Have Gravity Will Threaten

1985: Recording with the Tascam 244 Portastudio †

After Captains of Industry disbanded Mitchell began collaborating with Clay Djubal and Jo-ann Simmons on the Some Trippin’ Diggers‘ project (along with Ziggy Mirza, Ross Stagg and others). In 1985 he and Djubal reformed Shoot the DJ as a trio (with guitarist Nick Miles) and later undertook a tour of Northern NSW with Jon Anderson’s band Helga und der Blitzkrieg.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s he worked as a public servant, and for a time as a taxi driver. He also travelled overseas on several occasion. His  musical efforts during this period were largely associated with his brother, being involved in the recording of the albums Wolf in a Riding Hood (1985); Broken Man (1986) a thematically linked 10 song cycle; Ghost Around the Town (1986), Music for Sundays in Winter (1987), and Arid Man (1988). In 1988 the Mitchell brothers formed a party band/ collective called The Song.  A number of songs recorded in rehearsal from that period were later put together as Spontaneous By Design – under the name Blood Brothers (1992). In late 1992 the Mitchells teamed up with their sister, Judy, Tim Hewitt,  Ian Woolsey and Colin Sharp to form Legends of Obscurity. This later morphed into The Rudiments (without Judy Mitchell). The band recorded five songs at Damian Gerard’s Studios (Ultimo).  Released on cassette, several hundred of these were eventually distributed.

 In 1995 the Mitchells put together a three CD compilation of Peter’s songs under titled The Great Unknown. The collection, accompanied by a book of lyrics, poems and drawings, is described by Peter Mitchell as an autobiography in song. By the late 1990s Ian Mitchell had returned to Armidale to undertake a degree in Information Technology at the University of New England. The brothers briefly formed The Great Unknown Band, a three piece unit (with Brian Miller on bass) and recorded an album, Bald Rapunzel (ca. 2000).

After completing his degree Ian joined the Phoenix Foundry, Uralla (NSW), later taking over as General Manager when the original owners retired. He continues to perform in the New England region, playing drums in several local bands.

• To hear some of The Great Unknown Band’s songs visit mp3.com (q.v.)
• See also this site’s Music [Other] page for details of recordings by Ian Mitchell.

Source: Clay Djubal (2009) • Peter Mitchell, The Great Unknown (1995). Images: Top photo courtesy of Clay Djubal ; Black and white photos unknown. 

PETER MITCHELL

(1959 – )

• Bands: Blood Brothers (aka The Song) ; Captains of Industry ;  Golden Myst ; The Great Unknown Band ; Grubs ; Hewchell ; Omshafarat ; The Rudiments ; Zenith

Vocals /guitar/bass guitar/songwriter/producer.

Based in Armidale (NSW) during the 1970s and in Sydney from 1983 through until the late 1990s, Peter Mitchell has been the principal songwriter/lead singer/guitarist with several rock bands, notably Captains of Industry, and has for many years also collaborated with his younger brother Ian. His musical influences are many, with singer songwriters like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell having an early impact.

Raised in Blacktown, Sydney, Mitchell’s parents moved to Armidale when he was nine years old and he attended Ben Venue Primary School. It was during his early years at Duval High School, however, that the passion for words and music took firm hold of his imagination.  Mitchell’s most important collaboration during this period was with Trevor Dunham (later lead singer with Edge), beginning in 1973. When Dunham moved to Canberra (ACT) in 1976 Mitchell made frequent trips to the national capital through until 1984 so that they might continue to work on each other’s musical ideas. More than forty hours of recordings still exist from those days (Mitchell, p. 9). Much of the material also involves Dunham’s wife, Kathleen. 

