Madder Lake

Last updated

Madder Lake
Also known asSan Sebastian (1968-1971)
Origin Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres Rock, progressive rock, psychedelic rock
Years active1968–1976, 1978–1979, 1982, 1996–present
Labels Mushroom, Aztec
MembersLuke McKinnon
Brenden Mason
Kerry McKenna
Andy Burns
John McKinnon
Michael O'Loughlin
Past membersMick Fettes
Andy Cowan
Colin Setches
Tony Lake
Ian Holding
Jacobus Kreemers (deceased 2020)
Ian Ferguson
Website Official website

Madder Lake are an Australian progressive rock band formed in Melbourne in 1968 as San Sebastian. [1] [2] They were one of the first bands signed to the Michael Gudinski co-owned Mushroom Records which released their debut single, "Goodbye Lollypop" in February 1973, followed by the album Stillpoint in August. [1] This contained their most recognisable single, "12lb Toothbrush". [1] Their second album Butterfly Farm was released in April 1974, they left Mushroom after their last single, "I Get High" appeared in July 1976. [1] A compilation album The Best of Madder Lake was released by Mushroom Records in 1978. [1]

Contents

History

1968-1976: The peak years

San Sebastian were a part-time rock band formed by Swinburne Institute of Technology (now Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn campus) Graphic Design students in 1968, including Kerry McKenna on bass guitar and Brenden Mason on guitar. [1] [2] By 1969 the line-up was McKenna, Mason, Mick Fettes on vocals, Jac Kreemers on drums and John McKinnon on keyboards, they were playing cover versions for the pub circuit. [1] [2] Original material was introduced and, by late 1970, band members were leaving their tertiary studies to fulfil their bookings. [1] [2] With a repertoire of progressive, psychedelic, blues music they changed their name, in early 1971, to Madder Lake— madder lake is a crimson-coloured water-based dye (alizarin) mixed with alum and used in painting. [1] [2]

The Melbourne-based line-up of Fettes, Kreemers, Mason, McKenna and McKinnon were picked up by Michael Gudinski's booking agency, Consolidated Rock. [2] Madder Lake were influenced by British progressive rock acts, Family, Traffic and King Crimson. [2] They were the opening act at the inaugural Sunbury Pop Festival in January 1972. [1] As their popularity increased, they were one of the first bands signed to the Gudinski co-owned Mushroom Records in late 1972. [1] [2] By 1973 they were a headlining act at the 1973 Sunbury Pop Festival and Mushroom Records' first release was their debut single, "Goodbye Lollipop", in February. [1] The single peaked at No. 15 in Melbourne [3] and made the Australian singles Top 40. [4] Mushroom Records' first album release was the ambitious triple-live, The Great Australian Rock Festival - Sunbury 1973, which was released in early April, and included two Madder Lake tracks. Madder Lake's debut album, Stillpoint followed in August, which peaked at No. 13 on the Australian albums chart, [4] it spawned their most recognised single, "12lb Toothbrush", written by band members Fettes, Kreemers, McKenna and McKinnon. [5] McKinnon had been replaced on keyboards by Andy Cowan by the time the album and its related single had been released. [1]

In 1974, the band recorded their second album, Butterfly Farm which was released in April, but the album and its related singles had less critical and commercial success than earlier work. [1] British conductor, David Measham, who had worked with Rick Wakeman on his Journey to the Centre of the Earth , was based in Perth, Western Australia from 1974. [1] He commissioned Madder Lake for a theme piece on Aldous Huxley's science fiction novel Brave New World , [1] but the project stalled when funding from Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) was cut back and Measham's other commitments intruded. [1] Cowan and Fettes left Madder Lake by late 1975, Fettes formed Bandicoot with comedian, Shane Bourne. [1] Fettes was initially replaced by Colin Setches on vocals but when McKinnon returned in early 1976 he took up vocals in addition to keyboards, meanwhile Ian Holding replaced a departing McKenna on bass guitar and the band recorded their last single, "I Get High" and left Mushroom Records. [2] McKenna returned, now on second guitar, and Tony Lake joined on vocals but soon left. Although not formally disbanding, Madder Lake subsequently had numerous periods of low activity. [1]

1977-2012: Break up and occasional performances

Fettes returned in April 1978 for touring and Mushroom released their compilation album, The Best of Madder Lake in May, a new album was planned but Fettes left again in January 1979.

Madder Lake resurfaced with three tracks on Mushroom Evolution Concert live album, to celebrate the record company's tenth anniversary in 1982.

