Coloured Balls – Ball Power 1973 (Australia, Hard, Blues Rock)

Coloured Balls – Ball Power 1973 (Australia, Hard, Blues Rock)

The Coloured Balls formed in Brisbane after the breakup of The Purple Hearts. In 1971, the band was joined by the already well-known guitarist and star of the Australian club scene, Lobby Loyde (born John Baslington Lyde). Prior to joining the band, he had already played solo and with The Purple Hearts, Wild Cherries, and Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs. Lobby Loyde immediately assumed a leadership position—his status as a musician at the time implied nothing less. America had Hendrix, Britain had Clapton, Beck, and Page, and Australia had John Baslington Lyde, aka Lobby Loyde, the most uncompromising axeman in any hemisphere. More than anyone else, Lobby helped create the Australian guitar sound long before Angus Young, Billy Thorpe, The Angels, or Rose Tattoo ever picked up a guitar. Lobby inspired Australian bands to step up and play as loudly and aggressively as possible. Modern musicians still try to copy his playing. His stage persona became a byword: "Loyd played with a cigarette permanently stuck to his lower lip, and always seemed drunk or stoned..." By 1972, he was a 10-year veteran of the Australian rock scene and formed The Coloured Balls as a "revenge band" against the music establishment. The result was unbridled, truly driving rock. Their songs were somewhat reminiscent of The Groundhogs or Jeff Beck Group, and their energy can only be described as that remarkable precursor to British punk, the Buzzcocks. They played practically everything from rock 'n' roll, boogie-woogie, and blues-rock to psychedelia, hard rock, glam rock, and even pop rock. They quickly gained popularity, including among skinheads, thanks to their reputation for being a loud band, similar in style to The Aztecs, and the extremely violent nature of their performances, sometimes with explicit calls for violence emanating from the stage. 01. Flash — 0:00

02. Mama Don't You Get Me Wrong — 3:20

03. Won't You Make Up Your Mind — 5:12

04. Something New — 6:45

05. B.P.R. — 11:58

06. Human Being — 14:20

07. Whole Lotta Shakin' — 20:21

08. Hey! What's Your Name - 26:14

09. That's What Mama Sid - 30:05

Bonuses (Singles, 1972-1973):

10. Liberate Rock (A-Side, 1972) - 40:49

11. Slowest Guitar On Earth (B-Side, 1972) - 43:35

12.Mr. Mean Mouth (A-Side, 1973) - 46:45

13. Love Me Girl (B-Side, 1973) - 50:36

14. Mess Of The Blues (A-Side, 1973) - 54:25

15. Devil's Disciple (B-Side, 1973) - 56:58

Live at Sunbury, 1973

16. G.O.D. — 1:00:49


Personnel:

Lobby Loyde – lead guitar, vocals, producer (10-13)
Ian "Bobsy" Millar - guitar & vocals (01-09, 14, 15)
Janis "John" Miglans - bass & vocals (01-09, 12-16)
Trevor Young - drums & vocals (01-09, 12-16)
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Billy Thorpe - guitar (10, 11)
Paul "Sheepdog" Wheeler - bass (10, 11)
Warren "Pig" Morgan - piano (10, 11)
Gil »Rats» Matthews — drums (10, 11)
Andrew Fordham — guitar & vocals (12, 13, 16)
Ian D. Miller — producer (01-09, 14, 15)