Another of Mitchell’s early collaborations was with Tim Hewitt (and in later years with Hewitt’s wife Cathy). The pair combined part of their surnames to form Hewchell. Initially just an excuse for mucking around, Hewchell eventually played live gigs in addition to making occasional recordings and even some videos.  Describing Hewchell as a ‘chaotic blast with splashed of the Blues Brothers and The Rolling Stones, mixed with elements… unique,’ they later engaged Trevor Dunham and organist Paul Cole to undertake a tour of northern New South Wales as the Methodist Youth Group Band (playing a repertoire of rock songs with spiritual themes). One Armidale gig, the 1976 high school “Battle of the Bands” competition, saw them joined by drummer Cliff Grigg (later with v Spy v Spy).

While the three school friends also played with various other school mates (in bands with names like Grubs, Omsgafarat and Zenith) between 1973 and late 1976,  Mitchell was absent from Armidale for much of 1975. During that year he travelled to England, where he collaborated with Nick Hawes while living in Dorchester-on-Thames.  Mitchell says of that time, ‘we called ourselves Golden Myst and re-invented or re-worked every teenage cliche known to humanity. Some of the musical ideas are surprisingly interesting possibly because of their inherent naivety’ (p. 11).

After returning home Mitchell completed high school. Between 1978 and 1982 he drifted through various jobs, including a rouseabout/assistant researcher at Tibooburra with his father-in-law-to-be. He spent most of 1982 in Broken Hill NSW), where his future wife Penelope was spending her registration year after graduating from university. That same year he recorded the solo albums Almost Human and Far Cry on a Tascam 144 4-track Portastudio. From late 1983 up until late 1985 he led the Sydney-based Captains of Industry, the band which perhaps best articulated his musical vision. Mitchell received some early interest from Chappell Music, but the charts were steadily being dominated by ‘video’ rock bands making it almost impossible for word-centred bands like Captains of Industry to break through. The band nevertheless established a small but enthusiastic following in Sydney. They also recorded many hours of music, both at the band’s own studio and at Alexander Mackay College. Seven songs were also produced by Martin Cass (q.v.) at JMC Studios.

After disbanding Captains of Industry, Mitchell focused his creative energies largely through writing and recording, and mostly in collaboration with Ian Mitchell. Between 1985 and 1989, while working as a storeman and driver at the Chatswood House and Garden Centre, he also completed a BA (Hons) degree at University of Sydney. At the same time he also produced the albums Wolf in a Riding Hood (1985); Broken Man (1986) a thematically linked 10 song cycle; Ghost Around the Town (1986), Music for Sundays in Winter (1987), and Arid Man (1988). In 1988, after having moved to the Hazelbrook in the Blue Mountains Mitchell formed a party band/collective called The Song.  A number of songs recorded in rehearsal from that period were later put together as Spontaneous By Design (under the name Blood Brothers).

Over the next two years Mitchell also produced a slim volume of poetry titled Songpoems and re-worked a selection of his early songs, giving them an acoustic and keyboard-dominated sound. These comprise Half Remembered Sorrow (1992). In late 1992, then living in Baulkam Hills (Sydney), he, Ian and sister Judy, teamed up with Tim Hewitt,  Ian Woolsey, Colin Sharp to form Legends of Obscurity. This later morphed into The Rudiments (without Judy Mitchell). The band recorded five songs at Damian Gerard’s Studios (Ultimo).  Released on cassette, several hundred of these were eventually distributed.

In 1995 the brothers produced a three CD recording of original songs to accompany Peter’s book The Great Unknown. They later formed The Great Unknown Band, a three piece unit (with Brian Miller on bass). The band played at least on gig in Armidale (the Musicians Club) in 1999. An album Bald Rapunzel was recorded ca. 2000). As an author Mitchell has also self-published the travel memoirs All About Shadows: Travelling in Italy, France and England (1997), Ulysses and Penelope: Travelling in Ireland (2006), and Forgotten Don Quixote: Travelling in Spain and Portugal (2007).

In addition to his life as songwriter/musician and performer Mitchell was employed by the Department of Immigration between 1990 and 2003 as an investigator, as Manager of the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, and in 1999 as Manager of the Kosovar and East Timorese “Operation Safe Haven” at East Hills.

