The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 in Melbourne, Australia |
| Founder | Mic Conway, Jim Conway |
| Defunct | September 1980 |
| Fate | Disbanded; revived 2010–2012 as Captain Matchbox Reignited |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Number of employees | Various members over time |
The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, occasionally referred to as Soapbox Circus or simply Matchbox, was an Australian jug band established in 1969. The group was fronted by brothers Mic Conway—known as "Captain Matchbox"—who contributed vocals, washboard, and ukulele, alongside Jim Conway on harmonica, kazoo, and vocals. Over their career, they produced four studio albums: Smoke Dreams (June 1973), Wangaratta Wahine (late 1974), Australia (November 1975), and Slightly Troppo (1978). The band ultimately dissolved in September 1980. In 2010, the Conway brothers revived the ensemble under the name Captain Matchbox Reignited, although this iteration disbanded two years later in 2012.
Notably, in October 2010, their album Smoke Dreams was included in the publication 100 Best Australian Albums.
1969–1973: Origins & Smoke Dreams
Originating in Melbourne in 1969, the Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band started as a jug band featuring Mic Conway (vocals, washboard, ukulele), Jim Conway (harmonica, kazoo, vocals), Mick Fleming (banjo, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Dave Hubbard (guitar), David Isom (guitar, vocals), Jeffrey Cheesman (guitar, vocals), Inge de Koster (violin), and John McDiarmid (tea-chest bass, flute). Subsequent personnel adjustments brought in Peter Inglis (guitar, vocals), Jim Niven (piano), and Peter Scott (tea chest bass).
Drawing inspiration from early jazz and jug band sounds encountered during their time at Camberwell High School, the Conway brothers transitioned from their earlier ensemble, the Jellybean Jug Band, to form the Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band in 1969. What began as an underground act associated with art school gradually rose to national prominence through appearances in film and television and charting singles. Music historian Ian McFarlane characterized them as "one of the most unusual aggregations ever assembled in Australia," merging jug-band blues with vaudeville-style entertainment. Their performances were a staple at venues such as the T. F. Much Ballroom.
In 1971, they portrayed themselves in Tim Burstall's comedic film Stork. Signed to Image Records, their first single—a rendition of Debroy Somers' 1931 tune "My Canary Has Circles Under His Eyes"—achieved a peak position of No. 35 on the Go-Set National Top 40 in November 1972. However, their subsequent single "I Can't Dance (Got Ants in My Pants)" released in April 1973 failed to chart.
Their inaugural album Smoke Dreams, released in June 1973, reached the Top 20 on the Go-Set Australian Albums chart and showcased standards from jazz, blues, and jug-band repertoires of the 1930s and 1940s. The album saw a US release through ESP-Disk in DynaQuad quadraphonic sound format. It received a four-and-a-half star rating from AllMusic for its faithful interpretations of classic jazz and blues material.
By November 1973, the lineup featured the Conway brothers alongside Fleming, Niven, Dave Flett (electric bass, slide dobro, backing vocals, ukulele), Geoff Hales (drums, washboard), and Fred Olbrei (violin, vocals). Early in 1974 guitarist Jon Snyder joined the group.
1974–1975: Wangaratta Wahine & Australia
Their sophomore studio album, Wangaratta Wahine, arrived in late 1974 under the production of Ern Rose at Armstrong Studios. The cover artwork was created by noted Australian cartoonist Michael Leunig. Singles from this period included "Your Feets Too Big" (early 1974), "Hernando's Hideaway" (July 1974), and "Wangaratta Wahine" (1974). A review by Basil of Tharunka following their May 1974 performance praised their distinctive combination of camp humor, earnestness, and entertainment value that distinguished them nationally.
In March 1975, the band performed "Wangaratta Wahine" on ABC-TV’s pop program Countdown. The song—co-written by Mic Conway and Flett—captured the spirit of highway culture surrounding Wangaratta. Tony Wright of The Sydney Morning Herald reflected in 2013 on how the track immortalized a roadhouse vibe along the Hume Highway. The album climbed to No. 14 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart by August 1975.
