Th'Dudes

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This article is about the New Zealand rock band. For the Canadian rock band, see The Dudes.
Th'Dudes

Background information
Origin New Zealand
Genre(s) Rock
Years active 1975-1979
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" " Be mine tonight" and "Bliss"

Contents

[edit] Members

[edit] History

Lez White Th' Dudes
Lez White Th' Dudes

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 rhythm 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, and Stebbing claiming production costs have not been met. In 2008 the band sued Stebbing for non-payment of royalties. The case goes before the courts in April 2008.

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] The eventual tour was 11 dates, but quickly expanded to 17 shows due to demand. In late 2007, they again went on tour on the "Summer of Love" tour of popular holiday destinations of Mangawhai (28 December 2007); Mount Maunganui (29 December 2007); Coroglen (30 December 2007); Waihi Beach (New Year's Eve, 31 December 2007); Lake Hawea (2 January, 2008), Riwaka (4 January, 2008); and New Plymouth (5 January 2008).

[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

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

Th' Dudes' songs have appeared on many compilations in New Zealand. The following is a partial list of these albums:

[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" -
1979 "Walking in Light" -
1979 "Bad Boy Billy" -
1979 "Stop Crying" -
1979 "On Sunday" -

[edit] References