His academic career has seen him awarded a Dip Ed. (University of New England) and an MA in Creative Writing (University of Western Sydney). He has been commissioned to write histories for the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia and the Freeman Sports Club and has reviewed poetry and presented conference papers for TEXT: The Journal of the Australian Association of Writing Programs (2005-06). In 2006 he began his candidacy as a Ph D student at the Central Queensland University. 

• To hear some of The Great Unknown Band’s songs visit mp3.com (q.v.)  
• See also this site’s Music [Other - M-Z] page for details of recordings by Peter Mitchell. 

Sources:  Art of the Real Conference program (q.v.) University of Newcastle, 2008, p. 39 ; Peter Mitchell, The Great Unknown (1995), v. pags.

SIMON MORGAN

(ca. 1960 – )

• Bands: Blue Max ; Edge ; The Inmates ; R.A.F.

Vocals /guitar /songwriter

Simon Morgan’s family moved to Australia in 1976 from Birmingham, England. He is believed to have played in several school bands, including one called Finchley’s Mob. While the veracity of his claim that he personally knew the members of Black Sabbath (who also hail from Birmingham) may never be proven, he certainly played a significant role in influencing the musical tastes of his peers at Armidale High School. Black Sabbath certainly increased in popularity, with ‘Paranoid’ becoming a favourite cover song.

1976

Not long after arriving in Armidale he co-founded the short-lived Blue Max with Dick Rummery (bass/vocals), Malcolm Toft (sax/vocals) and Rod Clay (drums/vocals). The following year he and Rummery joined another high school band, Edge, after several members finished school and moved on. After Edge disbanded Morgan joined David Morris, Peter Newell and John Solomons in forming seminal Armidale punk band The Inmates.

When Preston Stahlut replaced David Morris, Moragn began collaborating with the band’s new guitarist on original material. The Inmates quickly established a formidable reputation in Armidale, and according to an interview for Neucleus magazine, the band had also attracted some interest from Trafalgar Records in Sydney. Although indicating that they intended to move to Sydney this never eventuated.  Morgan did, however, move there sometime around 1980.

Not long after moving to Sydney Morgan briefly teamed up with Craig Bloxom and Michael Wiley in the pre-v Spy v Spy band R.A.F.  He is remembered playing at least one gig with that band at the Heritage Hotel at Rushcutter’s Bay (source Clay Djubal). His increasing drug use and unpredictable behaviour saw him fall out with friends and associates, however, and he eventually disappeared from the Sydney music scene. His whereabouts after 1981 are yet to be ascertained.

Source: Clay Djubal (2009). Image: Photo courtesy of Clay Djubal.

DAVID MORRIS

(1961)

 Performing at Clayz Kitchen, Armidale (ca. 1987)

• Bands:  The Astros ; Guerilla ;  Head Injuries ; Health Club ; Helga und der Blitzkrieg ; The Inmates ; Some Trippin Diggers ; Vice Squad

Guitar/piano/bass/drums/vocals/songwriter

David Morris and Doiran James - Health Club

David Morris’ family moved to Armidale in 1966 after his father, Professor Granger Morris, had accepted a position as the Chair of Pure Mathematics at The University of New England.  The youngest of three brothers, Morris attended Armidale Demonstration School and Armidale High.  As a child he showed much talent for music, becoming equally proficient on guitar and piano (he also plays a number of other instruments including bass guitar and drums).

Morris became involved in the Armidale music scene while still at high school, and in late 1977, aged 16, he co-founded Armidale’s seminal punk band, The Inmates with bassist Peter Newell. However, after playing the band’s first gig he travelled briefly to New Zealand  and on his return found that he’d been replaced by Preston Stahlut. Morris’ next two Armidale-based bands were Health Club (1978) and Vice Squad (1978-79). 

