The identity crisis

The name 'Donga Dan's Derelict Band' was always contentious. Some people in the churches criticised it as being too frivolous. Others questioned the use of the word Derelict. (clearly Derek Zoolander hadn't hit the scene yet.)

When we were planning the first trip to Hillston we decided that we wanted a more serious name. Ray suggested 'Piers the Ploughman'. It was folky and linked to the English folk rock that was popular in the mid '70s.

When Ross McLachlan did the artwork for posters and flyers to publicise the Hillston trip he used the new name. This is a one-off. The name didn't stick - it wasn't us. Besides Ray's Donga board said quite clearly in gold and black 'VOTE 1 DONGA DAN FOR COOK' and Glenn's lagerphone was painted with 'Donga Dan's Derelic Band' (intentional mistake there - there was actually artwork produced that spelt the name that way).

And above all the name had been in Rolling Stone AND endorsed by none other that Bob Hudson. Who were we to argue. Thirty four years later it's still DONGA DAN'S DERELICT BAND.