Steve Hillage (guitar, vocal) and Martin Montgomery-Campbell know as Mont Campbell (bass, guitar, piano)
Other members: Dave Stewart ( keyboard) and Clive Brooks (drums) joined later.
The group's name is also a name of one of biblical angels. The group chose the name, inspired by Milton's 'Paradise Lost' (as Stewart remembers it). They played the first show in a youth club in Sheen. That night, they played several covers of Hendrix and a group called Nice. Right after the show, they started writing their own material. At that time, they recorded a demo (Egoman) which wasn't released until today. In the summer of 1968, they played a few gigs at Ryde Castle Hotel, on Island of Wight. Also, Hillage decided to quit the band and went to study on Kent University. The group survived, though, and they played as a trio. Thanks to Bill Jelett (whom they met shortly before,) Uriel started playing at the famous The Middle Earth.
Dave Howson and Paul Walden at that time started to have a huge influence over the group. They suggested changing the name into EGG (January, 1969). After some trouble, EGG signs an agreement with Decca and record the first album. At the same time they met Peter Wicker, who had a small recording studio. He suggested that they recorded an album, with a psychedelic twist to it. Wicker stated a condition, though. Namely, the expenditures should not exceed 250 pounds. There was also another problem. Egg still had a contract with Decca Record. Both issues were resolved very simply. The whole material was recorded during one afternoon in Studio 19, on London's Denmark Street. Steve Hillage participated in the recording. The whole group changed their names (just for the album's sake and created new biographies.)
- Sam Lee ~Uff - David Stewart, it was the name of his Latin teacher
- Basil Downing - Clive Brooks, it was the name of his math teacher
- Simeon Sasparella - Steve Hillage (it was the best name, as Stewart nicely puts it, for testing new microphones)
- Njerogi Gatetaka (Martin Montgomery- Mont Campbell) was the fourth member. His biography was the most real one. Indeed, he was born in Africa and, at the beginning of the 60s, he moved to England.
David Stewart claims that the name was inspired by one of the craters of the Moon*. Musically, the material sounded like the early tapes of Uriel. The cover was designed by David Stewart. If you take a closer look, you ll surely notice 250 (this is the budget of the recording.) The album, released in 1969, has been reissued a few times, both legally and illegally. Hence, the prices literally skyrocketed and the album itself became a sort of a rara avis among record collectors.
*Arzachel - a Spanish astronaut, with Arabic roots. He lived in XI century, the real name Al Zarqali. David Stewart came across the name in some very interesting circumstances.
This was the only album by Arzachel as a group. The musicians members did not sit on their laurels, though.
Steve Hillage played with Khan, Gong, and in the 70s he cooperated with various musicians as a producer (K. Ayers, Charlatan, T.Banks, Blink). Since the beginning of the 90s, he is the member of System 7.
Martin Campbell after Egg disbanded in 1972, he joined Hatfield & The North, National Health, Mosaic and several own projects.
Clive Brooks for two years he played with Grounhogs and later with Liar.
David Stewart - since 1972, he joined Ottawa Music Company, Khan, Gong, National Health, Bruford, Rapid Eye Movement, released a few solo albums, and created a pop (!!!) duo: Stewart and Gaskin.
Discography:
Album:
Arzachel - Arzachel (1969)
Queen St. Gang: https://youtu.be/3hIoFPz-irQ :
Source: pearlsofrock.com
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