The Undecided? were a Sydney based Rock/Pop band who formed when The Fringe (1981 – 1983), a 60’s revival band called it a day. Mark Laidler (Lead Vocals/Guitar) and Greg Morris (Drums/Vocals) friends from the beginning of time, felt they had more to do before they would eventually move on to other bands. So the first thing was to find a new bass player, enter Peter Downy (ex. Mistaken Identity). Next, “Another guitarist or keyboard player”? “Nah good keyboard players are too hard to find so let’s go with another guitarist”, enter Jeff “Magic” Stevenson (ex. Mainstreet). Jeff got his nick name at his audition, after hearing him for the first time Greg exclaimed “That was magic!”

So The Undecided? were born in 1983 and would go on with many line ups till 1991. The consistent factor in the bands life was Jeff, Peter and Greg who would stay the course till the very end and in fact, would go on as a three piece for a number of years until the very last line-up once again saw the band returned to the 2 guitar, bass, drums line-up.

The Undecided? were always going to be a covers band, but the urge to do original material was too hard to ignore and over time the band came closer to doing 70% original songs. For the first line-up it was primarily Jeff who wrote most of the material with Mark and Peter contributing the odd song as well.

Unfortunately, Mark felt it was time to move on after a couple of years and this left a massive hole to be filled. So how do you fill such a massive hole? You replace him with two people! Enter Tony Crisafulli (Lead Vocals/Percussion) and Alex Jostson (Keyboards). Alex was ‘fresh meat’ as this was his first band but his abilities were such that eventually he would be lured away to join another band. Tony, one of the best front men in the Sydney music scene, had just finished with his band Original Crossing. Greg and Mark had worked with Tony a few years earlier with his band The Penguins supplying PA and lighting at some of their gigs and Greg and Tony had become close friends. Tony was asked to join and the good news, he was on board in a heartbeat.

With Alex being ‘stolen’ he too needed to be replaced, enter Mark Merton (Keyboards). This third line-up would only last 9 months doing just a few gigs. When Mark moved on he was then replaced by another keyboard player and he was in time replaced by yet another keyboard player, who would be the last. See? Finding a good keyboard player is hard!! Over the next 3 – 4 years different guitarists would come and go, for full line-up details see below.

Many demo recordings were made during the life of The Undecided? and the most prolific line up was the second which produced the self-funded cassette album ‘Stick Movie’ which was sold at gigs and sold well enough to warrant a second pressing. Most of these demos where recorded at Axent Recording Studios – Kogarah NSW which was run by Ross McGregor, who is blind but made his way around a mixing desk with the best of them. He recorded the 9 songs for ‘Stick Movie’. Also working there was Richard “Riz” Stark and he recorded many demos and also contributed keyboards on a couple of songs too and would go on to produce the band for a couple of years.

The band was lucky enough to talk a fan Peter Raymond, into being their manager and he did a great job securing many gigs for a period of time. Unfortunately he left saying he had found something better to do with his time, a wife and a family!! He also contributed lyrics to some songs which were also recorded.

Over the next few years the band had more managers, but none of them were able to get work like Peter so things started to slow down. Then Tony left to join another band. The band then went through a number of different line-ups but never reached the heights of either the first or second line-ups.

Eventually, as is always the case something gets in the way to spoil the fun and after being offered a job in New Zealand Peter moved on. It was agreed the band had run its course and the decision was made not to continue with The Undecided?. Jeff and Greg got together and recorded as Peabody Deluxe for a bit of fun and soon after form another band, That’s Right! but that is another story!!

Greg and Tony are now with Sydney party/cover band Mad Cow www.madcowtheband.com.au

Images

Known Venues:

• Bexley North Hotel – Bexley NSW
• Bondi Hotel – Bondi NSW Supporting Eye Desire
• Clovelly RSL – Clovelly NSW
• Intersection Tavern – Ramsgate NSW
• Kareela Golf Club – Kareela NSW Supporting The Beats.
• Kings Head Tavern – Kogarah NSW
• Maroubrah Beach Hotel – Maroubrah NSW
• Randwick Racecourse Hotel – Randwick NSW
• Richmond Hotel – Richmond NSW
• Rockdale RSL – Rockdale NSW
• South Sydney District Rugby Leagues Club – Redfern NSW
• St George Budapest Soccer Club – Hurstville NSW Supporting The Beats
• St George Rock Room Mortdale Hotel – Mortdale NSW
• St George Sailing Club – Sans Souci NSW
• St George Tavern – Rockdale NSW
• The Den Penshurst Hotel – Penshurst NSW
• Windsor Tavern – Windsor NSW

