User:Kazast3a/sandbox/The Moffs (band)

The Moffs (band)
The Moffs were a psychedelic rock band that formed in Sydney in 1984. They are perhaps best known for their 1985 song ‘Another Day In The Sun', that attracted local and international underground attention. [https://tonedeaf.com.au/the-moffs-announce-tour/ They incorporated many styles during their five year career: psychedelic rock, progressive rock, blues rock, early post rock, atmospheric rock, 1960s and 1980s pop, free-improvisation, impressionistic-poetic lyrics, Greek folk music styles, experimental composition and repetitive minimalist structures. The band's name was invented by mis-spelling the word 'moths’.

The Early years 1980-1983

The band was formed by high school friends Tom Kazas and David Byrnes, who lived in the beachside suburb of Maroubra, Sydney, Australia. Absorbing early influence from Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, the pair soon enough embraced the punk-new wave zeitgeist of the late 1970s and early 1980s, with bands like The Jam and The Cure. In 1980, Tom had formed a high school band called Antiscan, that played covers from these bands and some of his early original songs. During 1982-3, Tom and David were part of the 1960s inspired Mod scene of the inner-city of Sydney, that embraced the sound of the 1960s British Blues Invasion with bands like the Yardbirds. However, the pair also took to Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, and early Pink Floyd.

It was in the Mod scene that Tom and David met harmonica-playing Nick Potts, whose large record collection included rare 1960s psychedelic music, that became progressively more influential in shaping the future sound of the band. Together with Nick, drummer Andrew Watson played the formative gig in 1984 at The Freakout in the share-house in Darlinghurst Sydney, where future Moffs art director Ben Evison (Benevision) lived. This psychedelic-happening-houseparty gig was where the band met Alan Hislop, of the garage-psyche band The Suicidal Flowers, who was soon invited to join the band.

Formation and Success 1984-1986

Former road manager of The Scientists, Greg 'Quick' Smyrell saw the band at a 1984 gig and took on the role of manager. Quick brought in The Scientist's record producer Chris Logan, to oversee the bands' first recording that became their 'demo tape'. This tape was successful in not only securing more inner-city gigs for the band, but became sought after by the now increasing audience. In late 1984, Quick handed the demo tape to John Needham of Citadel Records (2?) (Died Pretty, Lime Spiders, Screaming Tribesmen, The Stems), who signed the band to the label.

‘Another Day in the Sun', with its flip side ‘Clarodomineaux’, was recorded in February 1985 at Paradise Studios Sydney and released in April. The single became a major independent success (3?). It reached no.1 on the Australian Independent Charts and stayed in the top 20 for over four months.(4?) Australian music magazine RAM at the time wrote, "The Moffs have strung together every solemn rock'n'roll cliché and somehow succeeded in creating the most perfect yearning melancholy spine tingler since White Rabbit." (5) The song was also embraced by the underground music scenes in the UK and Europe, with influential UK fanzine Bucketful of Brains calling it 'single of the year: "this is the best of the flawless series of Citadel singles, and believe me, the competition is fierce. (6?)” The band began what was to become their consitent touring of Sydney and Melbourne where audiences continued to grow, and where the vibrant community radio scene of Melbourne embraced and supported the band.

Having moved away from the early bluesy sound, the band started to experiment with longer developmental forms and dynamics. The live shows took on a reputation for intensity and atmosphere. Due to emerging stylistic differences, Nick departed the band. He was replaced on organ by Mick Duncan, who was the guitarist for local band No Mans Land. A highlight for the band at the end of 1985 was playing the support spot for John Cale (Velvet Underground) in Sydney and Brisbane. In December 1985 the band entered the studio again with producer Chris Logan to record the Mini-Album. This album had some of the band's best known songs of Tom's, but also a lengthy improvisation taking on a more progressive feel, with King Crimson becoming a big influence, that inspired Tom to buy one of the few Mellotrons that existed in Australia. The Mini Album reached no. 1 on the independent charts (7?), despite the mixed reviews. By the end of 1985 both Alan Hislop and Mick Duncan had left the band.

The Moffs received a new impetus when Smiley's younger brother, Andrew Byrnes, who had quickly become quite accomplished on the drums, joined the band in 1986. A new dynamism in the rhythm section with the two brothers was to become a feature of all future live performances. Organist Damon Giles, from Sydney’s RnB band Stupidity, completed the quartet who recorded the next single ‘Flower/By The Breeze’. (8) This single also reached no.1 on the independent charts. The band continued to gig in Sydney and Melbourne, while also touring Adelaide, Brisbane and some regional New South Wales venues. In mid 1986, Damon left the band and was replaced by Brandon Saul, who would later become the promoter the Falls Music Festival. Brandon departed at the end of 1986 and the band was close to calling it a day.

