Th'Dudes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Th'Dudes | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Background information | ||
| Origin | New Zealand | |
| Genre(s) | Rock | |
| Years active | 197?-198? | |
| Former members | ||
| Dave Dobbyn Ian Morris Peter Urlich Lez White Peter Coleman Bruce Hambling |
||
Th'Dudes were a late 1970s and early 1980s pop/rock band from New Zealand. Members included Dave Dobbyn, Ian Morris, and Peter Urlich. Hits include "Walking in Light" "Right First Time" and "Bliss".
Contents |
[edit] Members
- Dave Dobbyn
- Ian Morris
- Peter Urlich
- Lez White (replaced Peter Coleman, 1978)
- Bruce Hambling
[edit] History
The band was formed by Morris, Urlich, Coleman and Dobbyn, who attended Sacred Heart College in Auckland. It was the same school that Neil (Crowded House) and Tim Finn went to. The band name derived from a comic strip in the English music paper, New Musical Express called Th' Lone Groover and the band's sound was heavily influenced by the British scene, especially The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Starting off as a covers band that played surf clubs and private parties, Th' Dudes quickly earned a reputation as an energetic and skilful outfit featuring dual guitar work from Dobbyn and Morris, a tight no-nonsense rhythym section (Peter Coleman on bass, later replaced by Lez White, and drummer Bruce Hambling) and charismatic vocalist Urlich. Slowly the repertoire featured more originals and their status rose to the point where Th' Dudes were acclaimed NZ Group of the Year in 1979 (although it took until 2005 for Dave Dobbyn to actually receive his award). The Dudes even played the Fairfield College hall in 1978! They eventually disbanded in mid 1980 which allowed Dobbyn to shape a spectacular solo career.
The mid-1990s saw a resurgence in interest in Th' Dudes in New Zealand, owing perhaps by the release of the Bliss: 20 Essential New Zealand Classics and other compilations showcasing the group of New Zealand post-punk acts which epitomize the Kiwi Rock genre. Their song, Bliss, attained particular popularity and has since established itself as New Zealand's unofficial national drinking song. The song is also commonly played (and sung) following the dismissal of an opposing batsman at New Zealand national cricket games.
Unfortunately, none of the members get royalties for their music. Due to their songs being recorded in downtime at Stebbings Studios, Auckland, Eldred Stebbing in return kept the rights to Th'Dudes songs - denying them of any future monetary royalties.
All members are alive and well: Dave Dobbyn has a successful solo career; Peter Urlich is a DJ on George FM; Ian Morris produces records and writes advertising music; Lez White has been living in Sydney for 20 years; Bruce Hambling lives in Christchurch. After disbanding the band had never got together again until it was announced in 2006 that they would be embarking on a 10 date tour of New Zealand as part of Radio Hauraki's 40th anniversary celebrations. [1]
[edit] Awards
- National Music Awards 1979 - 'Top Group'
- National Music Awards 1979 -'Single Of The Year' for 'Be Mine Tonight'
- Battle of the Bands - Auckland [2]
[edit] Discography
| Cover | Date of Release | Title | Label | Charted | Certification | Catalog Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albums | ||||||
 |
June 1979 | Right First Time | - | - | ||
 |
July 1980 | Where Are The Boys? | - | - | ||
 |
1982 | So You Wanna Be A Rock'n'Roll Star | - | - | ||
 |
2 August, 2001 | Where Are the Girls?: Th' Definitive Collection | Festival Mushroom | - | - | DUDES2001 |
 |
2006 | Pubs, Parks, Theatres, Clubs, Church Halls, Gardens, Lounges & Band Rotundas | - | - | ||
[edit] Featured appearances
The group have appeared on many compilations in New Zealand. The following is a list of these albums that have featured tracks by the Th'Dudes.
- (1995) - Bliss (Festival) - "Be Mine Tonight" & "Bliss".
- (1997) - Bliss Volume 2 (Festival) - "Right First Time" & "Tonight Again".
- (1999) - The Best Beer Drinking Songs In The World Ever! (EMI) - "Bliss".
- (2001) - 100% Kiwi Rock (Warner) - "Bliss".
- (2001) - Heart Attack (Kath Corporation) - "Walking In Light".
- (2002) - Nature's Best (Sony) - Be Mine Tonight".
- (2002) - Nature's Best 2 (Sony) - "Bliss".
- (2003) - Nature's Best A Video Selection (Sony Music) - "Be Mine Tonight" & "Bliss".
- (2003) - Give It A Whirl: The Soundtrack From The Major Television Series (Propeller Records) - "Right First Time".
[edit] Singles
| Year | Single | Album | Charted | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Be Mine Tonight" | - | |||
| "That Look In Your Eyes" | - | |||
| 1979 | "Right First Time" | - | ||
| 1979 | "Tonight Again" | - | ||
| 1980 | "Bliss" | - | ||
| 1980 | "On The Rox" | - | ||
| "Walking in Light" | - | |||
| "Bad Boy Billy" | - | |||
| "Stop Crying" | - | |||
| "On Sunday" | - |
