Status Quo

The band had a successful early chapter with Pictures of Matchstick Men in 1968, a record whose psychedelic colour differed considerably from the later signature sound. Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt eventually developed a much more concentrated guitar partnership, with bassist Alan Lancaster and drummer John Coghlan forming the other half of the classic line-up.

Piledriver appeared in 1972 through Vertigo, with Paper Plane and Don't Waste My Time helping define the new direction. The arrangements put the physical momentum of the band near the centre, rather than surrounding the song with conspicuous studio decoration. The guitar parts could be repetitive in outline while still differing in attack, placement and rhythmic purpose.

Hello! followed in 1973, including Caroline, while On the Level in 1975 contained Down Down. These records established songs that could become the basis of a substantial live relationship with an audience. The choruses were clear, but the instrumental lead-in and the first recognisable riff often did much of the work before the words began.

Later recordings broadened the pop setting, including Whatever You Want and the Bolland song In the Army Now. The catalogue is therefore more varied than one familiar rhythm suggests, even if the early boogie remains its defining association. At its strongest, the music makes discipline sound like looseness: the players know exactly where the pulse is, which lets the riff feel as though it could continue without effort for another ten minutes.