Perth Bands 1960's ~ 1970's

BOOK UPDATE

2011-05-31T20:06:00.001-07:00

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

2010-08-25T00:33:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-08-10T08:49:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-04T23:54:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-19T09:47:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-10T23:11:00.000-07:00

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

Mystery Band??

2010-03-16T01:45:00.001-07:00

I need help tracing this Perth band circa 1969/1970/1971. That's a young Mick Cater recording them at a hall at the Civilian Mamed & Limbless Association cnr Murray St and Havelock St. Mick can only remember the lead singers name which is possibly John. Anyone out there recognize the pic. Let me know.

Date: Feb 2011. Okay I just got confirmation that the guitarist on the far right is Ross Adams. thanks to Syd Nagel for spotting this.

Book about 50% Complete

2010-03-15T22:15:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. Just checking in to let you know that my book is about 50% complete and info is coming in at a rapid pace. I have opened a big can of worms with this project and a lot of musicians from that period are contacting me and I am putting this flyer here to hopefully gather more. So if you know anyone that's got photo's and clippings and any other related items for inclusion.. please get them to contact me. I'll make the deadline Jan 2011 and see how I go. I have started a layout for it and it's looking pretty good but things may change as I go along. It'll be a neat book either way. Catch you soon for another band bio on here soon.

Dennis James 1966 ~ 1979

2009-09-09T18:45:00.000-07:00

Here is Dennis James' musical history. I asked Dennis to write it himself and I would post it here as he would have more info than me. I tracked down some old adverts that coincide with his many bands. Enjoy

As soon as I saw and heard The Beatles at 14 years of age, that was IT, I wanted to be a drummer. A short time later in rolled the Stones and an immediate switch to guitar followed. It was 1964, my neighbour and first musical buddy was Bob Fortescue, with whom the initial ventures took place. It was not until April 1966 that a half reasonable line up happened….Lot 49, no gigs but did a demo at Radio 6PR. Now long lost, it contained “live” versions of “Louie Louie” and Pretty Things “Don’t Bring Me down”. We were still a very long way from providing any worry whatsoever to the local big boys like, The Times, Yeomen, Bon Scotts’ Spectors, Hi Five, Little Wheels, Andre De Moller, Maggie Hammond and the Tagg, Johnny and the Strangers, Mort and the MoBees and many more, most of whom secured locally charting singles.

Late winter 1966 saw my first working band, The Torments, which came third in that years battle of the bands held at the town hall. List consisted of Yardbirds, Small Faces, Troggs etc pop covers

The Torments ~ 1966

Richard Ibbitson ~ Bass

Phil Burn ~ Drums

Tony Bourne ~ Vocals

Dave Skewes ~ Organ

Dennis James ~ Guitar

Torments at Battle of Bands September 1966

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September ’66 saw the formation of Down Home Group which leant more toward R&B and Dylan influences. The band worked the local scene including Dorinas’ Discoteque and a booze ridden residency at the notorious Beach House in Cottesloe. Other regular acts at this venue were Stark Raving Mad and Beat’n Tracks with Perths’ original cool frontman, Ross Partington.

Down Home Group ~ 1966

Dennis James ~ Lead Guitar

Bob Dale ~ Rhythm Guitar

Chris Marris ~ Vocals

Al Kash ~ Drums

Colin Atkins ~ Bass

Down Home Group Late 1966. Al Kash, Bob Dale, Colin Atkins, Dennis James.

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Early 67 I had a short lived, all Dylan stuff, 3 piece….Obviously 5 Believers with Al Kash and Dave Skewes. May 1967, I entered the Cream/Hendrix era with Cats’ Squirrel. This was the first ever band to appear and remain resident at the the new and trendsetting venue, Wot The Hek.

Cat's Squirrel ~ 1967

Vocals: Gareth Lyon ~ Vocals

Dennis James ~ Lead Guitar

Don Sanders ~ Rhythm Guitar

Fabe Wooten ~ Drums

Peter Mann ~ Bass

Cats’ Squirrel at Wot The Hek 1967

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Mort and The Mobees ~ 1967

John Abbot ~ Vocals

Dennis James ~ Guitar

Gordon Parsons ~ Drums

Dave Pearson ~ Drums

MoBees at Wot The Hek 1967

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Current Bun ~ 1968

Terry Atterton ~ Vocals

Dennis James ~ Lead Guitar

Phil Pruitti ~ Lead Guitar

Al Kash ~ Drums

Colin Atkins ~ Bass

1968 began with the brief existence of Black Market followed closely by the formation of the influential Current Bun with singer Terry Atterton, nabbed from Dave Holes’ John Spence Set. Current Bun maintained residency at Wot The Hek with regular appearances at 6PRs’ Anzac House dance which always had a crowd into the many hundreds. It was around this time that young bands such as us fell foul of the booking agents (Quill Organisation) who were intent on pushing the old “cabaret’ boys who had previously dominated the gigs. Acts like The Statesmen, in their corny uniforms, failed to hold the attention of the kids but still earned 5 times the money of the ground breaking newer outfits. We called them the “fruit” bands…and still do!!!! Current Bun came third in Hoadleys’ Battle of Bands.