Rehearsing with The Astros †

When Morris and bass player/singer Rod Clay decided to move to Sydney in late 1979 the pair formed a new power trio, The Astros, with Sydney-based drummer/vocalist Matt Hirst (its name was inspired by Astro Boy). They were later joined by former Armidale bandmate Dick Rummery, but the band was short-lived, however.  Among Morris’s more popular songs from this period were: “Cherrie’s Got a Habit,” “Needlepoint Park,” and “Knife Attack” (about an incident which happed to him in Kensington, Sydney) and ”The Astronauts.” 

Morris continued to involve himself in musical projects throughout the 1980s and 1990s, establishing himself in both Sydney and Melbourne. He also moved back to Armidale on several occasions. In the mid-1980s he became one of the original musicians to work in the Some Trippin’ Diggers collaborative. His expertise as a pianist also saw him perform at Clayz Kitchen between 1987 and 1988. Morris also provided the live soundtrack to silent films put on by the University of New England’s film club Duck Soup (he rarely had a chance to even see the films before hand and was mostly required to play as he watched each film for the first time).  In 1987 he also joined Jon Anderson’s newly reformed Helga und der Blitzkrieg.  With the band’s musical talents greatly increased, and with the right mix of covers and original material (including original songs by Morris), the band quickly returned to being one of the region’s leading rock acts.

David Morris’s career has seen him perform during the mid-1990s in Head Injuries, a Melbourne-based Midnight Oil tribute band (playing Jim Mogonie’s role). Since 2000 he has lived primarily in Melbourne, where he continues to pursue his love of music, performing on both piano and guitar at a variety of shows – from private functions to $100 a head charity functions. He regularly offers his services to organisations involved in drug and alcohol rehabilitation.  He has also recorded many of his original compositions. As a member of the Melbourne Philharmonic Choir he accompanied the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra during the 2008 performance of Handel’s Messiah.   Morris has also contributed guitar for Richard Rummery’s band ftprints11 -  ”Soul Groovin’” (Thump, 2005) and “Numb” (Unsound, 2005).

With Helga und der Blitzkrieg (1987) 

• See this site’s Music [HGWT] (Vice Squad/Health Club) and Music [Other] pages (David Morris/Helga und der Blitzkrieg/ftprints11) for details of recordings by David Morris.
• To see a series of interviews with David Morris from the 10 Network’s Morning Show (2009) click on: Substance Addition Recovert – Part 1 (q.v.) ; Substance Addiction Recovert – Part 2 (q.v.) ; Substance Addiction Recovery – Part 3 (q.v.) ; Substance Addiction Recovery – Part 4 (q.v.)

Sources: Clay Djubal (2009) • David Morris (interview, 2009) Images: Top photo courtesy of Heather Grigg ; all other photos courtesy of Clay Djubal except †.

ROD NOBLE

• Bands: Armidale Bush Band ; Armidale People’s Bush Band ; Oshlack and Noble

1976

Bush bass/backing vocals

Originally from Newcastle (NSW), Rod Noble was involved in the Armidale music scene in various capacities between 1971 and 1976.  The son of a railway worker, and grandson of a coalminer and a merchant seaman, he not surprisingly became interested in the union movement from an early age. Having left Newcastle Technical High School at 15 or 16 years of age he undertook an apprenticeship as an electrician at the BHP steel works, and during the mid-late 1960s was employed at the State Dockyard and on the Railways. 

Noble moved to Armidale in 1971 to undertake a BA degree (1971-73) at the University of New England and soon became heavily involved in both broader student and campus politics through his involvement with the Social Action Movement (S.A.M.), and as the University’s 1972 Australian Union of Students (AUS) Secretary.  That same year he also took up the position on the Student Representative Council (SRC) as International Officer. During his second and third years he wrote a number of articles and letters to the student newspaper Neucleus mostly in relation to S.A.M. issues. One of his final  activities as an organiser was to help put on the People’s Incredible Folk Rock Concert at UNE in October 1973 (see Madgwick Hall entry for further details). The following month his contribution to student affairs at UNE was acknowledged in a farewell article published in Neucleus (see attached file below).

