Pub Rock

Pub rock has become derided these days and is viewed as a postscript to Punk but i think it was far more important than that.
Here's why.
Gigs where you were supposed to sit down in a fog of dope smoke and quietly nod your head.
Bands who had songs that took up four sides of a double album.
The same songs that required an honours degree in music to attempt playing.
Remote dinosaur musicians living on trout farms in Surrey (or on entire personal islands in Scotland).
Giant concerts where the musicians look like ants.
Tie dyes and flares.
Double neck guitars.
Anything by Yes.
Fawning music reporters initiated into the backstage lifestyle providing arselicking reviews of the latest concept album.
etc etc etbloodycetera....
The pub rockers started the process that blew away the worst of these excesses - you could get near them, they had a bit of balls, the songs were simpler an shorter and in my case you thought "hang on - i could have a go at this".
These days even bands like Blondie admit to being influenced by Dr Feelgood (the first line-up, but more of that later) and certainly the attitude of young bands like Eddie and the Hot Rods paved the way for punk and the venues they opened up in London gave the punks more places to play.
It was a turning point for me - three chord songs, not much gear, small venues that looked full with about eighteen people in them and all your mates jumping about having a good time. Heaven in a pint glass. You could have a punt at it and the Bad Detectives are still out there still trying to nail it.