Chants R&B


Tension prickled through the crowd. The Pretty Things – Britain’s R&B punks, who have already scandalised timid middle New Zealand with their unkempt appearance and fuck you demeanour, were now due in Christchurch.

Keenly awaiting the band and some more outrageous behaviour, no doubt, were TV camera crews, press and fans.

Rumble & Bang Trailer
The Chants at the Stage Door - Martin Forrer, Mike Rudd, Jim Tomlin
Jim Tomlin interviewed by Jeff Smith
Rumble & Bang, a 2011 documentary on Chants R&B, produced and directed by Simon Ogston and Jeff Smith.
Pete Hanson, Mike Rudd, Jim Tomlin, Trevor Courtney
Photo credit: Photo by Warren Sellers
Chants R&B - Neighbour Neighbour, live at the Stage Door, 1965. From 2011 documentary Rumble & Bang.
The Christchurch reunion poster
Trevor Courtney interviewed by Jeff Smith
Chants R&B - I Feel Good, live at the Stage Door, 1965. From 2011 documentary Rumble & Bang.
1965: Trevor Courtney, Jim Tomlin, Martin Forrer, Mike Rudd
Mike Rudd
Photo credit: Jeff Smith collection
I'm Your Witchdoctor
The Chants at The Stage Door
Chants R&B - I'm Your Witchdoctor, live at the Stage Door, 1965. From 2011 documentary Rumble & Bang.
Mike Rudd, 1966
The original lineup of The Chants - Compton Tothill, Trevor Courtney, Mike Rudd, Jim Tomlin and Stan Major
Chants R&B - Land of a Thousand Dances, live at the Stage Door, 1965. From 2011 documentary Rumble & Bang.
Chants R&B in an Action Records publicity shot
Photo credit: Jeff Smith collection
Chants R&B 2007 reunion at Montecristo Room, Auckland, edited together with 1965 footage at the Stage Door and 2010 footage at Al’s Bar, Christchurch. From 2011 documentary Rumble & Bang.
Mike Rudd interviewed by Jeff Smith
The Chants win the 1964 Christchurch Battle Of The Bands at Addington Showgrounds - Trevor Courtney, Mike Rudd, Jim Tomlin and Pete Hanson
I'm Your Witchdoctor - live in 2007
Trivia:

Rumble and Bang, a Chants R&B documentary produced by Jeff Smith and Simon Ogston, featured at film festivals in 2011.

Chants R&B reunited for New Zealand shows in 2007 and 2010.

Jim Tomlin was head of Otago Polytech’s art department before retiring. In recent years, he has played jazz at Dunedin’s casino.

Mike Rudd had a No.1 Australian hit with the spacey harmonica-led I’ll Be Gone in 1971, with his underground progressive rock group Spectrum. He continues to play and record in Melbourne.

One Two Brown Eyes
Labels:

Action!

Members:

Mike Rudd - rhythm guitar, vocals, harmonica

Trevor Courtney - drums, vocals

Pete Hanson - bass

Jim Tomlin - lead guitar

Neil Young - bass

Martin Forrer - bass

Max Kelly - guitar

Tim Piper - guitar

Stan Major - saxophone

Compton Tothill - bass

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