The Angels (Australian band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Angels | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Australia |
| Years active | 1974-2000 |
| Genres | Hard rock |
| Labels | Liberation Music |
| Members | John Brewster Jim Hilburn Doc Neeson Brett Eccles Rick Brewster |
The Angels were a hard rock band from Adelaide, Australia from the 1970s to the 2000s. The band relocated from Adelaide to Sydney. In the US, their records were released under the name Angel City.
Contents |
[edit] History
Doc (Bernard) Neeson, John Brewster, and Rick Brewster formed The Moonshine Jug and String Band with some friends in 1971. The band performed at university campuses. They released the "Keep You On The Move (Extended play EP)" in 1973, which made the top 5 in Adelaide and was followed by a single "That's All Right" in 1974.
In 1974 the band switched to electric instruments and began playing 1950s rock and roll on the pub circuit as The Keystone Angels. In 1975 the band supported AC/DC during a South Australian tour. The band toured with Chuck Berry as support act.
In 1975 on the recommendation of Bon Scott and Malcolm Young, they were offered a recording deal with Alberts label. They dropped "Keystone" and became "The Angels". The band was a four piece with Neeson on Bass guitar, Charle King (Peter Christodopolous) on drums, John and Rick Brewster on guitars.
The band's first single, '"Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again", was released in April 1976, on Alberts label. This song was re-recorded and released in December 1987. It has remained probably their most popular song, despite the passage of almost three decades since its release, partly due to the tradition of audience participation with the song, specifically, shouting the words "No Way, Get Fucked, Fuck Off" in response to the line "Am I ever gonna see your face again?" during the chorus. Four months after the release of this song, King left the band and was replaced by Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup on drums.
Between 1976 to 1987 the band did regular appearances on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation music show Countdown.
In January 1977 Doc moved to lead vocals, with Chris Bailey, formerly of Red Angel Panic, replacing him on bass. In August The Angels (self-titled) album was issued.
In 1978 Face To Face reached #16 in November and stayed on the charts for 79 weeks. Mark Opitz engineered the album and it was produced by The Angels and Opitz. Peter Ledger, who designed the cover, won Best Australian Album Cover Design Award. In November 1978 the band supported David Bowie on his first Australian tour, coinciding with the release of Take a Long Line, perhaps the band's most-recognised song.
In June 1979 No Exit entered the Australian album chart at #8 and re-entered the chart at #15 in September. George Young contributed as a backing vocalist. In September 1979 Albert released the Out Of The Blue EP.
On New Years Eve 1979, the band played in front of almost 100,000 people on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. Rioting broke out out, causing massive damage and injuries to the band. Neeson received cuts to the head and Bailey was knocked unconscious by a bottle and hospitalised.
The band signed an international contract with CBS Records on Epic label. In America they changed their name to Angel City. Epic issued Face to Face (Angel City album) in 1980, a compilation from the Australian albums Face To Face and No Exit, for the American and European market. The Kinks threw the band off their American tour, supposedly for being too good.
In June 1980 Dark Room was released, produced by the Brewster brothers. Years later, American band Great White recorded "Face The Day" and "Can't Shake It". The overseas version of Dark Room (Angel City album) had re-recorded versions of "Ivory Stairs" and "Straight Jacket".
In March 1981 Bidstrup left the band, reportedly due to non-musical differences, and was replaced by Brent Eccles on drums. In October 1981 the band issued Never So Live EP, sold 80,000. In November 1981 Night Attack was produced by Ed Thacker, John and Rick Brewster.
The band's third overseas album, Night Attack (Angel City album) included "Back On You", a re-recorded version. Early in 1982, it became apparent Bailey would be unable to tour with the band in the US, due to health issues. The remaining members of the group then took the unusual step of recruiting an American to play bass, Jim Hilbun. Hilbun proved a virtuoso performer, adding saxaphone to the Angels' repertoire, as well as being an excellent pianist, guitarist and singer.
In May 1983 Watch The Red was produced by The Angels, engineered by Andrew Scott and Al Wright. The first single release,Stand Up, written by Hilbun, was a top ten single. The album, critically acclaimed for its musical inventiveness, featured said saxaphone from Hilbun, John Brewster in a cameo on lead vocals, and even piano accordian. A great deal of the material was also derived from a 40 minute jam-session, including an instrumental track and totally improvised lyrics from Neeson. The recording of the album was also dogged by a fire that gutted the recording studio, almost costing the master tapes.