Early Current Bun 1968

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The Creations ~ 1969

Lou Peter ~ Lou Peter

Vic Seraphine ~ Bass

Fabe Wooten ~ Drums

Dennis James ~ Guitar

Mid 69 saw my first concious attempt at “commerciality” when I joined The Creations….but my input saw the band rocking with the best of them, a fall out with the agents, and culminating with a near riot at a local high school social when the head master ejected us from the stage for being too loud. The resultant students’ public outcry lead to our appearance on ABCs’ This Day Tonight, complete with interview and performance. Wish I had THAT vid!!!! This band recorded but never released several tracks at Clarion studios.

Creations 1969 ~ Fabe and Dennis

Dennis at the Colloseum 1969

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Great Pumpkin Mutiny ~ 1969

Pete Devlin ~ Vocals

Dennis James ~ Guitar

John Tucak ~ Bass

Al Kash ~ Drums

Later 1969….Cool blues/Dylan line up, did the wine bars and came second at Kings Park Battle of Bands to Steve Tallis’ and Peter Walkers’ My Grandfathers’ Blues.

Great Pumpkin Mutiny at the Gaslight Club 1969

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Down Home Group Mk2 ~ 1969

Vocals: Dave Lyon ~ Vocals

Dennis James ~ Lead Guitar

Tony Osbourne ~ Rhythm Guitar

Bob Fortescue ~ Bass

Dave Little ~ Drums

Dennis at Anzac House 1969

This line up recorded two tracks at 6PR, an original, “Eastern Jam” and Winwoods’ “I’m A Man”…..Blues rock outfit….did more drunken rehearsals than gigs but was ushering in a different era, leading to Bob and myself leaving for the east early in 1970. Bob was to go straight into Blackfeather along with Al Kash. I remained in Melbourne, forming Hammer which I brought back to Perth in mid 70. No local musos were involved and the band was almost totally devoid of success! Bakery had control of the Perth scene.

Photo Hammer clipping

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Superman ~ 1971

Ross Partington ~ Vocals

Dennis James ~ Guitar

John Tucak ~ Bass

Dave Little ~ Drums

I then returned to Melbourne until the Perth formation of Superman in early 1971 with singer Ross Partington, A bit of a “head” band, we recorded an original, “Keep Off the Grass” which received a period of rather high rotation airplay on 6KY, which by this time was the big rock station. As was the norm on the Perth scene in those days, the line up barely endured 3 months, a time frame which was to prove an eternity compared to what followed by the mid 70s! (The reason for the brief lives of the more creative bands in the later 60s and early 70s, in my opinion, is that music influences, trends and styles advanced and changed almost by the week, a wonderful period….)

Superman 1971 ~ John Tucak, Ross Partington, Dave Little, Dennis James.

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G Troop ~ 1971

Steve Tallis ~ Vocals/Guitar

Terry Atterton ~ Vocals

Reg Zar ~ Drums

Dennis James ~ Lead Guitar

Daryl Upson ~ Bass

Mid 1971….to counteract the intensity of the blues/rock domination, I formed G Troop, one of the earliest revisiting of the 60s that I know of! We concentrated on shorter 2/3 minute songs….extending ourselves a little more for a short residency at the USA Forces Club at NW Cape. A cool gig it was too!

Dennis James, Daryl Upson, Steve Tallis, Terry Atterton ~ 1971.

Next few months saw a few week-long outfits including Huckleberry as the pub scene took over from the suburban dances and grungy clubs. Top of the list and probably at the peak of my own “local guitar hero” status was the great Court Hotel, long before its current reputation, but, in retrospect, there were a few hints….no names to be mentioned.

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Train ~ 1972 (original lineup)

Dennis James ~ Guitar

Mick Glendinning ~ Bass/Vocals

Dave Little ~ Drums

1972 I formed a powerhouse 3 piece doing stuff like Mountain, Cactus et al. Played to packed house at the Court several times a week for a good year and a half. There were variations on the line up occasionally but I can recall vividly when 6KY held a “demo” contest to find a support for the Rolling Stones Perth gig in early 73. My band won the competition and during a gig on a Saturday afternoon at the Court I received a ‘phone call. The boss, George Daly ran up to me on stage to say that some guy from the Stones wanted to speak to me! The call went like this….

