The Mixtures
| Company type | Pop band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1965 in Melbourne, Australia |
| Defunct | 1976 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music recordings, singles, albums |
The Mixtures emerged as an Australian pop ensemble originating from Melbourne in 1965. They secured two chart-topping singles in Australia with their renditions of Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime" (1970) and "The Pushbike Song" (1971). The latter not only peaked at No. 1 domestically but also climbed to No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and made an appearance on the US Billboard Hot 100. Another notable top-ten entry, "Captain Zero," followed toward the end of 1971. Prominent members during the early 1970s included Mick Flinn (bass, vocals), Idris Jones (lead vocals), and Fred Wieland (guitar). The group ultimately dissolved in 1976.
1965–1976: The Mixtures
Initially formed in Melbourne as a beat pop trio, The Mixtures consisted of Laurie Arthur (vocals, guitar), John Creech (drums, vocals), and Rod De Clerk (vocals, bass). After securing a contract with EMI/HMV in 1965, they released three singles by March 1967. The band briefly expanded to five members by adding Dennis Garcia (organ) and Fred Wieland (guitar). Subsequently, Mick Flinn replaced De Clerk on bass; Garcia departed, and Idris Jones assumed lead vocal duties from Arthur, who transitioned to managing the group.
Following additional personnel shifts, The Mixtures signed with CBS Records in 1969. Due to illness, Jones was temporarily substituted by Buddy England but had returned by March 1970. Midway through that year, they switched to Fable Records and issued a cover of "In the Summertime," featuring Flinn on lead vocals after Jones declined the "pop-oriented" track. Amidst the 1970 radio ban restricting airplay of major label releases, their version gained significant exposure, dominating Australian charts for six consecutive weeks.
Building on this momentum, they released "The Pushbike Song," produced by David Mackay, which also reached the top position in Australia for two weeks, attained No. 2 in the UK charts, and peaked at No. 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100 through Sire Records. Composed by Idris and Evan Jones, this single enhanced their international recognition.
In January 1971, The Mixtures toured the UK with new additions Greg Cook (vocals, guitar) and Mick Holden (drums). Idris Jones briefly rejoined before Peter Williams replaced him. Their single "Henry Ford" reached No. 43 in Australia. "Captain Zero," co-written by Flinn and Williams and featuring Brian Eno on synthesiser, achieved a peak position of No. 6, marking their last top-ten success.
Returning to Australia late in 1971, they embarked on extensive tours. Subsequent lineup modifications involved Brenton Fosdike (guitar, vocals), John Petcovich (drums, vocals), and keyboardist Rob Scott joining later. Their final release was the single "Skateboard Jive" / "Come Together for the Games" (1975), prior to disbanding in 1976.
1977–present: Post the Mixtures
In 1978, the band relocated to Perth for recording sessions and a new performance venture. During this time, bassist Chris Spooner tragically died in a fishing accident at Trigg Beach. The group continued as a quartet for an additional three months before dissolving in early 1979. Remaining members Fosdike, Petcovich, Scott, and Peter Williams subsequently formed BRIX alongside Australians Dennis Broad and Paul Reynolds.
Fred Wieland—who had appeared with The Mixtures on UK television’s Never Mind the Buzzcocks—passed away from lung cancer in Spain in December 2018 at age 75.
Members
- Laurie Arthur – guitar, vocals
- John Creech – drums, vocals
- Rod De Clerk – bass guitar, vocals
- Alan "Edgell" James – bass guitar
- Dennis Garcia – organ
- Fred Wieland – guitar
- Mick Flinn – bass guitar
- Idris Jones – lead vocals
- Buddy England – vocals
- Greg Cook – guitar, vocals
- Clive Moore – guitar
- Gary Howard – drums
- Peter Williams – vocals, guitar
- Mick Holden – drums
- Don Lebler – drums
- Chris Spooner – bass guitar
- Brenton Fosdike – vocals, guitar
- John Petcovich – vocals, drums
- Rob Scott – keyboards, vocals
Studio albums
| Title | Album information |
|---|---|
| In the Summertime |
|
| The Mixtures |
|
Compilation albums
| Title | Album information |
|---|---|
| The Best of The Mixtures |
|
| The Push-Bike Song |
|
| The Best of The Mixtures |
|
Singles
| Year | Single | Highest chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | UK | US | |||
| 1966 | "I've Been Wrong" / "Koko Joe" | — | — | — | non-album singles |
| "Come On Out" / "Lose Your Money" | — | — | — | ||
| 1967 | "Music, Music, Music" / "(They Call the Wind) Maria" | 57 | — | — | |
| 1969 | "Sad Old Song" / "Never Trust in Tomorrow" | — | — | — | |
| "Here Comes Love Again" / "Fancy Meeting You Here" | 66 | — | — | ||
| 1970 | "Call Me Do" / "Ten Thousand Children" | — | — | — | In the Summertime |
| "In the Summertime" / "Where You Are" | 1 | — | — | ||
| "The Pushbike Song" / "Who Loves Ya" | 1 | 2 | 44 | ||
| 1971 | "Henry Ford" / "Home Away from Home" | 43 | — | — | The Best of the Mixtures |
| "Never Be Untrue" / "She's Gone Away" | — | — | — | ||
| "Captain Zero" / "I Wanna Go Home" | 6 | — | — | ||
| 1972 | "Guitar Song" / "I've Found Out Where It's At" | "—" | "—" | "—" | "non-album singles" |
| "Dazzle Easy, Diane" / "Found Out Where It's At" | "—" | "—" | "—" | "non-album singles" | |
| "My Home On the Murrumbidgee" / "Slow Train" | "—" | "—" | "—" | "non-album singles" | |
| "Love Is Life" | "—" | "—" | "—" | "non-album singles" | |
| "Down Under Girls" / "My Neck of the Woods" | "—" | "—" | "—" |
The Mixtures | |
| "Skateboard Jive" / "Come Together for the Games" | "—" | "—" | "—" | 'non-album single' | |