Image above by Blue Triangle Design
Like many of Australia’s top bands, The Angels cut their teeth in Adelaide – not originally as the band they would become, but as The Moonshine Jug and String Band. Quite a way from what you’d expect of two lads from the prestigious St Peter’s College.
Rick and John Brewster – and the other main player, the late and lamented Brendan ‘Doc’ Neeson – have had quite the roller coaster ride from their early days to fortuitous occasion that would result in the development of their unique style.
The meeting of the Brewsters and Neeson had a distinct resonance for me – and a true ‘less than 6-degrees of separation’, that defines what it means to be an Adelaidean. The man who drove ‘Doc’ to his audition and assisted him in finding his stage name, was none other than one of my Christian Brothers’ College Senior School teachers – and his housemate at that early juncture was also a teacher of mine, from my Christian Brothers’ College Junior School days (and just days before I started the book, my Dad ran into him, in the street!) The accompanying story of the car journey that gave rise to the name ‘Doc’ Neeson is so surprisingly simple, but wonderous.
Over the decades, as the book explores in detail – both researched and confessed – the journey, life and lifestyle of the band is a true, almost stereotypical, one – sex, drugs, rock ’n’ roll, changes in line-up, highs, lows, success and disaster, the bonds of family are shredded and the loss of a friend is deeply felt. Through differing incarnations, multiple cities and continents, management changes (including a monumentally brave (or stupid) decision to leave one of the strongest partnerships in Oz Rock history) and the decision to continue after the loss of Neeson, The Angels provides all that a sincere confession should.
The Angels is a warts-and-all, biography – by three men who weren’t afraid to tell it like it was and is. Believe me, we will see their faces, again…and again…and again…
Reviewed by Glen Christie
Released by: Penguin Australia
Release Date: July 2017
RRP: $34.99 trade paperback, $14.99 eBook
Rating out of 10: 8
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