Martin's Angels/Angel City Page
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...trying hard just to keep a candle lit
a leather flyer leaves the subway anxious to admit
that the marvelled one so recently deposed
was seen three days later with a brand new suit of clothes
a brand new suit of clothes for a very special day...
'Mr. Damage'
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Intro
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Sydney-based Australian hard rock band The Angels - also known as Angel City outside their home continent - are among my top three all-time favorite bands. They are celebrated "pub rock gods" down under with a career now spanning over 20 years and unfortunately largely ignored in the rest of the world. I first got hooked when a friend picked up and introduced me to their worldwide compilation version of Face To Face around 1980. It is my favorite album of all times (see my record collection for a partial discography) even though it wasn't until recent years that I was able to learn more about the band itself and finally managed to seem them live in August 1998. Due to their low profile in Europe (where I'm from) and the USA (where I now live) they were my 'secret tip' for years with few people I knew ever having heard of them and the albums I was able to find being my only evidence they actually existed. That's different now.
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The Angels center around Belfast-born vocalist and founder Doc Neeson, an energetic, charismatic madman known
for his stage antics and unmistakable voice.
They emerged in the mid-1970's with a lineup of Doc Neeson (vocals), brothers John and Rick Brewster (guitars),
Chris Bailey (bass) and Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup (drums). Later, New Zealand-born drummer Brent Eccles replaced
Bidstrup and Jim Hilbun came on for Bailey. Further lineup changes brought on Bob Spencer (guitar) for John Brewster
and James Morley (bass) for Hilbun. Both would depart again and since then the lineup consists of both
Brewsters, Neeson, Hilbun and Eccles again.
The 'classic' Angels had a distinctive, unique style somewhere between hard rock and punk with fast-paced rhythms,
short clear-cut chords, sharp vocals and biting lyrics, a style that would evolve into more mainstream hard rock
and rock later in their career. Some people tend to compare them to AC/DC which isn't entirely unjustified considering
that Angus and Bon discovered them and put them under the wings of producers Vanda & Young.
The 80's see The Angels with more multi-platinum bound albums - from the 1980
Next is a remastered compilation called 
In 1997, The Angels embark on the continent-wide acoustic "Lounge Lizard Tour", reinforced on vocals
by Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo) and Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock). They play acoustic versions of each band's songs
with the corresponding band member responsible for vocals.
At the end of September 1997, Australia's largest indie label Shock Records announces the signing of the band to a
worldwide, long-term recording contract. Soon afterwards the single
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Doc Neeson (lead vocals): "The Mad Irishman" founded the band with Rick and John. Was the original bass player. Regular casualties include stages, mics, crew, himself and things mechanical. Loves room service, decent monitors & the sun on the left. Hates odd room numbers and elevators. Does anyone really know him? |
| Rick Brewster (guitars, backing vocals): Clasically trained pianist/washboard player. Was band's drummer for first three weeks. Vaguely remembers "Casey's Chequers" as The Angels first gig... winter '76. Collects phone boxes. Says Beethoven convinced him not to move on stage. Has a hand in everything but prefers an S.G. |  |
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Brent Eccles (drums): Joined The Angels on 26/3/81 after lunch. First gig was the Manning River Hotel, Taree. Plays Gretsch & Zildjian. Collects radiograms and papers. Puts out the weekly. Is hopeless with keys, lighters and airport alarms. Usually keeps it together. |
| Jim Hilbun (bass, vocals, sax): Joined the band after bribing Rick and Brent with bottles of beer. First live gig, Fresno California 8/4/82. Jim plays a five string Steinberger, destroys Rick's sax, screams his guts out, sweats a lot. He's a consummate graffitist. He writes on everything. |  |
