Killing Floor are a band I’ve been meaning to write about for a long time, the reason for which may become apparent to those who are aware of my ultimate musical hero. 😉

Formed in South East London in 1968, and taking their name from a Howlin’ Wolf song, Killing Floor produced some excellent, at times boogie-tinged, power blues rock. Founding members, guitarist Mick Clarke and vocalist / harmonica player Bill Thorndycraft recruited piano / keyboard player Lou Martin, bassist Stewart MacDonald and drummer Baz Smith, and the five-piece quickly cemented their reputation in London’s burgeoning blues scene.

They were soon taken under the management of ex-Manish Boys lead guitarist, John Edward who secured the band an album deal with the Spark label – an offshoot of Southern Music. However, a surprise was in store when Killing Floor turned up for the initial recording session and leaned that the label wanted the LP to consist of original material, so that they could claim the publishing rights!

The problem was, most of the band’s repertoire consisted of covers of various Chicago blues songs.

Problem? What problem? Bill Thorndycraft quickly made his excuses and took himself off to the studio toilets where he re-wrote the lyrics to the songs that would comprise the band’s eponymous debut album.

Sorted.

That year, 1969, saw not only the release of their LP, but also allowed the band to bolster their ‘live’ reputation by playing several BBC Radio sessions (John Peel show included) and supporting the likes of Yes, and also playing as the backing band to blues guitar legend, Freddie King when he toured UK and Europe.

Personnel changes followed though, as first Lou Martin left after the release of the album, followed later by Stewart MacDonald, who was replaced by ex-Fuzzy Duck bassist, Mick Hawksworth. Baz Smith also left after the first album, replaced by Rod De’Ath. (Now some readers may realize where I was coming from in the post’s opening sentence. 🙂 )

A second album, ‘Out of Uranus‘ (yeah, really) was released in the following year, 1970. Whereas the debut leaned more to the garage-infused side of blues rock, the follow-up has more of a late psychedlic / underground feel to it.

There were a couple other line-up changes, but ultimately, the band broke up in 1972. Mick Clarke (who would later release around ten albums with his own Mick Clarke Band) Mick Hawksworth and Tony Fernandez would initially join Toe Fat (the band famed for also boasting future Uriah Heep legends, Lee Kerslake and Ken Hensley.)

Rod De’ath? Well, he once again joined up with piano / keyboard player Lou Martin … in Rory Gallagher‘s new band of the time.

And that, dear reader, is where we came in!

🙂

(Am I being too bold to suggest the guitar, and at points, the rhythm section on this track sounds very ‘Gallagher-esque?’)

KILLING FLOOR

Mick Clarke – Lead Guitar
Lou Martin – Piano
Stewart MacDonald – Bass
Baz Smith – Drums
Bill Thorndycraft – Lead Vocals / Harmonica
+
Rod De’Ath – Drums
Mick Hawksworth – Bass / Vocals
Roy Owen – (?)
Tony Fernandez – Drums

TITLE	FORMAT	YEAR	LABEL	NOTES
Killing Floor	LP	1969	Spark
Out of Uranus	LP	1970	Penny Farthing
Call For The Politicians	7″ single	1970	Penny Farthing