LEATHER SANDWICH

 

The frustrating thing about Leather Sandwich is that, unlike many Melbourne groups of the era, almost no contemporary press coverage, photographs, recordings, or biographical information seem to have survived publicly. There is next to nothing known about this band out of Melbourne who formed in around 1967/68. The only band members I am familiar with is vocalist Roy Chandler who later turned up in a band called The Manx and Ron Cameron who played drums with the Laurie Allen Review. 

Leather Sandwich released one single on the Philips label in 1968. The A side ''Kilroy Was Here'' written by Roy Wood was a nice cover of The Move single. However the B-side is the pick of the two. Self penned by Roy Chandler and organist Rob Parker "Quite Unexpectedly" is a particularly fine example of Australian psychedelia, and many collectors regard it as one of the better obscure Australian psych singles of 1968. That reputation is probably why the record remains sought after despite the group's near-total obscurity. It later turned up on the compilation album '60s Psychedelic, Folk, Woodstock & Sunset Trip' released in 2012. The band gigged regularly around Melbourne and they appeared twice on the TV music program Uptight. It is unknown when they disbanded.

Members

Roy Chandler (vocals), Mike Demkin (guitar), Rob Parker (keyboards), Neil Leone (bass), Ron Cameron (drums)

SINGLES
''Kilroy Was Here / Quite Unexpectedly'' 1968 Philips