Indelible Murtceps
| The Indelible Murtceps | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Murtceps |
| Origin | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Genres | progressive rock, rock 'n' roll, pub rock |
| Years active | 1971–1973 |
| Labels | EMI |
| Associated acts | Spectrum, Ariel |
| Website | mikeruddbillputt |
| Past members |
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The Indelible Murtceps were an Australian progressive rock and dance-pop band, which formed, as a side project of Spectrum, in October 1971. Sometimes referred to as the shortened name, Murtceps, they were "a stripped-back version... [that] could play anywhere and often." They worked the more lucrative dance and pub rock circuit. Whereas Spectrum performed in a full concert setting, commonly at larger venues, like the T.F. Much Ballroom, and at rock festivals.
The Indelible Murtceps' debut single, "Esmeralda", was issued in 1972, which peaked in the Go-Set National Top 40. It appeared ahead of their studio album, Warts Up Your Nose, in the following year, which made the top 20. Sometimes both groups shared a stage; both disbanded after a joint final gig at the Dallas Brooks Hall on 15 April 1973. The performance was included on a shared live double album, Terminal Buzz, which appeared in December that year.
The Indelible Murtceps were formed in Melbourne in October 1971 by Mike Rudd as a side project for his main group, Spectrum, using the same roster for both bands. The line-up was Ray Arnott on drums, Lee Neale on keyboards, Bill Putt on bass guitar and Rudd on lead guitar, lead vocals and harmonica. With the advent of pub rock Spectrum's lengthy and complex material was precluding bookings on the lucrative local dance and pub circuit. Spectrum were performing in a full concert setting, using a large PA system and light show, sometimes augmented by a dance, performance troupe, The Tribe. They commonly appeared at larger venues, like the T.F. Much Ballroom, and at rock festivals.
Rudd created a performance set of simpler, dance-pop tunes, with a reduced stage set-up, for use by Indelible Murtceps, allowing Spectrum to continue its progressive course while supplementing members' incomes with the more frequent Murtceps gigs. The name 'murtceps' is 'spectrum' written backwards. According to music journalist, Ed Nimmervoll, the Murtceps were "a stripped-back version... [that] could play anywhere and often." Susan Moore of The Australian Women's Weekly recalled that Spectrum's "music was often regarded as 'progressive' and more for listening purposes, which didn't please dance audiences too much. So the band developed an alter ego which they called the Indelible Murtceps, who turned up when a dance band was required."
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