The Kal-Q-Lated Risk

aka The Risk, Biggles


From pop hits to rock singles to something altogether more refined, The Kal-Q-Lated Risk made memorable New Zealand music in the 1970s under three different names – both at home and in England.

From 1970-74 the band released 11 singles and an album, then followed in The Fourmyula’s footsteps, travelling to England on a cruise ship and recording an album in London for Decca in 1976. Decca spared no expense and the band’s prospects looked quite promising. Sadly, however, the label did not release the finished album and the band’s members parted company in 1977 – still only in their mid-twenties.

The Kal-Q-Lated Risk
Dave Cameron with Hofner violin bass, circa 1970. 
The Kal-Q-Lated Risk, Holding Our Own (1972)
Mike Guildford, circa 1969.
Off to see penguins and seals, Otago Peninsula, circa 1970. L to R: Bernie Carey, Dave Cameron, Ian Taylor, Barry Rushton and Phil Hope. 
Cassette tape of Biggles’ audition recordings for Decca, July 1975. 
Letter to editor, 1969.
Poster for first booking after turning professional. 
Gig break, Solway College school dance, Masterton, circa 1969. L to R: Mike Guildford and Ian Taylor.
Adverts for Lower Hutt shows, 1969.
The Kal-Q-Lated Risk - Looking Through The Eyes of a Beautiful Girl (1970)
Masterton, circa 1969. L to R: Bernie Carey, Phil Hope, Ian Taylor, Dave Cameron and Barry Rushton. 
Astoria Ballroom, Palmerston North, circa 1970. L to R: Dave Cameron, Barry Rushton and Bernie Carey.
Circa 1970. L to R: Bernie Carey, Dave Cameron, Ian Taylor, Phil Hope and Barry Rushton. 
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, 7 May 1969.
Quarter-inch master tape of side 1 of Biggles’ unreleased 1976 album, There’s No Mouse In The House. 
Seven-inch acetate from the July 1975 Decca audition – ‘Soul Singing Lady’ backed with ‘Miles Of Smiles’
Adverts for gigs in the Horowhenua, Manawatu, Rangitikei and Wanganui districts, circa 1970. 
Circa 1972. Clockwise from front: Phil Hope, Steve Hudson, Willie Davidson, Bob Coulter and Bernie Carey. 
Runners up in Wellington Battle of the Bands heat, March 1969.
Circa 1970. Clockwise from front: Bernie Carey, Ian Taylor, Barry Rushton, Dave Cameron and Phil Hope. 
Loading Mike Guildford’s drums into the band’s van, circa 1969.
Pre-Kal-Q-Lated Risk bands, So Inspired (left) and Mode Of Existence (right). With Mike Guildford (drums), Dave Cameron (bass, far left and far right), and the Thomas brothers, Grant and Brent.
The Kal-Q-lated Risk, from left: William Davidson, Robert Coulter, Phil Hope, unidentified, Bernard Carey
Photo credit: Jim Pilcher
Final New Zealand single, 1974 – ‘Soul Singing Lady’ backed with ‘Bye Bye’
Circa 1969. L to R: Bernie Carey, Dave Cameron, Phil Hope, Barry Rushton and Ian Taylor.  
Ian Taylor, circa 1970.
Article and advert for Pahiatua gig, 1970.
Poster and advert for September 1970 gig at the Astoria Ballroom, Palmerston North. 
Holding Our Own album insert, 1972
L to R: Phil Hope, Ian Taylor and Barry Rushton, circa 1970. 
Digital Greatest Hits collection, released in 2015. Clockwise from front left: Phil Hop, Ian Taylor, Mike Guildford, Dave Cameron and Bernie Carey.
A get-together in 2013. L to R: Phil Hope, Bob Coulter and Willie Davidson. 
Wellington, circa 1972. L to R: Phil Hope, Bernie Carey, Barry Rushton, Bob Coulter and Willie Davidson. 
Ocean Beach Hotel, Dunedin, Christmas 1970. L to R: Barry Rushton, Ian Taylor and Phil Hope.
Playing at a marae in Wairoa, circa 1970. L to R: Barry Rushton, Ian Taylor, Bernie Carey and Phil Hope. 
Acetate of Biggles’ unreleased 1976 album.
Band with van, 1969. L to R: Bernie Carey, Ian Taylor, Dave Cameron, Phil Hope and Barry Rushton. 
Photo shoot in Masterton, circa 1969. Clockwise from front: Ian Taylor, Phil Hope, Dave Cameron, Mike Guildford and Bernie Carey.
Bob Coulter with Guyatone bass, circa 1972.
Pushing the band’s van and chasing Loxene Golden Disc votes, 1970.
Early Kal-Q-Lated Risk line-up, circa 1968. L to R: Dave Cameron, Ian Taylor, Mike Guildford, Laki Apelu and Bernie Carey. Former drummer, Bradley Dickinson, is on the dance floor (with head up). Mike Guildford’s collection.
Labels:

HMV


EMI

Members:

Carl Evensen - bass, vocals

Ian Taylor - vocals

Willie Davidson - vocals

Wayne Thurston - guitar

Laki Apelu - guitar

Bernie Carey - keyboards

Dave Cameron - bass

Bob Coulter - bass

Phil Hope - guitar

Bradley Dickinson - drums

Mike Guildford - drums

Barry Rushton - drums

Steve Hudson - drums

Craig Nicholson - drums

Rex McLeod - drums

Ian Kennedy - drums

Bob Millar - drums

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