Our article from sometime back on the Narara Music Festival of 1983 has proved to be one of our most popular with many folks leaving their recollections and memories in the comments. Many also commented that they’d like to see an article about the 1984 Narara concert. The problem has been a lack of reference material though. I still haven’t been able to find a full list of the acts that played. Rather than hold off, I thought I’d get the post started with the little information I have and let the commenters fill in the blanks once again.

Here’s what I’ve got so-far…

Like the 1983 concert, Narara ’84 was held on the Australia Day long weekend from Friday the 27th the Monday the 30th of January 1984. It was held at the same location, being Somersby NSW.

MC’s – Austen Tayshus, Rodney Rude
Friday January 27th

• Party Girls
• Eurogliders
• Real Life
• Eurythmics
• Simple Minds
• Mondo Rock

Saturday January 28th

• QED
• Zarsoff Bros
• The Johnies
• Kids In The Kitchen
• Hoodoo Gurus
• Machinations
• Sandii And The Sunsets
• The Models
• INXS
• The Pretenders
• Talking Heads
• Mental As Anything

Sunday January 29th

• Drop Bears
• Deckchairs Overboard
• Strange Tennants
• The Expression
• Dynamic Hepnotics
• Little Heroes
• Sunnyboys
• Jon English & The Foster Bros.
• Def Leppard
• The Radiators
• Australian Crawl
• Allniters

Monday January 30th

• Mighty Guys
• Celibate Rifles
• Avion

The concert was marred by heavy rain and suffered reduced crowd numbers. Some say it was also due to the large number of overseas acts at what was an all- Australian event the year before.

This was the last of the Narara concerts.

Videos

INXS performing “Original Sin” at Narara 1984

Images

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About Mad Gorilla

** Updated **
Sydney based Theatrical Rock band of the 1980′s. Well known for their “Graveyard Show”.

History

• 1978-1985.
• The core of the band still play together as Creedence and Beyond.

Update: Here is a live video of Mad Gorilla playing at the Manly Hotel in 1983. Thanks to Roger Garrod for making the video available and for his comments.

Yet another update! Thanks again to Roger Garrod who has unearthed a classic clip of Mad Gorilla doing their original song “Parramatta Road”.

The ultimate update!!! Once again roger garrod has come through with a classic video clip. This time it’s the famed “Undertaker Show” filmed at Riverstone RSL Club in 1983. Enjoy!

Update: Here is a contribution from Dave Owens, the original bass player.

“For the record, I was the bass player in the original Gorilla
line-up ( with Steve Stickney- Vox, Zac Flack- Gtr, George Grainger- Hammond organ, Geoff Hillier – Drums ). Boy were they halcyon days! – writing our own material, coming up with “show” ideas; it seemed like we were just thrown together in some mushroom growing shed up in Riverstone (in Sydney’s north western suburbs) that the keyboard players Dad owned.
God if his Dad only knew what was being developed in there!

I can tell you that the original 5 piece band did kick some considerable ass, but we guys were’nt satisfied with only playing – we wanted to entertain, and so that’s where the idea of the “Undertaker Show” emerged from. But to be fair, the concept was born in Zac Flack’s head while he was hospitalised with a huge boil on his upper thigh, and upon his healthy return to the mushroom shed rehearsal enviroment
the show was born. It was to be a “Horror Show” to rival any other “show” rival bands could stage; we had set our sights pretty high looking back on it.

I could go on and regale you and your readers with some pretty wild stories that happened “on the bus” and “off the bus” if you know what I mean, from those early years – but maybe I’ll draught a few out before I just sit and type like I have today.

A couple of things though before I depart this time:

Mark “Zac” Flack (and for a time his partner Coby)
worked tirelessly, full time on the bands P.A. gear, road crew and costumes -and if it needed doing -it was done (unbelievable committment in my observation-for little or no return)

Steve “Stix” Stickney ability as a word-smith, front-man and agent/corporate liaison was just awesome – though my fading memory seems to recall “Zac” being involved in acquiring work from time to time too, Steve was generally known around town as the Face of Mad Gorilla, which naturally he usedto great enterprise.

Big Al and Steve “Reckless” Reckley were our first two roadies, and they too deserve praise for the long hours and many miles they gave in service to Gorilla. They were times we worked 5,6,7,8 gigs a week – regularly – all with some variation on 10-20 can light show and single/double 4way PA systems!)