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Bob Spencer (rhythm guitars, backing vocals): First live Angels gig - 26/3/86. Plays havoc with his '63 red Gretsch (or any Gretsch) his Les Paul Jnr & Harmony Monterey. Rarely seen without a guitar. Always goes for a blow after gigs. Guitar amps hate him. |
| John Brewster (guitars): Integral part of The Angels till last gig (27/1/86 - a double at the Myer Music Bowl & The Palace). Loves driving & driving! Rejoined band in 1993 for departing Bob Spencer. |  |
| Chris Bailey: | Joined The Angels in 1977 on bass. Not identical to the namesake vocalist of The Saints. Left the band in 1982. Jim Hilbun took over. |
| Buzz Bidstrup: | A.k.a. Graham Throckman, Buzz Throckman, Graham Bidstrup. Original Angels drummer. Left in 1981 after recruiting Brent Eccles (formerly of New Zealand's "Citizen Band") as a worthy replacement. |
| James Morley: | At only 21 years of age, replaced departing Jim Hilbun in 1988 until 1993 when Jim Hilbun and John Brewster (for Bob Spencer) rejoined the band. |
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Read The Official Angels Biography as provided by the Eccles
News
- Sep 12, 2001: The Angels are no more. During a hiatus that started in 1999 with Brent tending to family matters
in New Zealand, the official Web site went offline and then Doc announced to a tabloid in mid-2001 his resignation from the band due to
continued pain and depression following a car accident. Oddly, the established music press and media never picked up on those news and the band
management has so far not released an official statement. For a while it was hinted that the remaining members would continue under the new name
"Band Of Angels" with Jim Hilbun on vocals but nothing came of it. Your best bet for news and follow-ups
is the Yahoo group. Jim Hilbun is a regular contributor and Bob Spencer pitches in.
With the official address defunct, contact the band c/o jimhilbun@hotmail.com. - Feb 7, 2001: The Angels eGroups.com community has now officially been annexed by the Yahoo! empire. All the old eGroups
links are automatically redirected. The group features are essentially the same and the contents have been carried over. Existing
eGroups users are guided through an account conversion process when accessing the community site for the first time. New
users are as always encouraged to join the list (established in July 1998). Just click the nifty button:
- Sep 5, 1999: Shock Records now has their own Angels artist page with a bio and album info.
- Feb 12, 1999: The album "Liveline" has been re-released! The CD is digitally remastered, features 10 live bonus tracks and two booklets with lots of pixies and updated liner notes.
- Aug 11, 1998: The Angels have distribution in France! Eric Coubard's "Axekiller" label has released Skin & Bone over there. This opens the possibility of a tour but as of yet no one is taken away to Marseilles...
- Aug 10, 1998: This is it folks - I FINALLY saw The Angels live in concert. After having tossed the idea around since our return from Oz, an insanity check and a look at my piggy bank I decided it was time for drastic measures: Ask my boss for another week off, book a flight to Sydney, catch The Angels six nights in a row, fly back and return to work the next day. It all worked out and I live to tell in my special trip diary titled Backstage With The Angels.
- Jun 22, 1998: My wife Sandi and I finally made it to Australia (and back) for almost a month. It was the first visit for me and I loved it while Sandi had been there before and still loved it! We were hoping to catch a few Angels gigs in late May but the gods of postponementia and airline non-refundables had it we wouldn't. Yet, Helen and Brent Eccles were so kind as to meet us for dinner, gave us posters and autographed singles and Doc Neeson gave us a call while we resided in lovely Jamberoo (pop. 540, cows counted seperately) and enjoyed the hospitality of Russell & Hely Moran who are Angels veterans (130+ shows and getting married to "Be With You" - cheers!) and daughters Simone & Rachel who are future Angels veterans. It was a blast to hear Angels on the radio, finding their records in abundance in many record stores and just generally being around people who didn't radiate blank stares at the mention of the band. Thanks to all involved!
- Mar 2, 1998: New album Skin & Bone is released! The artwork features photography from Jim Hilbun which was shot in the remote North West of Australia.
- Nov 16, 1997: To kick off the new tour The Angels play a private show on a boat cruising Sydney Harbour. The three-hour event featured a 90-minute gig and mingling with the roughly 100 guests, most of which were fans that had won a contest sponsored by Triple M Radio.
