Johnny Dole & the Scabs
| Company type | Punk rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Terry Walsh (Johnny Dole) |
| Defunct | 1979 (initially) |
| Fate | Disbanded; brief reunion in 2013 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Punk rock music, album "Scab Animal 1977" |
Johnny Dole & the Scabs emerged as an Australian punk rock group in 1976, founded by Terry Walsh—known by his stage name Johnny Dole—who handled lead vocals. The lineup also featured Dave Berry on bass and vocals, Peter Mullany on guitar, and Greg Morris on drums and backing vocals. Recognized as one of the pioneering punk outfits in Australia, they dissolved by mid-1979 but briefly regrouped in 2013. A compilation titled Scab Animal 1977 was issued in 1996. Terry Walsh passed away on 9 August 1987 at age 33.
History
Before forming Johnny Dole & the Scabs, the core members played in a Sydney-based covers band called the Strays, which began integrating original punk compositions by early 1977. When guitarist Mark Wong See exited, the band solidified with Walsh (vocals), Berry (bass/vocals), Mullany (guitar), and Morris (drums/vocals). The majority of their original songs were collaborative efforts between Mullany and Walsh.
Due to widespread resistance to punk music at many venues, they frequently performed at supportive locations such as the Oxford Funhouse, a venue managed by Radio Birdman’s George Kringus. Their inaugural show occurred on 15 April 1977. Alongside contemporaries like the Hellcats and Psycho-Surgeons, they played a central role in Sydney’s nascent punk scene that revolved around the Oxford Funhouse.
Management was handled by Terry’s brother Ray Walsh, who utilized his wrestling connections to gain press exposure in major newspapers and secure radio interviews, including one with producer Keith Walker at station 2JJ. In January 1978, they appeared in a television interview broadcast on Channel 9’s A Current Affair. Additionally, they supported the Saints during a performance at Sydney University.
The band produced a music video for their song "Aggro," directed by AFTRS student Peita Letchford. It was shot inside Woolloomooloo factories scheduled for demolition and later archived before being rediscovered many years afterward.
Following the closure of the Oxford Funhouse, Johnny Dole & the Scabs inaugurated the back room of Sydney’s Grand Hotel in Broadway as a new punk venue on 16 September 1977. This space became a hub for acts such as Rocks, Tommy & the Dipsticks, Shock Treatment, and Mental As Anything.
Their final appearance with the original lineup took place at Bondi Lifesaver on 9 February 1978, where they supported Cold Chisel. Shortly after this event, Morris and Berry left the group; despite continuing briefly with replacement members, the band soon disbanded. Subsequently, Dole and Mullany formed the Crooked Hearts alongside members of Tommy & the Dipsticks.
After the breakup, Mullany went on to establish Sekret Sekret with David Virgin and released multiple singles before stepping away from punk music. Berry joined Nashberries, a covers band based on the south coast. Morris became part of the punk group Rocks, recording their EP You're So Boring, and later performed with Mad Cow Party Band.
In 1997, Brain Salad Surgery issued Scab Animal 1977, a collection featuring eight tracks recorded at ABC Studios in 1977 under producer Keith Walker. Critic Col Gray likened them to "Australia’s response to the Pistols," highlighting their unrefined vigor and innovative style. The CD edition included four live recordings plus hidden radio interviews.
Reunion
Inspired by Des Devlin’s documentary Distorted: Reflections on Early Sydney Punk—himself from Sekret Sekret—original members Berry, Morris, and Mullany reunited for a singular show in 2013. Titled A Grand Night of Original Punk, this event occurred on 19 April 2013 at Leichhardt’s Bald Faced Stag Hotel, marking their first collective performance since 1978. The concert also featured other prominent late-1970s Grand Hotel bands such as Tommy & the Dipsticks, Rejex, the Urban Guerillas, the Crooked Hearts, and Rocks.
Past Members
- Terry Walsh (also known as Johnny Dole) – lead singer (1976–1979)
- Peter Mullany – guitarist (1976–1979)
- Dave Berry – bass player and vocalist (1976–1979)
- Greg Morris – drummer and vocalist (1977–1978)
- Phil Walsh – drummer (1978)
- Mike Couples – drummer (1978)
- Paul Cosgrove – drummer (1978–1979)
Chronology
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at:10/01/1976 color:black layer:back at:02/01/1977 color:black layer:back at:10/01/1978 color:black layer:back at:01/12/1979 color:black layer:back
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bar:Terry text:"Terry Walsh" bar:Mullany text:"Peter Mullany" bar:Berry text:"Dave Berry" bar:Morris text:"Greg Morris" bar:Walsh text:"Phil Walsh" bar:Couples text:"Mike Couples" bar:Cosgrove text:"Paul Cosgrove"
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width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Terry from:01/01/1976 till:end color:Vocals bar:Mullany from:01/01/1976 till:end color:Guitars bar:Berry from:01/01/1976 till:end color:Bass bar:Morris from:01/01/1976 till:02/07/1978 color:Drums bar:Walsh from:02/10/1978 till:02/28/1978 color:Drums bar:Couples from:03/01/1978 till:07/01/1978 color:Drums bar:Cosgrove from:07/01/1978 till:end color:Drums </timeline>
Albums
- Scab Animal 1977 (CD, released in 1996) – Brain Salad Surgery (BSS05)
- Scab Animal 1977 (vinyl reissue, 1997) – Buckwheat Headlock Productions (BHP 03)
Compositions
- "Aggro"* (Walsh/Mullany)
- "All That's Going On"* (Walsh/Mullany)
- "Blow My Nose"* (Berry)
- "Getting Desperate" (Walsh/Mullany)
- "Halfwit Rock 'N' Roll" (Walsh/Mullany)
- "Hurts My Brain" (Walsh/Mullany)
- "I Don't Wanna Work" (Walsh/Mullany/Berry/Morris)
- "Little Lord Punk"* (Walsh/Mullany)
- "Living Like An Animal"* (Walsh/Mullany)
- "Lucky Country"* (Walsh/Mullany)
- "Psycho Analyst"* (Walsh/Mullany)
- "Stuff Your Rules"* (Walsh/Mullany)
(*These tracks were recorded at ABC Studio, located at 221 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst NSW; production and engineering by Keith Walker; included on both the Scab Animal 1977 LP and CD editions)
Notable Gigs
- Bondi Lifesaver, Bondi Junction – single performance supporting Cold Chisel
- Chequers Night Club, Town Hall – one show under the name Johnny Dole & the Strays
- Governor Bourke Hotel, Camperdown – two performances
- Journey's End Wine Bar, Woolloomooloo – one show
- The Last Resort, Darlinghurst – single gig
- Manly Vale Hotel, Manly Vale – one gig supporting Karl Taylor & Huntress
- Refectory, Sydney University – one performance opening for The Saints
- Stage Door Tavern, Central – one show
- Stagecoach Tavern, Sydney – three performances as the Strays
- The Grand Hotel, Broadway – twenty-one shows
- The Oxford Funhouse, Taylor Square – four gigs
- The Paris Theatre, Sydney – six performances
- Bald Faced Stag Hotel, Leichhardt – reunion concert