I was pleased to receive your letter which I shall put away in 'good company' to read again,
perhaps some day when old age overtakes me & when to revive memories of the past may be a solace.
If you would like to add a story or leave a message,
click
Mark Moore
Sun 22 May 2011
Hi Bazza.
Just looking through the list after being inspired by Jim Trail & Marcus Kelson on 666.
Just a few names I didn't see & thought they could possibly get a listing.
The Hammonds. Liquid, Three (plus other projects like Primoose with Dean Toohey?)
Just a couple, I'm sure you get a bit of feedback now & then, just extending what seems to be a never ending list ...
Top job,
Keep going
Thanks,
Mark Moore
Fiona Edge
Fri 20 May 2011
Great job on your site.
Will you be listening this Sunday 22 May ABC 666 10am-12? It's Indie Bands (when they were): Canberra Bands '75-'95 with Jim Trail & Marcus Kelson. You can listen online too.
Cheers,
Fiona
Dave McRae
Wed 18 May 2011
Hi there Barry,
Thanks for a great site!
New info for New Guard also a few pix if there's any possibility of posting them
Thanks again,
Dave McRae
Melanie Sim
Mon 9 May 2011
Hi,
My name is Melanie, I produce the Sunday Morning Show in ABC Canberra and we are doing a history of bands in the 60s, early 70s and keen to get n touch with Barry McCulloch for the show. Could you please pass on my contact details so he can ring me?
Regards,
Melanie
Mary Hutchison
Tue 3 May 2011
So pleased to see this website! Lea Collins and I are making a sound
installation - a Canberra Sound Album - and we are interested in recording
memories of the Kingston squats. I think there are connections between
Kingston Katz members and the squats. Do you know anyone who might be interested
in sharing their memories of the times? We are also interested in hearing about
the sound environment of the times. Happy to tell you more about the
project, just wanted to make an initial contact. Hope to hear from you .
Thanks,
Mary
Chris Whitton
Sun 1 May 2011
Hi,
I have a few slides of Lafayette playing at the Steakout Tavern in East Row in the early 80s. Let me know if you are interested. I will pass them on gratis.
Cheers,
Chris Whitten
Iain D Marks
Sat 23 April 2011
Cheers Baz,
I think the website is certainly worth keeping up on the net for researchers and music fans even if you don't contribute often to it any more.
Book will be in the post after Easter. Let me know when it arrives. Please let folks in your network know about it. (I've attached a press release here). And once again thanks for helping us out with those Bitter Lemons pix.
Iain
Iain D Marks
Tue 19 April 2011
Hi Barry,
Hope all is going well at your end. The WILD ABOUT YOU book has arrived in Australia and is being distributed to shops around the country. Thanks again for all your help with photos of The Bitter Lemons some years back. I'd like to send you a copy so could you send me your current address.
Cheers,
Iain
Ian Bull
Fri 8 April 2011
Kev,
Surprised there is no entry for The Polka Pigs (www.polkapigs.com.au) are you able to add one?
Billy Stewart and Ian Murray
Thu 17 Mar 2011
Hi Barry,
My name is Billy Stewart. I was one half of the duo "The Two Scots" which played around Canberra for many years in the 89s when live music was, . . . well "live". The other half was Ian Murray and yes we both were Scottish. Ian is still alive (a shock to most people who knew us) and living in Sydney. We are still great friends. I am still living in Canberra. I have lots of great memories from those days, the Stockade in Braddon (Dave Ruston writes about it in your archives) Rose Cottage Inn on a Sunday afternoon, the George Harcourt Inn . . . the list goes on. Before joining Ian and forming "The Two Scots" I spent many years entertaining at the Gundaroo Pub, itself a real part of local musical heritage. I used to entertain on the buses and then around the various rooms (guitar and vocals). Many a musician played there. Malcolm Bennet, Scrumpy, Tony Woods, Mike Hayes, to name a few. The resident band was Scrub (Tony Woods, John Upton and a guy called Wayne? replaced by Trevor? at a later date). Anyway, as The Two Scots we did release a single in Canberra in 1986 under the name of Incognito. One side was called Phenomena and the other side was We Are Not American. Both sides went to number one on the radio show Top 5 at Nine which was popular in those days. We had a fantastic time playing all the local venues and we got to know many of the local musos on the circuit at that time. I also did some gigs with Kieran Roberts. Loui Cerviatti, Neil Gray and Peter Bowler were playing together as The Sheep when myself and Ian were finishing up as The Two Scots. Ian was heading overseas. Anyway I got a call from Neil and Loui that Peter Bowler had left their trio The Sheep and wanted me to join them. Next day we formed a trio called The Three Scots a name which lasted only a few weeks until one night, at Neil's sister's place, we had a think tank, we cam up with the name Itchy Feet and we played around town and down the coast under that name for years until I left to go overseas to Scotland. I have some great memories of those days. . . travelling all over the countryside in Neil's van, with Neil and Loui's dogs in the back for constant company. Many a time we would pull over on the way from a gig down the coast just to discuss our favourite subject "the meaning of life". Loui as everybody knows was a real character. Apart from being a genius on bass he was also a very intelligent guy who seemed to always have an answer for everything! I still visit his grave from time to time . . . he is sorely missed by myself and my wife Anthea, who always looked after Loui when he needed a feed. Unfortunately, last year, Loui's son Wayne passed away at a young age. Wayne was a terrific artist as anyone who visited Loui's old house in Latham will tell you. Neil was (and is) just Neil, a gifted musician and a fantastic songwriter. He now lives in Queensland and we still keep in touch. We hope to visit him and his wife Chris later this year. So I hope you will add the name The Two Scots Billy Stewart (guitar and vocals) and Ian Murray (vocals and very occasional harmonica) to your fantastic site. Looking through the website, I recognise so many of the names. If anyone wants to say hello (eg Dave Ruston) feel free to give them my email address. Hi to everyone who remembers us!
Billy Stewart (and Ian Murray)
Damien Mackey
Sun 13 Mar 2011
Hi,
It was nice to come across your website. I think you could include "Kimbo's" and "The Boot and Flogger" among your listed venues.
Damien Mackey
Ross Luff
Fri 4 Mar 2011
Hi there,
I have just stumbled across the Canberra Musicians website and it brought back many of great memories. I spent a lot of nights in the 80s hanging out in bars around Canberra watching many bands that I had forgotten about until I scrolled through. I even have a copy of Kev and the MO's single!!!! There are couple of other bands I can remember that aren't listed ad I think I have some details at home ( I might even have a picture or two). I'll have a look and get back to you if you are interested.
Regards,
Ross
Karen
Thu 3 Mar 2011
I knew a band singer that played in Canberra during the mid 60s, they played at
the Showground. Peter Bruest was his name, is he still around? Real nice guy.
Karen
Konrad Lenz
Mon 14 Feb 2011
Hey Barry,
Just found your site looking up The Real Gone Lovers.Good stuff. I'll have to send you info/photos of my band, The Spirits of the Dead. We were a band that was between 5 and 10 people fronted by myself, sprt of folk, country, blues, rock.We may or may not be happening still. Don't know, it is one of those every body leaves town for different cities sort of things and we haven't done much lately. A while back I recorded with Johnny and Pegsy fro The Lovers, also did some with Pete Burke again from The Lovers. They're all great players. Canberra as produced some really great bands. I think it's because there isn't much else to do here. You can hear my stuff with the links below if you're interested. Anyway cheers,
Konrad Lenz
Dianne Mikita
Thu 3 Feb 2011
Found this old photo thought you might like.
Katie Woodward
Sat 29 Jan 2011
Hi there,
I'm trying to contact a few musicians who are friends of my father's, who used to own The PITS at the Rex. I was wondering if you had contacts for any of these people . . . Greg Clift (The Naughty Rhythms), Hondo (The Shaved Pits), and Peter Scott (The Club).