- Sep 30, 1997: Shock Records - Australia's largest and strongest independent record company - signed The Angels to a long-term, worldwide recording deal.
Sound Clips
Sound samples in Windows WAV format, 11kHz 8-bit mono
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...they put him aboard a well wound whirlwind,
pulled out his teeth and told him to grin, he gave them a smile, pulled out a bottle of wine and said "i never existed you been wasting your time" 'Take A Long Line' ...people massing in the streets, trampled heads beneath their feet
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 Walking To Babylon 113k |
City Out Of Contol 166k |
Dawn Is Breaking 1 59k |
Dawn Is Breaking 2 60k |
Mr. Damage 1 111k |
Mr. Damage 2 50k |
Mr. Damage 3 58k |
No Exit 46k |
Can't Shake It 28k |
Interview
I was fortunate to conduct the following interview via e-mail in October 1997:
- Martin: Have you ever recorded and released anything as the Keystone Angels?
Angels: 'Good Day Rock 'N Roll' on the Sphere label - Martin: What exactly was the reason for the name change to Angel City
in Europe and the US? What's the deal with the awful moniker "The
Angels From Angel City" that was used here for a while?
John Brewster: A band in the US called Angel stopped us using The Angels.
Brent Eccles: Our record co. theorised that as some people knew us as The Angels and some knew us as Angel City - then the name The Angels From Angel City was a good idea.......... - Martin: What brought about the transition from the folksy Moonshine Jug
& String Band to The Angels?
John Brewster: We were starting to write songs that were really rock songs and trying to fit them into a jug band, plus our first taste of a hit with Moonshine's 'Keep You On The Move' spurred us on. - Martin: What were your major tours of Europe and the USA?
John Brewster: 1980 - England & Europe twice, USA twice. 1982 - USA. 1985 - USA. - Martin: What do you think are the main reasons you are huge on your home
continent but - as far as I can tell - almost only known to insiders in Europe and the USA?
John Brewster: We did well in regions of France, NW of USA, Chicago etc. but never cracked the continents - it's very hard to do touring from Australia.
Brent Eccles: because we spend more time here. (In Australia) - Martin: Are you successful and recognized on the Asian continent at all?
Brent: No - Martin: How do you feel about being compared to AC/DC? A lot of people
I play Angels music to for the first time draw that comparison while I think AC/DC is blues-based and
you were more punk influenced in the beginning.
Brent: Fair comment - though I think both bands are blues based. I don't mind at all being compared to AC/DC.
John: AC/DC would have had some influence as we were from the same stable.
Rick Brewster: We did many tours with AC/Dc in the mid 70's, so the comparison is hardly suprising. The punk influence came later. - Martin: How did the collaboration with Rhino Bucket on "Burn The
World" come about?
Brent: It came about through producer Terry Manning who we had both worked with - though I think it was Rhino Bucket's idea. Doc did his lines down the phone. - Martin: Do you see yourself as an Australian band who plays Australian
rock or as a global band that just happens to come from Down Under?
John: An Australian band who plays global rock.
Brent: Just as an Australian band. - Martin: What influenced and inspired the fascinating lyrics to songs like
"Dawn Is Breaking", "Mr. Damage", "Take A Long Line"?
Rick: 'Dawn' - how dark and hopeless a picture can we paint? 'Mr.Damage' - a punter from one of Sydney's bikie gangs - a big fan, always came to the Comb & Cutter Hotel when we played there. His name was 'Damage' in typical bikie tradition. I wrote the guts of the song the night I met him. 'Long Line' - how obscure a lyric can I write and still tell a story? - Martin: Who would you state as your musical influences?
John: Rolling Stones, Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Band, The Sex Pistols, Motown, Woody Guthrie, AC/DC
Brent: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Martin: Who are your favorite current or upstarting bands?
John: Smashing Pumpkins, Wallflowers, Spiderbait
Brent: Spiderbait, Shihad, The Poor, Ammonia - Martin: What is your most and least memorable experience as a rock musician?
