"the clones" Sydney clones Australia bands "power pop" clones Australia power pop mods bands "the clones" "mark alchin" "john salway" "noel sharpe" "david keogh" the clones "tired of hiding" "happy i'm with her" "the reasons why" "the persuaders" "sydney mod scene" "australian pub rock" "punk scene australia" clones bands

 

 

1973 Oct 23rd Mark, Noel and Ian meet together for the first time. go to see a movie (The Poseidon Adventure)
    Have dinner at Centrepoint Tavern in Sydney city - forming a band is not mentioned.
    * The Sydney Opera House is officially opened by the Queen on this same day
  Dec-Jan Ian and Mark discuss forming a band during Christmas school holidays.
    Noel and Ian meet separately and also discuss forming a band.
     
1974 Feb Noel, Ian and Mark meet on a rainy weekend and decide to definitely go ahead with forming a band
    (they haven't learnt to play instruments yet!)
  May Mark and Noel leave the band - Mark returns same month
  June-July Ian buys a guitar - Philip Buchan joins the band - Noel returns
  Nov Noel leaves again
  Dec Noel returns
     
1975 March Mark buys electric piano
  May Noel leaves and returns again
  June 11th Philip is kicked out of the band [nobody remembers why now - sorry Philip!]
  Nov Mark, Ian and Noel play together at Mark's place for the first time - having no real idea how to play
    they make a lot of stuff up and play along to records
  Early Dec Ian leaves for overseas trip at the end of high school
    [Editors note: Mark and Noel had left school earlier and were already working full-time jobs at this point]
     
1976 Jan Noel and Mark go on holiday together to the Snowy Mountains
  Feb Noel, Mark and Philip jam together at Philip's place
  Early Mar Ian returns from overseas
  Mar 30th Mark, Ian and Noel practice above Mark's parents shop in Maroubra
  June Practices cease above Mark's parent's shop
  Oct First practice in basement under St. Paul's Baptist Church, South Coogee
  Rest '76 Practices continue at church in South Coogee
     
1977 Mar Aly Bursztyn joins on guitar, promptly grows beard
  Apr Start Saturday morning practices at Studio 20, Taylor Square, Sydney
  Jun 26th First practice in a hall - Matraville Soldier's Settlement Primary School
    many complaints from local residents!
  July First of regular Sunday practices at Daceyville Police Boys Club Hall
  Sep 13th First gig (band now named Rain) Crows Nest Hotel, Crows Nest, North Sydney
  Sep 27th News of upcoming gig at Quadriplegic Enterprises fete, Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay
    on November 27th - much excitement ensues
  Oct 1st Start heavy practice schedule to prepare for more gigs
  Oct 7th Ian and Aly buy new equipment - amps and guitars
  Oct 11th Record entire repertoire at Studio 20, Taylor Square - everyone sings and plays badly
  Oct 14th Second gig - back at Crows Nest Hotel (show ended by fist fight among patrons)
  Oct 21st Third gig - Hillsdale Bowling Club (lots of older patrons, try to tone things down-
    Noel's parents attend)
  Oct 23rd Last practice at "rat-infested, pigeon-laced, flea-full dump" - Daceyville Police Boys Club
    everyone celebrates with a post practice shower
    [Editors Note: This club later burns down in about 2 minutes in the mid-1980s; Mark happens
    to witness the event as he his driving past at the time]
  Oct 26th Fourth gig - Coach & Horses Hotel, Randwick (We were there but the audience wasn't!)
  Nov 5th Auditioned at Bacchus Wine Bar, Bankstown, Sydney
  Nov 6th Noel moves in and shares flat with Mark
  Nov 7th Noel moves out!
  Nov 19th Fifth gig - Regent Hotel, Kingsford
  Nov 26th Practiced once more at Daceyville Police Boys Club - hired huge PA, practice is filmed
    by Les Pozniak (friend of Aly's), sound mixed by Roger Dilernia. Noel is accosted
    by a very large, aggressive man! Almost lost our drummer!!
  Nov 27th Played open-air show at Quadriplegic Association fete (6th gig)
    Much merriment, people in wheelchairs had a blast spinning around - a great time!
  Dec 5th Rain is on the brink of breaking up - much behind the scenes drama ensues.....
  Dec 12th Aly decides to leave the band bringing it back, yet again, to Mark, Ian and Noel to
    ponder their collective future
     