Kind Regards,
Katie Woodward
Gray Slater
Sun 2 Jan 2011
Not sure if you're still maintaining the site but you might want to know that
Wes Slater, long time Canberra drummer, PA mixer and recording engineer running
Shoestring Studio died accidentally on 14 Dec 2010.Wes most recently played with
"Wolf and Pepperjack". More information can be obtained by contacting
Boyd Kelly or myself.
Gray Slater, Wes' brother
Vanessa Colwell
Thu 30 Dec 2010
Hi there,
I just came across your website. My dad is Roger Davis of The Roger Davis Quartet. Just wondering if you were in touch with him. Would you like me to put you in touch? Are there any videos of the RDQ on the Internet? Do you have any other photos?
Cheers,
Vanessa
Rohan Lilley
Tue 7 May 2010
Dear Mr. Barry McCulloch,
The National Film and Sound Archive aims to build a comprehensive collection
representing all aspects of Australia’s film, television, sound and related
industries to ensure that Australians have access to this part of their cultural
heritage now and in the future. The National Film and Sound Archive
traditionally collects items in physical formats, but it is also committed to
preserving electronic publications of lasting cultural value.
PANDORA, Australia’s Web Archive, was set up by the National Library of
Australia in 1996 to enable the archiving and provision of long-term access to
online Australian publications (including those dealing with our audio-visual
industries). The National Film and Sound Archive is one of a number of
partners associated with the National Library in this project. Additional
information about PANDORA can be found on the Library's server at: http://pandora.nla.gov.au/index.html
We would like to include Canberra
Musicians Index Pagein the PANDORA Archive and I would be grateful if
you would let me know whether you are willing to permit us to do so by granting
us a licence under the Copyright Act 1968 to copy your website into the National
Film and Sound Archive and to provide public online access to it via the
Internet. This means that you would grant the National Film and Sound
Archive and National Library permission to retain your publication in the
National Film and Sound Archive and to provide public access to it in
perpetuity. We assume that in granting permission all contributors to your
publication are informed and in agreement that their work will be archived in
PANDORA. If you are not the person with authority to give permission,
could you please advise us who is.
[For serials and integrating titles: We would like to re-archive your
publication periodically to record significant additions and changes.]
If you are willing to grant us such a licence,
I would be grateful if you could complete the short form at the end of this
message and return it to me.
There are some benefits to you as a publisher in having your website archived in
this way. If you grant us a copyright licence, The National Film and Sound
Archive (through the National Library) will take the necessary preservation
action to keep your publication accessible as hardware and software changes over
time. The National Library will catalogue your publication onto the
National Bibliographic Database (a database of catalogue records shared by over
1,100 Australian libraries). This will increase awareness of your site
among researchers using either catalogue.
In the event that I cannot archive your online publication due to technical
difficulties with emergent technologies, may I ask that you provide me with the
publication on CD-R so that it may be ingested.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Rohan Lilley
PANDORA Agency Administrator
Electronic and Digital Archivist
Sound, Broadcast and New Media Branch
National Film and Sound Archive
McCoy Circuit, Acton Canberra ACT 2601
GPO BOX 2002 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
Steve Hoy
Tue 27 April 2010
Baz,
Just trawlin’ through the site – needs support from the National Trust!
Found those Café Jax photos. That was Wayne Burt on the right with Hanna and
me. Mark Willis is right Doug Hunter organised that; Joe Camilleri and I came
back from Melbourne a few months later to help Doug after a financial
misadventure. Ran into John Stockdill all too briefly at the first(?) Canberra
Blues Festival in early 2003 when I was living in Sydney and playing with the
Hippos.
Looking at the Saga page brought back some amusing memories. Tony Harris
rejoined Saga on condition that I be the new guitarist for the revamped 1983
line-up probably because I was spending half my pay packet at Impact Records and
he knew I needed the rent money for the Red Hill house. Which is a nice segue
into a little known anecdote. One evening Jeff Gallimore phoned asking if I had
any ideas for a new band name for Saga as he felt it might be getting a bit
stale. I glanced at the nearby ironing board – strange I know - noticed the
bottle of Fabulon spray starch - even stranger I know - and boldly suggested
Saga become the Fabulons. Which of course was a suitably 80’s sort of mock RnB
name. Lo and behold a little later the Fabulons debuted at the Bruce Stadium as
the half time entertainment for the basketball! That line-up changed shortly
after.
When I get around to it I’ll scan some photos from 83-84 and send them.
Fetching stuff including Dave W-E in a yellow polka dot shirt from the Hoy
collection. Calm down at the back!
Cheers
Steve Hoy
Lee J
Collier
Sat 3 April 2010
Hi, I was wondering if you ever came across a singer called Alby (Albert) Gribatis?
He was in Canberra in the 60's. My Mum knew him...she used to 'sit in' and sing with the "Alpines" and others back then.
Any help would be great.
Thanks
Lee J Collier
Nic Dalton
Fri 19 March 2010
Great Site!
And that Dave Studdert – he really needs to self-edit before he starts typing ... or talking.
What an embarrassment to Canberra/Sydney musicians!
Nic Dalton
Brendan Bail
Sat 10 Oct 2009
Hi There! Stumbled across your
fantastic site.
Another band you may wish to add was AURA.
1993 - 1994
Nicholls, Andy - Vocals
Routcliffe, Kim - Bass
Bail, Brendan - Guitar
Ridgeway, Owen - Guitar
Measham, Phil - Drums
Gigged at the Asylum, Mooseheads, Terminus, ANU Bar. Finalists at Indie
Quest 94 (played with Frump the Pinhead, Meek, Draw and Holden
Caulfield).
Bands that Aura played live with included - Toy Molto, Bliss, Sublime, Requiem,
The Brookleens, Astral Taxi, Labyrinth, Mudeye, Dreaming Genies, Rum Jungle,
Abremallin, Paris Calling, Nerve, In Tears, Phobia, Behind Closed Doors, Wives
Tale, Chester, Catch Cry, Filth, Uncarved, Diet, Pothole, Dement Ensemble and
Henry's Anger.
Andy later went on to play in Meek. Kim, Owen and Phil went formed
Powerchild. Kim later ended up playing bass for Mel C & Robbie
Williams. Brendan is in Canberra band Knight's of the Spatchcock.
Cheers,
Brendan
Barry Davies
Fri 9 Oct 2009
Hi,
My name is Barry Davies.
I went to school with Ian Winter - we were good mates at the time. Ian and I took up the guitar at the same time and started up what was his first band. It was at Lyneham High School and we would have been about 16 years old - I think it lasted for a couple of weeks, if that. Like all bands we loved the Shadows, the Atlantics - you would know all the other names.
I knew Ian's sister and met his Dad a few times. His Dad was what I would have called the perfect Dad. Nothing was too much trouble - he even made a guitar for Ian. At one stage he was doing the weather on local TV. Ian was a gentle person and had a great sense of humour - he loved the goons and we would always say the lines to each other. In those days he had a very close cut crew cut. I think he played some basket ball then - in school I mean. He worked part time at the Lyneham garage after school. Oh yes, we both failed music at school. Poor old Ian, a few of us would muck up in class and he could never keep a straight face and would get into trouble. He just didn't have the control.
I remember Ian and I once wagged school to go and see Blue Hawaii starring Elvis. There was trouble the next day as Ian got caught. I had managed to forge my Mum's signature on a note but Ian got the cane. And he never dobbed me in. He always said I owed him big time for that.
Then Ian seemed to streak ahead of us other 'guitarists'. He was incredible, the things he could do on his guitar. He left us all for dead. I don't know how he did it and we were amazed. He told us he was practicing about 6 hours each night after (or instead of) his homework.