John: Least - the first Angels gig supporting Cheech & Chong. Most - the 'Turn of the Decade' concert at the Sydney Opera House new years eve 1980.
Rick: Most - watching Bonn Scott rewrite 'She's Got The Jack' on stage night after night. Least - playing a piano solo in Chuck Berry's backing band (who hasn't?).
Brent: Most - playing in The Angels for 17 years. Least - The Wizard of Oz showcase in Los Angeles. - Martin: Graham "Buzz" Throckman, Graham Bidstrup, Buzz Bidstrup
- one and the same person or no?
John: Yes
Rick: Ask him/them - Martin: Rick, what is the story behind the "Walter..." T-shirt?
Rick: Sooner or later it all comes back to Disneyland. - Martin: How do you feel about the Internet as a medium to promote bands
and keep in touch with the fan base? A welcome technology or a curse for artists?
John: You're welcome. have a nice day!
Brent: A great way to keep in touch with people all around the world and much easier then any other way. - Martin: Anything you would like to say to your fans in Europe and the USA?
Rick: 'Skin & Bone' is coming
Brent: Hang in there....we're coming.....I Think....... - Martin: Well, without the Internet, this interview wouldn't have happened. Thanks guys and special thanks to Helen Eccles for accepting and redirecting my questions!
Reprinting with permission only, please.
Links
- Christopher's Angels Page from France
- Craig's Angels Web Page
- Tony Sennatore's Angels Home Page
- Shock Records' Angels Artist Page
Angels Related Pages
- AMG All-Music Guide on The Angels
- Angels Yahoo! Groups online community and mailing list
- Australian Music Charts compiled from online votes
- Australian Music Web Site (AMWS) has an Angels entry
- Australian Rock Database by Magnus Holmgren
- Backstreet Girls from Norway include Angels covers in their set
- Dark Room The Angels Tribute Show
- Guest Book entries regarding The Angels and this page
- Moonshine Jug & String Band by Trevor Marshall
- Oztabs Angels Guitar Tabs on OZ Music Central
- Record List of Angels albums that I own
- Shock Records is The Angels' new record company
- Ultimate Band List on Angel City
- Ultimate Band List on The Angels
- Aussie Bands Page index to Australian bands
- Rose Tattoo Home Page by Peter Gormley
- Skyhooks official site for another legendary Australian band
- Triple M Radio is very supportive of The Angels, provides RealAudio live feed
- Whammo has swallowed Greg's Music World but the great Angels selection remains.
- SpinAuctions has lots of original Australian Angels 45s and 12" singles on offer.
- Backstage With The Angels diary of seeing them live for the first time
- Official Biography as provided by The Eccles
- Poster Enlargement and 1996 set list
- Record Collection en lieu of a discography
Angels Home Pages
Other Related Pages
Angels Record Hunting Online
Angels Local Extras
Contact
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The Angels can be reached at: |
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About This Page
The bio up to 1992 is compiled from an extensive magazine article and the little but growing knowledge I have myself. It is not complete and possibly not quite correct (I couldn't figure out the lineup changes and if I could, I probably couldn't fit it in a decent sentence). What happened after 1992 I tried to fit together from a few newspaper clippings, e-mail correspondence and the info the albums provide and is probably lacking. I am interested in hearing from anybody with additional info about the Angels or who just wants to say that he or she, too, is an Angels fan (a somewhat pointless statement for Australian visitors, I guess, but us here on the "outside" are few and far between...). |
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Special thanks and credits go to David Williams in New Lambton for sending over the huge bio article and an original concert poster and setlist, not to mention getting Bob Spencer to get in touch with me! More special thanks go to Russell & Hely Moran whose great kindness made them send more things than I can list in this space and to Paul Miller who sent exciting concert tapes and a poster! Cheers to Helen and Brent Eccles and the whole band. You're too cool and too kind! Additional thanks go to the other amazing and interesting people who have written since I've put this page up and who I otherwise would never have met. |
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