Nutz-Hard Nutz (1977)

Founded in 1970, Nutz were a hard rock band who enjoyed their moment of glory when they were chosen to support UFO, Black Sabbath, and Budgie in the mid-70s, and gave a memorable performance at Reading in 1976. Hailing from Liverpool, the band was formed by guitarist Mick Davenport, who, along with drummer Jon Maylett and bassist Keith Mulholland, cultivated a large following by playing regularly at the legendary Cavern Club. Around the same time, thanks to a television advertisement, they discovered singer Dave Lloyd, who then became the lead vocalist. For a while, the band was based at the Cavern Club itself, recording during the day and performing at night. Their performances led to a deal with A&M Records, with whom they released their first album, which failed to meet expectations. Their next album, "Nuz Too". released in 1975, achieved better results thanks in part to improved production and the outstanding tracks "Changes Coming" and "The Love That You Lost", the latter featuring former Free member John "Rabbit". From this point, the band embarked on a long tour of the United States, despite neither of their albums having been released in the North American market. Back in England, they were chosen to support Black Sabbath on their British tour in support of the album "Technical Ecstasy". This tour earned them a spot at the Reading Festival that same year. By then, the band had expanded with the addition of keyboardist Kenny Newton, with whom they recorded their third album, and ultimately their best work, "Hard Nutz". This third release showcased a much more mature band, with compositions brimming with high quality and powerful hard rock. Besides the powerful guitar riffs, addictive vocals, and driving rhythm section, it's the keyboards that give an irresistible cohesion to this memorable album. Frenetic tracks like "Seeing Is Believing" and "Wallbanger" contrast with the melodic hard rock of "Down On My Knee", "Beast Of The Field". "Loser", and "I Know The Feeling", while on "From Here To Anywhere" the band ventures into more complex and progressive sounds. A subsequent tour with Budgie, the recording of "Bootligers" for the legendary NWOBHM compilation "Metal For Mutts" and the release of several live albums were the last recorded contributions of this magnificent and now-forgotten British band.