"Rod Noble bearing the flag forward"

One of Noble’s earliest musical associations was in 1972 when he and fellow student Alan Oshlack (guitar/lead vocals) formed a duo to play as one of the supports to American folk legend Phil Ochs at UNE’s University Arts Theatre (July). Later that same year he and several friends put together a ’scratch’ band which played a benefit concert at the UNE Union complex. The event was organised by the S.A.M. as a means of raising funds to provide legal aid for several students who had been arrested for possession of marijuana. According to Noble, the lead singer and two backing singers had consumed a number of hash cookies earlier and pulled out of the gig just as the band was called to perform. The remaining musicians were left to sing an exceedingly long version of Cat Steven’s’ “The Longer Boats” before discontinuing their set. He recalls, however, that while the other acts may have been more professional the ’scratch’ band probably had the most fun.

In 1973 Noble lived a commune-style existence out at the Old Rockvale Pub, where many ‘musical happenings’ eventuated – some planned, some impromptu. After graduating he remained in the Armidale area and continued to maintain a strong involvement in political activities, including S.A.M. Noble’s significant contribution to student life and politics (as well as that of fellow S.A.M. leader Adrian Shackley) was acknowledged in one of the final Neucleus issues of 1973. Although no longer a student he nevertheless retained a close association with University and wrote several more articles to the student newspaper, including a contribution to the special four page feature on socialism published in the October 1975 issue. Noble also continued to be involved with traditional music performance, and in 1975 he, David Curtis and Andy Berriman put together the Armidale People’s Bush Band - a precursor to the popular Armidale Bush Band. Although the People’s Bush Band only ever played in the Armidale Mall and at a couple of student demonstrations and charity events, it nevertheless played a role in advancing folk and bush music to both students and the general public of Armidale.

In late 1975 Noble formed the Rod Noble Bush Band with Peter Faircloth, Phil Craven, Ian Reeve, Carol Clifford and Phil Ryan.  It shortly afterwards became known, however, as the Armidale Bush Band. By the end of the 1976 the group was to become one of the most popular folk/bush entertainments in the Armidale/Uralla region. After securing a regular gig at Thunderbolt’s Inn (Uralla) they quickly established a strong following with shearers from the Uralla district, and found an equally enthusiastic following in Armidale through their association with the Galloping Grape Bistro and the University of New England (notably at the Bistro). In this respect the band had a major influence on later groups like the Boorolong Bush Band, Patterson’s Curse and The Ragweed Reelers (aka Captain Pugwash).

L-R: Ian Reeve, Rod Noble, Peter Faircloth, 2009

The Armidale Bush Band disbanded in late 1976 when  several members were required to leave the Northern Tablelands in order to pursue their careers. Those who stayed went on to reprise the band for a brief period. Noble began working for the Newcastle Trades Hall Council in December 1976, first as a research officer and then as an occupational health and safety officer until 1990. He then became an academic at the University of Newcastle, working there for 18 years teaching occupational health and safety, labour history and industrial relations. Noble’s affiliation with various political organisations has included being a founding member of the Armidale-based Socialist Action Movement (SAM) from 1971 to 1976; a member of the ALP (1975-1976); the CPA (1976-1990); the Newcastle-based Socialist Interest Group (1992-1996; and a founding member of the Progressive Labour Party from 1996.  He has represented a number of different unions including the Miscellaneous Workers Union, Teachers Federation and National Tertiary Education Union, and in 2007 was elected onto the executive of NTHC in August 2007 representing the NTEU.

In addition to his teaching and political life Noble has conducted research for the book Lake Macquarie Past and Present, co-authored The Social Dimensions of OHS, and written numerous articles and papers on Labour History, OHS and workers cultural themes. He is also an elected organiser of the Newcastle People’s Chorus—a Hunter Valley-based social justice and union choir. In later years Noble returned to the Armidale area, and in early 2009 coordinated an Armidale Bush Band revival with two other original members, Peter Faircloth and Ian Reeve.