Sure there were more people involved down the track when the line-up started changing, but these original band members and crew all laid down the foundation of what has become somewhat of a mini-legend ( and a great talking point when we all get together- Imagine it – when was the last timw you caught up with an old mand-mate and said ” Remeber when we blew up Black Soccer Club?, Remember when Sticko punched that idiot out at the Touramaline Hotel for stabbing oue speakers-in front of the audience? Remeber when we supported Jimmy and the boys at The Coogee Bay Hotel and THEY wombatted us? It just goes on and on and on, but any I’ll save it all up for next time.”

Members

• Steve “Stix” Stickney – Vocals
• Mark “Zack” Flack – Guitar
• Mark “Langs” Langfield – Drums
• Glen Chalice – Sax
• Frank Seckold – Keys
• George Granger – Keys
• Dave Owens – Bass
• Peter Keller – Drums
• Geoff Hillier – Drums
• Dr Chris De Beltran – Bass and Vocals
• Joe McConville – Drums
• Rod Ward – Bass
• Glenn Davis – Guitar
• Steve Keely – Guitar
• Paul Swain – Bass

Recordings

• Album – Great Gorilla – 1982
• Album – Gorilla Live – 1984

Other Resources

• Gibbos War Stories

Gigs

Subscribe: RSS | iCal

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About Avion

** Updated **

Sydney band Avion (not to be confused with the L.A. act current in the 00’s or the ‘Par’ variety) came into being during 1981. Randall Waller (vocals/guitar) had already released two solo albums (‘Oasis’ in 1978 and ‘Midnight Fire’ in 1980) before forming the band Lionheart which soon evolved into Avion. Completing the original line-up were Martin Toole (guitar), Evan Murray (keyboards), along with Waller’s brothers Kendall (bass) and John (drums). Avion’s musical style was unabashedly influenced by American Adult Oriented Rock (think Journey/Boston/Night Ranger etc).

From Paul Gannell’s MySpace page

History

A recording contract with RCA led to the release of their eponymous debut album in 1983 (OZ48). RCA obviously thought the group’s sound better suited the North American market because the album was release there before it was at home in Australia. The album didn’t receive much promotion and though the first single from it ‘I Need You’ was a minor hit (OZ61 – reaching as high as 40 in NSW), Avion didn’t break through in a major way. Two more ‘Diamond Eyes’ and ‘Never Let Me Go’ were lifted from the album but neither made the charts. A stand alone single ‘Still The Night’ was released in August 1984 but again didn’t sell well. Paul Gannell came in to replace Toole on guitar for the band’s second album, 1987’s ‘White Noise’. The album included the earlier single releases ‘We’ve Got Secrets’ and ‘Celebration’ but the celebrations were non existent as none made the charts. The band had remained a solid touring outfit throughout this period though, and it was on a late 1987 tour that keyboardist Evan Murray was killed in a car accident. The loss of Murray and the failure to break through commercially finally led Waller to call an end to Avion’s tenure.
From Paul Gannell’s MySpace page

Members

• Randall Waller – Vocals & Guitar.
• Martyn Toole – Guitar
• Kendall Waller – Bass
• Evan Murray – Keyboards
• John Waller – Drums
• Paul Gannell – Guitar

Recordings

• Avion – 1983
• White Noise – 1986
• Live – 1987

Technical Crew

• John McConnell – FOH Engineer

Other Resources

• Improve Your Music
• Wikipedia
• Rock Detector
• Paul Gannell’s MySpace page

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About

Sydney based band 1978-present

Formed in 1978 by vocalist/guitarist Matt Moffitt and drummer John Prior, the sound owed much to Matt’s impassioned voice and lyrical songwriting and John’s dynamic musical arrangements, complete with Jeff Clayton’s melodic, economical guitar parts and Rick Grossman’s muscular bass.
from the Matt Finish website

Always Another – 1984

History

After two years of performing eight shows a week on the Australian pub circuit, Matt Finish was signed to Peter Dawkins’ The Giant Recording Company. At the finish of 1980, the band released their debut double-A-side single, “Matt Finish Plays Africa” with the songs “C.I.A.” and “Mancini Shuffle”

The following year, 1981, saw the release of the band’s first album Short Note, followed by the live EP Fade Away. Finally, as a result of Moffitt’s declining health, the band split up at the end of the year.

