About
Sydney based Blues/Boogie/Rock band of the 80′s
History
Started in 1986 by Larry Macmillan, Terry Duffy, Graeme Newtown and Rick Doolan. Disbanded in 1990
Images
Members
- Larry Macmillan -Guitar and Vocals
- Terry Duffy – Bass
- Graeme Newton – Guitar
- Rick Doolan – Drums
- Mark Johnson – Guitar
- Mark Langfield – Drums
- Leo Auciello – Vocals
- Mark Flack – Guitar
- Mark Wells – Bass
- Steve Edmonds – Guitar
- Bob Montgomery – Bass and Vocals
- Mark Blanchard – Guitar
- Steve Levidicus – Guitar
- Barry Gathercole – Guitar
- Jerry Hughes – Vocals
- Peter Nicoli – Bass
Recordings
- Bag Fulla Boogie – 1986
- Boogie Down Under – 1988
- Let the party begin
Technical Crew
- Mark Gibson – F.O.H.
- Brett Gibson – Monitors
- Brian Lawrence – Lights
Other Resources
Known Gigs
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 01/02/85 | Bandanna in Austral | Austral Bowling Club |
| 15/02/85 | Bandanna in Springwood | Springwood RSL Club |
| 22/02/85 | Bandanna in Blacktown | Blacktown Inn |
| 23/02/85 | Bandanna in Shellharbour | Shellharbour Inn |
| 28/02/85 | Bandanna in Mt Druitt | Major Druitt Hotel |
| 01/03/85 | Bandanna in Woy Woy | Bayview Hotel |
| 02/03/85 | Bandanna in The Rocks, Sydney | Governor’s Pleasure |
| 08/03/85 | Bandanna in Penrith | Penrith Leagues Club |
| 14/03/85 | Bandanna in Liverpool | Railway Hotel |
| 15/03/85 | Bandanna in Blacktown | Blacktown Inn |
| 21/03/85 | Bandanna in Bowral | Blue Boar Inn |
| 22/03/85 | Bandanna in Wollongong | Illawarra Leagues Club |
| 27/03/85 | Bandanna in Woy Woy | Bayview Hotel |
| 28/03/85 | Bandanna in Windsor | Fitzroy Hotel |
| 07/04/85 | Bandanna in Mudgee | Guzurgan Bike Show |
| 11/04/85 | Bandanna in Rooty Hill | Namatjira Hotel |
| 12/04/85 | Bandanna in Austral | Austral Bowling Club |
| 13/04/85 | Bandanna in The Rocks, Sydney | Governor’s Pleasure |
| 14/04/85 | Bandanna in Shellharbour | Shellharbour Inn |
| 17/04/85 | Bandanna in Blacktown | Blacktown Inn |
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Gibbo,
Wasn’t Steve Lavidicous(?) in Banndana for a time before Top Priority? BoB
Yeah Bob, he certainly was. Thanks for that. I’m not sure how to spell it either but I’ll add him in.
Nice to see you lurking about. I hope it’s a regular thing. Maybe you could be the Aussie Country Music editor?
Cheers, Gibbo.
L.E.V.I.D.I.C.U.S
Another little bit of Bandanna trivia. With Leo’s departure, a singer from Ireland named Jerry Hughes joined the ranks to take his place. in reharsals his voice was phenominal, but he crumbled under pressure at his first live gig with the band and was quickly dismissed. If memory serves, Leo rejoined again when the band began work on new original material. With 20/20 hindsight, the original material was a mistake and ultimately ended the bands run.
Yeah, I remember the Jerry “incident”. That was bizarre. Was that gig at The Cambridge Tavern at Fairfield? For some reason that sticks in my mind.
I’ll disagree with you slightly about the original material. I thought it was red-hot(most of it). I think I still have a live tape of some of it somewhere.
One more release needs to be added to that list.
“Let the party begin”
An Ep which included, Boys are back in town, “Statesborough Blues”, and I can’t remember the other couple of tracks.
Levidicus would know.
And just to add fuel to the fire. If the new originals were more in the vein of Dr Go Fast, it might have survived. Bandanna was blues boogie, not progressive funk. We messed with the formula and paid for it.
I’m not dirty on the originals. They just weren’t “Bandanna” songs. That’s all I’m saying. Barry was the only one to see it, and he bailed as a result.
What I’d like to know is….could Bandanna rise again?
I was thinking of a great time in my youth and remembered my guitar teacher,Mark Wells.I would love to get in touch with him and say hello.If anyone who knows him can tell him I am still alive that would be too cool.Dean.
Hi Dean, I’ll send your email to Mark Johnson (from the comment above). He’s still in touch with Wellsy.
gidday gibbo,
Gotta a lot of great memories supporting “Bandanna” as singer in “The Score”
Always sounded great with you at the helm mixing.
Hey Pete, great to hear from you. Maybe we should do a page on The Score? Got any old photos or recordings?
Cheers mate, Gibbo
Hay Gibbo
I think Rudy Miranda From (wildfire,the R&B Band, Mal Eastik band, Dave Hole, and Gena Jeffies Band) was on Drums When Mark Blanchard, and Terry Duffy was in the Band for a while as Rick was Sick
Hi, just wanting to make a correction.
