The Pretty Things Members, Gear & Sound
English rock band
Members
Select a The Pretty Things band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.
About
The Pretty Things are a seminal English rock band that emerged in the early 1960s, known for their raw energy and significant influence on the development of various rock subgenres. Formed in London in 1963, the group originally consisted of Phil May (vocals) and Dick Taylor (guitar), who had previously played bass with the Rolling Stones. Over the years, the lineup saw many changes, but the band consistently pushed the boundaries of rock music. Their sound traverses a wide array of genres, including blues rock, psychedelic rock, garage rock, and proto-punk, often regarded as pioneers in the British rock scene. Albums like S.F. Sorrow are not only pivotal in their discography but also in the broader rock opera and psychedelic movements.
How to Sound Like The Pretty Things
The Pretty Things' sound is characterized by its raw, aggressive edge, melding the gritty textures of garage rock with the experimental flair of psychedelic and art rock. Their music often leans toward a dirty, unpolished sound, reflecting the band's rebellious spirit and unkempt image. Guitarist Dick Taylor's use of the Hofner Verythin Single Cutaway and Gibson ES-330 brings a distinctive, semi-hollowbody resonance, perfect for the band's blues-influenced riffs and psychedelic explorations. The interplay of raucous guitar tones and dynamic, pulsating rhythms forms a bedrock for their powerful vocal deliveries, creating a sound both ferocious and captivating. To emulate their style, musicians might focus on capturing that gritty, analog warmth with vintage-inspired gear and embracing the spontaneous, boundary-pushing ethos that defines The Pretty Things' enduring legacy.
Discography
The Pretty Things (Remastered)
1965
Get The Picture?
1965
Emotions
1967
S.F. Sorrow
1968
Parachute (Deluxe)
1970
Freeway Madness
1972
Silk Torpedo
1974
Savage Eye
1976
Cross Talk
1980
A Whiter Shade Of Dirty Water
1994
The EP Collection...Plus
1997
Resurrection (S.F. Sorrow Live at Abbey Road)
1999
Rage Before Beauty
1999
Balboa Island
2007
The Pretty Things (Live at the 100 Club)
2014
Live at Rockpalast (1998, 2004 & 2007) [Deluxe Version]
2014
Live at the BBC
2015
The Sweet Pretty Things (Are in Bed Now, Of Course...)
2015
Live at the BBC Paris Theatre 1974
2018
The Final Bow (Live at Indigo at the O2)
2019
Bare as Bone, Bright as Blood
2020
Get the The Pretty Things Sound
Want to sound like The Pretty Things? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.