Hydra - Hydra (1974) (1998)

Based in the southern states of America, hard rock band Hydra formed in the early 70s around a line-up of Wayne Bruce (vocals, guitar), Spencer Kirkpatrick (guitar), Orville Davis (bass) and Steve Pace (drums). Signed to the Allman Brothers and Marshall Tucker Band’s record label, Capricorn Records, they made their debut in 1974 with a self-titled collection that drew heavily on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s southern boogie tradition, but also added elaborate pop hooks and disciplined rhythmic codas. Songs such as ‘Glitter Queen’ won them a fervent fanbase, though the subsequent Land Of Money, a more abrasive collection, was less successful. By the advent of Rock The World Davis had departed to join Rex and the resultant instability stalled the group’s progress.