The only working jug band in Sydney

In the 1970s Sydney had a very active folk music scene. The churches had regular coffee shops and concerts and folk music was being promoted in pubs and in specialist music venues. Donga Dan's Derelict Band quickly developed a reputation as a novelty act in the church scene. Our success in the 2SM Pepsi Poll provided us a with some notoriety and helped to achieve one of our goals of becoming known outside church circles.

The band quickly linked into the Sydney folk scene and became a regular act at Cellar Folk. This was the era when popular jug bands such as the Melbourne-based Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band were featuring in movies like Stork and releasing Top 40 hits like 'My Canary Has Circles Under His Eyes'. 

At one time Donga Dan's Derelict Band was the only working jug band in Sydney. We played at some unlikely places. One such was the Bluegrass and Traditional Country Music Society, which met in the Tin Sheds at Sydney University. What a blast that was. We were absolutely flabbergasted when Ray's jug solo in 'Botabolar Boogie' received an ovation. That was a first and a last.

The 1970s were a weird time.