Indelible Murtceps
Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:Infobox musical artist
The Indelible Murtceps were an Australian progressive rock and dance-pop band, which formed, as a side project of Spectrum, in October 1971. Sometimes referred to as the shortened name, Murtceps, they were "a stripped-back version... [that] could play anywhere and often." They worked the more lucrative dance and pub rock circuit. Whereas Spectrum performed in a full concert setting, commonly at larger venues, like the T.F. Much Ballroom, and at rock festivals.
The Indelible Murtceps' debut single, "Esmeralda", was issued in 1972, which peaked in the Go-Set National Top 40. It appeared ahead of their studio album, Warts Up Your Nose(1973), in the following year, which made the top 20. Sometimes both groups shared a stage; both disbanded after a joint final gig at the Dallas Brooks Hall on 15 April 1973. The performance was included on a shared live double album, Terminal Buzz (1973), which appeared in December that year.
History
The Indelible Murtceps were formed in Melbourne in October 1971 by Mike Rudd as a side project for his main group, Spectrum, using the same roster for both bands.<ref name="McFarlane"/> The line-up was Mike Rudd on lead guitar, lead vocals and harmonica, Lee Neale on keyboards, Bill Putt on bass guitar and Ray Arnott on drums.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> With the advent of pub rock Spectrum's lengthy and complex material was precluding bookings on the lucrative local dance and pub circuit.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> Spectrum were performing in a full concert setting, using a large PA system and light show, sometimes augmented by a dance, performance troupe, The Tribe. They commonly appeared at larger venues, like the T.F. Much Ballroom, and at rock festivals.
Rudd created a performance set of simpler, dance-pop tunes, with a reduced stage set-up, for use by Indelible Murtceps, allowing Spectrum to continue its progressive course while supplementing members' incomes with the more frequent Murtceps gigs.<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> The name 'murtceps' is 'spectrum' written backwards. According to music journalist, Ed Nimmervoll, the Murtceps were "a stripped-back version... [that] could play anywhere and often."<ref name="Nimmervoll"/> Susan Moore of The Australian Women's Weekly recalled that Spectrum's "music was often regarded as 'progressive' and more for listening purposes, which didn't please dance audiences too much. So the band developed an alter ego which they called the Indelible Murtceps, who turned up when a dance band was required."<ref name="Moore"/>
In January 1972 they appeared at the inaugural Sunbury Pop Festival, with Spectrum providing a separate set.<ref name="McFarlane"/> Three live tracks by the Indelible Murtceps, "We are Indelible", "Be My Honey" and "But that's Alright", were issued on a various artists live album of the concert, Sunbury.<ref name="McFarlane"/> They were one of three bands featured on a short film, Australian Colour Diary, No.43: 3 Directions in Australian (1972), directed by Peter Weir, which provided "a sample of three trends in recent Australian pop music".<ref name="Three Directions"/>
During 1972 Murtceps recorded their debut album, Warts Up Your Nose, at Armstrong's Studios with Howard Gable as producer; it was released on 20 January 1973.<ref name="Kimball"/> Most tracks have satirical, scatological and sexual themes.<ref name="Kimball"/> According to Duncan Kimball of Milesago website the centrepiece is Rudd's epic 13-minute ode to marijuana, "Some Good Advice".<ref name="Kimball"/> The album was packaged in a brown cardboard cover, intended to evoke the "plain brown wrapper" traditionally associated with pornographic publications.<ref name="Kimball"/> By May 1972 they had released their debut single, "Esmeralda", which (like the song "Rene" by The Small Faces) was a light hearted ode to a prostitute.<ref name="Cashmere"/> The single version was different from the album version.<ref name="Kimball"/> It peaked at No. 36 on the Go-Set National Top 40.<ref name="GoSet 3Jun72"/>
In September 1972 keyboardist Lee Neale had a nervous breakdown and left, he was replaced by John Mills on keyboards.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Kimball"/> Neale left the music industry.<ref name="Kimball"/> The Indelible Murtceps released a second single, "Indelible Shuffle", from the album in June.<ref name="McFarlane"/> Ahead of the single, in March 1973, drummer Ray Arnott announced he was leaving both groups and Rudd decided they would play their final gig at the Dallas Brooks Hall on 15 April 1973.<ref name="McFarlane"/><ref name="Nimmervoll"/> The performance appeared on the double live album, Terminal Buzz (December 1973), which was credited to both Indelible Murtceps and Spectrum.<ref name="McFarlane"/> Rudd, Mills and Putt co-founded a new group, Ariel; while Arnott joined Mighty Kong.<ref name="McFarlane"/>
Discography
Albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS <ref name=aus>Template:Cite book</ref> | ||
| Warts Up Your Nose |
|
24 |
| Testimonial (with Spectrum) |
|
17 |
| Terminal Buzz |
|
- |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS <ref name=aus/> | ||
| 1972 | "Esmeralda" / "We Are Indelible" | 37 |
| 1973 | "Indelible Shuffle" / "Ray's Boogie" | 58 |
References
External links
- Template:Official MikeRuddBillPutt.com
- Spectrum / Indelible Murtceps biography by Ed Nimmervoll, discography and album reviews, credits & releases at AllMusic
- Indelible Murtceps at AllMusic
- [Indelible Murtceps discography, album releases & credits] at Discogs
- Indelible Murtceps albums to be listened on Spotify
- Spectrum / Indelible Murtceps albums to be listened on YouTube