Th'Dudes
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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".
Members
- Dave Dobbyn
- Ian Morris
- Peter Urlich
- Lez White
- Bruce Hambling
History
The band was formed by the above mentioned core members who attended the same high school, 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). 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. The 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 for free in Stebbings Studios, Auckland, Eldred Stebbing in return kept the rights to Th'Dudes songs - denying them of any future monetary royalties.
Although all members are alive and well (Dave Dobbyn has had a successful solo career in New Zealand, Peter Urlich is a DJ George FM, Ian Morris Marmalade Studio, produces - the other two disappeared from music) they have never reformed.
Peformance
- Sweetwaters Music Festival 1979, Ngaruawahia, New Zealand
Awards
- National Music Awards 1979 - 'Top Group'
- National Music Awards 1979 -'Single Of The Year' for 'Be Mine Tonight'
- Battle of the Bands - Auckland
Discography
- 'Be Mine Tonight' written and sung by Dave Dobbyn backed with 'That Look In Your Eyes'
- 'Right First Time' debut album released June 1979.
- Where Are The Boys? Album July 1980
- Bliss/On The Rox - 1980
- Bliss: 20 Essential New Zealand Classics
- Right First Time/Tonight Again - 1979
- Walking In Light/Bad Boy Billy
- Bad Boy Billy/Stop Crying (Australia release)
- Walking In Light/On Sunday (Australia release)
- Where are the Girls? Th' Definitive Collection. Cat #: DUDES2001 Date: 02/08/2001 Format: Audio CD Discs: 1 Label: Festival Mushroom [link]
- Classic Hits Presents Jukebox Saturday Night - Various Artists
- Nature's Best DVD - Nature's Best Series
- Nature's Best 2 - Nature's Best Series
- Nature's Best : New Zealand's Top 30 Songs Of All-Time - Nature's Best Series
See also
References
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