In November 1984 the Two Minute Warning album was released following its recording in Los Angeles over a three month period. The album Two Minute Warning (Angel City album was released with a re-recorded version of "Be With You" for the American and European market with MCA Records and re-issued with Metal Blade Records. The album represented the band's last major pitch to the US market. Following difficulties with the recording company, the band again were left disappointed.
It was all too much for John Brewster. In late 1985, he left the band, the first of the founding members to do so. In his place the band recruited Bob Spencer in March 1986. In October of the same year the band released Howling. This album included a cover version of The Animals' "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" and it was a huge hit on Australian radio.
In December 1987 Live Line, a double live set album, was released. The album spanned ten years of their career. Following on from the success of the album, the band embarked on a massive tour of Australia with a lengthy two-hour set that covered the entire history of the Angels.
Chrysalis Records issued Beyond Salvation (The Angels From Angel City) in 1989. It included new and re-recorded songs. The four versions have not been available in Australia. Guns & Roses' manager Alan Niven took the band under his highly influential wing for a brief time before departing, and Jim also left the band during the recordings. James Morley was on bass in 1990.
In February 1990 Beyond Salvation was released and became the band's first number one album featuring Terry Manning as producer. The Angels went on the road with the "Beyond Salvation" Tour with Cheap Trick as the supporting act.
In November 1991 Red Back Fever was released. The band toured and flogged the album for two years, and the song "Tear Me Apart" was included a multi-million dollar government campaign highlighting alcohol related violence. In July 1992 the album was re-issued as Red Back Fever / Left Hand Drive (2 CD set).
In 1992, both Spencer and Morley left the band, and a long hiatus ensued. In 1993 f John Brewster and Jim Hilbun were asked to return to the band . It seemed that a new team spirit developed between Brewster, Brewster, Eccles and Hilbun, seeing them jamming and writing new material. Neeson was noticibly absent during the writing period that eventually produced The Angels' last album.
In April 1995 The Hard Evidence Tour EP was released to celebrate the return of John Brewster and Jim Hilbun. In July 1997, The Lounge Lizard Tour with Angry Anderson and Ross Wilson as additional vocalists hit the road around Australia. The band played acoustic instruments and, in addition to their own material, featured songs by Anderson's Rose Tattoo and Wilson's Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock.
The Angels signed with Shock Records. In March 1998 Skin And Bone was released, a wonderful, and mostly ignored, hard rock album. In October 1998 The Angels were inducted into ARIA the Hall Of Fame by Angry Anderson. In November 1998 the band performed at Concert of The Century to celebrate the Mushroom Records 25th anniversary.
In December 1999 the Angels performed their last ever concert at the MGM Grand Darwin Millennium Concert New Years' Eve. Neeson disappeared from the scene, and from The Angels, leaving the rest of the band frustrated by his lack of communication and commitment. Eventually, a weekly women's magazine was the unlikely venue Neeson chose to announce his departure from The Angels, not personally to his fellow band members.
In February 1999 Live Line - Definitive Digital Remaster (2 CD set) was released. It contains 10 bonus tracks that were recorded between 1981 and 1983.
In November 2000 Shock Records reissued Left Hand Drive. Contains a collection of unreleased versions and B-sides.
In March 2001 The Angels reformed with John, Rick, Buzz, Chris and Jim on lead vocals for Ted Mulry Benefit Concerts (released on video as Gimme Ted). In June 2002 Shock Records issued The Complete Sessions 1980-1983 box set.
In October 2005 Festival Mushroom Records was sold to Warner Music. The label owns Paul Kelly, Split Enz, Skyhooks, The Angels, Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Barnes and Hunters and Collectors. Albert have signed a new deal for Australia and NZ with SonyBMG and will take effect from June 2006.
In July 2006, Liberation reissued the The Angels' catalogue. Albums included: Dark Room, Night Attack, Watch The Red, Two Minute Warning, Howling, Beyond Salvation, Red Back Fever, and Wasted Sleepless Night - The Definitive Greatest Hits.
[edit] Trivia
- Doc (Bernard) Neeson was renouned for having a bottle of oxygen side stage to help with his very animated on stage dancing and often strenuous vocal performances.
- Rick & John Brewster always wear dark glasses, while John stands in the one position through an entire gig.
- The Angels have always performed in black T-shirts and jeans as a trade mark.