Personnel changes during 1975 saw Fleming and Hales replaced by guitarist Chris Worrall (formerly of The Pelaco Brothers) and drummer Manny Paterakis. After signing with Mushroom Records, they released their third album titled Australia, which combined original compositions with cover songs. Tony Catterall from The Canberra Times described them as talented musicians delivering performances with theatrical flair; he highlighted the title track for its militaristic rhythm and quintessentially Australian anthem quality.
In December of that year, they toured supporting Skyhooks on the In the Heat of the Night Tour. While unlikely to match Skyhooks’ commercial success fully, Catterall acknowledged Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band as a reliable live attraction within Australia's music scene.
1976-1980: Line-up shifts, Slightly Troppo, and dissolution
During 1976, the ensemble experienced personnel changes as Olbrei, Paterakis, and Worrall were succeeded by Jack Sara, Graeme Isaac, and Gordon McLean. Niven departed to establish the rock group the Sports. The band adopted the name Soapbox Circus and became part of the Australian Performing Group (APG). Flett exited, while Rick Ludbrook (guitar/saxophone) and Peter Muhleisen (bass) joined to produce the live album The Great Stumble Forward (1976). From November to December 1977, they performed in the musical theatre production Smackin' the Dacks at the Pram Factory Front Theatre, featuring musicians such as the Conway brothers, Ludbrook, McLean, Muhleisen, Tony Burkys, and Colin Stevens.
By 1978, now known as Matchbox, the lineup consisted of the Conway brothers, Ludbrook, McLean, Muhleisen, Burkys (formerly of Original Battersea Heroes), and Stephen Cooney (formerly with Phil Manning Band), who was soon replaced by Louis McManus (ex-Bushwackers). The theatrical element of Soapbox Circus was integrated into Circus Oz. Matchbox issued their studio album Slightly Troppo (1978), which included two singles. The Canberra Times highlighted a growth in sophistication and humor within their music and acknowledged them as a tenacious jug band performing extensively across Australian venues.
Matchbox featured in Burstall's film Dimboola (1979), delivering a rendition of "The Sheik of Araby." By mid-1979, the group comprised the Conway brothers, McManus, Muhleisen, Chris Coyne (saxophone/flute), Eric McCusker (guitar), and Robert Ross (drums), having shifted towards a more rock-driven style. A truck accident during their 1979 tour inflicted financial strain and emotional challenges; after resolving monetary obligations, they disbanded in September 1980. Their last single "Juggling Time," recorded by this formation, was released in early 1980.
1990-present: Revivals
The band reunited in 1994 for a performance at Melbourne's Continental Hotel; this recording was made available in limited cassette format. They regrouped again in 1996 for the Port Fairy Folk Festival, and once more in 2010 under the name "Captain Matchbox Re-Ignited" for the Woodford Folk Festival, followed by appearances at Bluesfest as well as concerts in Sydney and Melbourne. The 2010 lineup included Mic Conway, Jim Conway, Jeremy Cook, Don Hopkins, Phil Donnison, Cazzbo Johns, Jess Green, and George Washingmachine. In October 2010, their album Smoke Dreams (1973) was recognized in 100 Best Australian Albums.
1980–present: Individual pursuits
Mic Conway continued to record and perform both solo and with his National Junk Band. Jim Conway engaged in various musical endeavors and became a highly regarded session and backing musician; however, due to his battle with multiple sclerosis, he retired from performing in early 2014.
Chris Worrall formed Melbourne pub rock outfit the Bleeding Hearts in 1976 before joining Paul Kelly & the Dots in 1979. Manny Paterakis was the founding drummer for Mike Rudd & the Heaters in 1979. Eric McCusker became guitarist for Mondo Rock starting in 1980. Between 1980 and 1983, Dave Flett played bass guitar for folk-rock group Redgum. Louis McManus joined Adelaide-based reggae rock band No Fixed Address on guitar in 1984. Peter Inglis was a founding member of Skyhooks in 1973.
