Th'Dudes
Encyclopedia
Th' Dudes were a late 1970s / early 1980s pop/rock band from Auckland
, New Zealand
. Hits include "Walking in Light", "Right First Time", " Be Mine Tonight" and "Bliss".
in Auckland, which was the same school that Neil
(Crowded House
) and Tim Finn
(Split Enz
) went to. The band name derived from the "Lone Groover" comic strip in the English music paper, NME
. The band's sound was heavily influenced by the British scene, especially The Beatles
, David Bowie
and The Rolling Stones
, and later by the Punk and New Wave sounds of Iggy Pop
, Elvis Costello
, Nick Lowe
, Roxy Music
, The Stranglers
and The Clash
.
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). They eventually disbanded in mid 1980.
The mid-1990s saw a resurgence of interest in Th' Dudes in New Zealand as "classic hits" and "classic rock" radio became more prevalent, and the compositional, performance and production qualities of the band's records endured. Bliss: 20 Essential New Zealand Classics and other compilations showcased New Zealand post-punk
acts which epitomized 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.
In October 2006 Th' Dudes embarked on a tour of New Zealand as part of Radio Hauraki's 40th anniversary celebrations. The original tour was 11 dates, but quickly expanded to 17 shows due to demand. Due to a dispute with the holders of the band's master tapes, Stebbing Studios Ltd (see below), the band was unable to release any product to support the tour. Instead, they compiled a six-track CD of demo and alternate versions of their biggest hits, culled from the band's own collections. This CD was available only at shows on the tour and was called Pubs, Parks, Theatres, Clubs, Church Halls, Gardens, Lounges & Band Rotundas
.
In late 2007 Th' Dudes embarked on the "Summer of Love" tour of popular NZ holiday destinations: 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). Chances of the band doing more any shows are said to be "very slim".
Over the years Th' Dudes were not paid royalties for sales of their music due to their songs being recorded in downtime at Stebbing Studios, Auckland: studio owner Eldred Stebbing claimed production costs had not been met. In 2008 the band sued Stebbing for non-payment of royalties. The dispute was resolved to both parties' mutual satisfaction in November 2008.
Ian Morris died suddenly in Napier on the 7 October 2010. Prior to his death Morris produced records and wrote advertising music. Morris is survived by his twin daughters Julia & Maude.
. The following is a partial list of these albums:
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Hits include "Walking in Light", "Right First Time", " Be Mine Tonight" and "Bliss".
Members
- Dave DobbynDave DobbynDave Dobbyn, ONZM is an award-winning New Zealand musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. In his early career he was a member of the rock group Th' Dudes and was the main creative force in pop band DD Smash...
- Ian Morris (deceased)
- Peter UrlichPeter UrlichPeter Urlich is a New Zealand musician. He is one of the few NZ musicians who has managed to successfully cross the rock/house genre divide, performing successfully in both.-Early years:...
- Lez White (replaced Peter Coleman, 1978)
- Bruce Hambling
History
The band was formed by Morris, Urlich, Coleman and Dobbyn, students at Sacred Heart CollegeSacred Heart College, Auckland
Sacred Heart College is a secondary school in Auckland, New Zealand. It is a Catholic, Marist College set on of land overlooking the Tamaki Estuary in Glen Innes.- History :The college was opened in 1903 in Ponsonby, by the Marist Brothers...
in Auckland, which was the same school that Neil
Neil Finn
Neil Mullane Finn, OBE is a New Zealand Pop recording artist. Along with his brother Tim Finn, he was the co-frontman for Split Enz and is now frontman for Crowded House...
(Crowded House
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
) and Tim Finn
Tim Finn
Brian Timothy "Tim" Finn, OBE is a New Zealand singer and musician. Finn is most known for his music with New Zealand 1970s and 1980s rock group Split Enz, and later for his solo work, a temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowded House and his joint efforts with Neil Finn as the Finn...
