THE BIRDS

The story goes, two British musicians, guitarist Terry Clarke and bassist Brian Curtis, emigrated down under in 1969 laying claim to being members of (Ronnie Wood's) Birds. Settling in Perth and forming the band with local drummer John Goldsmith (ex-House Of Lords), they had no link or connection with the UK band of the same name other than the selection of ''No Good Without You'', a cover of the U.K. Birds release, as the 'B' side to their first release on the Clarion label. The 'A' side was a cover of Honeybus' UK hit ''I Can't Let Maggie Go''. 

It seems the band tried to capitalise on the existence of their UK counterparts and a publicity handout even stated that Terry Clarke and Brian Curtis had played all over England and appeared on TV as the UK Birds. Their second release was a cover of ''I See The Rain'', a Marmalade single backed by ''Rene'', which had been recorded by The Small Faces. Neither of these efforts was very distinguished. Their third release was another UK Birds song ''(Say Those) Magic Words''. 

It did transpire that Terry Clarke and Brian Curtis were both from Britain and played together in a band called Clockwork Orange which morphed into Doves. Clarke was also in The Herd, being replaced by a certain Peter Frampton, but Clarke did not play on the band's Parlophone releases. Some of their songs found their way on to compilation albums - ''Magic Words'' on 'Diggin' Up Downunder' (1999), ''No Good Without You'' on 'Devils Children' (2000) and ''Dust In My Pants'' on 'Ugly Things Vol 2' (1983). The Ascension label released all their singles on the album - 'The Birds Clarion Singles Collection' in 2000. The Birds supported Elton John in Perth on his 1971 tour.

Members

Terry Clarke (guitar/vocals), Brian Curtis (bass/vocals), John Goldsmith (drums)

SINGLES

''I Can't Let Maggie Go / No Good Without You'' 1969 Clarion
''I See The Rain / Rene'' 1970 Clarion
''Magic Words / Dust In My Pants'' 1970 Clarion