They returned to touring in 1996 and appeared on Mushroom 25 Live: The Concert of the Century released in 1998, after which Gudinski sold his interests in Mushroom to Festival Records. [2] Madder Lake's two studio albums have been re-issued by Aztec Music with bonus tracks added, Stillpoint on 10 October 2008 [6] and Butterfly Farm on 24 March 2009. [7] As of May 2009, Madder Lake are Andy Burns on keyboards, Fettes, Kreemers, Mason and McKenna. [8] The band headlined the Queenscliff Music Festival in November 2008. [9]

2013-present: World

In 2013 the band released World, their first album in 39 years and one of the longest gaps between studio albums. [10] In October 2011, Mick Fettes retired from performing. He was replaced by Ian Ferguson in 2013 to help promote their World album. Ian has a long history with bands from the sixties, which included The Moods, Y?4, Running Jumping Standing Still, Carson County Band/Carson, Mick Elliott Band, Carson Taylor Band, Ford and the Ferg and Blue Dukes. After two years, with only two charity gigs and one commercial performance, and the lack of enthusiasm of the band to promote the album, Ian left to pursue other interests.

Mick Fettes died on 18 November 2016, at the age of 65. [11] [12]

Personnel

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with Australian chart positions
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart
positions
AUS
[13]
Stillpoint13
Butterfly Farm
  • Released: April 1974
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Mushroom Records (L 35090)
22
World-

Compilations albums

List of albums
TitleAlbum details
The Best of Madder Lake
The Live Adventures Of Madder Lake 1973-2008
  • Released: June 2020
  • Format: 2xCD, DD,
  • Label: Aztec Records (AVSCD085)
  • Compilation of live tracks

Singles

List of singles, with Australian chart positions
YearTitlePeak chart
positions		Album
AUS
[13]
1973"Goodbye Lollipop"31Stillpoint
"12-LB. Toothbrush"35
1974"Butterfly Farm"-Butterfly Farm
"Booze Blues"85
"It's All In Your Head"-—
1975"I Get High"-

Related Research Articles

Skyhooks were an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne in March 1973 by mainstays Greg Macainsh on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Imants "Freddie" Strauks on drums. They were soon joined by Bob "Bongo" Starkie on guitar and backing vocals, and Red Symons on guitar, vocals and keyboards; and Steve Hill lead vocalist, Graeme "Shirley" Strachan became lead vocalist in March 1974. Described as a glam rock band, because of flamboyant costumes and make-up, Skyhooks addressed issues including buying drugs in "Carlton ", sex and commitment in "Balwyn Calling", the gay scene in "Toorak Cowboy" and loss of girlfriends in "Somewhere in Sydney" by namechecking Australian locales. According to music historian, Ian McFarlane "[Skyhooks] made an enormous impact on Australian social life".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mushroom Records</span> Australian record label

Mushroom Records was an Australian flagship record label, founded in 1972 in Melbourne. It published and distributed many successful Australian artists and expanded internationally, until it was merged with Festival Records in 1998. Festival Mushroom Records was later acquired by Warner Bros. Records, which operated the label from 2005 to 2010 until it folded to Warner. Founder Michael Gudinski went on to become the leader of the Mushroom Group, the largest independent music and entertainment company in Australia, with divisions such as Frontier Touring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rose Tattoo</span> Australian rock band

Rose Tattoo are an Australian rock and roll band, now led by Angry Anderson, which formed in Sydney in 1976. Their sound is hard rock mixed with blues rock influences, with songs including "Bad Boy for Love", "Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw", "Nice Boys", "We Can't Be Beaten" and "Scarred for Life". Their first four albums were produced by Harry Vanda and George Young who also worked with AC/DC. They disbanded in 1987, subsequently reforming briefly in 1993 to support Guns N' Roses on an Australian tour. They reassembled again from 1998 and have since released two more studio albums.

<i>Gossip</i> (Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls album) 1986 studio album by Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls

Gossip is the double LP debut album by Australian rock group Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls. Produced by Alan Thorne and Paul Kelly, it was released on Mushroom Records in September 1986, which peaked at No. 15 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart, and achieved gold record status. There was commercial success for "Before Too Long" which peaked at No. 15 and "Darling It Hurts" reached No. 25 on the related Singles Chart. Gossip was released in different forms, initially as a double album with 24 tracks, it was edited down to a single 15-track LP for North American and European release on A&M Records, when released on CD in North America, it featured 17 tracks.