It is Leo Auciello not Occello.
I remember watching as a little girl, and hoping to pass on the music to my daughter too
Jessica
1987 to 1990 Bandanna singer was Leo Auciello. The band decided to go with original material and it was not detrimental to the band, whatever they were losing of the older boogie following they were gaining from a younger crowd more interested in rock n roll, they were also trying to lose the “biker band” image to entice more non biker following and record industry execs to come to the gigs and take them seriously. Rick was 100% behind the move (Rick and leo were the only two bikers in the band) it must be remembered that leo, peter, steve edmonds and mark johnson were all in their early to mid twenties, change was inevitable. It was the unending touring and gigging and recieving no recognition from the music industry combined wth family commitments that finally disenchanted and or broke the fellas, Bandanna still holds a couple of records for fastest ticket sales in australian venues. No matter what, the band was always great, musically and visually they always gave their best to please the punters. They stood toe to toe with any band in Australia. it is unfortunate that this was not recognised and they never got the status they rightfully deserved.
Leo’s energy was likened to a young stevie wright with the moves of james brown. Leo went on to play bass and sing with a band called “Atomic Fly” they had moderate success in the mid to late nineties in Europe and recieved national airplay on auststerio mmm. In 1996 Leo was duly elected full recognition as an accomplished writer and member of Apra for his contributions to Australian music
Jessica and Patricia, thank you so much for the extra info and the correct spelling of Leo’s name. Stay tuned because I just found a rough old tape from about 1990 with Leo on vocals doing some of their “new direction” originals. It’s frickin’ brilliant even though the quality isn’t great. I will digitise it shortly and put it up here to listen too. If you guys are still in touch with Leo I’d love to hear from him. Tell him to dive in and leave a comment or two.
Bandanna was the first band I ever mixed professionally and I was there again right at the end. They were a brilliant band all the way through their various versions and taught me a lot. As soon as I get those tapes copied I’ll post them here.
How you going from the mukkhole brothers. hows it hanging haha.
Hi mark, good work with the site, im sure all Bandanna will think its wonderful to be remembered and have a web page dedicated to us and for that many thanks.
Thanks to my daughter Jess for wanting to remember and pass her memories on to our families next generation and thanks to patricia, i dont know how you know so much, your comments are very accurate.
The only problem i have with the site is in the members catergory and that is because of the ommision of “Peter Nicoli” he was bass player from oct 1987 to 89 and a fantastic musician and showman.
I want to add that both Steve lavidicus and i were in the band “Top Priority”, we had just performed in and won the final of Australian battle of the bands comp. Rick was one of the jugdes, he came over said you guys are great, he asked steve and i to join Bandanna then and there, i was apprehensive, top priority was our band in our control going in the musical direction we wanted and doing very well for an up and coming young band, but steve wanted in and convinced me Bandanna was the way.
Hope you and brett and all the other members and crew of bandanna are well, does anyone out there know what became of “tinker”? he was a loyal friend and roadie, i lost touch with him after ricks passing, i want to say rick slowly wasted away from motor neurons disease over 3 years and finaly passed just before his 40th birthday, in that period i never heard him complain, whine or whinge, he was a brave and optimistic bugger right up to the end and i am proud to have known him and have him trust me and consider me his friend.
talk to you again soon mark
regards leo
Hi Leo, it’s really fantastic to hear from you and your Daughter.
I haven’t heard from Tinker at all since Rick died. He was a great guy indeed. You never know, he may find this page one day like you did.
The other week I found an old tape with you singing a couple of originals. the quality isn’t great but I think you’ll get a kick out of it. You can find it here
I’d love to get hold of some photos from your era of Bandanna. Do you know if anyone has any?
Hope to hear from you again soon.
Cheers, Mark
hey mark how you doing onya for doing this site cool who would have thought if you are in contact with the doc let me know cheers ps say gooday to brett
Hey there Mark, great to hear from you. Thanks for the kind words.
I still remember the sweet sound that Seymour Duncan amp of yours made. If only they could have made the bloody things more reliable, eh?
Will find the Doc’s email for you. I know someone who has it. I’m pretty sure he’s back in Sydney working on computers.
Thanks for calling in. Cheers, Gibbo
hey there gibbo still remember how hard you lads worked in those days, this site brings back so many memories, aratulla,broadford,ponde,adelaide,gold coast still remember my first rehesral which was spent driving down the coast taking notes on the whole bloody set with larry in my ear saying youll be right, but hey that was bandanna, still remember you playing drums for a night for some reason, what a guy doing front of house and playing drums ha! ha! but hey if anyone knew the set it was you.as for the seymour i finish playing in a three piece boggie band called” from dusk till dawn”and using of all things a bloody mashall it was great, same sound every night ha! ha! ,anyway whats bret up to these days all well i hope anyway great to hear from you talk again soon .
R.I.P. RICK RUGER
OMG the Bag fulla boogie. Loved the good ol days.
Hey Gibbo, last i spoke to Doc he went up to QLD but that was quite a few years ago, if he’s back let us know will ya as the email i have for him bounces.
