THE MELODY LORDS

Reviewed by the CDU team

Way back in the 80s, a new breed of band started.  Not unlike Cleavagedownunder, OK, very unlike cleavagedownunder,  several small groups & bands played some of the better (and worse) pubs in and around Melbourne playing covers and tributes to the greats. (well we lip sync but thats another story…)

Yes before Pokies killed the band scene, a number of us got around to be groupies (or legal stalkers as this band prefers for legal reasons!) The Stealers (Captain roadied for them – once!), Scat, Adam 12, even Bjorn Again (who have been reviewed on this website Click here) were covering the hits we loved, only at that time 10 odd years before.

But one band to us stood out:  They wore Lycra and jump suits, they played to the crowd they even pashed the crowd.  But they rocked.  And we followed.

THE MELODY LORDS

this circa 1990 from Palais theatre Melbourne!  (I was there!)

The band (and correct me if i am wrong) broke up in 1992 or so.  But continued to pop up for special gigs now and again.  It is hard for me to remember back to the pubs we followed them to each week back in the late 80s/early 90s, but I do partly remember the Christmas gig back at the South Side Six Sandlbelt in 2003!  I even kept the flyer….

(well remember most due to our group winning ALL the drink cards! )

But would the Lords shake our Sandmans again?  It seemed not.  But after some pressure from fans (Andrea, Gavin and a few others), the Lords ruled again in 2009  across the town for 5 shows.

The CDU crew caught up with two gigs, one at the Village Green, and one at the Chelsea Heights.  So like good little “Glam tarts” we and a number of the old crew from across Melbourne rolled in!

And let us assure you, they absolutely rocked.

Captain Fancypants and one of our Chief fans, Vaia went to the Village Green (As the Lords put it, it was 19 years since they played there!) and Captain, Freddy Uranus, Foxy Faberge & Betty Boobalicious all came down to the Chelsea heights Hotel!

Captain & Freddy Uranus

So WHO are the Melody Lords?

Stevie Blissbomb

Stevie Blissbomb

Spunky Dory

Spunky Dory

Amco

Amco V Knees

Ziggy Sawdust

Ziggy Sawdust

Throbbing

and Throbbing Glitteris

ALL put on a show to entertain, and salute the hits of old.  While our ears are still ringing (did that happen in our teens, or did we just not care back then) we danced and sang along to the bands great songs.  Personal fav of the captain include “Evie”, “Bony Maronie” and ELO’s Rockaria  or better known amongst Lord fans as “My Sandmans got fat tyres” song.  The jokes were there, the unique dancing was presented, and the boys can still sing and play.

We were not disappointed with Evie, when the girls dragged on stage, were assured of a pash by Stevie! But the votes went to the Village Green Evie, she seemed to stay on stage for her “present” a wee bit longer than the Chelsea Heights Evie!

So what of the Future?  Captain and the band who attended, spoke to Amco V Knees after the gig.  Yes, he did throw his stubby at us, until we had declared we had come in peace.  There will not be any immediate concerts until at least late 2010, but this is not assured.  However, we all stay hoping and praying that the Lords will be back.  Until then, Cleavagedownunder have been inspired to “hold the Panel Van” and try to get a gig up sooner rather than later for your mimesational entertainment! If we can only perform somewhat like our heros, the Melody lords!

And the fact that Stevie touched the Captains hand, and of course, Throbbing looked at us in the audience, all makes life worthwhile!

Link/click here to the facebook fanclub page with GREAT photos including Andrea with Throbbings Sandman (YES he really has one), Debbie Dinosaur’s memories and photos from the Palais and the fact she IS the best 70′s DJ in the whole wide world ever and the fact that all these people; we ALL keep the Lords alive.  Remember join the Facebook fan club as there HEAPS of photos and band info.

They rock, and we will rock also, but they were the first, the original and the best!  I still have the album “A fistful of Glitter” (with Les Lustre on lead)  But still a great album!  (And who was wearing the Melody Lords World Tour t-shirt in the front row at the Chelsea Heights gig?)

How about some original songs from Melody Lords from YouTube with GREAT photos!

So join the Facebook fan club for the LORDS Here and Cleavagedownunder HERE and we will all Rock you.

See the best I could do back then was get “Sand-man”, in the back of my “Ford Sundowner”  (Sandman equivalent in a Ford!) and was very young.  If only the Captain was that young and fit still!

Cleavagedownnder gratuitous plug:

Our intros from August 2009