1978 Feb 2nd Ian leaves the band....
  Feb 4th Mark and Noel part company musically speaking....to quote Noel "at the the time of
    writing, 11.45am 5/2/1978 there are no plans for a reformation but just as the wind
    blows and the oceans roar, our paths might meet again to join together our minds so
    our dreams might be as one again and my life shall be his and his life mine...."
  Feb 7th Ian, Mark and Noel get back together again!
  Feb 9th Aly rejoins!!
  Feb 20th Aly resigns for the final time leaving Mark, Noel and Ian who decide, come what may,
    that "this is the band that will be famous...."
  Feb 25th A guy named Nick calls and arranges a date to meet to possibly become fourth member
  Feb 27th John Salway calls in response to a classified ad looking for a fourth member. Mark, Noel
    and Ian spontaneously drive to meet John at his home in Epping (perhaps sensing that this is
    'the guy'?)
  Mar 5th First practice with Mark, Noel, Ian and John (in rehearsal studio)
  Mar 11th Practice in basement of St Paul's church, South Coogee - the band is now officially
    christened The Clones at John's suggestion........
  Mar 12th Practice at Soundlab Studios, Canterbury (things are going well)
    News of a possible fete gig on May 6th. Positive feelings about The Clones and
    their new direction abound
  Apr 8th John buys a new guitar (SG Gibson)
  Apr Frequent rehearsals continue at Soundlab Studios - friends regularly attend and
    appear impressed with the new direction since John joined
  Apr 30th The four Clones decide to purchase a vocal PA through Soundlab Studios - this will serve
    as the band's official PA for many future gigs until they start playing with other bands who
    have proper PA systems (this vocal PA has no foldback!)
  May 3rd What was to be The Clones premiere live performance on May 6th is cancelled as
    Mark is stricken with tracheitis (severe infection of the windpipe) and the gig is cancelled
    on doctor's orders!
  May 8th News of definite first gig coming up May 25th at the Venturer Scout Hall in Epping
  May Continue rehearsals through May
  May 25th First gig happens at last!! Scout hall at Epping - The Clones wear all-black for the first and
    last time on stage.....John meets future first wife on this night
  June 23rd 2nd gig - this time at a bloody pinball parlour in Kogarah!! Last time we fall for that one....
  June 26th The PA we bought from Soundlab blows up and The Clones resort to heavy handed
    tactics to get gear replaced........it is done with a lot of wheeling and dealing
  July 7th 3rd gig - Imperial Hotel, Erskineville. When The Clones arrive they discover this pub has
    a very "heavy" atmosphere:
    "The men's toilet has blood on the floor - not a great sign".........the boys are slightly
    nervous but begin loading their gear in amidst much staring and curiosity -
    The owner reassures the four young lads all will be okay and, sure enough, the crowd
    loved the band - the beginning of our very first residency!!
  July-Aug More gigs at Imperial, Erskineville plus Coach & Horses Hotel, Randwick
  Aug 21st The Clones have now played exactly fourteen gigs, learnt exactly four original songs and
    next week will be seen by potential manager David who is looking for a Beatles revival band
  Sep 1st 2nd last regular gig at the Imperial marks the arrival of David Keogh as potential
    Clones manager - immediately offers four week residency at Arthur's Court Wine Bar,
    North Sydney - we are impressed. The owners and bar staff of the Imperial are saddened
    that The Clones will no longer be playing there but they seem to understand the band
    has to move on..........
  Sep 2nd End of an era - last night at the Imperial........a sad evening
  Sep 8th Gig at the Regent Hotel, Kingsford. David offers his management services - he's been
    looking for a Beatles revival band a la Beatnix [boy was he ahead of his time!!] but seems
    very keen on The Clones and interested in the original material
    One of David's first acts is to get the band a gig at the Callan Park Mental Institution!!
    Excellent!!
  Sep 16th Played two shows in one day for the first time - afternoon at Denison Hotel, Bondi Junction -
    evening at Whitehall Hotel, Rushcutter's Bay (where a guy pulled his pants down and stripped!)
    Last night was The Clones first official meeting with David Keogh as manager
  Sep 29th Back at the Regent Hotel, Kingsford. Annie Keogh (wife of David) sees The Clones for the first
    time and is promptly given the ace nickname, Mrs. Clones Manager
  Sep 30th Mark gets the flu - again!!
  Oct 20th Aly returns from an overseas trip and auditions for David's Beatles band!
  Oct 28th Debut performance of The Clones' alter-ego band The Aardvarks at Arthur's Court
    Wine Bar, North Sydney featuring: John Salamander, Ian Disgustering, Mark Malicious
    and Noel Smash. Songs include: She's Only Half There, Some Other Turd, Steppin' Rock
    and Oh Enid
  Oct John leaves his job at the Commonwealth Bank
  Nov 4th Play French's Tavern
  Nov 17th Played at punk venue, The Grand Hotel, Broadway, Sydney city.....tiny room and stage,
    lots of people and gobbing aplenty
  Nov 19th First Clones recording session at Soundlab Studios. Recorded John's One Day Long Ago,
    Mark's You're Only in My Way, Ian's Oh Tina, John's Somehow You're Different
    plus covers of The Who's Substitute and the Bee Gees' I Want Home
  Nov 20th Everyone takes the day off work to mix the recording
  Nov 21st Played function at the Wentworth Hotel ballroom in Sydney city - HUGE!
  Nov 22nd First show at Dr. Redbird's wine bar, North Sydney - the stage is the size of a matchbox!
  Nov 23rd Governor Bourke Hotel, Camperdown - Rob Younger from Radio Birdman turns up and
    is complimentary.....nice bloke too
  Dec 30th Pre-New Years party at Regent Hotel, Kingsford (see pix in Photo Gallery)
  Dec 31st New Years eve morning spent at Mark's place after Regent show
     