Studio albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Position |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Smoke Dreams |
|
20 |
| Wangaratta Wahine |
|
14 |
| Australia |
|
– |
| Slightly Troppo |
|
– |
Live albums
| Album Title | Release Details |
|---|---|
| The Great Stumble Forward (collaboration between Soapbox Circus and the Australian Performing Group) |
|
| Live at the Continental |
|
| Reignited Tour - Live at Ormond Hall 2011 |
|
Compilation albums
| Album Title | Release Information |
|---|---|
| Makin' Whoopee |
|
| The Best of Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band |
|
Extended plays
| EP Title | Release Details |
|---|---|
| Matchbox Madness |
|
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Highest Chart Position (AUS) |
Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | "My Canary Has Circles Under His Eyes" | 33 | Smoke Dreams |
| 1973 | "I Can't Dance (Got Ants in My Pants)" | - | |
| 1974 | "Your Feets Too Big" | - | Wangaratta Wahine |
| "Hernando's Hideaway" | - | ||
| "Wangaratta Wahine" | - | ||
| 1976 | "Australia" | - | Australia |
| 1977 | "If I Can't Have Anna in Cuba (I Think I'll Si-Esta in Spain)" (performed by Soapbox Circus) |
- | The Great Stumble Forward |
| 1978 | "Sleep" (by Matchbox) |
- | Slightly Troppo |
| 1980 | "Juggling Time" / "Dirty Money" (credited to Matchbox band) |
- | Non-album single |
Additional Contributions
- Tracks "Roll that Reefer," "The Prefect," and "Out in the Suburbs" featured on the compilation A Reefer Derci by Various Artists (1976)
Band Personnel
- Jim Conway – lead vocals, harmonica, kazoo, whistles (1969–1980, 1996, 2010–2012)
- Mic Conway – vocals, washboard, phonograph, horn, ukulele, jug (1969–1980, 1996, 2010–2012)
- Mick Fleming – vocals, lead guitar, banjo, mandolin (1969–1973)
- David Hubbard – vocals, guitar (1969–1973)
- Peter R Inglis – vocals, guitar (1969–1973)
- Tony Dunn – principal jug player (1969–1972)
- Jim Niven – keyboards, piano, pedal organ (1969–1976)
- Peter Scott – tea-chest bass, jug (1969–1973)
- Dave Flett – vocals, electric bass, backing vocals, ukulele, slide dobro (1973–1976)
- Geoff Hales – drums, washboard, tap dancing (1973–1975)
- Fred Olbrei – vocals, violin (1973–1976)
- Jon Snyder – guitar (1974)
- Manny Paterakis – drums, washboard (1974–1976)
- Chris Worrall – banjo, mandolin, guitar, vocals (1975–1976)
- Graeme Isaac – drums, washboard (1976–1977)
- Rick Ludbrook – guitar, saxophone, vocals (1976–1978)
- Gordon McLean – banjo, mandolin, guitar, drums, vocals (1976–1978)
- Peter Muhleisen – bass guitar (1976–1980)
- Jack Sara – violin, vocals (1976)
- Colin Stevens – mandolin, blues harp (1976–1977)
- Tony Burkys – guitar, bouzouki (1978–1979)
- Stephen Cooney – guitar (1978)
- Louis McManus – guitars, fiddle, mandolin, banjo (1978–1980)
- Chris Coyne – saxophone, flute (1979–1980)
- Eric McCusker – guitar (1979–1980)
- Robert Ross – drums (1979–1980)
- Peter Martin – guitar (1980)
- Jeffrey Cheesman – vocals, guitar
- Inge de Koster – violin
- Dave Isom – vocals, guitar
- John McDiarmid – tea-chest bass, jug, flute
- Jeremy Cook, Don Hopkins, Phil Donnison, Cazzbo Johns, Jess Green, George Washingmachine (2010)
References
- General
- Specific