Meet Eggs Over Easy, One of the Most Influential Bands You've Never Heard Of

(Yep Roc Records)

In the mid-1970s, the genre of “pub rock” hit the beer-swilling public houses of the U.K. It was England’s proto-punk movement. Long before the Sex Pistols or the Buzzcocks broke out, it was a reaction to the 10-minute-long-soloing progressive rock of bands like Genesis and Yes, and glam rock of T. Rex and David Bowie.

Surprisingly, the genre is actually rooted in an American band, Eggs Over Easy, who ventured to London to record an album, but instead, found themselves playing a popular residency at a northwest London pub called the Tally Ho—and at the forefront of a new movement. Eggs went on to inspire local artists such as Nick Lowe, who went on to score a Top 40 single in the U.S. with “Cruel to Be Kind” and penned the Elvis Costello classic “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding.”

Below, watch a short documentary on the band. Immediately following it, listen to two songs from the band’s forthcoming box set out on June 24 on Yep Roc Records. Like what you hear? Order it here.