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Rabbit
Formed in 1973 in Newcastle (NSW, Australia), Rabbit were
originally a three-piece band playing covers of songs by artists
such as Alice Cooper, The Who and
The Move.
Greg Douglas joined as lead vocalist in 1974 but was replaced
by Dave Evans in October. Evans had just been ousted from AC/DC
and had a reputation as an outrageous and theatrical front-man,
renowned for his "rampant heterosexuality".
The band now adopted a thundering brand of commercial
glam/boogie (similar to KISS), adorning themselves in silk shirts,
spandex leggings and platform-heeled boots. Their shows now
climaxed with drummer Phil Screen's spectacular demonstrations of
fire-breathing.

Rabbit moved to Sydney and soon rivalled Hush in
the Glam Rock stakes. Signing to CBS, the group released a self-titled album which
produced two singles - Lady La Di Da (October 1975) and Running
Bear (December 1975). At the same time, the line-up extended
with the addition of Dave Hinds on lead guitar.
The second Rabbit LP, Too Much Rock 'n' Roll, provided
arguably the pinnacle of Australian Glam Rock and produced the
singles Too Much Rock 'n' Roll (February 1976) and Wildfire
(July 1976). The band promoted the songs on Countdown
(the Aussie equivalent of Top Of The Pops) and embarked
on an Australia-wide tour with the Ted Mulry
Gang.
Founder members Mark Tinson and Phil Screen left the band early
in 1977, with only Screen being replaced (by Barry Lytten) and the
group continuing as a four-piece. They issued a further single (a
cover of Paul Revere & The
Raiders' Let Me), but by
the end of 1977 they were on shaky ground.
Evans left in October
and Jim Porteus rejoined Tinson and Screen, recruited guitarist
Peter De Jong, dispensed with the glam clothing and re-named the
group Heroes.
Heroes returned to Newcastle and became the city's top rock
attraction, also having the honour of being the last band to ever
play at the town's Star Hotel - the controversial closure of which
sparked off the rioting immortalised in the Cold Chisel single, Star
Hotel. Tinson and Screen went on to join Swanee in the 80s.
Dave Hinds joined Sydney band Finch.
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| The
Band |
Dave Evans
Vocals
Mark Tinson
Guitar, vocals
Jim Porteus
Bass, vocals
Phil Screen
Drums
Dave Hinds
Guitar
Barry Lytten
Drums
Greg Douglas
Vocals |
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