Deadstar were an Australian pop rock band formed in August 1995 by Peter Jones on drums and percussion; Caroline Kennedy on lead vocals and guitar; and Barry Palmer on guitar and bass guitar. They released three studio albums, deadstar, Milk and Somewhere Over the Radio. Two singles reached the top 100 on the ARIA Singles Chart, "Run Baby Run" and "Deeper Water", both in 1999. The group were nominated for three ARIA Music Awards. The group disbanded in 2001.

Blackfeather are an Australian rock group which formed in April 1970. The band has had numerous line-ups, mostly fronted by founding lead singer, Neale Johns. An early heavy rock version recorded their debut album, At the Mountains of Madness, which peaked at number seven on the Go-Set Top 20 Albums chart. It provided the single, "Seasons of Change", which was co-written by Johns with lead guitarist, John Robinson. In July 1972 a piano-based line-up led by Johns issued an Australian number-one single, "Boppin' the Blues".

<i>Mushroom 25 Live</i> 1998 live album by Various artists

Mushroom 25 Live is a live album, video and DVD by various Australian musicians and was recorded at the Mushroom 25 Concert held on Saturday 14 November 1998, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. From the early afternoon until late at night for the nine-hour concert, 56 acts, including many of the biggest names in Australian music, performed their hits to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mushroom Records, which was organised by its owner, Michael Gudinski. The concert featured former Cold Chisel singer Jimmy Barnes guesting with INXS on "The Loved One" and "Good Times" in tribute of Michael Hutchence for their first public performance since his death in November 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Freud</span> Musical artist

James Randall Freud was an Australian rock musician-songwriter. He was a member of Models during the 1980s and wrote their two most popular singles, "Barbados" and "Out of Mind, Out of Sight".

Sunnyboys were an Australian power pop band formed in Sydney in 1979. Fronted by singer-songwriter/guitarist Jeremy Oxley, the band began performing on the city's pub circuit – where, according to music historian Ian Mc Farlane, they "breathed some freshness and vitality into the divergent Sydney scene". Their first two albums, Sunnyboys and Individuals, both appeared in the Top 30 of the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayers Rock (band)</span> Australian rock band

Ayers Rock were an Australian rock band which formed in August 1973. Ray Burton, Mark Kennedy (drums), and Duncan McGuire (bass), members of Leo de Castro and Friends, left to form the eponymous trio of Burton, McGuire & Kennedy. They added a guitarist, Jimmy Doyle, changed their name to Ayers Rock and invited Col Loughnan to join. The group signed with independent label Mushroom Records in December 1973. Burton left the following March, and was replaced by Chris Brown. With live appearances, coverage in print media and word of mouth the group had a high national profile despite little radio airplay, and journalists praised their musicianship, music, and live energy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spanish Blue</span> 1982 single by The Triffids

Spanish Blue is the second single released by Australian rock group, The Triffids in 1982. The single was produced by Les Karski for the White Label Records imprint of Mushroom Records, owned by Michael Gudinski. The single was initially released independently by No Records but was re-released in October 1982 following the band's signing with White Label Records.

They'd recorded "Spanish Blue" when the spectre of the Gudinski organisation loomed, and they were summoned to the Mushroom/White Citadel. Gudinski liked "Spanish Blue". 'It was just that he wanted us to re-write it, and re-mix it,' McComb laughs. 'We ended up putting it out ourselves immediately they started dilly dallying because we said we wouldn't re-mix it. We thought that we couldn't just wait for people to decide what they wanted to do.'

<i>Riveresque</i> 1996 studio album by Weddings Parties Anything

Riveresque is the ninth studio album by Australian folk rockers, Weddings Parties Anything. It was released in September 1996 with band members co-producing alongside Cameron Craig and Dylan Hughes. It peaked at No. 34 on the ARIA Albums Chart. According to the inlay card: "Riverésque after the style of a river winding, flowing towards the sea, meandering."

The Badloves are an Australian R&B, soul band that formed as DC3 in 1990 by founding mainstay member Michael Spiby on guitar and lead vocals. They changed their name after a year. Their debut studio album, Get on Board, was issued in July 1993, which peaked at No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994 they won Best New Talent and Breakthrough Artist – Album for Get on Board and Breakthrough Artist – Single for its first single, "Lost" (1993). The Badloves' second album, Holy Roadside, reached the top 20. Their highest-charting single, "The Weight" (1993), is a cover version of the Band's 1968 single and features Jimmy Barnes on co-lead vocals. It reached the ARIA singles chart top 10.