I used to watch him as often as possible around the Canberra gigs, he was such a great guitarist. One day he told me he had met Billy Thorpe at a party and after that we lost touch as he was away all the time.
I caught up with him about 10 years or so later when the his band played at a small place in Belconnen. He was then Willie Winter. The first thing he reminded me about was how I owed him (I think at that stage he had a bodyguard who kept a very close eye on me). We had a good laugh together as we used to. He confided to me that he was worried about his teeth as they were in a bad way and he was terrified of dentists. But I couldn't talk him into going to a dentist. I think he also said the guitar his Dad made had been stolen and he had broken up with Sue who I also knew. Anyway, he asked me if he could play me anything and I asked for House of the Rising Sun - the best version I ever heard - with a great solo.
I joined a band that only went for a few months with Pieter de Vries and Harry Lewarth. It was also their first band. Peter was incredibly talented. He not only played bass but could play a guitar as good as me and I was supposed to be lead. We used to practice in a church near Lyneham primary School. One day Pieter started playing the church organ - he never told us he could play. I think he would have worked out most instruments. He was an ABC cameraman and very good photographer too.
We nicknamed Harry, Wiggy, as all he wanted was a set of Ludwig drums (and finally got them). One night we played at the Workies Club. We were offered a permanent gig after we did Wipeout by the Safaris - it was Harry's drumming that got us the offer. We stuffed it up because we asked for too much (it was our first and last big gig).
I have a photo of us at the Workies Club. If you're interested I can send it. If so, I will contact Pieter for his permission and also Harry as I have found his my space site thanks to you.
I only sent these details about Ian as I can see that Barry was a very good friend and may be interested in those details about Ian's earlier life. I found it so sad when I read all the messages about him. I first found your site shortly after he died and didn't want to contact you then as I really didn't consider myself a muso as such as I never played in a band after being with Pieter and Harry. And I just wanted also to pass on a bit of trivia about Harry and Pieter.
I love your site. I know and remember many of the guys and the bands - the photos bring back lots memories.
Regards,
Barry
Richard Nolan
Thu 3 Sept 2009
Hi Barry
How's tricks ? good I hope.
I've been playing with a bunch of guys that all live just north of Batemans Bay, band is called the CRIX.
Bit of a drive for me but lots of fun.
Glad you kept the site going, it's important, heartfelt thanks.
Attached is another Queue shot if you want to put it on the cranberry musos site
Are there any copies of that great poster we (you did) had for Pat Cash's Headband ? the one you had all the funny puns on (barry orange duce, the daily stephy graph etc).
Had a listen (a while ago now) to the modified version of JB Lenoir.
I prefer the original, 3 guitar solos is a bit too much, not that his solo was bad but I liked the floaty keyboard solo.
Be nice to reform Pat Cash Headband sometime with Scotty and the bald drummer.
Regards to Pam,
cheers Richard
Ralf Rehak
Wed 2 Sept 2009
Very pleased to find the site and
read up on so many people I have lost contact with.
Been living in Melbourne a while now - I am still playing with Greg Walker -
Machine Translations (Back in the '80s in 'Moon' & 'Wheel')
Slight correction in 'B-Parts'. I actually replaced Steve - not the other way
around. (minor detail)
Be nice to catch up with Dan Miles and anyone from Steve Grieve & the
Mourners. Used to play gigs with them at the Old Canberra Inn.
Ralf Rehak
Peter McCray
Mon 24 Aug 2009
Hello Baz
It's Peter McCray here, greetings again from Canberra.
You might remember a few years ago, after some discussion on the Rock n Roll Scars website, you very kindly sent me a copy of the unreleased Rose Tattoo album that featured Lobby Loyde on bass.
Fantastic album, still regularly playing it!
And you might be interested to know that I recently put someone in touch with your Canberra Musicians website as they were looking for information on Paul Lyneham's old band, the Bitter Lemons.
It's a great reference site mate!
Anyway, the main reason for contacting you was to follow up on these two clips from YouTube of Lobby Loyde and the Coloured Balls playing a benefit gig for the Country Fire Association (Victoria) on 27 February 1999. Here are the links:
As you can see from these, on the night, Lobby and the boys played Rock Me Baby, Johnny B Goode and G.O.D. But unfortunately the guy who put the clips up does not have a copy of the G.O.D. performance - he's seen it previously, but doesn't have a copy. He was the tech/roadie for the drummer who played that night - Chris Statas - and reckoned that the whole gig was filmed and he thought most of the musicians on the night would have a copy. They only played the three tracks, opening with G.O.D. - brought the house down apparently!
Well, as you know, I'm a huge Lobby fan, and I am dead keen if at all possible to get hold of the footage of the boys doing G.O.D. - Lobby's all time classic - not to mention seeing the other two tracks in better quality.
I'm not quite sure where to start to track down the video, except that I know you are in contact sometimes with Gavin Carroll, who I think played bass in the band that night. Do you happen to have a copy of this video footage yourself Baz? Or, if not, do you reckon you'd mind asking Gavin Carroll next time you see him ( or maybe put me in touch with Gavin - I'd be happy to follow up myself). It's be great to track down this footage.
I'll send this email to your 'owedtenbucks' address on Scars as well mate, just in case this email isn't working anymore - apologies if you get my email twice! And needless to say, I'm more than happy to cover any costs that may be involved.
Cheers Baz, and best wishes from
Canberra
Peter McCray
Harald Lewarth
Wed 19 Aug 2009
Thanks Bazza, looks great...Good luck with Summer this year. We in the west are having our 14th consecutive day of rain, with a few mini breaks in between. This all sounds good, and it is, but that fuels undergrowth which is the basis of most fires, how are you guys doing with that?
H...
Harald Lewarth
Mon 10 Aug 2009
G'day Bazza.
Hope you all are near back to normal after the tragic fires there last summer. I was in contact with Frank Nizynski couple weeks ago and he sent 4 pics from late 60's depicting a version of The Witness gigging somewhere. I was wandering if you could include these with The Witness section to show I was a member of this then famous group, lol.
Also could you change my myspace site to www.myspace.com/harlew as this is my music one,
ta, H
Robert Dean Lurie
Thu 28 May 2009
Hi Barry,
Glad to hear it. I hope Nic is okay with the book. I just let him say his piece without too much editing--I wanted to make sure it was all there in the right context.
He certainly added some spice to the story! Even Steve Kilbey must realize that. I regret that Nic got upset by my question about his name a while back, but I don't know how else that could have played out. Anyway, I will always be grateful to him for his input. And to you as well (and thanks again for the awesome photos).
Still want a second (signed) copy?
Robert
David McDermott
Tue 19 May 2009
Mate, I think that that was it. By
the way I was in the same class as Steve and Peter at Daramalan, not forgetting
Kevin Abbey and Leigh Taafe who I think lived next door to Paul Lyneham. Not a
bad recollection for a bloke that has had a few strokes.
David
David,
Could it be Lord Jim's Rockhouse Four?
Laurie Crookes, Rex Bullen, Tony Hayes & Rod Middleweek.
I spoke to Alan Britton, Steve Maughan, Peter Dodson & Dave Kain & apart from FT this was the only other name that came up.
I haven't even got them on the site.
Fingers crossed,
Bazza
David McDermott
Tue 19 May 2009
Good Morning Bazza,
No it was prior to this, I actually attended Daramalan with Leigh Taafe and got
expelled and went to Canberra High at Acton, so this would have to be 1967. By
the way I am sure Laurie Crookes was going out with the daughter of the owner
Chapter One at the time. Laurie had been in the Square Circle with Dave Kain in
Sydney I think.