Source: Neucleus (1972-1976) • Rod Noble (correspondance and interview, Jan. 2010). Images: “Rod Noble bearing the flag forward” photo, Neucleus 29 Oct. 1974, p9. • All other photos courtesy of Rod Noble.

OSHLACK AND NOBLE

(1972)

Alan Oshlack

Singer/guitarist Alan Oshlack teamed up briefly with Rod Noble (bush bass/backing vocals) in 1972. While studying at the University of New England both were politically active and heavily involved in student affairs. Oshlack is recorded in Neucleus as having been a Student Representative Council (SRC) officer between ca. 1969 and 70, while Noble was a leading voice with the Socialist Action Movement (S.A.M.) during his time at UNE (1970-73). In the 1972 SRC elections he was voted in as the Australian Union of Students (AUS) Secretary and also took up the position of International Officer. Musically both men shared a passion for traditional genres like folk and bush music. Their highlight gig was at the UNE Arts Theatre in late July when they supported American folk legend Phil Ochs and Ron Cobb (the US political cartoonist who had recently moved to Australia). It is possible that Oshlack and Noble billed themselves as “Motley” for this performance.

Source: Neucleus (1970-72) • Rod Noble (correspondance, Jan. 2010). Image: Alan Oshlack photo, Neucleus 29 oct. (1974), p. 9.

RAY AND PETE

(1981 – ? )

In 1981 the Armidale Ex-Services Club decided to try some music downstairs on Friday nights. Ray Wilson, who’s band Aquarius had been the club’s major local draw card since 1976, was consulted by the club’s management and he proposed the idea of a duo providing the music. He and fellow Aquarius guitarist/singer Peter Stanley subsequently formed Ray and Pete.

With a popular following already established through their previous band Wilson and Stanley were instantly accepted. The duo played wide variety of music which could be enjoyed as people ate, drank or played the pokies, but could also be danced to (which people often did).  Ray and Pete’s popularity effectively created a tradition at the Ex-Services Club for ‘unplugged-style’ shows which has continued for almost three decades.

Source:  ‘Aquarious band bio’ (courtesy of Brian and Tricia Moore).

THE RUDIMENTS:

aka Legends of Obscurity

(ca. 1992-1994)

• Personnel incl. Ian Mitchell (drums) ; Peter Mitchell (lead vocals, acoustic guitar)  Colin Sharp (bass) ; Ian Woolsey(electric guitar).
• Original member (Legends of Obscurity): Tim Hewitt (guitar), Judy Mitchell (piano)

The Rudiments formed in Sydney in 1992 initially as Legends of Obscurity.  The original members comprised Peter and Ian Mitchell, their sister Judy, Tim Hewitt,  Ian Woolsey and Colin Sharp. The band morphed into The Rudiments in 1994 (without Judy Mitchell or Tim Hewitt) and recorded five songs at Damian Gerard’s Studios (Ultimo).  Released on cassette under the title I Want You To Be With Me,  several hundred of these were eventually distributed. Three of the songs are by Peter Mitchell with the remaining two written by Ian Woolsey.

• See this site’s Music [Other: M-Z] page for release details

Source:  Peter Mitchell, The Great Unknown (1995), v. pags.

RICHARD ‘DICK’ RUMMERY

• Bands:  The Astros ; Blue Max ; ftprints11 ; Giant Steps ; Health Club ; Here and Now ; Rum Company ; Shooting School ; White Noise
•  Also associated with Crash Landing.

Born and raised in Armdiale, multi-instrumentalist/producer Richard Rummery’s father was involved in theatre in the city through the Armidale College of Advanced Education. As a child Rummery showed remarkable talent as a musician, being able to play back pieces of music after one listen. His career is largely associated with Armidale and Sydney, although he has toured much of Australia with various bands. Accomplished on piano, guitar, bass and drums at an early age he started out playing semi-punk/hard rock groups like Blue Max, Vice Squad, Health Club and Edge during his early years at high school.