A year passed before Moffitt, Prior and Clayton reformed in 1983, joined later in the year by Bertie Dorset. The new line-up recommenced touring and, in November, released Matt Finish. This EP was followed in 1984 by the album Word of Mouth.

The band again broke up in 1985 when Moffitt decided to start a solo recording career.

In 1990 Matt Finish reformed with original members Moffitt and Prior joined by Jennifer Barrett (guitar), former Eurogliders members Guy Le Claire (guitar) and Lindsay Jehan (bass). In 1991 the band split.

Moffitt released a limited edition solo acoustic CD EP, “Euroka”, in April 1992.

In June 1992, Matt Finish released “One Day at a Time”, the first Matt Finish single produced in eight years.

The line-up changed once again, and in 1993 the band, comprising Moffitt, Paul Dawkins (keyboards), Rohan Cannon (guitar), Bobby Christian (bass) and Adrian Cannon (drums) recorded Matt Finish’s third album, By Heart, and released the EP Earthbound. The following year the band released the singles “Blue” and “Will I Ever Know?” recorded with Eliot Reynolds and Justin Leaf. Moffitt, Reynolds and Dawkins co-wrote many new tracks but the band split yet again. Dawkins and Moffitt continued to work together for a couple of years after, including the recording and mixing of an (at the time of writing) unreleased album that contained ten songs

In 2001, Matt Moffitt and Rick Grossman formed the band Fire Hand Ember, with Joseph Calderazzo (guitar/bv) and Wayne Gretch (drums). FHE performed about 20 times, sometimes under the names “Matt Finish” and “Matt Moffitt”, including at the launch of Just a Short Note (The Best Of) in December.

In August 2003, Matt Moffitt died suddenly.

In 2006, Prior and Clayton were joined by Luke Dixon (vocals/guitar), Matt Cornell (vocals/bass) in a new line-up of Matt Finish for the “Matt Moffitt Memorial Tour”. In April 2007, Prior, Steve Edmonds (guitar/vocals), Harry Brus (bass/vocals) and David Adams (vocals/guitar) embarked on an Australian tour, joined by guests Kevin Borich (guitar/vocals), Tim Gaze (guitar), Eliot Reynolds (guitar), Russ Nelson (guitar/vocals, Barry Leef (vocals/guitar), Al Slavik (bass/vocals), Seven Hawkes (guitar/vocals) and Tom Ruki (bass/vocals). Edmonds was replaced by Le Claire, who was replaced by Les Rankin (guitar/vocals).
from Wikipedia

interview with Donnie Sutherland – 1984

Members

• Matt Moffitt – Vocals, Guitar
• John Prior – Drums
• Jeff Clayton – Guitar
• Rick Grossman – Bass
• Tony Georgeson – Drums
• Brian Alcorn – Bass
• Chris Raggett – Guitar
• Ken Francis – Guitar
• Jeff Clayton – Bass, Guitar
• Glen White – Guitar
• Rob Riley – Guitar
• Harry Brus – Bass
• Steve Edmonds – Guitar, Vocals
• Guy Le Claire – Guitar
• Matt Cornell – Vocals, Bass
• Kevin Borich – Guitar
• Tim Gaze – Guitar
• Al Slavick – Bass

Recordings

• Matt Finish Play Africa – Single 1980
• Short Note – Album 1981
• Short Note – Single 1981
• Fade Away – EP 1981
• Matt Finish (self titled) – EP 1983
• Word of Mouth – Album 1984
• Words and Wars – Single 1984
• Always Another – Single 1984
• Come on Over – Single 1984
• One Day At A Time – Single 1992
• Earthbound – EP 1993
• By Heart – Album 1993
• Blue – Single 1993
• Will I Ever Know – Single 1994
• Just A Short Note – Album 2001
• Don’t Fade Away – Single 2006

Other Resources

• Matt Finish Website
• Matt Finish on Wikipedia
• Matt Finish MySpace page

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These are the songs that Australians were listening to in 1975. Here is the end of year Australian singles chart based on sales.

