In November 1970, future member of the Angels, John Brewster on guitar, banjo, harp, backing vocals and washboard, and his brother Rick on violin, washboard, jug, backing vocals and percussion formed the Moonshine Jug and String Band, an acoustic ensemble, in Adelaide. Fellow members were Craig Holden on guitar, Bob Petchell on banjo and harp, and Pete Thorpe on tea chest bass, bass guitar, wash tub and backing vocals. In 1971 they were joined by Belfast-born immigrant, Bernard "Doc" Neeson, on guitar and lead vocals (ex-the Innocents), an arts student and former army sergeant, who already performed locally as Doc Talbot. The folk band gigged at local university campuses and cafes. Holden left in 1972.
In 1973, Spencer Tregloan joined the band on banjo, kazoo, jug, tuba and backing vocals. They released their debut four-track extended play, 'Keep You on the Move', which made the top five in Adelaide. It contained a cover version of Canned Heat's "On the Road Again" and three original tracks: one written by John, one by John and Rick, and one by Neeson. It was followed in 1974 by a single, "That's All Right with Me / She Belongs To Me". Both releases were on the Sphere Organisation label owned by John Woodruff, who later became the Angels' talent manager for two decades.
In 1973, Spencer Tregloan joined the band on banjo, kazoo, jug, tuba and backing vocals. They released their debut four-track extended play, 'Keep You on the Move', which made the top five in Adelaide. It contained a cover version of Canned Heat's "On the Road Again" and three original tracks: one written by John, one by John and Rick, and one by Neeson. It was followed in 1974 by a single, "That's All Right with Me / She Belongs To Me". Both releases were on the Sphere Organisation label owned by John Woodruff, who later became the Angels' talent manager for two decades.
In mid-1974, Moonshine Jug and String Band changed their name to the Keystone Angels and then The Angels and the rest is history. In 1992 there was a one-time set of reunion shows featuring the original line up of Moonshine Jug and String Band. They hadn’t played together for 20 years but as they toured around various capital cities it was like they’d never stopped. This wasn’t just one reunion show! There were TV appearances, a bunch of live gigs and they even busked out in Rundle Mall in Adelaide – right back in the city where it all began. Things went so well there was a visit to Alberts Studios where the original members from the 1970’s recorded the album, 'Rent Party', as they sat together in a circle and played the tracks live. In 2008 the band released another album 'No Place Like Home'.
Members
Doc Neeson (guitar, vocals), John Brewster (guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, vocals), Brenton [Spencer] Tregloan (kazoo, jug, tuba, bass, banjo, vocals), Pete Thorpe (washtub bass, vocals, whistle), Rick Brewster (washboard, jug, mandolin, vocals), Craig Holden (guitar), Bob Petchell (banjo), Pete Vaughn (bass), Pete Vaught (vocals), Pete William (kazoo),
EPs
'Keep You On The Move' (#100) 1973 Sphere
Doc Neeson (guitar, vocals), John Brewster (guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, vocals), Brenton [Spencer] Tregloan (kazoo, jug, tuba, bass, banjo, vocals), Pete Thorpe (washtub bass, vocals, whistle), Rick Brewster (washboard, jug, mandolin, vocals), Craig Holden (guitar), Bob Petchell (banjo), Pete Vaughn (bass), Pete Vaught (vocals), Pete William (kazoo),
Paul Burton (bass)
SINGLES
''That's All Right With Me / She Belongs To Me'' 1974 Sphere
'Keep You On The Move' (#100) 1973 Sphere
'Rent Party' 1993 Mushroom
'No Place Like Home' 2008
References
http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/
RIP Doc Neeson
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