About
Formed in February 1971, Headband quickly became one of Australia’s most unique progressive blues-rock bands. The four-piece group from Adelaide comprised of bass guitarist Chris Bailey (ex-Red Angel Panic, later of The Angels), drummer Joff Bateman (Resurrection, W.G. Berg, War Machine), singer-songwriter and keyboardist Peter Head (Johnny Mac and the Macmen, Peter Beagley Trio, Boz) and lead vocalist, harmonicist and guitarist Mauri Berg (Silhouettes, Ides of March, Resurrection, W.G. Berg, War Machine).Headband played progressive blues-rock with symphonic, country and pop influences. Founder of the 1971 Myponga Music Festival, Hamish Henry managed Headband. He also managed Fraternity, Nostra Damus, Lotus and many others.We had to do all sorts of gigs to survive.– Peter HeadHeadband had a strong work ethic, rehearsing and performing daily, including three shows a week in high schools across Adelaide.We did modern jazz at nightclubs, rock ‘n’ roll for discos, J.S. Bach for pleasure, barbershop quartet stuff for laughs, electronic music at jam sessions, blues when feelin’ low, and country and folk for interest. A combination of these influences comes out in our original material.– Peter HeadThe band practised “group indoctrination” in all types of music, even attending chamber music concerts together. Headband would go on to support musical legends such as Elton John in 1971 at his Adelaide show at the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre, and The Rolling Stones in 1973 at their Sydney performances. They placed third in the 1972 Hoadley’s Battle of the Sounds – a national performance competition between the best groups representing each state, having been a finalist the year prior.I think if we can get to play our own stuff properly, in concert, with orchestras and the full treatment, that will be the ultimate.– Mauri Berg (1973)Mauri Berg was responsible for a majority of the band’s compositions, with Peter, Chris, and Joff helping out on arrangements. Headband released four singles and an album, A Song for Tooley.Their debut single, Scratch My Back was released locally by Hamish Henry and The Grape Organisation. It was followed by Land of Supercars, which was issued nationally in 1972. Country Lady was also released that year.Headband issued A Song for Tooley as their next single. Their debut album of the same name was released in September 1973 on Polydor. It featured hand-drawn album artwork by internationally renowned Adelaide artist Vytas Šerelis, who created promotional posters and photos for Hamish Henry and his bands Headband, Fraternity, and The Mount Lofty Rangers. The album also featured a foldout poster with photos and biographical details of the band members.The album’s sound was more adventurous but was erratic, with the material ranging from Uriah Heep-styled heavy rock to psychedelic pop to barbershop quartet and progressive jazz. It featured Sydney Symphony players and a 110-piece children’s choir. At that time, the most expensive Australian album to date. The album spent five weeks in the charts, making the top 50.Headband relocated to Sydney in 1973, playing the pub circuit with residencies at Whisky au Go Go. They toured Australia supporting international acts The Rolling Stones, Elton John and John Mayall. In 1974 they returned to Adelaide and disbanded soon after.I think we are desiccated enough, or stupid enough, to believe a band which sticks together can make it. I want to make it, because I want to be part of something that has contributed to history. A recognised band can change the course of music, the people, or even the whole world.– Chris BaileyAfter Headband had separated, Chris Bailey joined Australian rock group The Angels in January 1977. He was later a founding member of GANGgajang.Mauri Berg joined a new line-up of Fraternity in late 1974. It included John Swan on drums and vocals and his brother Jimmy Barnes (Cold Chisel) on vocals.Peter Head formed a loose musical collective, The Mount Lofty Rangers in 1974, which began with various musicians from Fraternity and Headband. It included notable Adelaide musicians such as Glenn Shorrock, Robyn Archer and Bon Scott, who later joined AC/DC.The Mount Lofty Rangers spawned the musical Lofty produced by The Circle Theatre Company. In 1996, Peter set up his own label Head Office Records alongside radio broadcaster David Woodhall. They produced two CDs: Round & Round & Round by Bon Scott and Peter’s first solo CD recording King of the Cross.I want to make enough money to buy a ravioli factory.– Joff BatemanThe original vinyl pressing of A Song for Tooley has become a collector’s item for psychedelic and progressive rock fans.Chris Bailey sadly passed away from mouth and throat cancer on 4th April 2013.In April 2016, Headband was inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame at The Goodwood Institute in Adelaide.Today, Headband are still managed and work with Hamish Henry and The Grape Organisation Pty Ltd.
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