Hi there Mark Blanchard, Long time no see. Ive got some photos from the days gone somewhere here, will try to dig them out. Hope your looking after yourself.
Cheers Guys
Len xx
hey lenore just talked to u on the mulry site how are you what u two up two nowdays it seems such a long time what a great idea of gibbo to get everyone to connect online hows steve and whats he up to great to talk to u
Gidday Lenore and steve,
Hows the band going?
I’ve moved back to Sydney where it’s still quite! 28 acres and horses. And no country and western!! Let me know if you have changed address and I will drop in on my way home! This site is great!
The Doc
G’day all,
After I got married I was riding home on my bike one arvo ( from the horrid day job) and here was this bloke just getting out of his car that had run out of juice and yelling at the idiot bipping his horn at him. I pulled the bike up on the median strip and asked if he wanted a hand. I knew who it was but he didn’t know who I was under the full face ( & riding a jap bike ) He was just about to tell me to stick it when I took the helmet off and told him ” Rick pull ya fuckin’ head in !” We cracked up laughing and had a chat in the middle of the road just to piss the idiot off. He was just starting to have problems & I only saw him a couple more times after. Good bloke ! He wanted me to do some gigs with the band but my wife gave me the ultimatum, her or gigging. Should have taken the gigs, she pissed off anyway.
Hi guys!!!
Hows it going Lenny??????
Really good to see Blanchard reply!!!
The Doctor
hey doc get my email of mark luv to catch up super ted
Hey Doctor & Mark B,
Great to hear you guys are still kicking! Gibbo told me he had got in contact so I thought I’d say g’day. We should all catch up for a beer and some war stories one day soon.
Cheers.
Now there’s a bit of a blast from the past… Rick Doolan – A bloke who was really into his gig.
I used to work with him, in one of his earlier ventures – “The Press”, along with Bruce, Michel and Steve Kat during the very late 70′s (and I stll feel like a Toohey’s). Sharing a house (now demolished to make way for the M4) with the bloke was an experience to say the least…
G’day Greg,
Was that the house on Concord rd just near Parramatta rd? Or Church st Parra? Both places had a big list of musos & crew.
Gidday Gibbo, Image 10 is Gary Munce since you didnt know his last name. How they hangin? Im at the Entrance for a few months, back in the big smoke. I’ll see ya when I’m looking at ya.
Doc
Thanks mate, it was Gary Munce.
hi mark gibson,
just been reading all the stuff about bandana.since leaving bandanda larry and i started the grog n grumble band which in a sort of a way is still going today.larry left and moved to the south coast, he comes up occasionaly and does gigs with us. the band works now out of the central coast,gigs like the catho pub and bataeu bay pub where we will be this sunday 3rd july 2011.
as you know rick,steve rohndo and john christenson have all passed away,a great loss.I still see steve edmonds a bit.
It was great to read all those names and stories,keep up the good work!!
bob montgomery.
Hi Bob, so good to hear from you.
I’m really glad you & Larry are still playing, I’ll do my best to get along to a gig shortly.
Cheers mate, Gibbo
I knew Rick Doolan and Steve Rondo, both passed on now sadly, I sold a lot of lighting equipment to Rick and used to visit him at Londonderry. I ran and still run a lighting company, Electric Sunshine, and still operate lighting for bands, as well as DJ’s at clubs and hotels. Great to see all the names here, it brings back memories.
Thanks for that info Phil, if I had known that Steve Rondo had passed on I wouldn’t have accepted his friend request on facebook last week. I’ll let him know.
Good to hear Electric sunshine is still going, been a while.
Hey Recko, the Steve Rondo you are friends with is Stephen Rondo, the son of the late Steve. He’s a character, just like his Dad.
Yes, that’s right , Stephen Rondo on Facebook is his son. He’s getting started in the music business so he tells me.
Yes Phil after I posted that I went to Stephens fb wall and he was born a year after my eldest. I had accepted the request but hadn’t got around to chatting. Please accept my apologies.
As I said previously it’s good to know Electric sunshine is still a going concern & hopefully you’ll be contributing more to this site.
Rock on!….Recko.
Hi Phil,
It’s really great to see you here on my humble website. I had the pleasure of being Rick’s sound engineer for many years & clearly remember the help you gave us & how genuinely close you & Rick were. He was a great guy who I owe a lot to.
Cheers, Gibbo
Hi Mark. Your website is not humble, it’s a mine of information, well worth looking over. Keep up the good work.
The Site is becoming Awsome mark.Excellent stuff, be in touch with some info for ya soon.
Thanks for the kind words Niel, can’t wait to see what you’ve got!
Thats the one Lenore, bag fulla Boogie still gets a floggin’ from me. Als guys, theres no mention in their gig list of The Vauxhall Inn, Parramatta, and The Fitzroy Hotel Windsor which were both regular gigs to Bandanna.
Hi Niel,
there’s quite a few listings for the Fitzroy if check around mid-late 1985 & there’s a few for the “Kentucky Tavern” which I think is the same place that is now the Vauxhall.
Definitely remember playing many times at both those places but I only have my 1985 & 1986 diaries so many of the dates have been lost.
Cheers, Mark
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