Cockney accent: “We are doing a rehearsal as this is our first gig on the tour but our amps are still in transit. We heard that you have English amps and could we borrow one for a day?”

Dennis: (After a brief thought) “How much money?”

Cockney accent: (in an aside) “ Hey Mick…he said ‘How much money?’ “

Mick: (in background) “Tell ‘im to get knotted!”

One of the worst blunders I EVER made….never knew which Mick it was either!

Anyway, suddenly we were informed by the Musos Union that we were not eligible to support the Stones. We were replaced by the “fruit” band, Natural Gas!

During the Court period several recording sessions at 6KY took place. One set of 4 songs still exists and is currently available on YouTube. Players on these are Terry Atterton, Myself, Dave Little and Bob Fortescue. Another session with Kent “Beast” Hughes seems to have vanished. This was also the era of our main rival, Fatty Lumpkin who had the decided advantage of securing agency backing, resulting in a successful local single and a vastly superior financial situation!

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Rudy and The Aardvarks ~ 1973

Wendy Bailey ~ Vocals

Rob Bailey ~ Bass

Dennis James ~ Guitar

Jeff Lally ~ Drums

Wayne Emery ~ Sax

During 1973 I also did a stint with Rudy and the Aardvarks, replacing emerging guitar man John Meyer.

Met a new life long friend Wayne Green late in 1973 and with him and Jeff Lally formed a couple of minor bands performing at the fading Court until I left for Sydney early in 74.

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Vambo ~ 1975

Tery Atterton ~ Vocals

Dennis James ~ Lead Guitar

Steve Britain ~ Lead Guitar

Some Melbourne guy ~ Bass

Dave Little ~ Drums

Mid 1975 and inspired almost entirely by The Alex Harvey Band, Vambo enjoyed a good deal of success most frequently at the Sandgroper, the new “IN” pub

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Rattlesnake ~ 1976

Wayne Green ~ Vocals

Dennis James ~ Lead Guitar

Zig Waltersdorf/Rob Bailey ~ Bass

Jeff Lally ~ Drums

Rattlesnake 1976, wild times at the Scarborough and Sandgroper. First band Rob Bailey played with after departing to join AC/DC. Green showing all the signs that would make him the most “ROCK AND ROLL” frontman EVER to come out of Perth! (In 2005, this very same line up of Rattlesnake reformed for some gigs. I remember being so amused at the 4 of us at Jeff Lallys’ place, rehearsing and all drinking cups of tea….what a difference 29 years makes….)

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Full Sail ~ 1977

ill fated, short lived, maniacal mob featuring brilliant drummer Robert Taylor and myself….nearly all instrumental.

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Everest ~ 1979

Jon Ryder ~ Bass

Dave Little ~ Drums

Dennis James ~ Lead Guitar

I was out of Perth for a few years until I returned in early 1979 to replace John Meyer in power trio Everest

Everest with Dennis at Raffles mid 1979.

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I must emphasise that, in the period I have covered from 64 to 79, I was involved in many more brief musical liaisons and many more musicians and characters than I can remember accurately at this time. Apologies to any who may read this that I have unintentionally omitted.

To anyone who may be interested, I am still doing it and results are at these links...

myspace.com/dennisjamesesq

http://www.youtube.com/user/Swans500

http://www.macjams.com/artist/Dennis+James

SAM MATZKOV 1965 ~ 1970

2009-08-21T22:09:00.000-07:00

Okay while I'm on the subject of Moose and I have Sam's archives in front of me. I will list the bands he was in circa 1965~1970

Sam with his first guitar, a Jason

The Hitchhikers ~ 1965

Sam Matzkov - RhythmGuitar

Peter Walker - Lead Guitar

Mick Mahoney - Drums

Note: Sam played rhythm and bass lines on a Jason guitar. Sam was about 14 in that band and they only played dance halls and private birthday parties. Peter Walker went on to join The Jellyroll Bakers and then legendary Bakery.

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The Purple Chain ~ 1966

Sam Matzkov ~ Rhythm Guitar

Danny Susnjar ~ Lead Guitar

Steve Susnjar ~ (Originally on Drums/Vocals)

Ron Parker ~ Drums

Note: Steve Susnjar was the drummer/vocalist in the first line-up then moved to vocals only when they hired Ron Parker. Also Danny showed Sam how to play lead guitar in this band and he picked it up in few days. Played Youth Clubs/P&C halls.

