EDGAR BROUGHTON BAND
Wasn't sure whether to put this under E or B.
My favourite band at one point. An important stepping stone (for me) on the way to Beefheart. The were an awesome live act, especially early on when they were a trio. The albums never reflected the true Edgar Broughton experience. There was always tension in the air when they played. Edgar was always angry and intimidating; Arthur Grant, bass, always seemed timid and vulnerable; and Edgar's brother Steve, drums, couldn't give a fuck. Saw them probably half a dozen times. I'll limit myself to telling you about 3.
1st was at Brighton Dome, 68 or 69. it was a a student organised thing I think. There were 8 acts on the bill. The only ones I can recall were
1. David Bowie, 3rd on the bill. Sat on a stool and played 3 numbers on acoustic guitar. One was the just charting " Space Oddity". No theatrics, no make up, no weird clothes.

2. Success. 2nd on the bill. 2 guitars, 2 basses, 2 drummers. Didn't believe in giving their music titles, so we heard "Piece No. 1", "Piece No. 2" etc.

3. Edgar Broughton Band
Came on late, as everyone else had over ran. Someone backstage had told him to shorten his set, but he wasn't having any of that.  He told us, in no uncertain terms, that he would stop when HE wanted to. They looked great on the huge stage, crammed together in the middle with acres of space on either side. They definitely played "Dropout Boogie/ Refugee", "American Boy Soldier", and "The Physcopath". There may have been more. Each number went on for about 15 minutes, often with a long rambling monologue intro from Edgar. During one number, the house lights came on, and Jeff Dexter, the DJ, came onstage and said, "Thank you very much, the Edgar Broughton Band!". Edgar pushed him out of the way and said, "We're not finished yet!" , and carried on with the show. The final number was "Out Demons Out", during which there was a band - encouraged stage invasion, and I found myself onstage, dancing and singing with the band. Jeff Dexter was walking about between us, trying to get us to stop, to no avail. 

Another time was at Tunbridge Wells Assembly Rooms. Edgar kept throwing the mikestand down on the stage, and a hapless roadie had to keep scurrying on to put it back up. They definitely played Dropout Boogie/ Refugee", "American Boy Soldier", "The Moth", "Love in the Rain", "Officer Dan" and "There's No Vibrations, but Wait", among others. During "American Boy Soldier, some people up in the balcony started singing along. Edgar stopped the band, and snarls up at them, "Do you wanna do this fucking concert by yourselves?". They were as quiet as mice after that.

Another time was Hastings pier. This was an all nighter, from 6pm till 6am. By about half two it was a nightmare, floor awash with Beer and puke, Everyone was either raving drunk or out cold. Fights were breaking out all over the place. Edgar Broughton Band didn't turn up till gone 5am. Edgar was mad cos the organisers had told him they were cutting his fee for being late. He claimed they were late cos they'd come across a guy trying to commit suicide from a bridge on the way, and they had stayed with him, talking him out of it. Can't remember what they played, I was practically asleep on my feet. I do remember that every time Edgar tried to say something to Steve, Steve would Hit a cymbal right in Edgar's face and turn his head away.