It was while playing in Sydney that they were noticed by Zodiac (NZ record label) owner, Eldred Stebbing, who brought them to New Zealand in 1964, with a promise of guaranteed work and unlimited studio time. They started playing at the Shiralee and also appeared on the TV show Let's Go. They looked to be set to take the nation by storm but fell out with TV producers and were subsequently banned from the airwaves. They started looking scruffier and seemed more comfortable with this image.
Their initial single, "Last Night", did poorly; while its follow-up, a cover version of Them's "Gloria", broke into the national singles chart. Richie Unterberger of AllMusic described the band as "one of the only New Zealand groups competently playing tough, British Invasion/R&B-styled rock & roll." Early in 1966 Bacon was replaced by English-born vocalist, Shane Hale (AKA Trevor Hales). They issued a five-track extended play, 'A Midnight Rave with the Pleazers', in March with the line-up of Gilmore, Hale, London, Newing, Peel and Robertson. One of its tracks, "Bald Headed Woman", was included on a various artists' compilation CD, 'Pebbles, Volume 12: The World' (October 1999).
The Pleazers released their debut studio album, 'Definitely Pleazers', in 1966 on the Zodiac label, which was produced by John Hawkins. The Pleazers went back to Australia in June 1966 with Gus Fenwick (ex-Layabouts) replacing Peel on bass guitar. but returned in March 1967. Peter Newing decided to remain in Australia and would join Running Jumping Standing Still. The band was now on its last legs and would split up 6 months later. The Pleazers were one of the premier groups on the New Zealand scene, but their behaviour was far from acceptable in a staid New Zealand society.
Their initial single, "Last Night", did poorly; while its follow-up, a cover version of Them's "Gloria", broke into the national singles chart. Richie Unterberger of AllMusic described the band as "one of the only New Zealand groups competently playing tough, British Invasion/R&B-styled rock & roll." Early in 1966 Bacon was replaced by English-born vocalist, Shane Hale (AKA Trevor Hales). They issued a five-track extended play, 'A Midnight Rave with the Pleazers', in March with the line-up of Gilmore, Hale, London, Newing, Peel and Robertson. One of its tracks, "Bald Headed Woman", was included on a various artists' compilation CD, 'Pebbles, Volume 12: The World' (October 1999).
The Pleazers released their debut studio album, 'Definitely Pleazers', in 1966 on the Zodiac label, which was produced by John Hawkins. The Pleazers went back to Australia in June 1966 with Gus Fenwick (ex-Layabouts) replacing Peel on bass guitar. but returned in March 1967. Peter Newing decided to remain in Australia and would join Running Jumping Standing Still. The band was now on its last legs and would split up 6 months later. The Pleazers were one of the premier groups on the New Zealand scene, but their behaviour was far from acceptable in a staid New Zealand society.
Raven Records issued a compilation album, 'A Midnight Rave with the Pleazers', in 1987. Unterberger rated it as three out of five stars and opined that the compilation was "focusing mostly on their original material. Competent British Invasion-style rock, usually in a Stonesy style, though sometimes in a poppier vein."
The Pleazers have reformed four times since breaking up: at The Galaxie Reunion in 1992 with The La De Da’s, Underdogs and The Action; at the book launch for Roger Watkins' book Hostage to the Beat in 1995, where they played so ferociously that some of their instruments had to be unplugged from the sound desk; then at the 1960s star-filled Wild Things 07 concert in Auckland in 2007; and finally as support act for The Pretty Things at their Auckland show in December 2012. Jimmy Cerezo died in 2019. Ronnie Peel died in 2020.
Members
Shane Hale (vocals), Jimmy Cerezo (guitar), Peter Newing (guitar), Vince Lipton (bass), Dennis Gilmore (drums), Billy London (vocals), Bob Cooper (vocals), Bruce Robinson (guitar), Ronnie Peel (bass) Gus Fenwick (bass)
''Gloria / That Lonely Feeling'' 1965 Zodiac
''Like Columbus Did / Sometimes'' 1965 Zodiac
''Is It Over Baby? / Hurtin' All Over'' 1966 Zodiac
''Guilty / Can't Pretend'' 1966 Zodiac
The Pleazers have reformed four times since breaking up: at The Galaxie Reunion in 1992 with The La De Da’s, Underdogs and The Action; at the book launch for Roger Watkins' book Hostage to the Beat in 1995, where they played so ferociously that some of their instruments had to be unplugged from the sound desk; then at the 1960s star-filled Wild Things 07 concert in Auckland in 2007; and finally as support act for The Pretty Things at their Auckland show in December 2012. Jimmy Cerezo died in 2019. Ronnie Peel died in 2020.
Members
Shane Hale (vocals), Jimmy Cerezo (guitar), Peter Newing (guitar), Vince Lipton (bass), Dennis Gilmore (drums), Billy London (vocals), Bob Cooper (vocals), Bruce Robinson (guitar), Ronnie Peel (bass) Gus Fenwick (bass)
SINGLES
''Last Night / Poor Girl'' 1965 Zodiac''Gloria / That Lonely Feeling'' 1965 Zodiac
''Like Columbus Did / Sometimes'' 1965 Zodiac
''Is It Over Baby? / Hurtin' All Over'' 1966 Zodiac
''Guilty / Can't Pretend'' 1966 Zodiac
ALBUMS
'Definitely Pleazers' 1966 ZodiacReferences
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pleazers
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