Top 10 Selling Singles By Australian Artists for 1975

1. Summer Love – Sherbet
2. Horror Movie/Carlton – Skyhooks
3. Newcastle Song – Bob Hudson
4. Bony Moronie – Hush
5. My Little Angel – William Shakespeare
6. You’re My World – Daryl Braithwaite
7. Ego Is Not A Dirty Word – Skyhooks
8. All My Friends Are Getting Married – Skyhooks
9. Yesterday’s Hero – John Paul Young
10. If You Love Me- Olivia Newton-John

*Denotes Australian artist

Top selling Australian singles for 1975

1. Fox On The Run – The Sweet
2. January – Pilot
3. Mama Mia – Abba
4. Summer Love – Sherbet*
5. Horror Movie/Carlton – Skyhooks*
6. Love Will Keep Us Together – The Captain & Tennille
7. Please Mr Postman – The Carpenters
8. Newcastle Song – Bob Hudson*
9. Before The Next Teardrop Falls – Freddy Fender
10. Bony Moronie – Hush*
11. Paloma Blanca – George Baker Selection
12. Bye Bye Baby – The Bay City Rollers
13. I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do – Abba
14. My Little Angel – William Shakespeare*
15. Down Down – Status Quo
16. Black Superman – Johnny Wakelin & The Kinshasa Band
17. The Last Farewell – Roger Whittaker
18. You’re My World – Daryl Braithwaite*
19. Ego Is Not A Dirty Word – Skyhooks*
20. I Can Help – Billy Swan
21. When Will I See You Again – The Three Degrees
22. All My Friends Are Getting Married – Skyhooks*
23. Roll Over Lay Down – Status Quo
24. Sailing – Rod Stewart
25. Never Can Say Goodbye – Gloria Gaynor

Gibbos pick for 1975 is Sherbet with “Summer Love”

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About Australian Crawl

Melbourne based band from 1978-1986

Australian Crawl was an Australian rock band formed by James Reyne (lead vocals/piano) and Simon Binks (lead guitar) in 1978 and joined by Guy McDonough (co-lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Bill McDonough (drums, percussion), Paul Williams (bass guitar), and Brad Robinson (rhythm guitar). The band was named after the front crawl swimming style also known as Australian crawl. The band’s music was a defining feature of Australian surf culture during the 1980s.
From Wikipedia

A Brief History Of Australian Crawl

In 1978 if you’d wanted to invent a truly Australian group, you’d have invented Australian Crawl, five sun bronzed Aussies from middle to upper class backgrounds: possibly the first high profile band to draw their influences almost solely from their Australian predecessors ( in Australian Crawl’s case, groups like the Dingoes and Sports). Even the characteristic drawl in singer James Reyne’s vocals seemed to approximate an Australian accent.

It was a time when world music was going disco crazy. The first recession in the music business since the arrival of ‘popular music’ saw many international labels trimming their rosters, and Australia took its eyes off the world charts and trends to enjoy the music being played in our own backyard. That recession was a boom period for Australian music. One of the bands at the centre of that boom was Australian Crawl.

They grew up in the Mornington Peninsula suburb of Mt.Eliza on the outskirts of Melbourne, where judges and diplomats raised their young families in a pseudo rural setting within driving distance of the city. While their bored parents attended cocktail parties the bored children surfed and smoked marijuana. For extra fun this particular group of friends also formed a band to entertain their friends. Their first attempt at a band Spiff Roach (!) ended up as the core for Australian Crawl.

Once the band’s escalating popularity brought them into the city they caught the attention of Little River Band’s guitarist David Briggs, who helped them to a recording contract and produced their first single. If Australian Crawl had been an English band they might have handled the subject matter like a Sex Pistols or a Stranglers, with anger and vitriol. But this was an Australian group from Mornington, and they looked at their parents’ world with sarcasm and self-effacing humour. The result was a hit single called ‘Beautiful People’.

While on stage they were these handsome Australian hunks – everything the girls in the audience could want – there was also something brattish and arrogant about them – everything the guys wanted to be. Within eighteen months of their first gig they were the most popular band in the country, on the strength of their first album and its title single, ‘The Boys Light Up’, teenage rebellion in the suburbs dressed up in an accessible chant-along pop songs. The album spent more than 50 weeks in the Top 30 and sold five times platinum, one of the biggest selling Australian albums of the Eighties.
From Howlspace

The making of “Beautiful People” 1979

Members

• James Reyne – Vocals
• David Reyne – Drums
• Bill McDonough – Drums
• Guy McDonough – Guitar
• Harry Brus – Bass
• Simon Binks – Guitar
• Brad Robinson – Guitar, Keys
• John Watson – Drums
• Paul Williams – Bass

Recordings

• Boys Light Up – 1980
• Sirocco – 1981
• Sons Of Beaches – 1982
• Phalanx – 1983
• Semantics – 1984
• Crawl File (Greatest Hits) – 1984
• Between A Rock And A Hard Place – 1985

Other Resources

• Wikipedia
• Howlspace
• Australian Rock Database

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The first Narara Music Festival was held over the Australia Day long weekend in 1983 on the Central Coast of NSW. It wasn’t actually held at Narara but at nearby Somersby.

