Bootleg Family Band
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1973 in Melbourne, Australia |
| Founder | Brian Cadd |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
The Bootleg Family Band emerged in Australia in 1973 as a fusion of folk, R&B, and rock genres. Founded by Brian Cadd (lead vocals), the ensemble featured Geoff Cox on drums, Tony Naylor handling lead guitar, Penny Dyer providing backing vocals, Gus Fenwick on bass guitar, Brian Fitzgerald playing keyboards, Angela Jones contributing lead and backing vocals, Louise Lincoln on backing vocals, and Russell Smith on trumpet. While serving as the resident band for Cadd’s Bootleg Records label, they also produced their own records. Their renditions of "Your Mama Don't Dance" (February 1973) and "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" (July 1974) both secured positions within the Australian singles chart top 10. The group toured across the United States and made television appearances on shows such as The Midnight Special and Don Kirshner's Rock Concert during 1974. Early in 1975, the lineup was condensed to five members and rebranded as The Bootleg Band. After Brian Cadd’s departure later that year, the remaining musicians adopted the name Avalanche, releasing a self-titled album in September 1976 before transitioning into Front Page and ultimately disbanding in 1978. In 2015, Cadd revived the Bootleg Family Band name, culminating in the release of the studio album Bulletproof in November 2016, which was supported by a short tour.
History
Originating in Melbourne in 1973 under Brian Cadd—previously associated with Axiom and the Groop—the Bootleg Family Band brought together experienced musicians including Geoff Cox, Tony Naylor, and Gus Fenwick. The group acted as the house band for Bootleg Records, a subsidiary label co-established by Cadd alongside Fable Records’ Ron Tudor in 1971. Initially, various session players backed label artists such as Steve Foster and Kerrie Biddell; however, Cadd formed this consistent backing band inspired by Leon Russell’s approach with Shelter Records.
Their first single was a cover of Loggins and Messina’s "Your Mama Don't Dance" released in February 1973, which climbed to number 4 on the Go-Set Top 40 Singles Chart. The follow-up track "Wake Up Australia" did not enter the charts, but their third release—a version of "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" issued in July 1974—reached number 10 on the Kent Music Report. That same year, they appeared briefly in the Australian movie Alvin Rides Again and enhanced their exposure through appearances on American television programs.
In February 1975, they put out a self-titled four-track EP under Bootleg Records with production handled by Brian Cadd. By May that year, the group was streamlined to five members: Cadd, Cox, Naylor, Clive Harrison on bass, and Ian Mason on keyboards; at this point they adopted the name The Bootleg Band. After Cadd left later in 1975 to pursue opportunities in the United States, the remaining musicians continued as Avalanche with Adrian Campbell taking over lead vocals. Avalanche released a self-titled album in September 1976 and experienced further personnel changes before issuing their final single—a Beatles cover—in November 1978 prior to breaking up.
In 2015, Brian Cadd reassembled the Bootleg Family Band with original members Cox, Fenwick, Jones (now performing as Angela Labrandi), Lincoln, and Naylor along with new collaborators. This reunion resulted in the November 2016 release of Bulletproof, accompanied by a supporting tour that included opening performances for The Beach Boys.
Albums
- Avalanche (released under Avalanche) (September 1976) Bootleg Records
- Bulletproof (credited to Brian Cadd and the Bootleg Family Band) (11 November 2016) – Caddmann Enterprises / MGM Distribution (CDMN006)
Extended plays
- The Bootleg Family Band (February 1975) Bootleg Records
Singles
- The Bootleg Family Band
- 1973 "Your Mama Don't Dance" / "Honky Tonk Woman" AUS Go-Set: Peak position No. 4
- 1973 "Wake Up Australia" / "Ballad of Billy Clover"
- 1974 "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" / "Walking Home in the Morning" AUS KMR: Reached No. 10
- 1975 "Green Door" / "Kenny" AUS KMR: Charted at No. 98
- The Bootleg Band
- 1975 "How Do I Try?" / "Rockin' Hollywood" AUS KMR: Achieved No. 60
- Avalanche
- 1976 "Wizard of Love"
- 1976 "Sweet Baby Brown Eyes"
- 1976 "Landslide"
- 1977 "Good for Me Good for You"
- 1978 "Got to Get You into My Life"