Angel City Aussie Rock Legends Reborn
The Original Angels Band Is Back For A New Generation Of Avid Fans
Better known in their home country of Australia simply as the Angels, in the late 1970s they rose to dominance in their local live music scene on the back of relentless touring, great performances, and anthemic songs.
Pub Rock
They were the champions of a musical genre formed in the cauldron of bars and clubs across the country. While mainstream radio largely ignored rock music in favor of commercial pop, preferably imported, local bands created their own audiences at live venues. This drove the record sales that gained bands a toe hold on radio playlists.
In the Footsteps of AC/DC
One of the most successful products of the 70s pub rock scene are AC/DC and in their early days the Angels were their support band on a regional tour. This led to the Angels signing with the same record label, Albert’s, and coming under the guidance of their producers, Harry Vanda and George Young of Easybeats fame. Yes, they are related, George is the older brother of Angus and Malcolm from AC/DC.
George Young provided advice allowing the Angels to develop their own style and identity, rather than becoming just another record company clone.
Minimalist Style
With leads singer Doc Neeson and rhythm guitarist John Brewster studying film and drama at university before embarking on a rock music career, the lack of obvious theatrics is a surprise. This deceptive simplicity masks a carefully planned and structured show. For example In an era when it every rock star had long hair, the Angels cut theirs short after suggestion from George Young.
This philosophy of difference and simplicity continued with the main costume elements for the band are dark glasses, dark jeans and t-shirts. Except for Doc as lead singer, who starts the give with a formal attire of coat, white shirt and either, a cravat or bow tie. A simple red scarf is a common prop for Doc. As the night goes on so Doc’s attire becomes less formal and simpler.
Lead guitarist Rick Brewster embraced this aim for difference and avoided the wild theatrics and fancy dress of Angus Young, preferring dress and a statue like pose for the whole performance. Hiding behind his dark glasses this creates an air of mystery and focuses attention on the music.
Minimalist Not Basic Rock Music
Naturally the Angels music style complements their on stage presentation with a very sparse arrangements. There are no interminable machine gun guitar solos from Rick Brewster, rather he concentrates on interpretations of the melody to complement Doc’s vocals. A very tight and punchy rhythm section provides support, filling the space created by Rick’s relatively sparse lead guitar.
With this style, there is no room for error as each note and phrase from all the players needs to stand on its own. In their early days relentless touring, playing for four hours, six nights a week, honed the Angels into great live act.
The Words Are Important
Doc Neeson usually writes the lyrics for the band and a university background produces thoughtful and meaningful songs often subtly providing his view of the world. In true Angels’ style the surface simplicity of the words hides measured writing, taking into account not only the meaning but their rhythm and melody.
Audience Participation
As consummate live performers, the Angels encourage interaction with their audience without the, sometimes desperate, urgings of other performers. Angels’ fans know the words to the songs and Doc’s expansive hand gestures that go with them, and they join in singing and dancing along with the band. Fans took this participation to a new level in Will I Ever See Your Face Again by spontaneously providing their own answer whenever Doc asks the question. What may have started as a drunken joke has now become an essential part of every Angels’ performance for the crowd to chant “No way – Get F*****d – F*** Off” as loud as they can.
What’s In A Name
The Angels have history of problems with names. They were forced to use Angel City in North America to avoid conflicts with other bands.
Following Doc’s car accident the band broke up and went their separate ways, even though there were only two original members who had always been part of the band, Rick Brewster and Doc Neeson. The Angels have a history of backstage bickering over business despite their on-stage magic.
A chance meeting at benefit concert in Perth Western Australia saw the four original instrumentalists rekindle some of the magic and they started playing together as the Original Angels Band. Meanwhile, after several years of rehabilitation, Doc recovered enough from his injuries to return to performing with a different band Doc Neeson’s Angels. This really fired up the bickering and the dispute over who had the right to the Angels name started to wend its way through the courts.
Angels Reform
In 2008, early ten years after the bands demise, the acrimonious court battle produced reconciliation of the band factions, and a management company arranging a comeback tour and television documentary of the back stage and rehearsal process.
The documentary shows plenty of backstage arguments and initial resentment and suspicion but the onstage magic had survived and this holds the band together as they continue to tour and play.
As well as delighting long time fans the Angels are creating a new young audience, many of whom were not even born when the Angels dominated Aussie rock. They know the words to the songs and delight in the ritualistic chant when the Angels play Will I Ever See Your Face Again .
The line up in the photo below is John Brewster, Rhythm guitar, Rick Brewster lead guitar, Doc Neeson vocals, Chris Bailey bass and Buzz Bidstrup on drums.
Angel City reformed
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