1979 Jan 16th Debut gig at Hopetoun Hotel, Surry Hills
  Jan 26th Infamous French's Tavern show - so much gobbing, Mark cops a huge gob in the eye
    and goes a little "spare" on the audience. Stories have varied over the years but certain
    pieces of band equipment were hurled about the stage....no major damage but the next
    French's gig was packed with punters expecting more destruction - it was not to be....
  Feb 2nd BOMBSHELL MOMENT: John announces he his quitting The Clones!!!!
    The other band members eventually decide to continue, auditioning countless
    prospective fourth members before settling on Mr. Andre Massoud
  Mar 4th First practice with Andre. John continues playing with The Clones live which is
    big of him
  Mar 16th After rehearsing almost all night, The Clones turn up at Channel 9 TV studios to tape
    five songs live to be shown on the following weeks Super Flying Fun Show. Due to
    extreme lack of sleep and exhaustion, the performance is barely adequate - we
    were upstaged by the emu and Smokey Dawson!
  Apr 14th Debut at Bondi Lifesaver with Broadway and Mental as Anything. This turns out to be Andre's
    last show with The Clones as they collectively decide they cannot go on without John...
    so they ask Mr. Salway to return to the fold and if he doesn't The Clones will end.
    With much grovelling and apologising to Andre out of the way, the guys anxiously await
    John's response
  Apr 17th You guessed already!! He said "yes" and has regretted it ever since!
  May 4th First show with the returned John Salway at Manning Bar, Sydney University. The infamous
    night of the 'attack of the feminists' who misunderstood The Clones' quoting old Monty
    Python skits as a direct offensive! Nasty stuff but nonetheless entertaining if you like
    that sort of thing........
  May 18th Supported famed hard rockers Rose Tattoo at the Local Inn, West Ryde - they are
    nice blokes!
  May 26th Recorded at Now Studios. A bunch of originals plus a cover of The Easybeats'
    Baby I'm A Comin'
  May 30th Radio Interview -  2CBA-FM on the Captain Midnight show
    Clones sign to the Nucleus agency
    Stories on The Clones coming up in Roadrunner and RAM magazines
  June 15th Play at the New Brighton Hotel, Kiama (since demolished, that'll teach 'em)
    Fielding offers of interest from Piranha Brothers records
  June 25th Clones officially offered contract with Piranha Brothers records
    First single will eventually be released an entire year from now!!
  June 28th Stagedoor Tavern with Loaded Dice
  July 3-7 Five shows in a row - Doyalson RSL with Flowers; Selinas; Regent Hotel;
    Willoughy Town Hall and Rags (formerly Chequers)
  July 13th Support Dragon at Newcastle University. Complete balls-up from beginning
    to end. A night best forgotten apart from Noel singing 'Konkaroo' right in the
    face of Dragon's lead singer (the guy who wasn't Marc Hunter)
  Aug 2nd Comb & Cutter Hotel, Blacktown......the audience threw stuff at the band
  Aug 8th Record demo at Festival Records with Glenn A. Baker at the producer's desk
  Aug 11th The Sydney Cove Tavern fiasco! A disagreement between The Clones and Outlaw
    over who was first or second support to The Radiators turns into an all-in
    verbal brawl.....[Ego IS a dirty word - Ed]
  Aug 21st First rehearsal of new original, Mark's Tired of Hiding
  Aug 24-26 Mini-tour Newcastle area
  Sep 17th Finally signed record contract. Unfortunately it was with Piranha Brothers who promptly
    disappeared off the face of the planet for nine months [the first single would not come
    out until the middle of 1980]
  Oct 5th First interstate gig - in Canberra at the College of Advanced Education
  Nov 6-12 Toured in Melbourne, Victoria...........fabbo!! Eight gigs in eight days with one day off.
    Everyone had a blast.....one highlight was meeting James Freud at the Crystal Ballroom
    when he fronted Radio Stars
  Dec 8th Mark drinks three double scotches in five minutes and throws up over everything
    at someone's birthday party - someone told him that scotch whiskey would cure
    his cold!
  Dec 15th During a day off on 2nd Melbourne tour - Mark, Ian and John are involved in a car
    accident....bruises and shaken nerves only but a nasty moment!
     
