Saturday 7 January 2023

Pale Wizard Announce Budgie - Never Turn Your Back on a Friend 50 YEARS LATER!


How can a band be so influential and yet experience so little mainstream success in their lifetime?

In June 1973, a little trio from Cardiff in Wales called Budgie released their third album 'Never Turn Your Back on a Friend'. Recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios, this album firmly cemented their legacy as a dynamic force to be reckoned with in the hard rock movement of the early seventies. With their music being covered by the likes of Van Halen, Iron Maiden and Metallica, it is clear that Budgie have left an enduring mark upon the music world as we know it.

'Never Turn Your Back on a Friend' built upon the hard rocking and progressive elements of their first two records, helped along nicely by the now legendary opening song 'Breadfan'.

Tragically in 2022, their lead singer, bassist and founding member Burke Shelley passed away at the age of 71. Now in 2023, exactly fifty years after it's original release, we plan to pay tribute to this awesome album.

We're thrilled to announce this epic lineup of acts to be taking part in this release:

Alunah
Great Electric Quest
Syncolima
Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell
Regulus
Sergeant Thunderhoof
Firegarden

Each band will be taking on one of the songs in their own style. All of the songs have already been completed and we're so pleased with how they sound! We will be featuring different bands throughout the Kickstarter campaign so you can get to learn more about them and also hear their connections and feelings regarding this project and Budgie.