With Health Club ca. 1978

Rummery’s  musical  influences  during his early years were  British art rock bands like Genesis, Yes (particularly Alan Wakeman) and King Crimson,  and he later expanded his musical horizons into this genre. After moving to Sydney in the late 1970s he completed a course in audio engineering at ASRE and established two progressive rock bands White Noise and Here and Now (with drummer Matt Hirst).

In the mid-80s Rummery was invited to join Shooting School. Led by former Strapps lead singer/guitarist (UK) Ross Stagg, the band also included former Armidale guitarist Chris Green. The band were given an international publishing deal with EMI subsidiary Castle Music and signed with Polygram/Truetone (on the Vertigo label). Shooting School released the single ‘You Won’t Listen.’ and made an accompanying video. The single was produced by American producer Alan Mansfield (also a member of Dragon). Although the band toured extensively to promote the single (including a three month national tour as support to Dragon), a local industry ban on Polygram records killed its high rotation impetus. The band soon afterwards imploded due to the commercial pressure and musical differences.

Following the disbanding of Shooting School Rummery joined the NSW North Coast’s premiere band, Giant Steps (with Jen Anderson). The band toured extensively and made several film clips (including a documentary about the making of one of the clips for ABC’s  Big Country program). After moving back to Armidale, Rummery formed his own band called Rum Company in the early 1990s playing local and regional venues and releasing a 4 track cassingle. This featured the song ‘Eloisa‘ which received much airplay in France. He then moved back to Sydney to develop his skills in music production, programming and engineering, particularly with the rapid changes in digital technology

During the late 1990s and early 2000s Rummery resided in Grafton, later moving back to Armidale where he has established himself once again as a leading musical figure in the New England music industry. In 2002 he formed a production company called November Media with Wayne Capper and set up a recording studio. Rummery’s latest musical project, ftprints11, was formed soon afterwards.

Rummery and ftprints11 have so far released three CDs – Colourblind (2003), Thump and Unsound (both 2005). The latter CD has been described as pulling sonic references from everywhere, from 70s prog rock and Nu-wave making it ideal for music appreciators with experience.’ A song from that CD, the single ”Escape” was released in the USA in 2007 (through 3000 Records) and subsequently featured on the reality show Laguna Beach.

Although essentially the platform for Rummery as a solo artist, ftprints11 has at various times comprised ancillary members such as  Mark MacDonald (guitars), Graeme Burton (bass/drums/backing vocals), Anna Handibo (guitar/dulcimer/keyboards/percussion), Dylan Dempster (bass/backing vocals) and Kymbo (gamelan/djambe/djembuka/flute/ saxophone).

Recording out of his own studio, Novamuse Studios, and releasing via the independent label, November Media Records, Rummery is afforded the  flexibility to write and produce without allegiance to any specific genres.  He has subsequently coined the term ‘flexrock’ to describe the eclectic brand of music he creates. A new album of material will shortly be released in 2010 under the title Violet Millions.

Rummery’s career has included being a radio producer, and this area he has won awards for Excellence in Broadcasting. One of his productions was a series of shows for CAHMA called “News from the War on Drugs” (aired on 2XXFM in the ACT). He has also recently completed a Ph D at the University of New England and is currently awaiting confirmation of its acceptance.

 ftprints11

• To hear a selection of Richard Rummery’s songs go to www.myspace.com/ftprints11 ;  www.myspace.com/footprintseleven ; payplay.fm  ; and  showcase your music (qq.v.)
• See also this site’s Musc [HGWT] and Music [Other] pages for releases by and with Richard Rummery
• Bookings: ftprints11@myspace.com
• Phone: 0403756253

Sources: Clay Djubal (2009) • Richard Rummery (correspondance, 2009). Images: Top photo courtesy of Clay Djubal ; All other photos courtesy of Richard Rummery.

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