David
David McDermott
Mon 18 May 2009
Hi,
I am trying to recollect the name of a band that played at Chapter One in Civic
in the 60's, the lead singer was Laurie Crooke(s) and Rex Bullen was also a
member. Do you know the other members and the name of the band?
Regards
David
Kim Hudson
Mon 18 May 2009
Hi Barry,
Please find attached a media release for DJ Gosper’s New CD “Hot Flush Blues” which will be launched on 19th June.
I have an mp3 of the title track if you would like to listen (but didn’t want to send it with this email as it is quite large – 4mb). Please let me know if it is okay to send it through. I can also post a demo/review copy of the entire CD if you would like to send me a postal address.
DJ will be appearing at the Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival from 28 – 31 May, in three different locations and she is currently available for interview.
I look forward to hearing from you – I may be biased, but this is a great CD!!
Kim Hudson
LatteArt Pty Ltd
Creative Communications
Communications|Marketing|Public Relations|Promotions
Robert Dean Lurie
Sun 19 Apr 2009
Hi Bazza,
Publication of "No Certainty Attached: Steve Kilbey and The Church" is imminent.
Please email me a postal address where I can send copies for you and Nic.
Hope you're well!
Robert
John Robinson
Sat 4 Apr 2009
hi Baz,
Steve Webb was on drums.
Jimmy Doyle on gtr.
Steve Hogg on bass.
other were session players.
high energy session, and no G Wayne Thomas on anything except the booze.
he really only figured in the Duck days, which were mercifully short.
didn't like the guy, still don't.
still don't want Aztec releasing At The Mountains Of Madness as I wrote 80% of
it.
but I'll OK Duck, and Dave Miller Set, as I wasn't emotionally invested in the
music as much.
New music from me is on CD Baby and iTunes.
John Robinson.
Steve Devine
Thu 2 Apr 2009
I was the one who stood on Fred Olbrei’s violin at the Croatia Deakin Soccer Club in about 1978.
He left it at the foot of a light tower and I went to adjust the lights. .
There. Now I can sleep at night at last!!!
Harald Lewarth
Thu 2 Apr 2009
Does anybody know what happened to Hal Wynn (Dennis Shaylor) from the band "The Witness",
Harald....
Don Aitken
Wed 14 Jan 2009
I stumbled across http://www.geocities.com/canberramusicians/one.html while searching for a friend I knew in the 70s.
I have a couple of updates that you might like to include:-
Lotus Restaurant
Sterling Primmer Trio (about 1973-1976)
Sterling Primmer (deceased) - Keyboard
Carl Witty (deceased)- Drums
Don Aitken - Bass
Sally Sallis - Vocals
Chopsticks Restaurant
Ross Clarke Trio (about 1973 -1978)
Ross Clarke - Keyboards
Jimmy Latta - Drums
Trevor Holgate - Bass
Don Aitken - Bass
I will try to recall all the members of a group lead by John Purnell called the Cavaliers some time and provide a further update.
Thanks for the effort you (and others) have obviously put into the site.
regards
Don
Daniel Barron
Tue 13 Jan 2009
G'day Baz
Here's some pics taken at The Boardroom in the early 90's
Could you possibly put The Boardroom in your A-Z
Phil Coleman ran the blues jam night for 12 months or more (it seemed a lot longer)
It was one of the best Jam nights (if not the best) that I used to go to.
Phil would normally open up with an acoustic set, followed by electric jamming.
There was a vibrant group of people who could make great music easily with complete strangers
Pic b2 Left to Right- Mick Malouf watching, Mark Cantor, Kate Kelly, Phil Coleman & Fergus Stuart
Photo b2 joins b3 Left to Right-Fergus drums) Daniel Barron, David Frost, Claude & Ray on Sax (Hidden by Claude)
Thanks again for all your efforts and kind words
From
Daniel
Daniel Barron
Mon 12 Jan 2009
Hello Baz
Thank you for putting Little Red Rooster- Midnight Express MP3 on your Myspace page
It's the first bit of music I've had on the Internet
Cheers,
Daniel
Geoff Rosenberg
Fri 9 Jan 2009
Hey there - not sure who I'm writing/talking to but thanks for the great site & info - is that Barry McCulloch?
My name is Geoff Rosenberg, an ex-Canberra muso from the early 1970s.
I just wanted to bring to your attention to a listing on your site (which I have copied below):
New Guard
1978
Bridge, Richard = Guitar/Vocals
Duthie, Leigh = Bass
Rosenberg, Geoff =Guitar
Dave =Drums
I was never in a band of that name, never heard of that band, nor are any of the other names (in the listing) in any way familiar to me. Further, I never played guitar in a band (only bass) and lastly, I left Canberra in 1977 - the last band I was in (in fact we left Canberra as a band) was The Hot Air Band, before that Samuel D Rich. So that pretty much accounts for my whereabouts from about 1973 to leaving Canberra in 1977.
Please excuse this e-mail if there was in fact ANOTHER Geoff Rosenberg in Canberra during the mid 1970s that I never heard about, (such a common name!!) but if not, then the above listing is incorrect.
Best wishes, and keep up the good work.
Geoff
Wed 7 Jan 2009
Happy New Year to Baz & all Canberra Muso's
Great to hear Steve Grieve & the Mourners on your Myspace site
I remember cruising around the ANU in the early 80's seeing flashing lights and hearing cool music sneaking in to a party I think was at Toad Hall. Steve & the guys sounded shit hot, playing Hendrix, Cream, Stevie Ray etc...
I sure many young aspiring guitarists who were around at the time would agree they were a great double guitar band who influenced a few people.
I had a few jams with Dan Stefanac, awesome fun reminded me of Keith & Ronnie!!??!!
If Dan reads this message and wants to catch up for a jam please forward my email to him
Also here's another MP3, Midnight Express (small band ) Little Red Rooster
If the track is to big feel free to trim it and keep the better bits
All The Best
Daniel
Tue 6 Jan 2009
G'day,
I hope this gets to you Barry...the Kev and the MO email address threw me a bit.
George Washingmachine just let me know about the You tube videos of the (holy crap!) 1983 Battle of the Bands.
I nearly had a primal watching them. No...I think I DID have a primal watching them.
I believe you put them up on YouTube. Fantastic! Thanks. I did not know they existed.
Wow Baz ...dunno about you but part of me feels like all that was a couple of life times ago and another part of me feels like it was yesterday. Weird!
Anyway, thanks again.
Might catch up with you sometime (yeah right...I'm in Qld and you are in Mallacoota (correct?). Maybe not so likely.
Hope all is well with you.
Cheers,
Neil
Tue 23 Dec 2008
Hi Baz,
Many thanks for putting up the pics & words I sent especially as it brought forth a response from the Ward!
Honestly, I almost pissed myself (old man's bladder) larfing at Nic's reminiscences - I was suddenly standing there watching Nic leap into an empty pool and then come crashing back across razor sharp rocks (so this is funny)?.
All this after him stating "too many critters in there" (the ocean) and us convincing him of the the joy he would experience by leaping into the boiling maelstrom of the pool - all a matter of timing ......
Nic's timing behind a kit was always impeccable but here it was left wanting. You know, I realise now that I have always felt guilt about encouraging him to do this (Lord, the things we do as foolish young men)!
And the blurry photo on the fridge - priceless.
Please give Nic my email address - I would love to exchange words.
Have a wonderful Christmas Baz - in your own way you are our year round Santa delivering amazing and wondrous presents of moments from our past and I love you for it.
Mike Hamer
Nic Ward
Tue, 9 Dec 2008
Yes mate, Tony Harvey, I remember we had one and only one jam at the Oxford Street hack room, we used to go to Frenches after for a Cider, they didn't serve Beer, what a fucking dump, I wasn't much into the Cider, swill. I can still remember the vibe we all had that day, it all sounded so good, like a real band instead of all those Hacker bands I'd played in. No insult to me old mate Jack but the band was second rate comparing Jack to Harvey. I for one was very disappointed Harvey went back to Melbourne.