The concert featured an all-Australian all-star lineup as follows

Friday

• Zoo
• Choirboys
• Jon English
• Divinyls
• Moving Pictures
• Australian Crawl

Saturday

• Zarsoff Bros
• Goldrush
• Mark Gillespie
• Dynamic Hepnotics
• Mental As Anything
• Radiators
• The Church
• INXS
• The Angels
• Men At Work

Sunday

• Mighty Guys
• Uncanny X-Men
• Allniters
• Jo Jo Zep
• Dragon
• Mi-Sex
• Goanna
• Richard Clapton
• Cold Chisel
• Rose Tattoo

Monday

• Rupert B
• Bulamakanka
• No Fixed Address
• Bushwackers

Technical

• Mainstage Sound – ACT-Jands
• Lights – Jands Concert Productions
• Second Stage Sound & Lights – Soundco P/L

Crew

• Howard Page – Audio Director
• Jon Lemon – Audio Engineer
• Monitors – Kevin Farrant
• Graham Hicks – Third Man
• Jeff Merryweather – Lighting Director

Images from Narara 1983

Video

The Angels at Narara

References

• Woy-Woy.com
• Wikipedia

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These are the songs that Australians were listening to in 1970. Here is the end of year Australian singles chart based on sales.

Top 10 Selling Singles By Australian Artists for 1970

1. In The Summertime – The Mixtures
2. Knock Knock Who’s There? – Liv Maessen
3. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head – Johnny Farnham
4. Old Man Emu – John Williamson
5. Smiley – Ronnie Burns
6. Two Little Boys – Rolf Harris
7. I Thank You – Lionel Rose
8. Yellow River – Autumn/Jigsaw
9. Boom Sha La La Lo – Hans Poulsen
10. Turn Up Your Radio – Master’s Apprentices

*Denotes Australian artist

Top selling singles in Australia for 1970

1. Let It Be – The Beatles
2. (They Long To Be) Close To you – The Carpenters
3. In The Summertime – The Mixtures*
4. Spirit In The Sky – Norman Greenbaum
5. Bridge Over Troubles Water – Simon & Garfunkel
6. Lookin’ Out My Back Door – Creedence Clearwater Revival
7. El Condor Pasa – Simon 7 Garfunkel
8. Up Around The Bend – Creedence Clearwater Revival
9. Knock Knock Who’s There? – Liv Maessen*
10. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head – Johnny Farnham*
11. Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin
12. Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) – Edison Lighthouse
13. Cottonfields – The Beach Boys
14. Travellin’ Band/Who’ll Stop The Rain? – Creedence Clearwater Revival
15. The Wonder Of You – Elvis Presley
16. In THe Summertime – Mungo Jerry
17. A Song Of Joy – Miguel Rios
18. Spill The Wine – Eric Burdon and War
19. Venus – Shocking Blue
20. Old Man Emu – John Williamson*
21. Everything Is Beautiful – Ray Stevens
22. Lay Down (Candles In The Rain) – Melanie with the Edwin Hawkins Singers
23. Smiley – Ronnie Burns*
24. Two Little Boys – Rolf Harris*
25. I Thank You – Lionel Rose*

Gibbos pick for 1970 is The Mixtures with “In The Summertime”

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About Heaven

HEAVEN was a boogie -based heavy rock band with similarities to the likes of The Angels and AC/DC, the link to AC/DC continued with Michael Browning, previous manager of AC/DC who helped HEAVEN to make an impact internationally courtesy of a worldwide deal with RCA Records . The band concentrated on Hard Driving yet melodic Heavy Metal and garnered strong sales in Europe and North America. HEAVEN’s original featured ex-FAT LIP and HEROES vocalist and mainstay Scottish born Allan Fryer alongside guitarist Kelly of SWANEE, former HEROES, Haese from FAT LIP and ALMOST HUMAN bassist Laurie Marlow and another FAT LIP refugee drummer Joe Turtur.
from the Heaven website.

