Joseph's COAT
80 Day Street, Pyrmont (off Sussex)
"Joseph's Coat., iconic as a venue and a building but sad. I think that probably John and Deanne only got the lease as the owners/developers were waiting to pull the building down. Australia was in the throws of an inferiority complex, we were destroying what little history we had, shit we nearly lost the QVB. But as a venue there's a book there, Lynne, glad you're on the trail. John moved back to the west many years ago and became very successful in real estate, his brother Bill who lived at JCs along with many and various musos etc; Ace Follington, Harvey Clifton-Parfait, Norm Murray, Norm Roue~Gutbucket. Bill is in the west also, lost on the golf courses of northern Perth. At one stage Bill was our roadie in R J Taylor and I guess we played there many times.
On a particular night the La de das came to play, Anyone remember that bloody stage, suspended at first floor level diagonally in the main room with access up a ladder through a trap door in its floor,anyway Swampy was their roadie then and after man handling all their gear onto that stage then ushering the band into position he went back to the truck for the last piece of equipment, the bass player Reno out cold in the back. Swampy hoisted Reno up the ladder, through the trap door, leant him up against his amp, strung his bass around his neck and even put his hands in place on the instrument. Bugger me if Reno didn't play like a man possessed, (not 'like' really I think he was a man possessed) and I don't think he opened his eyes once. Lynne, Ace is here somewhere as is Red and Graham Lowndes. John and Bill are a phone call away, I'm still in touch and I feel sure they'd be pleased to help. . . John A Bird' 'Hi Lynne,
as far as I recall, Joseph's Coat was in Sussex Street, Pyrmont. The owners - John Bloomfield, his wife Deanne and guy named Malcolm who did the ?'. Fantastic venue with hand stencilled walls, different themed rooms etc. John Bloomfield was our best man at Red's and my wedding in 1970 - terrific guy! I think the movie 'Wake in Fright' (1970) was partly filmed in the long bar there. There were lots of stories of some very wasted nights. The venue hadn't opened when filming took place and helped to pay for the decorations etc. they had lots of cushions, woodens chairs, good kitchen and a terrific bar .. Allannah" "I remember playing there with Chain, and the Copperwine were on too with Peter Figures and Harry Brus on bass. It was an attempt at making a venue really ritzy and a bit on the "Glam" side. I remember Joseph's Coat vividly as my band SUN played there very regularly in the 70's, The owners then sold it and moved to Perth where they were involved in booking bands for a venue called Gobbles. I was there in 1973 for a month's residency, and we also opened for John Mayall at His Majesty's Theatre in Perth at that time !
Joseph's coat was a great venue with the band playing on a mezzanine stage viewed by audience from two levels, plus all the little nooks and crannies you could have a quiet chat in .. Lil Goose' Kevin Robinson, Perry Mason, Steve Harris, Norm Murray, Chris Williams, David Gill.
"Lynne does anyone remember this band ... Trench was one of the bands that played at Josephs Coat amazingly we reunited through facebook and all alive and well. If anyone out there has any pics or info would love to hear from you. .. Norm Murray" |
I have received emails and Facebook comments regarding Joseph's Coat, a little known venue , to me, has now blossomed in my mind's eye. Way to go guys! I am working on a background for the page header photo, should be up and running soon.
'Lynne does anyone remember this band ... Trench was one of the bands that played at Josephs Coat amazingly we reunited through facebook and all alive and well. If anyone out there has any pics or info would love to hear from you. Norm Murray' Milesago .....
'Recruiting hotshot lead guitarist Gary Lothian from the highly regarded Sydney band Elliot Gordon Union, singer John "Spider" Sholtens and flautist Mick Parker from fellow Sydney dance band Samael Lilith, Galadriel soon made a name for themselves on the thriving Sydney dance/discotheque circuit. They often played at Sydney's "Joseph's Coat" disco - ' |