BOOK UPDATE

Hi.

I haven't posted here for a little while so I thought I would give you all an update.

I have been interviewing a lot of people and gathering more and more information for the book and it's been taking up a lot of my time. I have also uncovered some amazing archives which include photo's and rare tapes of unreleased music. As some of you know their will be a CD with the book and a lot of the songs I have uncovered will be on it. Some great surprises let me tell you and I can't wait to share them with you.

I will try and post some more bands here in the coming week so keep an eye out.

Also, I will be publishing a book written by John Hood in the coming months. John was the original guitarist with Sid Rumpo and also played in numerous groups in the 60's and 70's such as The Elks, Bitch, Jelly Roll Bakers to name a few and is still playing today. The book comes with a CD which will have approx 14 songs on it which highlights his playing in most of the bands he was in. A great extra to listen while you read his book.

If you have any interest in buying a copy, then please leave a comment below and I put you on the mailing list and notify you when it becomes available.

Cheers.

Pieces of Eight 1968~1970

Members: Terry Blanchard (guitar, vocals) 1968-1970 Wido Peppinck (vocals, guitar) 1968-1970

The “Pieces of Eight” was a very successful floorshow act in the Perth music scene between 1968 and 1970. Terry and Wido had attended the same high school and had played together in a school band during 1967. In 1968 they set out to specialise in playing floorshows around town.

During its eighteen month existence, the Duo played at some of Perth’s major night entertainment venues of that time (La Riviera, Whisky-a-go-go, Charles Hotel), appeared as guest performers on Channel Nine’s “Today” show (hosted by Tim Connor) [twice], appeared on Telethon (1968, 1969) and were a support act for Kamahl at the Regal Theatre in 1969. The act also gained significant work in the cabaret area often performing two or three separate venues in the one night for different corporate clients.

The floorshow was heavily geared towards the performance of songs made famous by the Everly Brothers and Simon & Garfunkel. Interspersed in the presentation were other songs including popular sing along numbers for audience participation. Notwithstanding that they were teenagers performing for older audiences, comedy also featured in the act. Each floorshow generally commenced with a rendition of the Everly Brother’s song “Bye bye love” which was played on all their television appearances and became a minor “signature” song.

The duo was known for its creative and eye catching uniforms. The shirts were designed by Terry with emphasis on a buckle at the front of the neck, with the colours of the uniforms having immediate impact. They were suitable in the context of the times, but looking back, they were embarrassingly gaudy.

The concert with Kamahl was a highlight of our short career, though he was not particularly friendly. Our part of the show went well and his concert was an enormous success with the audience that had paid to see him.

We were fortunate that in our early career we were supported by people such as Tim Connor of Channel Nine who had organised us being a support act for the Kamahl concert. Tim even talked about a recording contract for a short while, but (as with many promises made to musicians at times), it never came to fruition. We also received strong support from a guy called Pete Watson who had been part of a well known Australian Act MPD Ltd in the mid 1960’s. Pete imparted some of his wisdom and even lent us obscure records to learn. We were saddened to hear some years later that he had passed away tragically through ill health aged only 27.

Doug Wilkinson R.I.P. 1945~2010

Another Perth musician lost. Bass player with The Troupadores and Rebound

Rebound 1967 (left to right) Doug Wilkinson, Howard Smith, Ross Mitchell,Vern Goff, Malcolm Booth

Mark Verschuer R.I.P.

I bring you sad news that Mark Verschuer died on the 17th of December 2009.

Mark sang and played bass in many cool bands during the 60's and 70's including the

awesome Barrelhouse. He joined BAKERY in 1971 and wrote half of that bands seminal

album MOMENTO. I had been searching for Mark for almost a year to line-up an interview

for my book and as I got close I was passed the sad news.

R.I.P. Mark

You can hear Mark singing on this song from the Momento album.. enjoy

Sage ~ 1974

Original members:

Allen Cope (Vocals, Lead guitar & keyboards) 1974-83

Wido Peppinck (Vocals, Rhythm guitar) 1974-1987

Michael Sawyer (vocals, bass guitar) 1974-1978

Sandy Graham (Drums) 1974-1978

Replacement members:

Merv Watkins (vocals, bass guitar) 1978-81 (replaced Michael Sawyer)

John Coyne (Drums) 1978-1983 (replaced Sandy Graham)

Sage was a four piece band formed in the mid 1970’s and in different permutations, played in the Perth pop music scene until 1988.

Two of the members, Allen Cope and Wido Peppinck had been friends since 1967, and had played together in various temporary or short lived musical acts since they had met.. Allen had also been a member of Perth 60’s band “Revue” and Wido, a member of floorshow duo “Pieces of Eight”. They combined with Sandy Graham and Michael Sawyer who had grown up in Norseman and had played together in a local band called “Legend”.

“Sage” played on average, at least 3 to 4 nights a week with its flagship gig being the Herdsman Hotel in Wembley. This was one of the most popular hotels in Perth in the mid 1970’s, and patronage on a Friday night was usually between 700-800 people. The band also worked other venues such as the Booragoon Hotel, Lynwood Arms, Warwick Arms, Balga Inn and around Perth in various Corporate functions. It also backed a number of visiting artists including Alison Durban, Frankie Davidson and countless E

lvis impersonators.

