Ted Mulry Gang - TMG Live (1979) with Bonus Track & TMG Live On Tour EP (1976)

(Australian 1972 - 1989, 1998)

In the 1970's, no country in the world produced quite as many quality hard rock bands as Australia. From AC/DC to Cold Chisel, Rose Tattoo to the Angels, Buffalo to Skyhooks, and onto Stevie Wright, Rabbit, Finch, Hush and Taste to name but a few. It was almost an embarrassment of riches, and quite an achievement for a country that was geographically isolated from the rest of the rock world. If fate had have dealt a different hand though, one band from Sydney could have been as big as AC/DC - and that band was the Ted Mulry Gang (TMG).

You see, TMG have a lineage that is entwined with AC/DC, a history that extends right back to both band's formative years. ln 1971, Malcolm Young joins Velvet Underground, a Newcastle tribute band to Lou Reed that includes future TMG members Les Hall and Herm Kovac in its ranks. At his first rehearsal, Malcolm is using a tiny little amp. Wanting a bigger sound, he instead plugs his Gretsch guitar into Les Hall's 100 Watt Marshall. The effect is immediate, it's the sound he has been looking for and at that moment, the distinctive AC/DC sound known the world over, is born. Yet the twin guitar sound of TMG's Les Hall and Gary Dixon, a sound that also launched a thousand memorable riffs, is every bit as good.

TMG were one of Australia's most popular bands of their era, providing the soundtrack to people's lives, especially impressible young adolescents. Their contribution to Australia's cultural identity in the 1970's cannot be understated. They released six studio albums between 1974 and 1980 which sold in their tens of thousands, and had many charting singles including "Jump ln My Car", which climbed to number one in 1976 and stayed there for 11 weeks. Yet the legacy of TMG upon Australian rock 'n' roll extends a lot further than "Jump ln My Car".

Sure, they were the fodder for teenage-girl fantasies, and yes, their posters adorned the bedroom walls of thousands of Australian teens, yet there was musical muscle to go along with the image, and nowhere was this more evident than in the live environment.

Be in no doubt, TMG could kick major arse, and had enough firepower to blow most other bands off the stage, and they often did.

TMG were one of the hardest working of all touring bands, and were incessantly on the road, bringing their hard edged rock 'n' roll to the masses and to every far flung corner of the continent. Be they Struttin' or Steppin' Out across Australia, TMG developed a hard earned reputation as a fierce live unit, blitzing audiences with their brand of original, catchy hard rock. Who needed Bad Company or Status Quo when you had TMG?

While much is made of TMG's albums released on Albert Productions, and rightly so, the three albums TMG released on Mushroom Records have not been given the same level of recognition, particularly 'Disturbing The Peace' from 1978, and the band's final studio album, 'Locked In' from 1980. Even when these albums were released. they were met with music media indifference and a changing musical landscape that ushered in punk and then new wave. It's a shame more ears didn't hear these albums, as all three are Oz rock classics, and show a band that had matured musically from blue-denim boogie to writing melodic rock 'n' roll that oozed with pop sensibilities and which was clearly pitched at an international audience.

Much of that material is included on this live album - which captures the band at the height of their powers.

All the key elements that made TMG such a killer live band are on display. Ted's whiskey soaked vocal is as clear, strong and distinctive as his thumping bass. Drummer Herm Kovac is, as ever. Mr Reliable behind the kit. Keeping time, no frills and unrelenting. As guitar players who have had a major impact on Australian rock 'n' roll - both Les Hall and Gary Dixon are deserving of way more respect. They are rock 'n' roll personified, like Keef and Woody, and the guitar interplay. riffs and solos on display remind you in no uncertain terms that they are Australian hard rock royalty. As well as being one of this country's most underrated players, Les Hall also wrote many of TMG's songs that have gone on to become Oz rock standards.

There are crowd faves, deep cuts and hit singles alike, from "Darktown Strutters Ball" and "Devil In You", through to "My Little Girl", the riff heavy 'Giving Up On Your Love' and the salacious sing-along of 'Dinah'. There's also 'Without You' and 'Gonna Be Somebody', both prime examples of TMG style hard rock that emphasise melody and power. 'Heart Of Stone' is simply an out and out Aussie rock classic. Ted had one of the most identifiable voices in rock, and if you need reminding of what a truly great singer he was, listen to him belt out the vocal on 'Disturbing The Peace'. Compelling. There's an abundance of great melodies, great choruses, great songs, and as evidenced by the between song banter, the band are obviously having fun. with a sense of humour and Ted's affable personality both front and centre.

This album is more than just a concert souvenir - this is TMG Live, the definitive live statement from the definitive good time rock 'n' roll band who, in the late 70, were at their peak. TMG's rock 'n' roll has stood the test of time, and it sounds as good today as it did all those years ago. No better testament to the quality of the songs than that. Play it loud. (Colin Gray - australianrockshow.com)

This post consists of FLACs ripped from CD and includes full album artwork for both Vinyl and CD formats, plus label scans. One shortcoming of the original vinyl release was the absence of their mega hit "Jump In My Car", so I have taken the liberty of including it as a Bonus Track. This short coming was later rectified on the Expanded CD release of this album, from which I have sourced the bonus track. The expanded release of TMG Live (featuring 10 additional tracks) can be purchased at TMG's Official Website.

In addition, I am also posting their 1976 'Live On Tour' EP for your enjoyment (with thanks to Deutros). Regrettably, I can only provide an MP3 (320kps) rip of this great 4 track EP.

Track List:

01 My Little Girl
02 You've Got It
03 Without You
04 Dinah
05 Sha La La La Lee
06 Darktown Strutters Ball
07 Devil In You
08 Disturbing The Peace
09 Giving Up On Your Love
10 Heart Of Stone
11 Gonna Be Somebody
12 Jump In My Car (Bonus Track)

TMG are:

Ted Mulry - Vocals, Bass
Les Hall - Guitar, Vocals
Gary Dixon - Guitar, Vocals
Herm Kovac - Drums

Side 1 Recorded live at Melbourne Showgrounds
Side 2 Recorded live at 'Ritchies' Melbourne

TMG Live Link (324Mb)

Live On Tour EP

01 I'm Free

02 Goodbye

03 Crazy

04 Darktown Strutters Ball

Live On Tour Link  (14Mb)