[edit] The Band
1975 - 1976
- John Brewster (rhythm guitar, vocals)
- Rick Brewster (lead guitar, vocals)
- Peter Christodopolous, known as Charle King (drummer)
- Doc Neeson (bass, vocals)
August 1976
- Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup (drummer, vocals)
- John Brewster (rhythm guitar, vocals)
- Rick Brewster (lead guitar, vocals)
- Doc Neeson (bass, vocals)
January 1977 - March 1981
- Chris Bailey (bass)
- Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup (drummer, vocals)
- John Brewster (rhythm guitar, vocals)
- Rick Brewster (lead guitar, vocals)
- Doc Neeson (lead vocals)
March 1981 - April 1982
- Chris Bailey (bass, vocals)
- John Brewster (rhythm guitar, vocals)
- Rick Brewster (lead guitar, vocals)
- Brent Eccles (drummer)
- Doc Neeson (lead vocals)
April 1982 - February 1985
- John Brewster (rhythm guitar, vocals)
- Rick Brewster (lead guitar, vocals)
- Brent Eccles (drummer)
- Jim Hilbun (bass, vocals, sax, keyboards)
- Doc Neeson (lead vocals)
March 1985 - July 1989
- Rick Brewster (lead guitar, vocals)
- Brent Eccles (drummer)
- Jim Hilbun (bass, vocals, sax, keyboards)
- Doc Neeson (lead vocals)
- Bob Spencer rhythm guitar, vocals)
1990 - 1992
- Rick Brewster (lead guitar, vocals)
- Brent Eccles (drummer)
- James Morley (bass, vocals)
- Doc Neeson (lead vocals)
- Bob Spencer rhythm guitar, vocals)
1993 - January 2000
- John Brewster (rhythm guitar, vocals)
- Rick Brewster (lead guitar, vocals)
- Brent Eccles (drummer)
- Jim Hilbun (bass, vocals, sax, keyboards)
- Doc Neeson (lead vocals)
December 2003 -
- John Brewster (rhythm guitar, lead vocals)
- Rick Brewster (lead guitar, vocals)
- Chris Bailey (bass, vocals)
- Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup (drummer, vocals)
[edit] Discography
The Angels released albums under different names. The Angels (TA); Angel City (AC); The Angels From Angel City (TAFAC)
| Year | Month | Label | Album | Artist Credit | Chart Positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU Charts | NZ Charts | US Charts | |||||
| 1977 | August | Albert | The Angels | TA | - | - | - |
| 1978 | August | Albert | Face to Face | TA | #16 | - | - |
| 1979 | June | Albert | No Exit | TA | #8 | - | - |
| 1980 | March | Epic | Face to Face (Overseas) | AC | - | - | - |
| 1980 | May | Albert | The Angels' Greatest | TA | #5 | - | - |
| 1980 | June | Epic | Dark Room | TA | #6 | - | - |
| 1980 | June | Epic | Dark Room (Overseas) | AC | - | - | - |
| 1981 | November | Epic | Night Attack | TA | #11 | - | - |
| 1982 | February | Epic | Night (Overseas) | AC | - | - | - |
| 1983 | May | Epic | Watch The Red | TA | #6 | - | - |
| 1984 | November | Mushroom | Two Minute Warning | TA | #2 | - | - |
| 1984 | November | Mushroom | Two Minute Warning (Overseas) | AC | - | - | - |
| 1985 | November | Epic | The Angels' Greatest Vol. II | TA | #14 | - | - |
| 1986 | October | Mushroom | Howling | TA | #6 | - | - |
| 1987 | December | Mushroom | Live Line | TA | #2 | - | - |
| 1989 | January | Mushroom | Beyond Salvation (Overseas) | TAFAC | - | - | - |
| 1990 | February | Mushroom | Beyond Salvation | TA | #1 | - | - |
| 1991 | November | Mushroom | Red Back Fever | TA | #12 | - | - |
| 1992 | July | Mushroom | Red Back Fever / Left Hand Drive | TA | - | - | - |
| 1992 | November | Albert | Their Finest Hour ... and then some | TA | - | - | - |
| 1994 | December | Mushroom | Evidence | TA | - | - | - |
| 1998 | June | Shock | No Secrets | TA | - | - | - |
| 1998 | June | Shock | Skin And Bone | TA | - | - | - |
| 1999 | February | Shock | Live Line - Definitive Digital Remaster | TA | - | - | - |
| 1999 | May | Mushroom | Greatest Hits - The Mushroom Years | TA | - | - | - |
