The Sect
I don't recall a lot about Jim Carter except for the period which started with Rhubarbs Cnr Barry St and Military Rd, Neutral Bay. I think it would have been 1965. It looked like a great venue when we auditioned for him; it had an upstairs area with the centre of the floor cut out so you could see the band. I think I remember seeing Jeff St John & the Id there. Jim loved our playing but said we looked too young, however he was opening a new Rhubarbs in about a year and to get in touch then. That was the Rhubarbs near the corner of Sussex and Liverpool Sts, down a little lane called Douglas St.
At that time the "M'n'J Sect" consisted of Mike Lester (vocal, harm) Mick Morphett (bass) Mick McCormack (drums) Jim McCormack Guitar) and Neil Smith (Guitar).
We found this little "Disco" in a double garage in Brookvale, in the Warringah Mall car park; it was called "The Blue Note", run by a guy called Jerry Voermans. He had about 2 people drinking coffee there at peak time so we offered him a deal; we'd play there for half the door. Jerry looked at his 2 customers smiled and we all shook hands.
The McCormacks and other partners in crime got together a poster and plastered it around all the local girls' schools and soon the place was full. The double garage space quickly doubled again so we filled it by throwing a "pyjama" party and leaking this too the Sunday Mirror. Next Sunday photos appeared all over Pages 1, 2 &3 of the outrageous scene. Now you couldn't get into the Blue Note and of course Jerry wanted to re-negotiate our deal.
In the end we decided to hold a band competition to decide who would replace us in the revised deal. I think Jim Kelly may have been in the replacement band and we met a guy called Steve Kipner who had a band called Steve and the Board. His father was Nat Kipner and he ran the St Clare recording studio in Hurstville. We recorded there later with Danny Groves but without the McCormacks.
At that time the "M'n'J Sect" consisted of Mike Lester (vocal, harm) Mick Morphett (bass) Mick McCormack (drums) Jim McCormack Guitar) and Neil Smith (Guitar).
We found this little "Disco" in a double garage in Brookvale, in the Warringah Mall car park; it was called "The Blue Note", run by a guy called Jerry Voermans. He had about 2 people drinking coffee there at peak time so we offered him a deal; we'd play there for half the door. Jerry looked at his 2 customers smiled and we all shook hands.
The McCormacks and other partners in crime got together a poster and plastered it around all the local girls' schools and soon the place was full. The double garage space quickly doubled again so we filled it by throwing a "pyjama" party and leaking this too the Sunday Mirror. Next Sunday photos appeared all over Pages 1, 2 &3 of the outrageous scene. Now you couldn't get into the Blue Note and of course Jerry wanted to re-negotiate our deal.
In the end we decided to hold a band competition to decide who would replace us in the revised deal. I think Jim Kelly may have been in the replacement band and we met a guy called Steve Kipner who had a band called Steve and the Board. His father was Nat Kipner and he ran the St Clare recording studio in Hurstville. We recorded there later with Danny Groves but without the McCormacks.
Нажмите здесь, чтобы отредактировать.
'M'nJ Sect' as it was originally known. The first shows (from lower right) Jim McCormack, Neil Smith, Mike Lester, Mick Morphett and Michael McCormack. I think it was taken at a dance at Mosman Town Hall.
Ash St Sydney (a Young Libs party!?!) with Jim, Mick and Neil in front and Michael on drums, obscured.
The Sect, as it later became known, was originally started by the McCormack brothers (Michael on drums, Jim on guitar) and Mick Morphett on bass. Mike Lester and Neil joined later. The band practised at Morphett's home in Holt Ave. Mosman. Lester also lived at Mosman and Neil at Cremorne. I think the McCormacks came from Lane Cove. M'n'J stood for Mike (3) Neil and Jim.
Neil originally started playing with an electrified acoustic guitar in a band made up of North Sydney High boys. They practiced in a garage at McMahons Point and called themselves "Peter and the Wolves". I cant recall whether they ever played any gigs but my recollection is that they were better than average but lacked the equipment needed to progress. Neil then bought a large "Fi-Sonic" amp from a guitarist at Putney (Lou Borelli). He later bought Lou's Maton Fyrebird guitar and those coupled with thousands of hours of practice turned him into a lead guitarist with a growing reputation. A fully pro band called the "Morloch" begged him to join but as he was only half way through high school he wisely declined.
He then met the McCormacks and started playing with them and Mike Lester at Morphetts house. They clicked immediately and soon had an impressive playlist. Mike had a big voice and learnt to play the mouth harp. They were influenced by the blues oriented English bands and their covers were spot on. I remember one afternoon another band (who had recorded) came over and couldn't believe how good they were.
I can't remember their first gigs except for those in the photos. They hired the Mosman Town hall and flooded the Northern beaches with posters. I think they charged 10 shillings entry fee and donated a percentage to Legacy. The charity donation may have been necessary to secure the hall but my memory is very poor and I'm just surmising. Anyway the dance was hugely successful although they never did another until many years later at Lindfield after the lineup had changed substantially.
Neil has already described their involvement with "The Blue Note" at Brookvale. What a great place that became once they started playing there. As with many bands they had issues with their musical directions and eventually Neil and Mike Lester split with the McCormacks but the Sect lived on for a few more years playing in the city mainly at Vibes and Rhubarbs.
I'm still quite close to Ross Linton another guitarist who was part of the band for a few years.
I'm happy to give you any help you might need for your story.
Regards
Wade Smith
Нажмите здесь, чтобы отредактировать.
Harry Brus left in 1968 and he was replaced for a short time by Bob Thompson. In 1969 Leith Corbett, from Heart 'n' Soul, took over from Bob, while Mike MacCormack from Sect, replaced Ray Mulholland. With this new combination, John Robinson emerged as a fluid and inventive guitarist and the Dave Miller Set attained prominence as one of the first heavy rock bands on the local scene in the Led Zeppelin mould.
A serious record collector since 1963 (sold the lot, some 15,000 titles in 2000). Really enjoyed navigating around your great site.
I was in the same intake as Danny Groves (drummer) at the old PMG Technician-in-Training School at St Peters-Sydney in 1965/66, next to the old brick pits and tip. Danny then lived (with his parents) at French's Forest. Often gave him a lift home, and on the very odd occasion took him to rehearsals or a gig. Group was The Morlock from memory. I think one of the other members was an ABC technician.
I was in the same intake as Danny Groves (drummer) at the old PMG Technician-in-Training School at St Peters-Sydney in 1965/66, next to the old brick pits and tip. Danny then lived (with his parents) at French's Forest. Often gave him a lift home, and on the very odd occasion took him to rehearsals or a gig. Group was The Morlock from memory. I think one of the other members was an ABC technician.