W.O.C.K on Vinyl: John Vincent and Celsius '69 Present Ken Noath and the Ocker Rockers - Almost Live at the Findon [EP] (1974)

 Before things get too serious here at Rock On Vinyl, I thought it might be fun to post a song / album at the end of each month, that could be categorized as being either Weird, Obscure, Crazy or just plain Korny.

Disc Jockey John Vincent was one of Adelaide’s most-loved radio personalities in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s Heard on air, seen on TV, compering dances or performing musically under the pseudonym Ken Noath (sometimes Ken Oath *) & The Ocker Rockers. Having originally started in country radio, Moved to Hobart's 7HO in early sixties. John moved to Adelaide and Radio 5AD sometime in the mid 60s.

In the early 70s he moved to Radio Earth Station 5KA and started recording with Adelaide Band Celsius 69 (AKA Fahrenheit 451), The In-Sect, and others.

He started releasing the odd single in 1967. And they were truly odd. 'Owyagoing' was the first, followed by "classics" like Madge's Charity Badges, 'Owyagoing Santa Claus etc etc. In the early 70s he was a regular guest on Barry Ion's TV chat show and to differentiate between his radio & performing personas, Vincent adopted the moniker "Ken Noath", apparently inspired by expletives heard at his concerts.

John Vicent was also known for live performances of his comic turns, with bands like Celsius 69, Fahrenheit 451 and The Ken Noath Ockestra.

After his stint in Adelaide, he moved east to commence work as the breakfast announcer at 2GB. John Vincent had been plagued with serious health problems for most of his life and he found the pace of radio affecting his wellbeing, eventually retiring from the airwaves in the 90s. He died in 2009.

This live EP is a good example of his great Ocker satire and musical proness.

RCA lifted these tracks from an LP on the totally obscure Slack label. Slack Records was a one-off pressed by the optimistic Nationwide/EMS outfit who never achieved distribution much beyond Adelaide, although in the mid ‘70s they released a bewildering number of singles and LPs sourced locally and from overseas.

Ken says 'Owyagoing'

These tracks are very local, featuring Adelaide radio person John Vincent belting out his tongue-in-cheek “ocker rock” live at the Findon Hotel in 1974. Suburban Aussie rock at it’s very worst/best, depending on your attitude. Celsius 69 were a good rock band with an excellent lead guitarist (Jimmy Jonas) and bass player John Bywaters (best known as a longtime member of The Twilights).

*  "Bloody oath" (often colloquially intensified or misheard as "blood oath" or "Ken Oath") is an iconic Australian slang phrase meaning "absolutely," "you bet," or "it's the absolute truth"

So, this month's WOCK post ticks most boxes, Crazy, Korny, even Obscure [Ken Oath !] and are some of the funniest satirical recordings I've ever heard.  Ripped to FLAC, this post also includes artwork and label scans.  Well, that's it from me until next month folks...... I'm off to put a snag on me barbie - blood oath! 

Track Listing:

01 - (Thump Thump, Bash Bash) Jungle Music

02 - The Flasher

03 - I Forgive You

04 - Watermelon Song

Ken Oath's EP  (64Mb)