| MILESAGO: Australasian Music & Popular Culture 1964-1975 | Groups & Solo Artists |
RASHAMRA
Adelaide, 1971-72
Andy Peake (vocals)
Peter Jesser (guitar, percussion, vocals)
John Haffert (drums, vocals)
Peter Staben (piano, vocals)
John Falletti (bass)
Sherry Hunt, Annalisa Vague (Hope) and (unknown) (backing vocals)
History
For most of their short existence Rashamra was the only band in Adelaide playing all-original material, as it was virtually impossible to get gigs without playing mostly "covers". Rashamra had a DIY ethic and organised their own shows, gained a fan-base who rushed out and bought their Singles, propelling them into the Top 5 on 5KA Radio (as a result, all the venues suddenly wanted them to play) -- basically a "prog-rock" band with a punk ethic before punk happened!
Memorable gigs at the Largs Pier Hotel and Elizabeth's Octagon Theatre were sold out, packed out, hot and sweaty affairs. Years later, members of Cold Chisel spoke of being inspired by these gigs and of the cautionary tale of getting out of Adelaide before being ground down by the all-powerful "agency" system of the time.
Still, fun while it lasted, with two now very rare singles to be remembered by.
Peter Jesser, Peter Staben and John Falletti met up again in 2001. Recording as "T.C. Emile" with Lyndon Cox (ex Die Dancing Bears), Andy Mills and Mary Laslett, they did a 5-track demo and performed one live show before splitting.
- Peter Staben
Discography
Singles
1972
"Mr Timekeeper" / "Paradise Found" (Edition One EMS 1003)
1972
"Antelope" / "Hang On To What You Have" (Edition One EMS 1004)
Albums
A full album's worth of material was recorded but the location of the tapes is currently unknown.
References / Links
Many thanks to Peter Staben and Michael Hunter.
Vernon Joyson
Dreams Fantasies & Nightmares: Australia (Borderline Books, 1999)