About
When Tony Dean hitched up the wagons and moved his Beatles show, The Beatnix, east, he kicked of a phenomenon that has gripped the Australian music scene ever since. The concept band.
The second band to join this craze was The Bleach Boys who performed all the hits of The Beach Boys right up and down the East coast of Australia for almost 5 years.
L-R Mark Johnson, David Manuel, Gavin Kennedy, Richard McDonald, Mike Hammond. Not visible: Mark Stinson
History
Formed in 1982, the band went through numerous line up changes as the rigours of hard touring took it’s toll. Wherever “The Bleachies” went, it was a sellout. Corporate sponsorship was another first that the band achieved with Lindeman’s Wines.
Mark Johnson was the only member to survive the full term with the band. He was musical director and lead guitarist, then took over the front man position when the first line up change took place.
The end of the band was not a spectacular event. Each successive line up change took something away from the band, and with the hectic touring schedule, time was never on the band’s side to work replacement members in thoroughly. After four major line up changes, Mark decided that he didn’t want to rebuild for the fifth time and moved on to form Zenyatta
Members
- Mark Johnson - Lead guitar/Harmony vocals/Lead vocals
- Richard McDonald - Rhythm guitar/Harmony vocals
- Mike Hammond - Bass/Harmony vocals
- Bill Motzing Jr - Drums
- Gavin Kennedy - Lead vocals
- David Manuel - Percussion
- Mark Wells - Bass/ Harmony vocals
- Carlton Spencer - Keyboards
- Bronte Wake - Guitar/ Harmony vocals
- Glen Pattison - Drums
- Robyn Lamott - Keyboards/Harmony vocals
- Rod Crundwell - Keyboards/Harmony Vocals
- Rex Mansfield - Drums/ Harmony Vocals
- Mark Stinson - Drums
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey man, what a blast to find this link!
I played guitar (electric and acoustic) with the Bleachies from 1984 - 1987 as part of the second line-up with Rex (drums) and Rod (keyboard) as well as Louie (bass) and Terry (lead guitar/vocals) and if I remember right Mike Hammond was managing the band at the time. Lotsa memories!
I left the band in ‘87 and I heard they split not long after. Terry went on to form a Wings band I think. Lost track of everyone else. I moved to Adelaide and did a Certificate in Music Performance at the School of Music (classical guitar, Honours pass). Also joined a band called ‘Katz Kurio’ for a couple of years (original and party type music) then a corporate gig band called ‘The Shades’ working 2-3 shows a week for 3 or so years before hanging up the axes. Would be great to hear from ANYONE who was involved with the Bleach Boys from my time with them. Cheers.
Mick
Hi interesting to read this - I also have memories of the Bleachies - but unfortunately mine are a little different to Marks - you see I owned the concept and formed the band.
And when I disbanded it there was no Bleach Boys - Mark tried something of his own and tried to use my registered business name - I was also the one who secured the first corporate sponshorship for a tribute band - If we are going to tell the story lets tell it correctly. Cheers to all those involved
Mike Hammond