The Inbetweens


Defying the teeny bopper image foisted on them by their promoter after winning the 1970 Battle of the Bands, The Inbetweens became a mainstay of the club and pub rock circuit, and released classic tracks that have stood the test of time. Their memory is preserved on four singles, a handful of New Zealand compilations and two 1976 albums of original material, the second only seeing daylight in 2014 as part of the Stebbing Studios digital collection.

The original schoolboy trio began in Dunedin in 1967 and featured Tony Rabbett, his younger brother Paul, and their schoolmate Roland Farmer. The group morphed over a dozen years, with the McCarthy brothers Chris and Neville joining in the mid-70s to deliver a heady mix of prog rock, glam and funk to packed houses at Auckland clubs and the nation’s pubs.

The Inbetweens in a publicity photo taken in 1978 before their departure for Los Angeles the following year. From left: Neville McCarthy, Len Worthington, David Bailey, Chris McCarthy, Tony Rabbett. 
Tony Rabbett of The Inbetweens, Aranui Hotel, Christchurch, December 1977. 
Photo credit: Kevin Hill
The Inbetweens, Auckland, 1976. Clockwise from far left: Len Worthington, David Bailey, Chris McCarthy, Tony Rabbett, and Neville McCarthy, centre. Photo taken in Neil Liversedge Studios, Khyber Pass Rd. 
Lenny Worthington of The Inbetweens, Aranui Hotel, Christchurch, December 1977. 
Photo credit: Kevin Hill
Roland Farmer and Paul Rabbett of The Inbetweens in the hallway of their Glen Innes house. Playdate, August 1970.
Photo credit: Max Thomson
The Inbetweens in Auckland, in the early 1970s before going to Sydney. From left: Paul Rabbett, Tony Rabbett, Murray Newey, Rob Guest, and Roland Farmer. 
Mrs Phyllis Rabbett cuts the hair of her son, Paul Rabbett, the 16 year-old drummer of The Inbetweens; the locks of hair were sent out to fans. Playdate, August 1970
Photo credit: Max Thomson
Chris McCarthy of The Inbetweens, Aranui Hotel, December 1977
Photo credit: Kevin Hill
Neville McCarthy of The Inbetweens, Aranui Hotel, December 1977
Photo credit: Kevin Hill
Tony Rabbett of The Inbetweens.
Tony Rabbett, The Inbetweens, Aranui Hotel, December 1977. 
Photo credit: Kevin Hill
The Inbetweens: Neville McCarthy, Chris McCarthy, Len Worthington, Tony Rabbett, Dave Bailey.
The Inbetweens - Can't Stop Loving You (Key, 1976)
The Inbetweens outside the Aranui Hotel, Christchurch, December 1977. From left: Tony Rabbett, Chris McCarthy, Lenny Worthington, Neville McCarthy, and Dave Bailey.
Photo credit: Kevin Hill
An introduction into the star-making machinery. The Inbetweens meet their Auckland manager and booking agent Russell Clark (far left) and Benny Levin. Listening are, clockwise from front, Murray Newey, Roland Farmer (standing), Mrs Rabbett, Ken Muirhead, Tony Rabbett, and Paul Rabbett (16, smoking). Playdate, August 1970.
Photo credit: Max Thomson
The Inbetweens - Boom-sha-la-la-lo (Impact, 1970)
Outer sleeve, The Inbetweens - Make A Wish Amanda (Impact, 1971)
The Inbetweens - Make A Wish Amanda (Impact, 1971)
The Inbetweens win the 1970 Battle Of The Bands at Auckland's YMCA. As with most of the winners, they were then taken under the wing of Benny Levin Promotions as management and agents, and in this case they were also signed to Benny and Russell's Impact label
The Inbetweens' self-titled 1976 album, recorded at Stebbing Recording Studios and released on the Key label. Produced by the Inbetweens and Phil Yule.
The Inbetweens - Night Time in the City (the shelved 1978 Stebbing sessions, released digitally in 2014).
Photo credit: Steve McGough
The Inbetweens move furniture into their Glen Innes house. Playdate, August 1970
Photo credit: Max Thomson
The Inbetweens in Playdate, August 1970. From left: Murray Newey, Ken Muirhead, Tony Rabbett, Roland Farmer, Paul Rabbett.
Photo credit: Max Thomson
The Inbetweens (from left): Murray Newey, Roland Farmer, Paul Rabbett, Tony Rabbett. and Rob Guest. The location is thought to be a Palmerston North venue. 
The Inbetweens at the Ferrymead Heritage Park, Christchurch, 1977. From left: David Bailey, Neville McCarthy, Len Worthington, Chris McCarthy and Tony Rabbett.
The Inbetweens at Gatsby's.
The Inbetweens - Living in a Dream World (Impact, 1971)
Neville and Chris McCarthy, The Inbetweens, Radio Avon concert, Rangiora, 1977.
Photo credit: Kevin Hill
An early photo of The Inbetweens, taken in Dunedin in the 1960s. From left: Paul Rabbett, Roland Farmer, Martin Platt and Tony Rabbett.
Tony Rabbett (left) and Murray Newey of The Inbetweens practise on the verandah of their Glen Innes house. Playdate, August 1970
Photo credit: Max Thomson
Labels:

Impact


Key

Members:

Tony Rabbett - guitar, vocals

Paul Rabbett - drums

Roland Farmer - bass

Dave Bailey - drums

Len Worthington - keyboards

Chris McCarthy - guitar

Neville McCarthy - bass

Rob Guest - vocals

Ken Muirhead - vocals

Murray Newey - keyboards

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