I first heard Madder Lake live just a few months ago when they; Spectrum; plus Normie Rowe were on the same fund raiser. Of course I had heard Madder Lake’s best known songs on various compilations but I didn’t live in Oz when they began in 1971. But I get the commonalities between them & Spectrum. Mike Rudd went to Art School in Christchurch. The original members of Madder Lake all attended Swinburne College; well-known for delivering art courses. In the mid 60s Mike Rudd (in the Chants R&B) was influenced by UK R&B. In their early days Madder Lake were influenced by British prog rock.

The 6 members of Madder Lake provided great deliveries of songs from their albums; all tight performances. Brendan Mason with his superb musicianship & his naughty-boy streak stood out & I know at times recently he has performed with Spectrum. With some songs in this show Mike added harmonica, vocals & guitar. The moments when there was a line-up of 5 musicians across the stage were stunning.

They delivered the last ever Mike Rudd-Bill Putt song Lottery & a great rarity from the Ariel era: Cypherland. And of course all seven gave us the 2 songs Mike is compelled to play: I’ll Be Gone & Esmeralda. The crowd helped with both; as they they helped with Madder Lake’s Goodbye Lollipop & the famous toothbrush song (12Lb Toothbrush).

It was such a great afternoon of high quality music, fun & sheer entertainment.