Underdogs
This
is a photo of the "Underdogs" - the most notorious band in NZ's rock
history. This was taken in Christchurch in 1968 or early 1969 while playing
resident at the "RamJam Club," a cellar basement club just off
Christchurch's Square in mid city. The band had numerous musicians through it's
turbulent years but it was this incarnation that caused the most TV &
newspaper headlines, police arrests & incarcerations, wild nude parties,
brawls, a huge female following - particularly with the strippers & hookers.
These excesses were coupled with their equally huge intake of cosmic candy etc
etc.... These guys were going for broke & they did.
Remember this was the 60's at its most grim. To be a member of this band you had
to be completely mad, crazy, stoned & most of all a great musicians which
could mix it with the best the world had to offer. These "rock stars"
- as they were called in the newspapers, on television, magazines, radio etc etc
- did not even realise
how good they were until they had broken up & traveled overseas, separately,
to hear other top bands, many of which they could have out-performed any day of
the week. The order of the day was to play music as good as possible & party
as hard as possible - something they did achieve remarkably well.
From left to right:
Doug Thomas, drums etc; Lou Rawnsley, lead guitar &
bass; Murray Grindlay,
lead vocal & harmonica; Harvey Mann, lead guitar & bass.
For more information on the Underdogs:
Doug Thomas: Underdogs, Breakaways & Le Frame
Lou Rawnsley: Underdogs
Murray Grindlay: Underdogs & Brew
Harvey Mann: Underdogs, Brew and Living Force
or via the links page