History

**Note** I have had several readers confirm that Mark Evans did NOT play bass in Heaven despite what the following quote from their site says. Because it’s a quote though, I can’t really edit it so please bear this note in mind. Sorry Laurie & Mark!!

HEAVEN basically evolved from the split of Adelaide outfit FAT LIP, which comprised of Fryer, former CHEEK bassist Felix Maslin, former SCANDAL drummer Aldo Civitcio and guitarist Steve Francis. Both Maslin and Francis left to create FAST FOOD as Fryer and Civitcio regrouped FAT LIP with Haese and Marlow. Before long Turtur had taken over on drums. Fryer then left to travel to Sydney to audition for AC/DC following the death of Bon Scott. As AC/DC announced Brian Johnson as their new vocalist Haese, Marlow and Turtur arrived in Sydney to reforge the band under the new title of HEAVEN.

The band issued the single “Fantasy” and a debut album ‘Twilight Of Mischief’ before Haese was replaced in early 1982 by former ROSE TATTOO guitarist Mick Cocks as the band relocated to Los Angeles. The debut album ‘Twilight Of Mischief’ was later re-released by CBS Records with a new cover, revised track listing (Tuesday Morning was replaced with In the beginning) and a new album title of ‘Bent’, as a New York band already had the rights to the HEAVEN tag over there so the album was released as Heaven Bent . In America the band opened up shows for JUDAS PRIEST, BLACK SABBATH and KISS.

During the bands existence, HEAVEN underwent several line-up changes. Cocks and Turtur were ousted in favour AC/DC, FINCH and BEAST bassist Mark Evans on guitar and former SWANEE, BEAST and DALLIMORE drummer John Lalor. This line-up was not to last long. The second album found only Fryer remaining from the original line up now sharing the spotlight with guitarists MITCH PERRY (previously with STEELER), bassists Dennis Feldman of MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, ex-DUKES man Bruno Renzella and another erstwhile DUKES member drummer Tommy Dimitroff. HEAVEN later added ex-RICK DERRINGER guitarist Mark Cunningham.

1983′s ‘Where Angels Fear To Tread’ boasted some impressive guests in former RUNAWAYS star LITA FORD and former DEEP PURPLE man GLENN HUGHES. BLACK SABBATH’s Ronnie James Dio also adds backing vocals under the pseudonym ‘Evil Eyes’. A single version of ‘Bob Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ On Heavens Door’ gained valuable radio play for the band in 1985. The band also drafted guitarist Bobby Enloe. However, HEAVEN folded shortly after.

In 1985 Marlow joined BOSS but was usurped the following year by the very same man that took his position in HEAVEN – Mark Evans. Perry was to turn up as a member of MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP. Ex-HEAVEN personnel Haese, Evans, Marlow and Turtur together with ex-BLACK ALICE singer Rob Hartley created HELLCATS. Enloe joined SIC VIKKI.

By 1989 Evans and Haese had formed another new act MAMA’S DARLINGS with former ROSE TATTOO members guitarist Robin Riley and drummer Scott Johnson with ex-TOUGH LUXURY singer Stuart Cave.
From 1989-1993 the HEAVEN line up consisted of frontman Alan Fryer, ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson and ex-Dio bassist Jimmy Bain and on lead was Greg Belt from FORCED ENTRY.

HEAVEN would reunite to guest for JUDAS PRIEST’s November 2001 Australian tour. The line-up for this tour was Alan Fryer, Laurie Marlow, Theo Kats (drums), Kevin Pratt (guitar) and Ross Flynn (guitar). A re-issue of HEAVEN’s ‘Where Angels Fear To Tread’ and Knockin’ on Heavens door added six bonus tracks (one unreleased track and 5 live tracks from BBC rock hour CD)
from the Heaven website.