(Split Enz
Split Enz
Split Enz were a New Zealand band of the 1970s and early 1980s featuring Phil Judd and brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. They achieved chart success in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada during the early 1980s ‒ most notably with the single "I Got You", and built a cult following elsewhere...
) went to. The band name derived from the "Lone Groover" comic strip in the English music paper, NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
. The band's sound was heavily influenced by the British scene, especially The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
and The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, and later by the Punk and New Wave sounds of Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
, Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
, Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Roxy Music was a British art rock band formed in 1971 by Bryan Ferry, who became the group's lead vocalist and chief songwriter, and bassist Graham Simpson. The other members are Phil Manzanera , Andy Mackay and Paul Thompson . Former members include Brian Eno , and Eddie Jobson...
, The Stranglers
The Stranglers
The Stranglers are an English punk/rock music group.Scoring some 23 UK top 40 singles and 17 UK top 40 albums to date in a career spanning five decades, the Stranglers are the longest-surviving and most "continuously successful" band to have originated in the UK punk scene of the mid to late 1970s...
and The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
.
Starting off as a covers
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
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). They eventually disbanded in mid 1980.
The mid-1990s saw a resurgence of interest in Th' Dudes in New Zealand as "classic hits" and "classic rock" radio became more prevalent, and the compositional, performance and production qualities of the band's records endured. Bliss: 20 Essential New Zealand Classics and other compilations showcased New Zealand post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
acts which epitomized the Kiwi rock
Kiwi rock
Kiwi rock is a term used informally to describe New Zealand rock music and the culture surrounding rock music in New Zealand.-1950s:The first Rock'n'Roll record recorded outside the US was Johnny Cooper's recording of Rock Around The Clock for HMV in the mid 1950s...
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
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
games.
In October 2006 Th' Dudes embarked on a tour of New Zealand as part of Radio Hauraki's 40th anniversary celebrations. The original tour was 11 dates, but quickly expanded to 17 shows due to demand. Due to a dispute with the holders of the band's master tapes, Stebbing Studios Ltd (see below), the band was unable to release any product to support the tour. Instead, they compiled a six-track CD of demo and alternate versions of their biggest hits, culled from the band's own collections. This CD was available only at shows on the tour and was called Pubs, Parks, Theatres, Clubs, Church Halls, Gardens, Lounges & Band Rotundas
Pubs, Parks, Theatres, Clubs, Church Halls, Gardens, Lounges & Band Rotundas
"Pubs, Parks, Theatres, Clubs, Church Halls, Gardens, Lounges & Band Rotundas" is a 2006 album by New Zealand band Th'Dudes. This five-track CD features alternative versions of the band's most popular songs, and was put together at the time of their 2006 reunion tour when Stebbing Studios showed no...
.
In late 2007 Th' Dudes embarked on the "Summer of Love" tour of popular NZ holiday destinations: Mangawhai
Mangawhai
Mangawhai is a locality in Northland, New Zealand around the Mangawhai Harbour. The township of Mangawhai is at the south west extent of the harbour, and the township of Mangawhai Heads is 5 km north east...
(28 December 2007); Mount Maunganui
Mount Maunganui
Mount Maunganui is a town in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, located on a peninsula to the north of Tauranga. It was independent from Tauranga until the completion of the Tauranga Harbour Bridge in 1988....
(29 December 2007); Coroglen
Coroglen
Coroglen is a locality in the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. It lies on State Highway 25, 18 kilometres south of Whitianga and 26 kilometres north west of Tairua.-History:The town was founded as "Gumtown" in the late 19th century with a kauri sawmill...
(30 December 2007); Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach is a coastal town at the western end of the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's North Island. It lies 10 kilometres to the east of the town of Waihi, at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula. Waihi Beach has 10 kilometres of white sand linking it to the small settlement of Bowentown...
(New Year's Eve, 31 December 2007); Lake Hawea
Lake Hawea
Lake Hawea is located in the Otago Region of New Zealand, at an altitude of 348 metres. It covers an area of some 141 km² and is, at its deepest, 392 metres deep...