MEO 245 were an Australian new wave band which formed in 1978 in Hobart, Tasmania with Paul Brickhill on keyboards, guitar and vocals; Campbell Laird on drums; Paul Northam on guitar and vocals; and Mick Wilson on bass guitar. Wilson was replaced on bass guitar by Mark Kellett, who in turn was replaced by Anthony Moore. The group issued a sole studio album, Screen Memory, which reached the top 100 of the Kent Music Report Albums Chart.

<i>Out of Mind, Out of Sight</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Models

Out of Mind, Out of Sight is the fourth studio album by Australian new wave rock band Models, it was their most successful album and peaked at No. 3 on the Australian albums chart. It was released in August 1985 by Mushroom Records with Nick Launay, Reggie Lucas and Mark Opitz producing.

Chain are an Australian blues band formed as The Chain in late 1968 with a line-up including guitarist and vocalist Phil Manning and lead vocalist Wendy Saddington. Saddington left in May 1969 and in September 1970 Matt Taylor joined on lead vocals and harmonica. During the 1990s they were referred to as Matt Taylor's Chain. Their single, "Black and Blue", is their only top twenty hit. It was written and recorded by the line-up of Manning, Taylor, Barry Harvey on drums and Barry Sullivan on bass guitar. The related album, Toward the Blues, followed in September and peaked in the top ten. Manfred Mann's Earth Band covered "Black and Blue" on their 1973 album Messin'.

<i>Mushroom Evolution Concert</i> 1982 live album by Various artists

Mushroom Evolution Concert is a live album and video recorded by various Australian artists at celebratory performances held over two days of the Australia Day weekend 1982. The Mushroom Evolution Concert was staged for Mushroom Records' tenth anniversary at the Myer Music Bowl and was organised by label boss, Michael Gudinski. It included a wide range of Australian performers from the label's roster. An estimated audience of 100,000 attended the concerts. In late 1972 Gudinski had been an artist manager and concert promoter when he and business partner, Ray Evans, founded Mushroom Records. The concert was recorded both for audio as a triple-LP and for video on double-VHS and released in 1982 under the same name. Subsequently, these were re-released on 2× CD (2005) and on 3× DVD respectively. Although a prominent Mushroom Records artist from the 1972–1981 era, Skyhooks did not appear at the concert – they had disbanded in 1980.

Kings of the Sun is an Australian hard rock band formed by Jeffrey Hoad and Clifford Hoad in Sydney in 1986.

Andrew MacLeish Durant was an Australian musician-songwriter. He was a member of country rock group Stars (1976–79) providing guitar, harmonica, and backing vocals. He was also a session and backing musician for a range of artists. He died of cancer, aged 25. On 19 August 1980 a tribute performance was held in his honour, with a live double-album recorded by various artists, Andrew Durant Memorial Concert, which was released on 9 March 1981. All but three tracks were written by Durant. It peaked at No. 8 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart and reached No. 40 on the End of Year Top 100 Albums Chart for 1981.

<i>Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story</i> 2023 Australian film

Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story is a 2023 Australian documentary film focusing on the life and career of Michael Gudinski, the founder of Mushroom Records.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Madder Lake'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop . St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN   1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 28 August 2004. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Madder Lake". Milesago.com. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
  3. ↑ Guest, Thomas J (1991). Thirty Years of Hits 1960–1990 - Melbourne Top 40 research. Collingwood, Vic: M J Maloney. ISBN   0-646-04633-0.
  4. 1 2 Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988.
  5. ↑ ""12lb Toothbrush" at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 3 May 2009.
  6. ↑ "Madder Lake Stillpoint". Aztec Music. Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
  7. ↑ "Madder Lake Butterfly Farm". Aztec Music. Archived from the original on 15 May 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
  8. ↑ "Burns @ Musicland/AsylumTV". Madder Lake Official website. Archived from the original on 13 October 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
  9. ↑ "Catching up with Madder Lake". Musicfeeds.com.au. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  10. ↑ "Madder Lake Release New First Album In 39 Years". Noise11.com. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  11. ↑ McFarlane, Ian (30 November 2016). "Vale Mick Fettes". Addicted to Noise. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  12. ↑ Cashmere, Paul (21 November 2016). "R.I.P. Mick Fettes of Madder Lake 1951-2016". Noise11.com. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  13. 1 2 Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 187. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.