Spectrum were a rock band (formed in Melbourne) which performed from 1969 to 1973. Mike Rudd was the lead singer (originally from New Zealand) who joined with several Melbourne musicians to form the band. They also played a different type of pop music (styled for a dancing audience, rather than a concert audience) under their alter ego of The Indelible Murtceps (“Murtceps” being “Spectrum” spelt backwards). Spectrum disbanded in 1973; however, it was later re-formed for various occasions since.
Their album “Spectrum Part One” reached #13 in the national album charts (#10 in Melbourne) and their second album “Milesago” went to #16 in 1972. Their hit song “I’ll Be Gone” (written by Mike Rudd) very quickly became #1 in the national singles charts after its release in January 1971, and is considered to be a classic of Australian pop music; it was strikingly different to most of Spectrum’s other music, which was created in more of a psychedelic-progressive style.
Spectrum – I’ll Be Gone [peaked at #1 in 1971]
Spectrum – Everybody’s Walking Sideways
Spectrum – But that’s Alright
The Indelible Murtceps – Esmeralda
Spectrum – Launching Place Part II
Spectrum – Make Your Stash
Spectrum – Mama, Did Jesus Wear Make Up?
Spectrum – Trust Me
Spectrum – Your Friend and Mine
Discography:
Albums:
1971 Spectrum Part One
1971 Milesago
1973 Warts Up Your Nose (as The Indelible Murtceps)
1973 Testimonial
1973 Terminal Buzz
Singles:
Jan. 1971 I’ll Be Gone / Launching Place Part II
Aug. 1971 Trust Me / Going Home
Oct. 1971 But that’s Alright / Play a Song that I Know
Apr. 1972 Esmeralda / We are Indelible (as The Indelible Murtceps)
Aug.? 1973 Indelible Shuffle / Ray’s Boogie (as The Indelible Murtceps)
References and further information:
Spectrum / Indelible Murtceps, Milesago: Australasian Music & Popular Culture 1964-1975 (accessed 5 October 2012)
Spectrum (band), Wikipedia (accessed 5 October 2012)
Indelible Murtceps, Wikipedia (accessed 5 October 2012)
I’ll Be Gone (Spectrum song), Wikipedia (accessed 5 October 2012)
Spectrum, Howlspace (accessed 5 October 2012)
Spectrum (part 2; discography), Howlspace (accessed 5 October 2012)
Encyclopedia entry for ‘Spectrum’ (Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop), Whammo (Worldwide Home of Australian Music and More Online) [Internet Archive] (accessed DATE October 2012)
History, Mike Rudd & Bill Putt (accessed 5 October 2012)
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