Occasionally, a sound engineer at one of The Bandits gigs may decide to record the nights performance. This is a simple recording made straight out of the sound mixer desk with no enhancements or refinments.

Here is a medley of these recordings made with a few photos of the artists who originally performed the songs as well as some photos of The Bandits.

Enjoy!

starsearch

In 1991 The Bandits thought it would be fun to go on Starsearch and perform one of their favourite songs. If you listen closely you'll hear that Don (lead singer) came in one bar too late. When Mike Hammond announced 'The Bandits' the crowd screamed and Don didn't hear the intro, but like true pro's they skipped one harmony then jumped to the next and made it to the end.

It was a requirement that the music be pre-record at Les Gok Studios (where the band met Richard Lush) but sing live at the TV studio in front of the audience. Great fun and much to their surprise they won!

Check out the mullet!!

'Please Please Me'

'Please Please Me' was the band's choice of song this time around.

It was the song the band always started with at gigs. The Drummer (Noel Taylor) decided to bring his little 20'' drum kit and pop on a wig for a stir.

Vox amps were supplied by Neil Smith (Smithy), the bass player. Paul's playing a 3/4 Ricky which belonged to Don and the other guitarist (Bill Hogan) is playing a 335 copy by Suzuki, which also belonged to Don but now belongs to Paul, and Don is playing an Ovation which belonged to Paul... got all of that???

Whose Mum

Not sure whose Mum was ringing in all the votes but The Bandits won again!

'Just One Look', a great song by The Hollies. Paul ran out and hired some pirate shirts so the band looked the part.

Look out for Noel dropping one of his drumsticks during the song. It was ok cause the band pre-recorded the music at least. Noel is thinking 'maybe they'll stop recording and we can do another take'... but they don't. Turns out Noel was pro enough to just carry on and they kept this take.

Unfortunately someone's mum forgot to ring and The Bandits came to the end of their Starsearch fame. Or so they thought!

Back Again!

What started out as a bit of fun turned out to be bigger than expected. Yes, somehow The Bandits made it into the semi finals!

So back to the studio but this time they stepped up the act with a slightly shorter than original version of 'Friday On My Mind'. With Don looking so much like a young Stevie Wright how could they not?

This was going to be in B&W but unfortunately because of the colour schemes at the studio it proved to be too much trouble so the studio decided to leave it in colour and put the band members on individual props with some 60's style camera work.

The band didn't win this time but did get to do four television appearances, meet a heap of great people and have fun along the way.

Classic Clips

Gary Dixon on guitar (right of stage) in Ted Mulry Gang 1978.

Follow the links and check out more TMG clips.

From The 80's

Warwick Fraser (drums) in Screaming Tribesmen 1987.

Another Classic Clip

Warwick Fraser (drums) in 'Blackfeather' 1976.

Check out his brother Stu on guitar.