CHEEK / PUNKZ

Although based on a seemingly foolproof formula, it was probably the ultra-commercial pop image that contributed to Cheek’s eventual demise. The mainstays of Cheek (Lee Emmett, Felix Maslin and Bud Mangion) first joined forces in 1974 as Jasper. Emmett, Maslin and Mangion then formed Punkz with the addition of Robin Jackson (who had been the original lead vocalist with Hush and had played in a schoolboy band in the UK with Peter Frampton) and Randy Hall (who was quickly replaced by Ray Goodwin from the John Paul Young All Stars).

The band came to the attention of Ol’ 55 manager and pop guru Glenn A Baker, who helped shape the bands 1960’s pop image. Mushroom Records issued the singles ''Anyway You Want It / I Can't Control Myself'' (December 1976) and ''Take Me For What I’m Worth / Good Times'' (June 1977), neither of which were particularly successful despite the fact that they were near note-perfect cover versions of the 60’s originals. Being named after the "Nuggets" US 60's punk movement, instead they found themselves being compared to the punk bands in the UK with whom they had nothing in common. The disconnect between the band's name and their image effectively doomed their records to the deletion racks. Goodwin left soon after and the band responded by changing its name to Cheek to avoid any punk rock connotations.

A cover of the Mighty Avengers’ ''So Much In Love'' written by Mick Jagger, backed with The Easybeats‘ ''Do You Have A Soul?'', was Cheek’s debut single for Mushroom in January 1978. The single charted inside the top 40. The band then began recording an album, with the addition of Troy Richards on keyboards and guitar. The album never eventuated, and the final single, ''Leave My Heart Alone / Still In Love'', was unsuccessful and the band broke up in August 1978. The four singles later appeared as an EP titled 'Powerpop Purveyors' on Greg Shaw’s Bomp! label in the US. Felix Maslin died as a result of an asthma attack in 1988. Ray Goodwin died in 2022.

Members

Lee Emmett (vocals), Bud Mangion (drums), Felix Maslin (bass), Robin Jackson (guitar), Randy Hall (guitar), Ray Goodwin (guitar), Troy Jackson (keyboards)

SINGLES (as Punkz) 
''Anyway You Want It / I Can't Control Myself''' 1976  Mushroom 
''Take Me For What I'm Worth / Good Times'' 1977 Mushroom 

SINGLES (as Cheek) 

''So Much In Love (#31) / Do You Have A Soul?'' 1978 Mushroom 
''Leave My Heart Alone / Still In Love'' 1978 Mushroom

References

http://nostalgiacentral.com/music/artists-a-to-k/artists-c/cheekpunkz/

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/