The Bevis Frond

Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, singer. If Nick Saloman had died after three studio albums like Jimi Hendrix (a major inspiration) or Nick Drake (with whom he shares a deep Englishness) he would have been lionised and lauded around the world. Saloman had the temerity to not only stay alive, but to release the first Bevis Frond album at the mature age of 34. Then, having bucked the “live fast, die young, leave a beautiful corpse” myth of rock , Saloman continued recording and releasing consistently entertaining Bevis Frond albums for the next thirty-plus years. Miasma was self-released in 1987; the twenty-fourth Frond album—Little Eden—came out in October 2021.

With a Beatlesque love of melody, a finely crafted lyrical sense and a guitar marinated in psychedelia, Bevis Frond albums embody these influences with verve. A heartfelt balled will be followed by a three minute garage thrash; a yearning chorus will load into an extended guitar excursion.

There are no bad Bevis Frond albums, but several are outstanding. New River Head and Little Eden, for example, are both fabulous. Or take pot luck. Nick Saloman will guide you through his unique universe with totally unaffected enthusiasm for rock songwriting and the art of the electric guitar.