Inside A Hole by Dave Bundy: A Forgotten Pop Gem from 1972
Alright, let’s talk about Inside A Hole by Dave Bundy. If you’re into vintage pop with a quirky UK twist, this one might just hit the spot. Released back in ’72 on UK Records, it’s not exactly what you’d call mainstream these days—but hey, maybe that's why it’s kinda special.
First off, the album kicks off with its title track, “Inside A Hole.” Man, this song sticks with ya. It’s got this weirdly catchy vibe, like something you’d hum while waiting for the bus but then forget half the lyrics to five minutes later. The melody feels simple enough, but there’s this sneaky layer of melancholy underneath—all wrapped up in Bundy’s slightly raspy voice. You can tell he poured his heart into writing this thing (he wrote all the tracks himself). I mean, how many songs make you think about existential dread while tapping your foot? Not many, right?
Then there’s “Nicer Out,” which is probably my favorite cut from the record. This tune has an almost playful energy to it, like someone trying to convince themselves everything’s gonna be fine—even when it clearly isn’t. The chorus hooks you real quick; it’s one of those earworms that lingers long after the needle lifts off the vinyl. Plus, the little guitar riff halfway through? Super groovy. Feels like Bundy knew exactly when to throw in some sparkle without overdoing it.
The rest of the album follows suit—low-key introspective yet oddly upbeat. It’s definitely not perfect. Some parts feel a bit rough around the edges, and sure, production-wise, it doesn’t hold a candle to today’s slick standards. But honestly? That rawness makes it more endearing. Like, you can practically picture Bundy hunched over his notebook late at night, scribbling down lyrics fueled by cups of tea and whatever else kept him going.
Reflecting on Inside A Hole, it strikes me as the kind of album that wouldn’t get made nowadays—at least not in the same way. There’s no big marketing push, no flashy features, just a dude pouring his soul out onto tape. And yeah, it’s not gonna change your life or anything, but sometimes music doesn’t need to do that. Sometimes it just needs to exist, quietly doing its thing in the background until someone stumbles across it decades later and thinks, “Huh, this is kinda cool.”
Oh, and here’s the kicker—I couldn’t find any photos of Dave Bundy online. Like, none. Zero. What happened to this guy? Did he retire to a cottage somewhere and take up gardening? Or did he reinvent himself as a pirate radio DJ? Your guess is as good as mine.