Members

• Allen Fryer – Vocals
• John Haese
• Kelly (Bradford) – Guitar
• Joe Turtur – Drums
• Mark Cunningham
• Tommy Dimitroff – Drums
• Mark Evans – Guitar
• Dennis Feldman
• John Lalor – Drums
• Laurie Marlowe – Bass
• Mitch Perry
• Bruno Rezella – Guitar
• Mick Cocks – Guitar
• John Layland
• Theo Kats (Antoni) – Drums
• Brian Robertson
• Jimmy Bain
• Greg Belt
• Kevin Pratt – Guitar
• Ross Flynn – Guitar
• Bobby Enloe
• Chris Caffery
• Tony Taylor
• Brad Dunn
• Brian Christian
• John Richards

Recordings

• Twilight Of Mischief – 1982
• Where Angels Fear To Tread – 1983
• BBC Rock Hour Live – 1984
• Knockin On Heavens Door – 1985

Other Resources

• Heaven website.
• Allen Fryer Interview

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About The Radiators

Australia’s Hardest Working ROCK Band

Few survive the Rock ‘n Roll road to stardom but THE RADIATORS are Rock’s greatest survivors! They are approaching 30 years of outstanding music, exciting and sometimes controversial lyrics, more than 4,000 electrifying live performances and platinum and gold album sales.

THE RADIATORS debuted late 1978. Their first album “Feel the Heat” was released late 1979 and by March 1980 these Aussie Rock Icons had achieved platinum status.

Little did they then know they would go on to forge a unique sound and influence thousands of music lovers throughout Australia.
Since 1978 THE RADIATORS have achieved many “firsts”

* First Australian Band to have advance/presales on a debut album (6,000 copies of “Feel the Heat” had been sold before it was released);
* First Australian Band to achieve platinum status and a Top Ten position with their first two albums;
* First Australian Band to play more than 320 gigs in their first year of formation;
* One of very few Rock Bands worldwide to have survived so long with their original frontline intact.
from TheRadiators.com

History

Formed in Western Sydney in 1978, The Radiators were originally lumped in with the New Wave scene in Sydney but in reality were a pub rock band with a sense of humour. In their hey-day they were one of the hardest working bands in Australia, touring constantly and racking up over 2,500 gigs by the early 1990s.

Their first single (on WEA) was Comin’ Home which reached number 33 (and probably earned them their New Wave tag). Fess’ Song (“I take drugs, I like sex, I like looking at dirty pictures, I like lying in bed with Fess”) and the album Feel The Heat followed and The Rads’ supported The Police on their Australian Tour.

Hit And Run was the third single lifted from their debut LP which went on to sell 90,000 copies. In 1981 they changed record labels and released Roomful Of Diamonds. 1982 brought the singles Up For Grabs and Nothing’s Changed. A new contract with EMI produced the album Scream Of The Real and the singles No Tragedy and You.

Another LP followed in 1984 (Life’s A Gamble) along with 3 singles; The Beatles’ Revolution, Life’s A Gamble and A Bit Of Pain Never Hurts. Long-serving drummer Chris Tagg left in June 1984 to be replaced by a string of others. The band with more record labels than hot dinners continued recording well into the 90s but by then their brand of boogie-influenced rock had been superseded by more alternative guitar bands. But, being the pub-rock warhorses that they were, The Radiators would not stop.

The Radiators (still one of the hardest working bands in the land) still play live in Australia today (I saw them in January 2003 actually, and despite the absence of as keyboard player these days, these guys still R.O.C.K). Of special note is the bands most (in)famous song (and solid live favourite), a charming little ditty entitled Give Me Head which is about, well . . . you work it out!
from Nostalgia Central

Members

• Mick Buckley – Drums
• Brendan Callinan – Keys
• Brad Heaney – Drums
• Mark Lucas – Drums
• Brian Nichol – Vocals
• Steven “Fess” Parker – Guitar
• Marcel Rodeka – Drums
• Chris Tagg – Drums
• Geoff Turner – Bass

Recordings

• Feel The Heat – 1980 (platinum)
• Up For Grabs – 1981 (gold)
• You Have The Right To Remain Silent – 1982 (platinum)
• Scream Of The Real – 1983 (gold)
• Life’s A Gamble – 1984
• Nasty Habits In Nice Children – 1987
• Gimme Live – 1988
• Hard Core – 1991
• Radiators – 1994
• In Their Element – 1995
• Stone – 1995
• In The Roar – 1997
• Radiology, The Complete Anthology – 2000
• Smoke And Mirrors – 2000
• 25th Anniversary CD – 2004

Other Resources

• www.theradiators.com
• Wikipedia
• The Radiators MySpace page
• Nostalgia Central
• The Radiators page of Our Online Store

Known Gigs

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