Bollock Brothers

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Frontman Jock McDonald Jock McDonald - 25.11.2018 Piano Dortmund.jpg
Frontman Jock McDonald

The Bollock Brothers are a British band formed in 1979 by the London promoter, DJ and manager Jock McDonald. They are best known for their English-language cover of Serge Gainsbourg's song "Harley David (Son of a Bitch)" (originally in French) and Alex Harvey's "Faith Healer". [1]

Contents

As well as being known for their original songs "Horror Movies", "The Bunker", "The Legend of the Snake" and "The Slow Removal of the Left Ear of Vincent van Gogh" which featured Martin Glover of the band Killing Joke, they are known for their release of cover versions by artists Led Zeppelin, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Steppenwolf, David Bowie and Vangelis, among others.

Their 1983 electro version of the Sex Pistols' album Never Mind the Bollocks featured Michael Fagan, the man who entered the Queen's bedchamber at Buckingham Palace. Jimmy Lydon, brother of Johnny Rotten, was a featured vocalist for a short period in the early 1980s. [2]

In 1994, Croydon-based DJ Andy Hubbard aka, "Alby" remixed "Faith Healer" at the Alaska Studios in Waterloo, London.The record was never released and the original DAT copy was held by Jock McDonald. Andy Hubbard also replaced the original keyboard player for a gig later that year in Wuppertal, Germany.

Having released nine studio albums as well as other EPs, singles, live releases and compilations, the band continues to play music throughout Europe primarily in Belgium, Germany and France. The members were Jock McDonald (vocals), Chris McKelvey (guitar), Richard Collins (bass), Klaus Fiehe, Patrick Pattyn (drums) Ciaran Crossan (guitar) and Morgan Michaux (keyboard). Their album Last Will & Testament (2009) was dedicated to their longtime keyboard player "Big Mark" Humphries, who died on 31 March 2008. [3]

Jock McDonald died in a drowning incident in Bundoran, on 26 July 2025, at the age of 69. [4]

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Singles

Compilation albums

VHS videos

References

  1. "The Bollock Brothers | Discover music on NTS". Nts.live. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
  2. "Jimmy Lydon". Discogs. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  3. "The Bollock Brothers' Mark Humphrey dead". Side-line.com. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  4. "Shock and sadness at tragic death of punk legend, Jock McDonald". Donegal Daily. 27 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.

Bibliography

Further reading: