Mammal


The day Rick Bryant got his masters degree in English (honours, first-class), he also attended his first rehearsal with Mammal. Though a bright academic career beckoned, the dark lure of rock and roll proved stronger.

In the early 70s, Mammal were an important New Zealand band: original, ambitious and talented. The paucity of their recordings means their significance has sometimes been overlooked. At a time when New Zealand’s musical landscape was dominated by pop acts and covers bands, Mammal were pioneers of an uncompromising experimental rock.

Mammal, 1972. Left to right: Bill Lake, Mike Fullerton, Rick Bryant, Patrick Bleakley, Tony Backhouse, Robert Taylor
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Mammal / Arkastra poster for a gig at Victoria University, Wellington, December 1972
Photo credit: Peter Blake collection
Mammal in the studio, 1973. Bill Lake, Patrick Bleakley, Rick Bryant
Photo credit: Phil Warren Collection
Mammal live at the 1973 Great Ngāruawāhia Music Festival, coming on just after Black Sabbath
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Mammal, 1974. Left to right: Julie Needham, Mark Hornibrook, Kerry Jacobson, Rick Bryant, Robert Taylor, Tony Backhouse
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Tape box for live recording of Mammal in Nelson, December 1974, and five tracks recorded "pseudo live", 11 January 1973. 
Photo credit: Nick Bollinger collection
Mammal, Auckland Town Hall, 1973
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
A poster for Mammal and Tamburlaine at Wellington club Lucifer's in 1972
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Arkastra in the All Star Summer Rock Concert at Wellington's Opera House, alongside Corben Simpson, Desna Sisarich, Mammal, Tamburlaine and Sharon O'Neill, 1 October 1972. 
Photo credit: Peter Blake collection
Mammal, 1973. Robert Taylor, Rick Bryant
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Arkastra, Blerta, Olibet, and Mammal perform at the closing gigs of Lucifer's, Wellington, February 1973, after a double-bill by Blerta and Mammal at the Union Hall, Victoria University (later known as the Hunter Lounge venue).
Photo credit: Peter Blake collection
Mammal recording at NZBC's Broadcasting House, Wellington, 1972. From left: Patrick Bleakley, Robert Taylor, Rick Bryant, Bill Lake, Mike Fullerton and Tony Backhouse. 
Photo credit: Bill Lake collection
Mammal, 1972 (at Lucifer's Nightclub). Left to right: Rick Bryant, Bill Lake, Patrick Bleakley, Mike Fullerton, Tony Backhouse, Robert Taylor
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Mammal, 1974. Clockwise from left: Mark Hornibrook, Rick Bryant, Robert Taylor, Tony Backhouse, Kerry Jacobson, Julie Needham
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Mammal, 1971 or 72. Tony Backhouse pictured with beer.
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Bill Lake, 1975, Patanga Crescent, Wellington. 
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Mammal, c 1971. Tony Backhouse with hand on chin.
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Mammal, 1973. From left: Mike Fullerton, Robert Taylor, Bill Lake, Rick Bryant, Tony Backhouse and Mark Hornibrook. 
Photo credit: Bill Lake collection
Robert Taylor, 1974
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Mammal mark one, 1970. From left, Bill Lake, an audience member, Simon Morris, Tony Backhouse. 
Mark Hornibrook, 1974
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Rick Bryant, Mammal, 1973
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Mammal, 1973. Left to right: Tony Backhouse, Julie Needham, Kerry Jacobson, Mark Hornibrook, Robert Taylor, Rick Bryant
Photo credit: Rick Bryant Collection
Members:

Rick Bryant - vocals, tambourine

Tony Backhouse - piano, guitar

Bill Lake - guitar, mandolin

Robert Taylor - guitar

Julie Needham - violin, vocals

Steve Hemmens - bass

Mike Fullerton - drums

Patrick Bleakley - bass

Mark Hornibrook - bass

Kerry Jacobson - drums

Labels:

Red Rat Records

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