MOOSE 1970

MOOSE were a short lived acid-rock group formed in early 1970 from the ashes of late 60s bands Tamarind Acorn, Peaches & Cream and Rhubarb.

MOOSE left to right: Sam Matzkov~Guitar, Mick Glendinning~Bass,

Jeff Lalley~Drums, Gary Daniels~Vocals

Sam was jamming with his band Tamarind Acorn one evening when Gary poked his head through the window and screamed out "I'm back" which scared the living daylights out of the band. Sam remembers his bass player saying "well, that's the end of this band". That comment would prove true as Sam and Gary were good mates and were also in an earlier band called Impressions. Gary had just returned from living in Sydney for a couple of years singing in a band called Parafinallia and also did some solo work.

Sam and Gary went in search of a rhythm section and talked Jeff and Mick into leaving their bands and join what would become one of Perth's hottest bands of the day. Sam was also becoming a drawcard and was fast becoming the new whiz guitarist in Perth. The band played a lot of great shows which included being the opening act at the first 6KY Parkerville Outdoor Festival. Sam remembers getting into about the 3rd song and it started to rain a little "I kept getting little shocks from my guitar so I quickly grabbed my guitar case and spent the rest of the set standing in it so I wouldn't electrocute myself".

Sam cutting it up on stage at the Colosseum

Playing songs from Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and the like, Moose gathered a lot of momentum and a good fan base in their short time, even coming 4th in Battle of the Bands which got them a recording contract. The band rehearsed an original track for the night but pulled out of playing it and played an extra cover song, this scored them less points than most on the night as doing an original song would have scored them higher.

Moose went into the studio and cut a version of the Free song "Alright Now" which was to be released a single but unfortunately it never made it to vinyl. Sam remembers taking the tape to a local radio station but they clearly were not interested in it. "They said it had to much fazing on it and simply didn't stand up to the original" Apparently the people that produced it had just come back from England and said the phazing effect was the big thing there so they layered the song with it. "I think it was horrible but I honestly can't remember" Sam said, "It was fairly rushed and I don't think my playing was that good either but I haven't heard it since then".

Moose sharing the bill with Johnny Farnham

Moose sharing the bill with Dave Hole and Bakery

Original fanclub advert

Original poster art for Moose headlining a dance at the Canning Bridge Hall

With that, the Moose simply fell apart and everyone went their separate ways for a few months and then Sam and Gary would join forces in a new outfit called I.M.FROST. As far as that rare recording goes? I'm still trying to pry it from the bands hands and post it here. Whether it's good or bad, it's a piece of Perth music history and I for one want hear it. Watch this space.