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Impressions ~ 1967

Sam Matzkov ~ Lead Guitar

Zig Waltersdorf ~ Bass

Gary Daniels ~ Vocals

Ken Stivey ~ Drums

Merv ?? ~ Keyboards

Note: Played dancehalls/P&C clubs/Birthday parties. Ken was the only one with a drivers licence so they always crammed the gear into one car to get to gigs. The keyboard player Merv was only in the band a short time as he couldn't play very well and was always out of time. Gary always asked him to stand there and mime with the volume down. Eventually all agreed he had to go. Sam was also a pretty good artist and you can see his work on Ken's kick drum skin below. Psychedelic flowers was his favourite thing to draw at the time.

Impressions L/R: Zig Waltersdorf ~ Bass, Ken Stivey ~ Drums,

Merv ?? ~ Keyboards, Gary Daniels ~ Vocals,

Sam Matzkov ~ Lead Guitar

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The Ingrown Toenail ~ 1968

Sam Matzkov ~ Lead Guitar

Gary Daniels ~ Vocals

Ken Stivey - Drums

Min ~ Bass

Note: A short live band that played a few shows at the end of 1968 most notably at the Wot The Hek club. On one occasion, The Ingrown Toenail had a 45 minute set to play but only had 6 songs in their rep.. compromising, they jammed on a 20 minute version of Deep Purple's "Hush" to fill in time. Sam remembers a funny moment. "I remember one night after a gig being invited back to the owner of Wot The Hek's house for a party. I was sitting on the couch with Al Kash and there was this cat sitting there and I started calling to it "here puss here puss" but it wouldn't come over, so I started calling it "hey poof hey poof" Al Kash kicks me and leans over and says "be quiet, don't say that, the guy from Wot the Hek" is a poof" They both laughed their heads off. Sam was big fan of Dennis James during this period and would go see him and Phil Pruitii play in Current Bun. "Those guys were my heroes and I would stand there and watch every guitar lick they played. Current Bun were a great band and were an inspiration to me".

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Tamarind Acorn ~ 1969/1970

Sam Matzkov ~ Lead Guitar

Glen Carpenter ~ Bass

Mick Rutherford ~ Drums

Roger (can't remember last name) ~ Vocals

Note: Glen and Sam were highschool friends. Glen ended up joining the police force, then started his own Private Investigator business and also played in The Sneakers (1980's). Their manager Franks' parents had a farm and the band used to rehearse in an empty chicken shack which really stank. The band also played on the bill as support with Normie Rowe and Gerry Humphries and others. Tamarind Acorn also entered "Battle of the Bands" and where placed 9th. Here is the listing of that night and the scores. 1st Bakery, 2nd Hun, 3rd Juke, 4th Peaches and Cream, 5th Mumbo Jumbo, 6th King Biscuit Co, 7th Catfish, 8th Selection, 9th Tamarind Acorn, 10th Smoki Moke, 11th Freight, 12th Earth, 13th Rhubarb and 14th Morphius. Bakery taking out the first prize of $200. During another Battle of the Bands, Tamarind actually came last, scoring a disappointing 158 points out of 300. They split soon after.

In May1969, Sam's father had an illegal gambling club at 105 Frances St, Perth (Northbridge) and Sam asked his dad if he could turn it into a dance venue. The club called "Smokestack" lasted only about 2 months due to too much competition with other clubs but hosted such bands as The Birds, The Jellyroll Bakers, Stafford D and Desolation Angel.

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Moose ~ 1970

Sam Matzkov ~ Lead Guitar

Gary Daniels ~ Vocals

Jeff Lalley ~ Drums

Mick Glendining ~ Bass

Note: See previous post below

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I.M.Frost ~ 1970

Sam Matzkov ~ Lead Guitar

Gary Daniels ~ Vocals

Joe Cipriani - Drums

Austin Warchomij ~ Bass

Note: After the split of Moose, Gary formed this new heavy rock outfit with former Peaches & Cream guitarist Vince Linardi. At some point Gary asked Sam to join the band so they would have a two guitar attack but Vince wasn't too happy and decided to leave. I.M.Frost played good versions of Blue Cheer, Crow and Led Zep and didn't take long to get well known in the local circuit, also scoring the support for Masters Apprentices. This band unfortunately broke up due to Austin dying in a fatal car accident. Sam remembers "We were at reheasals and we were wondering why Austin hadn't shown up. I was reading the morning paper and there was his name and that he had died. He fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into the back of a truck". The band was devastated and decided not to replace him. Sam at this point left the music industry for a couple of years and got married. Sam and Gary have no idea who or how they came up with the name I.M.Frost or what it meant.

Austin Warchomij

Joe Cipriani

Sam Matzkov

Sam Matzkov and Gary Daniels

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MOOSE 1970

2009-08-20T02:32:00.000-07:00

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.