Line-up One: (1983 – 1984)

• Mark Laidler – Guitar/Lead Vocals
• Jeff Stevenson – Guitar/Lead Vocals
• Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
• Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

Line-up Two: (1984 – 1986)

• Tony Crisafulli – Lead Vocals/Percussion
• Alex Jostsons – Keyboards
• Jeff Stevenson – Guitar/Vocals
• Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
• Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

Line-up Three: (1987)

• Tony Crisafulli – Lead Vocals/Percussion
• Mark Merton – Keyboards
• Jeff Stevenson – Guitar/Vocals
• Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
• Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

Line-up Four: (1988)

• Tony Crisafulli – Lead Vocals/Percussion
• Mat Nichols – Keyboards
• Jeff Stevenson – Guitar/Vocals
• Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
• Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

Line-up Five: (1988)

• Tony Crisafulli – Lead Vocals/Percussion
• John (Unknown) – Keyboards
• Jeff Stevenson – Guitar/Vocals
• Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
• Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

Line-up Six: (1989)

• Tony Crisafulli – Lead Vocals/Percussion
• Richard Stark – Keyboards
• Jeff Stevenson – Guitar/Vocals
• Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
• Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

(This line-up did not play live but did record some demos)

Line-up Seven: (1989)

• Chris Taylor – Guitar
• Jeff Stevenson – Guitar/Lead Vocals
• Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
• Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

Line-up Eight: (1989 – 1990)

• Jeff Stevenson – Guitar/Lead Vocals
• Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
• Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

Line-up Nine: (1990)

• Des Webster – Guitar/Vocals
• Jeff Stevenson – Guitar/Lead Vocals
• Peter Downy – Bass/Vocals
• Greg Morris – Drums/Vocals

ORIGINAL SONGS:

‘Stick Movie’

1. Nothing More To Say (Stevenson)
2. Witch’s Howl (Stevenson)
3. Rain Lady, Rain (Crisafulli/Jostsons)
4. The Door (Stevenson)
5. Takin’ It Home (Downy) Free Bonus Track
6. Just Tearin’ It Up (Raymond/Downy)
7. Maybe You Will (Crisafulli/Stevenson)
8. Get It Happening (Stevenson)
9. Sure Miss You (Stevenson)

• Ask Her To Dance (Raymond/Jostsons/Crisafulli)
• Don’t Leave (Crisafulli/Stevenson)
• Feel It (Stevenson)
• It’s Not The Way That Love Goes (Crisafulli/Stevenson)
• It’s Not Too Late (Laidler)
• Lies (Stevenson)
• Our Heart (Crisafulli/Jostsons)
• Pushin’ Me Too Hard (Stevenson)
• Somebody Up There (Crisafulli/Stevenson)
• Song For Julie (Crisafulli/Jostsons)
• Under Control (Stevenson)
• Worthwhile (Stevenson)
• You Only Saved My Life (Stevenson)

About

Melbourne based pop/rock band from 1981-1987. Re-formed briefly in 1998

History

Uncanny X-Men formed in Melbourne as a guitar pop band in 1981 and worked the pub rock circuit. Original line-up included Chuck Hargreaves on guitar, Steve Harrison on bass guitar, Brian Mannix as lead singer, Nick Manthandos on drums and Ron Thiessen on guitar. Mannix became known for his mischievous and comical send-ups of other artists. The band was signed by Mushroom Records early in 1982 and released their debut EP Salive One in November, which peaked at #15 on the Kent Music Report. They toured Australia in support of US rock act Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Early in 1983, Harrison was replaced on bass by John Kirk, and they released their single, “How Do You Get Your Kicks?” in March. Craig Waugh replaced Manthandos on drums and they released another single “Time Goes So Fast”. They toured through 1984 and released an EP, Beach Party, in July which included the single, “Everybody Wants to Work”.
From Wikipedia

Members

• Chuck Hargreaves — guitar (1981–1987)
• Steve Harrison — bass guitar (1981–1983)
• Brian Mannix — lead vocals (1981–1987)
• Nick Manthandos — drums (1981–1983)
• Ron Thiessen — guitar (1981–1986)
• John Kirk — bass guitar (1983–1987)
• Craig Waugh — drums (1983–1987)
• Joey Amenta — guitar (1986)
• Brett Kingman — guitar (1986–1987)

Video

Albums

• ‘Cos Life Hurts – 1985
• What You Give is What You Get! – 1986

Known Gigs

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