Artists/Bands [S]

Scamp to Shearwater
Shooting School to Shoot the DJ ……. 2.
Jo-Ann Simmons to John Solomons ……. p.3.
Some Trippin’ Diggers to Preston Stahlut ……. p.4.
Pete Stanley to Sundown ……. p.5.

NB: If an individual’s Christian or surname is currently unknown this is indicated by an asterisk placed between brackets [*].

SCAMP

(ca. 1976-1977)

After Kelsey disbanded Rocky Lane joined forces with his younger brother Bob, and together with ex-Kelsey drummer Lanky Moore and keyboardist Clive Gregory, formed Scamp. The band forged a considerable reputation in Armidale over two years before calling it quits. Playing an excusively covers repertoire, the band was influenced by such acts as Little River Band, Wild Cherry (“Play that Funky Music”), The Eagles (“One of These Nights”) and US country rockers Silver (“Wham Bam Shang-a-Lang”).

Following the disbanding of Scamp, Bob Lane went on to join Chainsaw, Rocky Lane formed Alias, and Lanky Moore joined forces with Kim Constable in Constable Green and Moore, with Duval High School guitarist Chris Green.

Source: Brian Moore (interview, Aug. 2010).

SCROOT

(1969-ca. 1971)

  • Personnel incl. Geoff Brown (bass) ▪ [*] “Groovy” (vocals) ▪ Noel McCrae (guitar)

Scroot formed in mid to late-1969, and by Christmas were playing gigs around the local area.

Source: Tony Jaggers (correspondence, Nov. 2010).

SHANE

(1971-1972)

Shane was the merging of Purple Haze and Manic Depression, two early-1970s bands to form out of De La Salle College (later O’Connor Catholic High). The names of both bands indicate how popular Jim Hendrix was with emerging rock bands from that era. From Manic Depression came Nobby Osborne (the younger brother of Garry Osborne), Rob Lane and Wayne Yoemans, while the Purple Haze contingent comprised Brian Moore and Brad Dunham.

Shane played a mostly covers repertoire, comprising a mix of classic 60s and contemporary 1970s songs, including the Zoot’s classic version of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” Some of the acts they drew on were Australian bands Autumn, Sherbet, The Master’s Apprentices and Spectrum, along with international acts like Santana, The Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, J.J. Cale, The Doobie Brothers, Bill Withers, The Doors, Crazy Elephant and Jimi Hendrix. Shane also collectively wrote a couple of songs, mainly for Hoadley’s National Battle of the Sounds (as original compositions were worth more points). Two of these were “Second Morning of the Earth” (called ‘second’ in deference to the surf film, Morning of the Earth) and “Sunshine.”

The band entered the 1971 and 1972 Battle of the Sounds competitions, finding success the second time round when it was declared the runner-up. Brian Moore recalls that while Bogislav and Trek both entered the 1972 Tamworth heats because they knew they couldn’t beat another Armidale band, Mantra, Shane decided to give it a go because “we were cheeky enough to think we could beat the bastards.” The strategy ended up paying off because Mantra was forced to pull out of the Northern New South Wales regional semi-finals in Newcastle and Shane was subsequently invited to take its place. Shane went on to come third overall, with the eventual winner of the New South Wales Regional Finals being Bogislav.

Hoadley Battle of the Bands, Armidale 1975

When Shane disbanded in late-1972 Neil Osborne teamed up with former Purple Haze guitarist/singer Bob Jones to form the short-lived outfit Fireband before heading to Northern New South Wales Coast. He later returned to play with his brother Garry Osborne in Mantra. When Fireband finished up Brian Moore co-founded Kelsey, with Bob Jones, James Arthur and Bob Lane’s brother Rocky Lane.

Shane. “Falling.”

Shane. “Launching Place II.”

Shane. “Slipping into Darkness.”

  • “Falling,” “Launching Place II,” and “Slipping into Darkness” were recorded live at the Armidale heats of the 1971 Hoadley Battle of the Sounds. “Falling,” is a song by the Australian band Autumn

Shane. “Sunshine.”

Shane. “Free the Children”

Shane. “Second Morning of the Earth.”

  • “Sunshine,” “Free the Children,” and “Second Morning of the Earth” were recorded live at the 1972 Hoadley Battle of the Sounds Northern New South Wales zone final in Newcastle.
Shane (with guest keyboardist Chris Brazel)
Sources: Brian Moore (interview, Aug. 2010) • Neil Osborne (correspondence Jan. 2011) . Images: Top and Middle photos courtesy of Brian Moore • Bottom photo courtesy of Neil Osborne.†

SHEARSTON, GARY

See: Northern Tablelands 1: Live Entertainment History [1880s-1960s] “Regional Overview” section

SHEARWATER

(1973- )

  • Personnel: Neil “Goose” Curry (drums) ▪ Trevor “Live” Day (bass/vocals) ▪ Paul “Reg” Whiten (vocals/guitar)
  • Also associated with the band: Neil “Nobby” Osborne (guitar)

Although based out of Kingscliff, situated near the New South Wales/ Queensland border, the Shearwater line-up comprised all ex-Armidale musicians. Initially a trio, Day, Curry and Whiten, had all played together in the band Sundown (1973). Shearwater quickly established its reputation playing on the Tweed and Gold coasts and in nearby New South Wales towns such as Lismore and Byron Bay. One of its key gigs was a regular spot at the Chances R Bar in Surfers’ Paradise.

In early to mid-1974 the band contacted former Sundown band mate Neil Osborne and asked him to join them. Osborne, who had temporarily deferred his studies due to music commitments, accepted the offer. His stay was relatively brief, however, as he was soon afterwards sought by the Robbie Gray Band (on the suggestion of its drummer Garry Osborne). It is unclear at this stage how long Shearwater remained together.

Source: Neil Osborne (correspondence, Jan. 2010).

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