I have these pics, I think the 1st one is a better pic than Mikes,
and the blurry one was stuck on the fridge at the flat we all abided in at Bondi after Mike did his artwork.
Notice he's got me saying "fuckin yip" classic, good one Mike.
The flat was just up the road from the then topless Tamarama beach, the boys had this place on the rocks where they would dive in just as the wave had come in or something and they were showing me when to jump in, they all jumped in at the precise time but I hesitated, then jumped in when I shouldn't have and got slammed against the barnacle infested rocks. When I finally surfaced blood was pouring out of one arm, I got out of the water and thanked them all for a wonderful experience lol.
Fucking wish I had a time machine.
The 3rd pic, the small one I carried around in my wallet up until a few years ago when my wallet fell to bits and so I thought I should retire the pic to a photo album.
Say g'day to Mike for me Baz, you can give him my email, see if the bastard writes to me :>)
Oh and Mike, I don't want anything, just to say hello.
Cheers, Nic.
Mike Hamer
Tue, 9 Dec 2008
Hey Baz,
Geoff Rosenberg told me that Tony Harvey was a Canberra boy! I thought at
the time that he was from Melbourne.
Might as well finish the story…...
After Tony Harvey we added a keyboard player Becky Samson. Nic Ward left and was
replaced by Alex Bash (ex Rrats Bander).
When Peter Koppes left to join up with Kilbey, Marty and Nic Ward in Church,
Limazine folded to reform as "Twice Shy"
Only David Nicholas and myself remained from the original line-up and we added
Sydney musos George Faithfull on piano and synthesizer and Steve Reinthal on
guitars as well as another Canberran Anthony Smythe on drums.
Attached image shows Twice Shy
L to R: David
Nicholas, Mike Hamer, George Faithfull, Anthony Smythe & Steve Reinthal
Twice Shy died sometime in 1981.
Cheers,
Mike Hamer
Mike Hamer
Tue, 16 Dec 2008
Hi Barry,
I do hope you and your family are well and looking forward to a safe and happy Christmas.
I found the attached photo some time back and went "gawd - look at us will ya" but only recently did it dawn on me how things might have been different if this line-up had stayed together. I guess it must have been taken some time in 1979 (?)
L to R there's (an unpretentious moi), Pete Koppes, Tony Harvey (the only non Canberran), Nic Ward and at the front an unbelievably youthful David "Chipper" Nicholas (co founder of Rhinoceros Studios and ARIA winner).
Back then Joe Lee had arranged for Tony Harvey to play guitar with Limazine after he left "Teenage Radio Stars" and we had some rehearsals in a Darlinghurst studio and were quite excited at the results. Tony Harvey though got a "better offer" and did not proceed with Limazine.
Jack Jarvis (yet another talented Canberra musician) was recruited to fill his shoes and that was the Limazine that played Sydney and toured Melbourne.
I understand though that at a later date (Geoff Rosenberg to confirm or deny) Tony Harvey played with "Hot Air Band" in Melbourne which is interesting given my relationship with Hot Air Band in Canberra.
It would be great if this pic were to be placed on your (highly esteemed) site under the "Limazine that never was" category.
Your avid admirer as always - keep up the wonderful work,
Mike Hamer
Eight Panes of Glass
Tue, 9 Dec 2008
Hey man,
So cool!!!!! Thank you so much Bazza for taking the time to send this to
me...much respect for you brother and your dearly departed comrades, you guys
were feelin' it!!!!! Did y'all ever bring your blues to the USA? I mean, this
blues would felt right at home with the better stuff coming out on Alligator
in Chi-town or the scenes in west and central Texas at the time...forgive me
for not knowing the complete history of the band, gonna have to do some
research...speaking of Tejas, who's playing guitar on Tin Pan Alley? (Peter
Dodson is doing the solo on Tin Pan Alley) You guys really got at that
sound (made me search for my old copy of 'Couldn't Stand the Weather'; shame,
it's been a while...thanks!!!), great stuff.
Thanks again man, and hopefully more stuff will crop on youtube!
Peace!
epog
Marianne
Tue, 9 Dec 2008
Hey Baz,
this is just great, absolutely love it..! what charismatic devils you two
were. far as I'm concerned you and Willie have a very special connection there
and its very obvious to me that you both had a blast together onstage and a
deep affection for each other...when you were special to Willie he couldn't
help but let it show and I can see that here. I could hear it in his voice
whenever he talked about you on the phone. you were like his line to Canberra,
you know ? he just really dug hearing from you and keeping that line open all
the time...I think he really needed that and you very much in his life. well
life goes on but he is still with us I know. and he would be so grateful you
did all this and let me know. it brought a tear to my eye. Todd was born in
1979. though I saw Willie round Frenchs in my early stages of pregnancy, we
met officially when Todd was about 6 months old. and we would get the train
together late when he was travelling out & staying at Kay's (&
Gunther's I think) at Kogarah & I had to go to Lugarno where I lived. he
even got Al Britton to drive me out there one night from Darlinghurst & I
think Al had NFI where he was! yeah, good memories now always I reckon...look
forward to the other songs going up too. have you seen this clip? I thought
you may have already so I didn't send it to you. its Carson doing On the
Air/Blown/Hey Joe. rare album I would say. how was Willie's hair back then ?!
but then years later I was always cutting it (rather speedily) so it always seemed
too short at first & probably wasn't much better till it grew out each
time!
Thank you again. Todd & I are well, thanks. Todd will be looking at this
tonight. he'll have a tear too for sure. got Evil Woman Blues up on my page
since you wrote me.
hope yourself and Pam are well also ?
all the best, Barry.
xox
Eight Panes of Glass
Sat, 6 Dec 2008
Appreciate the detailed info, that's why Mr. Winter's tone is so cool (tube amps dying sound fantastic unfortunately)...dig Peter Green (J. Spencer and D. Kirwin too); not really a standard blues but I love "Albatross". I always "let the tape roll", you never know when it's gonna hit (Neil Young's philosophy). That was a great unit you had, unfortunately some get taken away too early in life. But I'm confident they smile up above every time someone hits that track.
Music is eternal!
Peace, brother.
eightpanesofglass
Dan Myles
Sat, 6 Dec 2008
hey Baz, if fact I get on the plane in two hours, it's roughly 20 hours in
the air till we reach Sydney that is not including stop overs. Travelling
with a three year old and a six year old, wish me luck mate. the other moaners
instruments are Rod James drums, Greg Royal bass, Mick Skelton drums Sue Tott, b
vocals Paul Wooseen Bass.
Mick Malouf only did one show, I put him in there because he also followed the
band for years and it really was a buzz for him to play with us.
The Sydney photo is Paul Woseen, Rod James, Paul Totterdell, Steve Grieve and
Danny Myles.
Cheers mate I am proud to finally have the band properly represented on the
page. I am going up to Bellingen to hang out with Harmonica Head for a week, we
had a great little band up there called the White Dogs, we are getting together
for a jam, Mark has a great setup up there. I lived up there for 8 or more
years, doing leatherwork at a craft complex called the butter factory. Bello is
a great place. I will get your phone number of Mark, I get down to Melbourne on
Boxing Day and will be around for a week.
Cheers mate.
Dan Myles
Fri, 5 Dec 2008
Hey Baz,
here are some photos of Steve Grieve and the
Mourners, One taken at Royals the other out and about.
The line up in the second is Peter Cheyne, Dan Stefenac, Steve Grieve, Paul
Totterdell, Justin McMahon and Danny Myles in the front. It was a great band to
be involved in, we worked really hard and being a tight solid original outfit. We
all came out of Watson High and the band evolved out of a healthy jam scene on
the north side of Canberra.
