CLOCKWORK ORINGE

 

Clockwork Oringe was one of the finest bands to come out of the Apple Isle. Formed in Hobart in 1968 the initial lineup was Chris Norris from Devonport on guitar (ex-Once Loved), bassist Paul Studdert who hailed from Burnie (ex-The Cavemen), locals Carey Wilkins on drums and Paul Warren on vocals. The band played covers of Jimi Hendrix, Cream, John Mayall, Small Faces, Led Zeppelin and rearranged Beatles tracks. The band was extremely popular at all the local disco dances. With the help of their manager Greg Lode, Carey Wilkins acquired a double kick drum for extra dynamics. This would have to be one of the first set ups in Australia for the period. I don't recall any other band having two bass drums at this time. If there was, please advise.

The band entered the Tasmania heat of the 1968 Hoadleys Battle Of The Sounds. Although they didn't win a lot of punters stood up and took notice that this new band in town was the real deal. Subsequently the band came in first place the following year. They went on to represent their state at the national final at Festival Hall in Melbourne but couldn't beat the likes of Doug Parkinson in Focus. The band signed with local label Van Diemen and released their first single ''Rock Me'' a cover of the Steppenwolf track and Spooky Tooth's ''That Was Only Yesterday'' in 1970. The B side managed to get to #24 on the local charts. Their second single was interesting with the B side ''Piece Of Me'' being written by Jim Keays and Doug Ford from The Masters Apprentices. One more single followed.

There were a few lineup changes over the course of the band's life. Paul Warren was replaced by Gary Rizzolo on vocals in 1969 and guitarist David Tumney joined the band along with some others. I'm not sure when they disbanded but it must have been around 1972 as Wilkins and Tumney ended up in Bronco. Gary Rizzolo went on to become a well-respected luthier based in Melbourne. Dallas McDermott joined Glenrowan a short-lived band formed in the mid 70s out of Melbourne who recorded a single on the Wizard label in 1974. Clockwork Oringe got back together at a 40th anniversary reunion show. The tracks ''Baby It's Not The Same'' and ''Viva Bobby Jo'' were added to the 1999 compilation album 'Dancin' With The Devil - Tasmanian Groups 1999' issued by Spectangle Productions. Chris Norris died in 2023.

Members

Gary Rizzolo (vocals), Chris Norris (guitar), Paul Stutterd (bass), Carey Wilkins (drums), Paul Warren (vocals), David Tumney (vocals, guitar), Dallas McDermott (guitar), Roy ''Paddy'' Gearman (bass),

SINGLES
''Rock Me / That Was Only Yesterday'' 1970 Van Diemen 
''Viva Bobbie Joe! / Piece Of Me'' 1971 Van Diemen 
''Baby It's Not The Same / A Taste Of Honey'' 1971 Van Diemen