from 1971. “Thank Christ for the Bomb” (1970) is not as musically adventurous, still more clearly based in the blues, but the lyrics, all by Tony McPhee, are stronger. The lyrics are not included, but are easily accessible online. The Groundhogs’ trajectory was similar to Fleetwood Mac, which also started in the blues, with the excellent guitarists Peter Green and Danny Kirwan, and then became more progressive. McPhee’s guitar work is a major attraction here, with great solos throughout.”

1. Split (1971)

“”The Split” is my all-time heaviest acid blues album. When I purchased the LP back in 1971 I amazed my friends with its incredible trio. Tony McPhee is nothing short of godlike in his wielding of the ax, and Cruickshank and Pustelnik stoutly back him up. The title cut is in four parts, each obtaining increasing levels of volume and dexterity. The lead into “Split-Part Two” is especially eye-opening. The four other tracks, including “Cherry Red” are loud and fast acid blues.”