We had great support from Kate Kelly at 2XX and Doug Hunter, we got to open for a lot of great national and international acts, the highlight was when Doug Hunter let us open for Johnny Winter.
Our main gig was the shearing shed out the
back of the Old Canberra Inn, Spurs it was sometimes called.
We fell apart sadly and went and gave Sydney a shot, with a new rhythm section
and that lasted 18 months or so. We then re grouped in the late nineties and we
still get together when I am home in Australia.
This page is a really great thing Baz, I have been in contact with a few old
mates and have learnt more about the music scene in Canberra than I could have
ever imagined, I have been reminded about how many motivated people there were
and had been in the place. Thanks mate.
The Mourners were and are. Steve Grieve, Dan Myles, Peter Cheyne, Justin McMahon, Dan
Stefenac, Paul Totterdell, Rod James, Paul Wooseen, Sue Totterdell, Greg Royal,
Mick Skelton, Mick Malouf. A few others sat in but there names escape me.
All the best mate
Dan
Eight Panes of Glass
Thu, 4 Dec 2008
Greetings from Los Angeles!
"Evil Woman Blues" rips!!!
And we love "Policeman" (the song, that is)!!!!!
Hope all is well in OZ,
eight panes of glass
Nic Dalton
Thu, 4 Dec 2008
Hi
Hey man, dropping a line to say we're psyched
to be a member of your top friends!!!...best wishes and musical blessings from
La-La Land, California!!!!!
eight panes of glass
Nic Dalton
Wed, 3 Dec 2008
had a huge look at the site a couple of months ago
FANTASTIC
seeing all these Canberra bands from 60 and 70s before I came on the scene
well done!
Nic
Mat
Fri, 28 Nov 2008
That's brilliant Bazza, thank you so much!
Put You On My Wall' is my favourite song too, the lyrics are twisted. I can see
why SK wouldn't like it though.
And the solo in PW+D is brilliant. I like the one in Madame Lash, too.
Again, many thanks, Mat x.
Mat
Fri, 28 Nov 2008
Hello Bazza,
I'm currently studying towards a degree in Popular Music and Record
Production, and am looking for information relating to the contents of the Baby
Grande demo tapes (I'm doing a project on obscure punk and new wave music!)
I've managed to track down four songs (Pure, White and Deadly, Madame Lash,
Getting Away With Murder and Put You On My Wall), although I have a suspicion
that there are more than just 4 songs on the tape. Do you happen to know how
many songs there are?
If there are indeed more than four, do you know where I could get my hands on
them? I've looked on various bootleg sites, but unfortunately to no avail!
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Mat x.
Garry Manley
Wed, 19 Nov 2008
Hello Barry,
Nice idea to set up a site like this. Canberra is much maligned and too often
ridiculed (but let's not go into those facile clichés here).
This is the first time I've come across a reference to Adrenalin (1991, Canberra
band), although I haven't look around that much. My girlfriend used to go out
with the singer Pete Madden.
She said it was his 'best' band, but that they didn't record, which was a pity.
I was wondering if you and the network you've set up here can trace any live
recording of the band? - you know, hand-held walkmans and all that...
It would be nice to surprise her with it, as Pete has apparently shunned his
past life of muscular aggressive music and sociality (i.e. friends).
And really, it's often a buzz when something appears out of the blueness.
A lot more taping goes on than we imagine (I imagine), as, in the past 5 years
or so I've noticed a lot of tapes/cds of gigs I'd played and well forgotten.
I joined Tactics in Sydney, just before the 'Glebe' album, and dozens of 'live'
cds have been sent to me; which is very nice of course, but they're mostly kinda
hard to listen to - apart from the stuff we added to the recent compilations (we
also had our on tapes).
Anyway, I hope you can help, or point me in a generally right direction.
Yours sincerely,
Garry Manley
Geoff Calaby
Tue, 18 Nov 2008
G’day Baz,
You probably don’t remember me, Geoff Calaby, the tall brother of Bob, the one armed bandit ha-ha. I’ve run into you occasionally over the years, probably the last time I can remember was watching Phil Emmanuel playing from the side of the stage at the Labour club in Belc I think, it was probably 20 years ago, who knows? I can remember seeing you and Willie play many many years ago at various places, The Hungarian club or Deakin Inn perhaps? I used to do the mixing for some of my mate’s bands, Cold Shot and the like, mate of Dean Maddison’s etc. I’m still into music and was always a “strummer” type guitar player ha-ha but I’ve been getting into electric gat over the last few years, kind of an old farts hobby and having lot’s of fun with it.
Anyway, I love browsing through your web site in my idle moments, a truly great resource. I should extract my digit and send you a history and photo’s of Cold Shot, probably only rate as third rate on the Studdert scale, after all they were known to play Route 66 at times. I have sent you an old pic of the world famous Yarralumla Blues Band of which I was the vocalist (couldn’t play an instrument so…) We once supported the Barristers and Solicitors at the AME School Sun Festival which is where brother Bob took this pic, similar to Woodstock but with only the one bored dog as an audience, we were probably playing Route 66 after all.
Maybe good for a laugh?
I was hoping you could send me Nic Ward’s email address. I would like to catch up with him after seeing his presence recently on your fine website. I believe he is still in Canberra? He once told me to fuck off which I still remember with great affection. Many years later I saw Nic play at the Bluebeat in Kingston one time and I was impressed at his guitar slinging. I hear Nic winds a good pickup these days so I’m keen to hear the hand wound difference.
Thanks and regards,
Geoff Calaby
Simon Gane
Wed, 12 Nov 2008
Hi Barry
another great Canberra band from the late eighties and very early nineties was
DUCK! I can't remember who was in it except Guppy was the drummer-an
excellent sound guy who worked around Canberra for many years. Not sure if he's
still around.
Cheers
Simon
Daniel Barron
Mon, 10 Nov 2008
Tom Breen
Sat, 8 Nov 2008
Hi Kevin,
I discovered your site. It was a terrific read. At the time, we were all running around playing, it was such great fun. Reading about it makes me very nostalgic. Some of the hairdos! Many of us are grey I suppose apart from the ones who went bald.
I am living in Dubbo now, although I come back to Canberra now and then to visit my son.
I played in "Franklin B Paverty". You have me in there.
Just a little spelling thing, it is "Franklyn" not Franklin.
Another guy was a regular with us (Mark Tandy =Accordion/Keyboards) in the heady Ainslie Rex days.
I also played in Mumbo Jumbo (Tom Breen - Vocals/Flute/Saxophone)
Another guy was a regular with us in the early years (John Jarrett - Bass)
I would be happy to pass on some photos if you wish.
Anyway, thanks to all the guys who went to the trouble to compile the site. It is a real buzz.
Kind regards,
Tom Breen
Simon Gane
Fri, 7 Nov 2008
Hi
Just wanted to say great site! I have some other bands that don't seem to be
there who played around the late eighties early nineties.
