Brinsley Schwarz - Subsequent Careers

Subsequent Careers

Schwarz and Andrews joined Graham Parker & the Rumour; later Andrews moved to New Orleans. He now plays in Dos Jefe's Uptown Cigar Bar and has a web page: www.neworleanspiano.com.

Rankin joined Terraplane and then Big Jim Sullivan's Tiger.

Lowe and Gomm both began solo careers, achieving moderate mainstream success. Lowe's 1978 album Jesus of Cool received considerable critical acclaim and reached number 22 in the UK albums chart. It included the track I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass, which reached number 7 in the UK singles chart. The album also included Bob Andrews on keyboard and Dave Edmunds on guitar. He also co-wrote Dr Feelgood's top ten hit Milk and Alcohol, which reached number 9 in 1979. Lowe's (1980) single and biggest worldwide hit Cruel to Be Kind was co-written with Gomm and originally recorded by Brinsley Schwarz for their unreleased final album. This version was included on the 2008 30th anniversary edition of the Jesus of Cool album. In 1979 Gomm had a hit with Hold On, which reached number 18 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The original version of Elvis Costello's hit "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding", written by Lowe, was released by the band in 1974 on their album The New Favourites of Brinsley Schwarz, and also featured on the multimillion selling soundtrack of the movie The Bodyguard, where it was performed by Curtis Stigers.