The Angels are set for a 2013 tour that will have punters salivating. The Angels 100% Tour brings together – for the first time – a unique line-up. While all crucial to The Angels’ 38 years of rock’n’roll history, Doc Neeson, Bob Spencer, James Morley, Buzz Bidstrup and Jim Hilbun have never shared a stage before.
Doc Neeson: ‘I am very excited about playing with the guys again on The Angels 100% tour. Everyone in this band is a great musician who has been in The Angels at some time in their careers. This band has a top pedigree and kicks ass! It’s been too long since our fans have heard the real thing. With this band they are going to get it. 100%. I can’t wait.’
The incomparable Doc Neeson is of course the founding singer, co-writer and galvanising frontman who won The Angels legions of fans from the start and has never left the band. That 6’4”, Irish-born gent harnessed his Honours degree in Drama and Film Production at Flinders Uni to help create a raging rock experience with the drama of film noir.
Live, this distincitive band have provided cathartic rights for generations of loving fans and sold millions of records worldwide since forming in Adelaide in 1974. Doc has now racked up 38 years with The Angels. In late 2012 he was such a hit on the SBS show RocKwiz’s Some Kind of Genius national live tour that he appeared and performed live on four separate shows around the country.
Bob Spencer, gun guitar player and self-confessed ‘gig-junkie’, has blitzed Angels stages for seven and a half years so far. Spencer’s physicality on stage is only surpassed by his dedication to playing white-hot rhythm and lead.
‘I have fond memories of the energy of Angels gigs’, said the ex-Skyhook, ‘both from the band and the audience.’ Bob’s looking forward to ‘reliving and renewing’ that high. ‘Having spent the last few years in serenity, security, business and personal success and great family satisfacNon, it’s time to mix things up and go on the road again!’
Another great live showman, Jim Hilbun has spent an impressive 18 years touring and recording with The Angels to date. The versatile US-born bass player who joined for an American ‘Angel City’ tour in 1982, and ended up moving to Sydney, also handles a mean sax and loves to sing.
Jim: ‘I’m proud of my contribution to The Angels, and I’m looking forward to bangin’ the boards as a 100 percenter.. To me, music hasn’t ever been about competition or politics, it’s about sharing a joyous experience with the players and the listeners… That, the chicks, and making a quid… hopefully!’
Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup joined The Angels in 1976, playing with them as the band sweated their way to being arguably the biggest in Australia. His total time in the band so far is 11 years.
Known for his deft left hand swing, Bidstrup played on such Australian classics as Mondo Rock’s Chemistry, Australian Crawl’s Reckless and all GANGgajang’s recordings – and as Jimmy Lible’s long- term drummer.
Buzz: ‘The Angels has been home to some very fine musicians in its nearly 40 years of gigging! Now I have the unique opportunity to play with three of those talented people who joined after I left but who were instrumental in forging their own part of The Angels history. This history continues to be written in 2013 with The Angels 100%.’
James Morley’s played a lible over three years with The Angels so far, joining in November ‘89. Tellingly, he played bass on The Angels’ first number one national album Beyond Salvation. James is dying to get back on the road for The Angels 100% tour. ‘There’s a sense of pride … Coming off stage with The Angels, you’re always on a major high’, he said. James switches from bass to guitar, an instrument he’s favoured in recent years, in this Angels line-up.
The Angels were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1998 and have released over 20 albums (more including reissues and remixes). Originally signed to Albert Productions on the recommendation of Bon Scob and Malcolm Young, they supported label mates AC/DC on their Australian tours High Voltage (1975) and Back in Black (’81).
Although typically headlining, they’ve also supported David Bowie around Australia (’78) and Motley Crue in the US. The Angels have also heralded the call to play at many crucial fund-raisers, including for Victims of the Bali Tragedy, the Golden Stave, Save 3RRR, Live Aid, Earthquake Relief for Newcastle and the Ted Mulry and Pete Wells benefits.
With The Angels 40th Anniversary looming in 2014, stay tuned for special announcements that fans past, present and future just won’t want to miss. Meanwhile, get set for 2013’s The Angels 100%, coming to raise a roof near you.
Supporting The Angels on the 100% tour will be Diva Demolition. Diva Demolition are singer, songwriter and bass player Kylie Cowling and guitarist Sherree Newton. The super powered girls and their Toy Boys will perform songs from their new album to be released in 2013. www.divademolition.com
The Angels 100% 2013 Australian Tour Dates
For tickets visit www.theangels.net
Friday 15th February 2013
Penrith Panthers, NSW
Saturday 16th February 2013
The Entrance Leagues, NSW
Friday 22nd February 2013
Vine Inn, Barossa SA
Saturday 23rd February 2013
Bridgeway Hotel, SA
Saturday 2nd March 2013
The Tivoli, QLD
Friday 8th March 2013
Port Macquarie Panthers, NSW
Saturday 9th March 2013
Club Forster, NSW
Friday 15th March 2013
Prince Of Wales Hotel, VIC
Friday 22nd March 2013
Canberra South Cross Club, ACT
Saturday 23rd March 2013
Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, NSW