Sowilo-originals band ( I have a a video we made of our final gig and some audio
tapes)
Pat Donoghue (vocals and rhythm guitar)
Chris Freheny (vocals and lead guitarist)
Simon Gane (drummer)
Ian (forgotten last name and was bassist in HELL YES) (Bass player)
Paul Davies (bass, rhythm guitar and vocals)
Stewie (bass)
Mountain Chip Sisters (my brother has some audio tapes somewhere)
Nick Gane (singer)
Ben Vernon (lead and rhythm guitar)
Duncan Lowe (piano and vocals)
Mark ? (Bass)
Dan Jacobsen (drums)
Heartmothers
Mark Hoppe (guitar and vocals)
Nick Fox (bass)
(some others whose name escapes me)
Exploding Minstrals
Kelly ? (guitar and vocals)
and others whose names I've forgotten
Moon
Chris Freheny (guitar and vocals)
Paul Davies (guitar and vocals)
others
Cheers
Simon
Marianne
Thu, 6 Nov 2008
Baz
Well I'm writing over
the midnight hour to send you some wishes for the 6th...not to upset you, but to
let you know that I am missing being able to say "happy birthday" to
Willie as we have over so many years, and i know you must be missing being able
to do that still so very much tonight. we have got cause to celebrate with the
victory in the States, yes. I just wanted to tell you that both Todd and I are
thinking of you. not a year goes past we don't remember Willie's birthday. all
the cards sent back and forth, all the phone calls and good wishes exchanged on
this date for so many years. Willie once told from Christmas St. he kept all the
cards and letters near and dear to his heart over the years he kept put away in
a special box and he never lost any of them. yours were in it and so were ours.
we may not have hung out together in Sydney Baz, but Willie spoke of you so
often that I felt I knew you anyway. he told me before a visit down there
(around his birthday & you & he did a gig and some mates showed up with
a gift for him?) in the late 90's that when he went down to Canberra he forgot
all about Melbourne. he was home with his closest friends then. so I'm very
grateful that we are all able to stay in contact, particularly on days like
today. he would want that very much and he wouldn't want you to be sad. he would
want you to know that he's still around us and knows we haven't forgotten
today's date at all. and that you are hanging in there for him, as his dearest
mate. this year and next I'm determined to keep an eye on the Nighthawk for
Willie. give it my best shot. it may take some time but its something I know
Willie would want to be with you or at least keep a check on what happens to it
for him if I cant find a way to get it yet. we only lost touch up here because
of Nin about 2 year before he left us. anyway its the least I can do for Willie
now. except send you Todd's and my best wishes and love for the 6th. I hope you
don't mind me writing tonight, Baz. I just felt Willie would want me to check in
with you and I always feel he's smiling down on us whenever we contact each
other. all the best for today. "Fuzzy Guitar" is going on my page now.
your beautiful tribute for Willie. thanks, Barry.
with love Marianne and Todd xox
George Bennett
Mon, 20 Oct 2008
Baz can you
circulate this please?
Steve Russell has
recently had his home broken into and the following guitars were amongst the
items stolen:
Candy Apple red
'62 Fender Telecaster Custom re-issue. Made in
Ephiphone Casino..
The scratch plate is missing and it has a different tailpiece – it is a
tremolo style tail piece with a chrome handle that extends up to the bridge.
This guitar was in a black moulded plastic hard case.
Fender Telecaster (Made in
Fernandes Revival brand. Gold and has 3 enclosed tubular chrome pickups
rather thanthe white plastic on the photo. It has a large chip in the rear
bottom edge. It was in a Fender gig bag.
Line 6 Variax 700 acoustic (Black). This guitar was in an olive/brown
Line 6 fabric gig bag.
Gibson Les Paul Standard (black). The guitar has a dent on the rear edge
and a small crack in the cream plastic pickguard at the screw near the neck. It
also had a a small silver and black Ying/Yang sticker on the headstock under the
brand name. Hinges on the case are broken.
Danelectro Convertible. Cream with a dark brown trim around the sides,
not in a case.
Regal Dobro. Worn condition with 2 control knobs on the front a a
plastic tortoiseshell plate between the chrome resonator and the neck. The
strings had been raised with a v shaped metal string raiser at the nut to adapt
it for Hawaiian style playing. It was probably in either a black fabric covered
hard case or a moulded black plastic hard case with the brand “Takamine”
moulded into it.
Violin. An antique Italian violin, the label reads Carlo Storioni
Cremonensis Faciebat 1898 (or something similar). In a blue fabric covered hard
case with 2 bows.
There was also an older Ibanez brand 12 string acoustic which had a
circular orange “your rights atwork” sticker on the front covering a small
hole in the face, and a black Yamaha “thinline” electroacoustic with
“f” holes and a gold plated pick up at the neck.
If you or anyone you know are approached to buy any of the above guitars, please
contact your local police or contact Steve Russell - 0418 104 763, Derek Lark -
02 6294 8697 or myself - 0418 490 649
Many Thanks
Chris
The Chris Harland Blues Band
Tel: +61 (0) 418 490 649
chrisharlandbluesband@yahoo.com.au
Mon, 20 Oct 2008
sad to hear about the passing of Keith Cannon. I saw Keith at the Carrara markets on the gold coast where he ran an electrical store last year, it was nice to reminisce about the old days. Yes he'll be playing with Willie in the Brothers Grimm.
regards roman
Sean Cannon
Sun, 19 Oct 2008
Dear Barry,
It is with great sadness that I write and advise you of the passing of my father, Keith Cannon.
Dad sang with the Brothers Grimm, Human Nature and several other line ups, but now is upstairs rocking on with
Willie Winter, Ron Sankey & Theo Moody.
11/11/1945 – 19/10/2008
“Too Old to Rock ‘n’ Roll, Too young to die”
Regards,
Sean Cannon
Johnny Jessup
Mon, 13 Oct 2008
hey Baz!...thanks heaps for that...it's cool...just one little thing, my name is jessUp...it's great that Real Gone Lovers has been getting lots of plays on the myspace page!...I got a few messages and comments...meanwhile AoV (NAME CHANGE IMMINENT) has cool stuff happening...see our blog...lots of new songs in a more gothy sort of direction...probably not exactly your cup of tea but we really want to thank you for supporting us man!!...like putting us in TF!!...
yes new myspace player so far is crap and gods forbid, don't get Dave riled up again!!
cheers, Johnny (and saffy)
David McDermott
Wed, 8 Oct 2008
Hi,
I was just browsing through your website and 2 things jumped out and hit me, firstly that Leigh Taafe has passed away. I went to Daramalan with him, and that Ian Winter had also passed away as I had a teenage love affair with his sister Kay. I was 16 she was 15!!!
I love your site it brings back memories of teenage years in Canberra and all those bands:
The Bitter Lemons, The Square Circle etc. Hoadleys Battle of the Bands.
Regards
David
Stan Kadlo
Tue, 7 Oct 2008
dear Barry,
hey Barry? how you getting on?
Jerry Loh informed me of Graeme Michel passing away (in China) from a massive
heart attack.
you will remember Graeme from some of the early bands?
I played with Graeme in a band called the breeze (prior to Neil Bamford).
jerry and Graeme played together in a two keyboard 80's outfit for quite some
time.
Here is a link to a couple of Hot Air Band videos from 1976. They were recorded at The ABC studios.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGUuQIxJEWw
regards and stay well,
stan kadlo
Daniel Barron
Thu, 2 Oct 2008
G'day Barry
I don't know if you remember me, Daniel Barron Guitarist musician etc...
we had a few jams down at RNB's in Phillip A.C.T.
I hope all is well in Victoria, I have enjoyed watching your website grow and grow.
I noticed Steve Nano added his name as sound engineer with Red Tape.
Could you please add Sean "Motley" Hackett's name with Red Tape as Lighting Engineer Steve deserves his name there as sound guy as he was one of the best sound guys around late 80's early 90's (hopefully still doing sound) Red Tape won Rock Ratings (southern cross club club) two years running. (they never played route 66) It's been interesting reading emails from former Canberran's in U.S.A.
I think Frank Gambale has done very well for himself as shredder innovator, his latest album live in Sydney is probably the best I've heard yet, I didn't like his earlier stuff as much (I didn't tell him that when I met and played with him at RNB's) If Laurence his nephew reads this can you please send photo of me and Frank.