| 2000 | November | Shock | Left Hand Drive | TA | - | - | - |
| 2002 | June | Shock | The Complete Sessions 1980-1983 | TA | - | - | - |
| 2006 | July | Liberation | Wasted Sleepless Nights - The Definitive Best Of | TA | #26 | - | - |
[edit] Singles
The Angels released singles under different names. The Angels (TA); Angel City (AC); The Angels From Angel City (TAFAC)
| Year | Label | Album | Artist Credit | Chart Positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU Charts | US Charts | FR Charts | ||||
| 1976 | Albert | Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again? | TA | - | - | - |
| 1977 | Albert | You're a Lady Now | TA | - | - | - |
| 1978 | Albert | Comin Down | TA | - | - | - |
| 1978 | Albert | Take A Long Line | TA | #29 | - | - |
| 1978 | Albert | The Tour EP | TA | - | - | - |
| 1979 | Albert | Shadow Boxer | TA | #25 | - | - |
| 1979 | Albert | Out Of The Blue EP | TA | #29 | - | - |
| 1980 | Epic | No Secrets | TA | #8 | - | - |
| 1980 | Epic | Poor Baby | TA | - | - | - |
| 1980 | Epic | Marseilles | AC | - | US | - |
| 1980 | Epic | Marseilles | AC | - | - | FR |
| 1980 | Epic | Face the Day | TA | - | - | - |
| 1980 | Epic | No Secrets | AC | - | US | - |
| 1981 | Epic | Into the Heat | TA | - | - | - |
| 1981 | Epic | Never So Live EP | TA | #17 | - | - |
| 1981 | Epic | Fashion and Fame (live) | TA | #17 | - | - |
| 1982 | Epic | Night Attack | TA | - | - | - |
| 1982 | Epic | Living On The Outside | TA | - | - | - |
| 1982 | Epic | Stand Up | TA | #21 | - | - |
| 1983 | Epic | Eat City | TA | #22 | - | - |
| 1983 | Epic | Live Lady Live | TA | - | - | - |
| 1984 | Mushroom | Between The Eyes | TA | AU | - | - |
| 1984 | Mushroom | Look The Other Way | TA | - | - | - |
| 1985 | Mushroom | Sticky Little Bitch | TA | - | - | - |
| 1985 | Mushroom | Underground | TA | - | - | - |
| 1986 | Mushroom | Nature Of The Beast | TA | #22 | - | - |
| 1986 | Mushroom | Don't Waste My Time | TA | #25 | - | - |
| 1987 | Mushroom | Can't Take Any More | TA | - | - | - |
| 1987 | Mushroom | We Gotta Get Out Of This Place | TA | #6 | - | - |
| 1987 | Epic | 4 Play Volume 6 EP | TA | - | - | - |
| 1988 | Mushroom | When The Time Comes | TA | - | - | - |
| 1987 | Mushroom | Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again [live] | TA | - | - | - |
| 1988 | Mushroom | Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again (live) | TA | #6 | - | - |
| 1988 | Telegram | Live From Angel City | TAFAC | - | US | - |
| 1988 | Mushroom | Finger on the Trigger | TA | - | - | - |
| 1990 | Mushroom | Let The Night Roll On | TA | #17 | - | - |
| 1990 | Mushroom | Dogs Are Talking | TA | #11 | - | - |
| 1990 | Mushroom | Back Street Pickup | TA | #23 | - | - |
| 1990 | Mushroom | Rhythm Rude Girl | TA | - | - | - |
| 1991 | Mushroom | Bleeding With the Times | TA | - | - | - |
| 1991 | Mushroom | Some Of That Love | TA | - | - | - |
| 1992 | Mushroom | Once Bitten Twice Shy | TA | - | - | - |
| 1992 | Mushroom | Tear Me Apart | TA | #33 | - | - |
| 1992 | Mushroom | Turn It On | TA | - | - | - |
| 1995 | Mushroom | The Hard Evidence Tour EP | TA | - | - | - |
| 1997 | Shock | Caught in the Night | TA | - | - | - |
| 1998 | Shock | Northwest Highway | TA | - | - | - |
| 1998 | Shock | My Light Will Shine | TA | - | - | - |
[edit] Various Artists
| Year | Label | Title | Artist Credit | Catalogue | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU Charts | ||||||
| 1998 | Mushroom | Mushroom 25 Live | TA | MUSH25.2 | ||
| 2001 | Sony | The Andrew Denton Breakfast Show - Musical Challenge Vol. 2 | TA | 5041282000 | ||
| 2003 | Warner Vision | Gimme Ted - The Ted Mulry Benefit Concerts | TA | 256460080 | ||