(2 January 2008), Riwaka
Riwaka
Riwaka is a small town in the north of New Zealand's South Island. It lies beside Tasman Bay, five kilometres north of Motueka, and close to the mouth of the Riwaka River....
(4 January 2008); and New Plymouth
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after Plymouth, Devon, England, from where the first English settlers migrated....
(5 January 2008). Chances of the band doing more any shows are said to be "very slim".
Over the years Th' Dudes were not paid royalties for sales of their music due to their songs being recorded in downtime at Stebbing Studios, Auckland: studio owner Eldred Stebbing claimed production costs had not been met. In 2008 the band sued Stebbing for non-payment of royalties. The dispute was resolved to both parties' mutual satisfaction in November 2008.
Ian Morris died suddenly in Napier on the 7 October 2010. Prior to his death Morris produced records and wrote advertising music. Morris is survived by his twin daughters Julia & Maude.
Awards
- National Music Awards 1979 - 'Top Group'
- National Music Awards 1979 - 'Single Of The Year' for "Be Mine Tonight"
- Winners, 1976 Battle of the Bands (Auckland)
Discography
Albums:| Date of Release | Title | Label | Charted | Certification | Catalog Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albums | ||||||
| June 1979 | Right First Time | Key | - | - | ||
| July 1980 | Where Are The Boys? | Key | - | - | ||
| 1982 | So You Wanna Be A Rock'n'Roll Star | Key | - | - | ||
| August 2001 | Where Are the Girls?: Th' Definitive Collection Where Are The Girls?: Th' Definitive Collection "Where Are The Girls?: Th' Definitive Collection" is a 2001 greatest hits album by New Zealand band Th'Dudes. Compiled by the band themselves and co-ordinated by Simon Grigg, this album is now unavailable as the result of an ongoing legal dispute between the band and Stebbings Studios.-Track... |
Festival Mushroom Records | - | - | DUDES2001 | |
| 2006 | Pubs, Parks, Theatres, Clubs, Church Halls, Gardens, Lounges & Band Rotundas Pubs, Parks, Theatres, Clubs, Church Halls, Gardens, Lounges & Band Rotundas "Pubs, Parks, Theatres, Clubs, Church Halls, Gardens, Lounges & Band Rotundas" is a 2006 album by New Zealand band Th'Dudes. This five-track CD features alternative versions of the band's most popular songs, and was put together at the time of their 2006 reunion tour when Stebbing Studios showed no... |
- | - | |||
Featured appearances
Th' Dudes' songs have appeared on many compilations in New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The following is a partial list of these albums:
- (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! (EMIEMIThe EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
) - "Bliss". - (2001) - 100% Kiwi Rock (Warner) - "Bliss".
- (2001) - Heart Attack (Kath Corporation) - "Walking In Light".
- (2002) - Nature's BestNature's BestNature's Best is a two-disc compilation album of thirty New Zealand popular music songs, selected by a panel as the top thirty New Zealand songs of all time.-Selection:...
(Sony) - "Be Mine Tonight". - (2002) - Nature's Best 2Nature's Best 2Nature's Best 2 is a two-disc compilation album of 35 New Zealand popular music songs, numbers 31-65 on the APRA 75th Anniversary Top 100 New Zealand Songs of All Time...
(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 RecordsPropeller RecordsPropeller Records was an independent record label formed in Auckland, New Zealand, by Simon Grigg in 1980.-1980-81:In the years prior to 1980 the New Zealand contemporary recording industry was largely moribund. The major record labels were either not recording or were confining themselves largely...
) - "Right First Time".
Singles
| Year | Single | Catalogue# | Charted | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | "Be Mine Tonight" / "That Look In Your Eyes" | - | ||
| 1979 | "Right First Time" / "Tonight Again" | Festival K97 | - | |
| 1979 | "Walking In Light" / "Bad Boy Billy" | Festival K100 | - | |
| 1979 | "Stop Crying" / "On Sunday" | - | ||
| 1980 | "Bliss" / "On The Rox" | - | ||