Final Phase 1987-1989

A critical boost was received when Scott Barnes joined the band in early 1987. The new foursome unified around this new energy and recorded ‘The Traveller/Quakers Drum’ (9), with a new producer and revitalised outlook. The single reached no.1 on the Australian Independent Charts. The band continued to play in Sydney and Melbourne, and in December performed what was to become a legendary gig of dynamics and atmospherics, in the main hall of the castle at Montsalvat, Melbourne. (10)

Upon securing a budget from Citadel Records to record their official full length debut album, the band enlisted producer Tony Espie at Studios 301. Released in June 1988, ‘Labyrinth’ was emblematic of the Moffs sound that incorporated episodic songs and arrangements, dynamic rock performances and minimalist repetitive motifs. Many praised the album: "Along with The Church and Not Drowning Waving, the Moffs have proved with Labyrinth to be the most sophisticated atmosphere conjurors in the country. And if this isn't enough recommendation, all four players are so proficient that live their complex arrangements and full scope of dynamics fuse with liberal sprinklings of improvisation to create what can only be described as magic." RAM(11?). Yet others were highly critical: "A poor debut album from a band who have wallowed in the mediocrity of the live scene for several years and have, if anything, only become more and more submerged in their own effluent. Mr. Needham should find a less offensive way to dispose of his money. (Newswit)” (12) The album reached no.3 in the Australian independent charts. Normal Records in Germany gave the album a European release and international attention on the band was again high. (13) However, in spite of the renewed attention and success, a lack of lack of funds and management meant the Moffs were unable to travel to Europe and the UK to promote themselves.

The band continued to headline shows in 1989, while also supporting leading Australian bands, The Triffids, Died Pretty, ??? But the strains of being a staunchly independent band, temperamentally and stylistically non-mainstream, again began to take their toll on the group. Tom had released a solo album of ambient music the year befire, and further aesthetic and personal differences were atomising the band. The Moffs performed two final shows, one at the Paddington RSL in Sydney and a sellout at the Old Greek Theatre in Melbourne, to very appreciative audiences(14). By the end of 1989 the band had ceased.

Reformations and Beyond

The compilation album ‘Psychadelicatessen’ was released in 1994 and the band reformed for shows in Sydney and Melbourne. In 2004, ‘Another Day in the Sun’ was included in Volume 1 of ‘Tales of the Australian Underground, Singles 1976-1989’, a compilation by Tim Pittman of record label Feel Presents (15). This album included the cream of the internationally regarded independent Australian rock music scene. In 2008 Tim produced and released the comprehensive double CD, ‘the Moffs the Collection', that contained all the recorded material of the Moffs, and a multi-page booklet with a detailed history of the band and rare photos. ‘Another Day In The Sun’ was included in the 2010 Australian TV seried, ‘Spirited’ (16) To support this release, the last line-up of the Moffs reunited again and performed shows in Sydney and Melbourne. In 2011, Tom reunited the original line-up that performed music of the early years to receptive audiences in Sydney and Melbourne. In 2015 Jagwar Ma released a dub inspired cover of ‘Another Day in the Sun’. (17) In 2016, the Moffs were mentioned in the book ‘Australian Rock and Pop music 1960-85' by David Nicholls. (18) In 2018, Tom produced the compilation album ‘The Young Person's Guide' to bring the band's music to the online digital platforms for posterity.

Members

 * Tom Kazas - guitars, lead vocals, mellotron, piano, extras (1984-1989)
 * David Byrnes - bass guitar, backing vocals, extras (1984-1989)
 * Nick Potts - organ, harmonica (1984-1985)
 * Alan Hislop - drums (1984-1986)
 * Mick Duncan - organ, piano (1986)
 * Andrew Byrnes drums, percussion (1986-1989)
 * Damon Giles - organ (1986)
 * Brandon Saul - organ (1986)
 * Scott Barnes - keyboards, piano (1987-1989)

Discography

The Demo - cassette (1984) Another Day In The Sun b/w Clarodomineaux - 7" vinyl (1985)  The Moffs - self titled mini album - 12" vinyl (1985) Flowers b/w By The Breeze - 7" vinyl (1986)  Traveller b/w Quakers Drum - 7" vinyl (1987)  Labyrinth album - 12" vinyl and CD (1989)   Compilations  Entomology - album 12" vinyl (1987)  Psychadelicatessen - album CD (1994)  the Moffs the Collection - double CD and booklet (2008  A Young Person's Guide - bandcamp (2018)  Recorded Covers:  Tomorrow Never Knows - The Beatles - on the Demo Cassette (1984)  Eight Miles High – The Byrds tribute album: Time In Between, Imaginary Records (1989) What Do You Do - The Bonzo Dog Do Da Band – recorded for imaginary Records 1987 (never released)   Notable Gigs  Sydney  The Freak Out 1985  Players Paddington Strawberry Hills Hotel  Trade Union Club  Harold Park Hotel Glebe  The Channon Hall   Melbourne  The Prince of Wales  The Tote  The Punters Club  Montsalvat The Old Greek Theatre

Links: The Moffs on Bandcamp