1980 Jan 3rd Played Hunter's Humpy at Earlwood - John gets involved in a lovely fist fight on the
    footpath outside
  Jan 26th Finally receive news of recording dates at Trafalgar Studios for first single!!
  Feb 11th Record John's Happy I'm With Her, Mark's Tired of Hiding and John and Mark's
    Says She Don't Belong at Trafalgar Studios, Annandale
  Feb 28th News that RCA will distribute Piranha Brothers records including The Clones
    single lifts everyone's spirits somewhat
  Apr 8-9th Record vocals and mix Tired of Hiding
  May 5th Debut performance of Clones' 2nd alter-ego band The Gumbys (including gaffa tape
    moustaches and beards as disguises!) at the Sundowner Hotel, Punchbowl
  June 3rd Play at Broadbeach International Resort Hotel, Gold Coast, Queensland - after only a
    handful of songs the Queensland police turn up and order the show be stopped due
    to noise complaints. David quickly arranges an audition at Juliana's nightclub and
    the band plays only one show before heading back to Sydney extremely
    disheartened by the experience
  June 10th On turning up at the next scheduled gig, the Australian Heritage Hotel in Kings Cross,
    one band member is prompted by the scuzziness of the place to go home again and not
    do the show
    The Clones are becoming gradually more despondent by record release delays, bad gigs,
    nasty interstate experiences etc.
  June 18th The Clones single is officially released at last! Tired of Hiding/Happy I'm With Her
    makes it to 87 in the national charts, eventually selling around 2,000 copies
  June 25th John announces he is leaving The Clones. Once more he continues to play live shows while the
    others consider their future. They decide to continue as a three piece band under the
    same name
  July 11th John's last show with The Clones at the Chester Hill Hotel is on early evening and then
    the other three play their first show as a three piece the same night at Sydney University
  July 20th Radio interview on 2JJJ-FM
  July 24th RCA Record launch gig at Ryde with The Innocents who have released their single, Sooner
    or Later.............it rained
  Sep-Oct More gigs as a three piece. Hoping to get out of record contract at this point
  Oct 11th Noel announces intention to leave the band
  Nov 8th Last ever Clones gig at the Betsy nightclub in North Sydney. Ironically, John gets married on this
    day also...........
     
1981 Feb 25th During this period, Mark hooks up with Brent Jeffrey (from Tasmania's Beathoven) and Ron
    Noshie (from the Rebels) for a possible band project. As this is happening Ian and Noel get
    into Mark's ear about reforming The Clones!
    Even John is keen! A few practices happen during March and April but it was not to be
    in the long run.........the project dies for various reasons before even getting off the ground.
  Oct Mark joins up with Brent, Ron and Tony Voglino in Turnaround but leaves after appearing
    with them in the Gillian Armstrong film Starstruck and recording rhythm guitar and
    backing vocals on their first single, Let's Do It
  Lat '81 Ian and Noel re-team with Mark for yet another go around the circuit which eventually sees them
    morph into The Reasons Why by early 1983.......but that's another story
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