Quatermass

Introduction to Quatermass

Quatermass, a British rock band formed in London in 1969, released their self-titled album in May 1970 under the Harvest label. The band comprised John Gustafson on bass and vocals, Peter Robinson on keyboards, and Mick Underwood on drums. Their music blended elements of rock, blues rock, art rock, progressive rock, and symphonic rock.

Recording and Production

The album was recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios during March and April 1970. It features eight tracks, including "Black Sheep Of The Family," "Entropy," and "Good Lord Knows." The arrangements included a large string and cello section, led by violinist Tony Gilbert and cellist Paul Buckmaster, with orchestration done by Robinson. The production was handled by Anders Henriksson, with engineering support from Andy Stevens and Jeff Jarratt. The cover art was created by Hipgnosis, known for their innovative album designs.

Band Background

Prior to forming Quatermass, John Gustafson was a member of The Big Three and the Merseybeats. Mick Underwood had played with Ritchie Blackmore in the Outlaws and later in Episode Six. Underwood and Gustafson joined forces after Roger Glover left Episode Six to join Deep Purple. The band’s name is derived from the Quatermass science-fiction series, reflecting their eclectic and experimental musical style.

Album Details

Despite the ambitious nature of the album and its intricate arrangements, Quatermass struggled with poor sales and a lack of promotion from their label. This led to the band disbanding in April 1971, less than a year after the album's release. Following the breakup, Peter Robinson continued his career as a session musician and film composer, collaborating with artists such as Brand X and Phil Collins.

Track Highlights

The album contains several standout tracks, including the energetic "Make Up Your Mind" and the atmospheric "Post War Saturday Echo." "Good Lord Knows" features Baroque-style orchestration, showcasing the band's ability to blend rock with orchestral elements. The closing reprise of "Entropy" rounds out the album with a reflective tone, encapsulating the band's diverse musical influences.

Conclusion

Quatermass is notable for being the band's only LP, recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 1970.