Whilst the band concentrated primarily on imitating songs by groups such as the Eagles, America and The Doobie Brothers, members did for a short period dabble in original compositions. In 1975, the band was invited to record two original songs written by Allen Cope and Wido Peppinck at the ABC studios in Perth with both songs receiving subsequent radio airplay. As well as Allen Cope’s quality guitar playing, the band’s strong lead vocals and smooth three-part harmonies set them apart from other contemporary Perth musical acts.

The Band developed a significant following at the Herdsman Hotel during its three and a half year residency. Friday nights at the Herdsman were crowded and fun filled, with many other Perth musicians coming down to watch the band’s renditions of songs such as "Art for Arts Sake” (10CC)and “Hotel California” (The Eagles). The latter became a feature number at the Herdsman, where the band’s “roadie” would "splatter the contents of a commercially available “light stick” over the Herdsman ceiling to create a starlit effect. Whilst it was effective, it did manage to pock mark expensive guitars due to the chemicals in the light stick landing on the instruments courtesy of an over enthusiastic roadie!. Whatever the problem, we blamed him for it!

Most Saturday nights were occupied by playing at “Cabarets” on the basis that this was the “mon

ey night” for the band. The live music scene was vibrant and work was plentiful, so playing a Friday night, followed by a daytime show at places such as Garden City and a country Saturday night in places such as Wagin or Dalwallinu before returning to a Sunday gig was not unusual.

Music requirements in cabarets ranged from barn dances to on the chart hits resulting in a wide spectrum of music to be learnt and performed. They also provided unforgettable memories of close friendship and camaraderie. Had we been able to bottle the fun we had, we would have been very wealthy!

Fortunately, in 1997, the original “Sage” combination was able to re-form for one final performance at a reunion night of the Herdsman Hotel artists at the Herdsman tavern (which had replaced the original Herdsman Hotel some years earlier). Along with other acts which had played in the golden era of live music at the Herdsman, we played some of its more memorable repertoire of the mid 70’s. Rehearsals for the big night rekindled some of the fun and camaraderie, and took us back in time to 1970’s. The actual performance on the night went extremely well and provided a fitting closure to the band’s contribution to the Perth music scene. Sadly, Sandy Graham, the original drummer passed away some years later.

Revue ~ 1967-1971

Original Members:

Gary Bourne (Drums & Vocals) 1967-1971

Allen Cope (Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar & Vocals) 1967-1969

Graeme Ford (Bass Guitar, Lead Guitar & Vocals) 1967-1971

Keith Yelland (Keyboards & Vocals) 1967-1971

Alan Lyford (Bass Guitar & Vocals) 1969-1971 (Replaced Allen Cope)

The Revue was a four/five piece band formed in late 1967, one of a number playing the vibrant Perth music scene in the late 1960’s. Two of the members had been playing in bands, Keith Yelland in Mort & The Mobies and Allen Cope in Kult. Revue were mainly a cover band of popular British & American 60’s music, it was one of a group of bands managed by the Quill Agency.

The Revue played a circuit that included Raffles, Charles, Knutsford Arms and other leading Perth hotels and at nightclubs such as Pinochios’, Top Hat, Blue Meanies, Top of the Town, Latin Quarter & Zannzibar, appearing regularly at the Waldorf Nightclub, an underground venue in Murray Street, Perth. They backed a number of interstate acts, a favorite being Ricky May, a regular performer at the Waldorf. Friday & Saturday nights started with a hotel gig from 7.30pm, hotels closed at 10.30pm, then followed a nightclub till about 1.00am and finally a later show that finished by 3.30am, usually the Latin Quarter.

Playing the Waldorf was a nightmare to get the equipment on stage as the entry was down a one way alley normally blocked by patron cars, underneath a large high rise. To get down the alleyway we had to “nudge” cars out of the way with our van.

Of the late night venues Latin Quarter also presented a challenge to get into as the equipment had to be carried up a set of rickety old stairs from a back laneway and on more than one occassion equipment was dropped over the side crashing on to the ground. It was a cramped venue with no stage so the band had to play on the edge of the dance floor and of course the obligatory drunk patron would fall into the microphone stand doing a far bit of damage to the person singing. The toasted sandwiches were great for staying awake after hours playing at various venues in one night.

We were lucky to have a roadie who used to carry in the heavier equipment……those were the days.

GO-SET Mags WANTED and your old Photographs

Sid Rumpo

Hi all.

My book is coming along real good. Lots of great interviews with people of the period and getting to scan some amazing photographs and clipping as well. But I need more.

If anyone out there has copies of the Perth versions of GO-SET magazines that I could borrow and scan (or scanned for me) please let me know. The West version had the Perth and Adelaide scene included in the back pages while the East coast ones did not. I have been through all the East Coast copies and while there were main stories on the main bands from here, there is nothing much on the smaller bands that I need info on. Contact me if you have of know of anyone that has kept them. it's mainly the 1968 to 1974 issues.

Also anyone have old photos from any band from 1965 to 1977 let me know.. No matter what they band they are of, professional or just snapshots.. I want to see them.

I have some amazing photo's to present in the book but the more the better.. check ya shed and the old shoe box under the bed.. I know they are out there.

Send me an email