Thursday, January 9, 2025

Lizard - Bad Companions (1973 australia, fine jazz prog rock)



Rare Aussie prog Lizard – Bad Companions LP release date on August 1973. Lizard  progressive rock band from Sydney Australia. An interesting progressive blues-rock album, with elements of jazz-fusion thrown in for good measure. A couple of standout tracks are “Page Missing From My Book”, appealing blues-based boogie performed in an exploratory manner, and “Rehabilitation Boogie”, one of the finest bluesy jazz fusion tracks ever committed to vinyl by an Aussie combo! Lizard split up in early 1973 after having laid down several tracks at EMI Studios (Sydney) during December 1972. These tracks eventually appeared on the band’s “Rosalyn” b/w “Cecil” single (released 7 June 1973), and “Bad Companions” LP. 

Initially, the album was slated to appear as “Starve the Lizards”, but this was replaced by the “Bad Companions” title. Michael (Mick) Tulk had previously played guitar with British freak-beat band The Untamed during the mid-1960s. Greg Hill, Dave Conners and Rob Souter had previously been members of the Sydney-based White Wine, although none of them actually played on the band’s “Overflow” LP (Festival 1970). Mick Tulk and Dave Conners also appeared on Gulliver Smith’s “The Band is Alright But the Singer Is…” LP (Reprise 1973). Dave Conners obviously spent some time in the UK—he also performed on the following LPs: Jade Warrior “Released” (Vertigo 1971) and Graham Parker & The Rumour’s “Howlin’ Wind” (1976). Here’s another little known fact: Rob Souter was drummer for the Dynamic Hepnotics (1980-86). Quite an impressive musical heritage! 
Tracks
1. Intro - 0:58
2. Page Missing From My Book (Mick Tulk, Gulliver Smith) - 7:33
3. Tarot Cards - 6:06
4. Rosalyn - 3:25
5. People People - 3:28
6. Cecil - 4:58
7. Rehabilitation Boogie - 6:37
All music by Mick Tulk, John Wheelerm, Greg Hill, Dave Conners, Rob Souter except where stated, Lyrics by Gulliver Smith

Lizard
*Mick Tulk - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
*John Wheeler - Lead Guitar
*Greg Hill - Bass
*Dave Conners - Saxophone
*Rob Souter - Drums