Back to the main subject ( it's very hard not to go off tangents when remembering this stuff)
Sean "Motley" Hackett deserves even more recognition, (he may not be a musician but he is a big part of the
business and we should all be proud of him as fellow Canberran's)
I'll give you his weblink as well as my quick bio (very cool lighting of Sydney harbour bridge!!)
http://motleylighting.com/_/motleylighting.html
After Sean Hackett saw Kiss in 1979 he realised his calling. I vividly remember him reanacting bits of the concert growing up in Rivett.
I think he had some experience in production with the scout gang shows.
Anyway he started showing up to gig's at the old Royal's club at Weston (early 80's) lugging in for free for interstate acts, the roadies would be surprised when he would turn up at the end of the night to load out, some people would lug in just to see a gig for free ( I did it a few times before they legitimised lugging, and after)
He learnt the production side of the business at a higher rate than most musicians create new chops.
For a while he concentrated on being a guitar tech, he had the utmost pleasure of not only working for but also being good friends with Brad Kelly R.I.P.
For those who never heard of Kelly he played with Swanee, Heaven, toured the world, got ripped of by Jackson Guitars, anyone seen the Kelly Jackson, well that's his original design he never got a cent for, good on you Grover Jackson I wish there was some more info on Kelly on the Net.
Sean toured (as guitar tech) with him in Victoria under the name Hellcats (Sean looked after the original Jackson Kelly, I got to have a bit of a play on it)
I also remember Kelly doing a one off show at Royals with Storm. It was Greg the singers birthday Greg spent the week prior at the heavy metal flat from hell (Sean Hackett, Mick Buric, Kevin Hunt residents) I remember Greg's diet leading up to the gig (what I saw anyway, no offence intended towards Greg) Various lolly's
jelly beans , Bourbon, Pot, Cigarettes etc...( there's a lot more interesting stories about local muso's while I was growing up, will send more)
Back to Sean's story It wasn't long before Sean switched to lighting and moved to Sydney and worked for Jands, toured the country, and the world numerous times for many international band's I'm not sure if this is the correct order of major Australian bands Sean did lights for, Diesel, Noiseworks, Electric Hippies, INXS (with and without Michael Hutchence) Savage Garden. He won an award for best lighting designer .He has recently been touring with Kiss (as there main lighting dude) and Paul Stanley solo tours.
Sean was and still is a huge amount of inspiration to his musician friends, if most musicians achieved half of what he has, L.A. would be full of Australian Muso's
This is just a very brief bio.
Best wishes Peace, Love and Happiness
From Daniel Barron
Chris Shakallis
Sun, 28 Sept 2008
came across this site the other nite-
well good fuckin greetings to Johnny J, Dave s and Danny m-
hope u can pass on my email to them
keep up the good work-
chris shak-young docs
Ginny Lowe
Tue, 23 Sept 2008
Hey Baz
I just wanted to let you know that I think you have done and continue to do such
a wonderful job at connecting and reconnecting people. I hope you realise how
good that makes people feel and what an important and significant role you are
playing in making lots of people feel good and a little less lonely in this big
old world of ours. I have decided to refer to you from now on as Dr Baz. The
therapist you're having when you're not having a therapist.
Ginny x
Bernie Keenan
Mon, 22 Sept 2008
Howdy Baz
Its been a long time since I have caught up with you but be warned if I get to Melbourne I will try to contact you. Your site is awesome mate and a credit to you.
I would like to take the opportunity to pass on my enormous gratitude and thanks for inviting me to play with you and Willie (god bless his soul) years ago at the old Roxy venue in Civic. That was an amazing privilege considering that there were some amazing drummers around at the time i.e. Nic Ward (Hi Nic) and John Stockdill etc.
I was a young fella who at the time did not realise the fantastic opportunity you gave me. So for that Baz I love and sincerely thank you.
Anyway a big hello to all the Canberra Musos out there.
Take Care
P.S. Can you give me Nic Wards email if you have it ?
Cheers Mate
Bernie Keenan
Johnny Jessup
Sun, 21 Sept 2008
hey man, how's it going...thanks to your site I connected with Peter Coleman last night...i remember him now...he's trying to convert that glass tape to digital...just to give credit where it's due - the songs were written by Rob Parr...ps.i used to be in a blues band called Fixin' to Die (among other names.. Juju Men, Desoto Phantoms etc.) around 1989-1993 that you might find interesting...we did a fairly good recording on a live-to-air show at 2xx which I've converted to cdr...if you want one let me know an address and I'll post one...all free of course!!..we didn't do a route 66 on that show but lots of other shit like that...pps. and THANKS very much for putting us in your top friends!!...
cheers,johnny
David Studdert
Sept 2008
so Barry if you know where steve maugham is - indeed you're having blog
conversations with him why haven't you mentioned it to me when i asked you? I'd
like to give him something which he deserves and which i'm sure he'd appreciate.
whats the big deal?
david s
David Studdert
Sept 2008
Hallo Barry,
david studdert here - nicve to hear from you glad you're still alive - are you
involved in this site - its a good idea like i said and well presented but
anyway I stand by my criticisms in the first email - though i did love the pic
of kilby
do you know where steve M is i'd love to send him a copy of the sound of the
sound compilation which contains 6 or 7 songs he produced -
glad you're still alive - we just finished a tactics tour of oz and if i get
back from london where I live now we'll do another one in November - i get down
to canberra a bit to see my family so when i'm around lets have a drink
my email is david.studdert@btinternet.com
and you could pass that on to stevo or give me a contact for him i'd appreciate
it - and man put up soome pics of eighties canberra bands there's plenty around.
cheers david s
Bazza
Sept 2008
Pretentious? Moi?
I sometimes get some silly emails from tired and emotional old musos.
Here's a classic from David Studdert of Tactics:
Look
I've got no problem with the concept or the effort you've clearly put in -
however you seem to have a very extensive collection of what personally I regard
as pretty second rate musos and have nothing at all on really interesting musios
from the 80's - is this because you haven't asked or have simply forgotten -
there's us and young doctors to name two and lots of others who were doing as
much to further canberra music as the battery of cats you have here - most of
whom in my experience spent their entire time playing turgid version of route 66
long into the 1980's at the canberra uni bar.
Please for your own cred address this problem
If you want some photos from us ask us -
incidentally the picture of steeve kilby was almost worth signing up for
and one further question do you known the whereabouts of steve maugham who
produced our first few records and who i'd like to send a copy of the recent
double compliation album to?
Incidentally, how many of these bands have had a compilation of their stuff ( 84
songs in all) re-released 25 years after they first played?
Just asking
david s
Don't get me wrong, I've got nothing against Tactics, an 80s band from Canberra who had the guts to play their own songs and ambition enough to get them recorded (like quite a few other musicians from the local scene).
And I guess the other members of the band - if they read this post - are cringing about the hilariously patronizing attitude of the author, a guy not exactly noted for exceptional talent, unlike a number of the people currently featured on the myspace page.
I will point out two things:
1. None of the people on the page were "playing turgid versions of Route 66 at the Canberra Uni Bar long into the 80s" while you were creating your deathless masterpieces.
2. If I need some "cred" tips, dude, you're the last person I'd ask.
Now, if you, or any other local musician would like some photos or mp3s put on the site, all you have to do is ask and I'll happily oblige. Believe it or not, I don't have the time to chase all the musical giants of Canberra's yesteryear for material.
But exactly why, portly middle-aged guy, do your musical endeavours a quarter of a century ago entitle you to act like a princess? Just asking."
All the best David
Bazza
Maria Gravias
Mon, 1 Sept 2008
Happy Birthday Thomas Barry McCulloch.
Dave Kain often mentions you and I'm very happy to hear to that all is well in your life.
I've been wanting to thank you for some time now for being such a supportive friend to Dave.
Best wishes
Maria
