Johnny Dole & The Scabs

Johnny Dole & The Scabs were one of the first punk rock bands in Australia; they played live and recorded in Sydney, during 1977–78.

The band mutated out of the Strays, a typical cover band, who were looking for a new drummer to complete the line-up. After finding the right one, the band consisted of Terry Walsh (lead vocals), Peter Mullany (guitar), Mark Wong See (guitar), Dave Berry (bass / vocals), and Greg Morris (drums / vocals).

After a few rehearsals the Strays played their first gig on Thursday, 24 February 1977 at the Stagecoach Tavern in Sydney. After more rehearsals the band realised that the style of music was different to what they expected it to be, faster and dirtier. With punk rock bursting onto the scene this is exactly what the Strays had become, a punk rock band. This didn't sit well with guitarist Mark Wong See, who decided to leave the band. The four remaining members chose a new name and Johnny Dole & The Scabs was born.

It was obvious that this new style of music was not going to suit the 'normal' venues of the time, so they approached venues that supported punk rock. George Kringus, the manager of Radio Birdman, booked the bands at the legendary Oxford Funhouse at Taylor Square, giving the band their first 'real' gig on Friday, 15 April 1977.

Ray Walsh, Johnny Dole's brother, agreed to manage the band. He had gathered many contacts during his time as a professional wrestler under the stage name Butcher Brown, and was able to secure many interviews with all the major newspapers of the time, including The Daily Mirror, The Daily Telegraph and The Sydney Morning Herald. A recording session with Sydney radio station 2JJ's producer Keith Walker led to a number of interviews and songs regularly played on 2JJ. An interview on Channel 9's A Current Affair program with Mike Carlton which aired in January 1978 and supporting The Saints at the Refectory at Sydney University were just some of the highlights of Ray's achievements.

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