Peculiar Clerk

By Mark Gibson | April 12, 2009 |
peculiar clerk

About

March 10 1979 to March 09 1984
(Thanks to Martin Odgers for putting me onto this info) Peter Keen and Rob Manego went to the same High School in an Outer Western Suburb of Sydney. With a couple of schoolmates, they set about forming a band. A number of members came and went before a chance meeting on a train between Rob and a slightly younger Drummer, Steve Wold, led to the almost complete formation of LATIS. An add in the local paper for a Lead Guitarist was answered by Peter (Freddie) Marples. The audition went well and Latis had their fourth member.

Latis played a number of gigs around the suburbs (mainly out west) when Booking Agency NUCLEUS was approached by the band and a deal was struck between Band and Agency. The Agency wasn’t overly impressed with the name “Latis” and a search began in earnest for a new name. Over a few bottles of wine, Freddie came up with………….Peculiar Clerk (pronounced PECULIAR CLARK).

Peculiar Clerk had five years (almost to the day) playing gigs mainly around the suburbs but also played regular gigs around Newcastle, Wollongong and as far west as Lithgow. There were many support gigs with some of Australia’s best known bands of the time and we shared the stage with many great characters.

Members

  • Peter Keen – Vocals, Guitar
  • Rob Manego – Bass, Vocals
  • Steve Wold – Drums, Vocals
  • Peter Marples – Lead Guitar
  • Martin Odgers – Drums
  • Steve Askins – Drums
  • Brian Gully – Guitar
  • Ian Blakey – Guitar
  • Steve Lees – Guitar
  • John Holly – Keyboards

Images

Peter (Freddie) Marples
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guide2
Peter Keen
Rob Manego
sign
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Steve Wold
writeup2
Peculiar Clerk
Peculiar Clerk
Peculiar Clerk
Peculiar Clerk
Peculiar Clerk
Peculiar Clerk

Video

Known Gigs

1979

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

1980

March

June

July

September

December

1981

June

July

August

November

1982

January

June

July

August

1983

May

July

August

September

October

November

December

1984

January

February

Posted in Bands - P

9 Comments

  1. Heidi Closter (nee Marples) on November 25, 2009 at 11:11 am

    Hi to all the band members.
    I am just reminiscing with my sister Carol about the days of Peculiar Clerk. Lots of time spent listening to our brother Peter doing his guitar practice in the bedroom next to us while we were trying to sleep!
    We both have great memories of backyard gigs,shopping centre gigs and of course the big nights at the old Penrith Leagues Club – upstairs.
    It’s great to see this site and to know that your children and families can be proud of you all.

    xoxoxx Heidi

    Reply
  2. Pat Dixon on December 11, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    I remember when the band used to practice at the Lalor Park Community hall in a room under the hall. I was a young girl and a group of us would hang around so we could listen to the band. The band members were all very nice and friendly to us, we all knew the band would be a success. Well done guys !

    Pat

    Reply
  3. lyn Manego on January 22, 2010 at 2:29 pm

    I to like Heidi have so many memories listening to my brother Robbie in his room playing his Bass,It was never really that good…But the most important thing is He thought he was, Even know I no longer have my brother in my life, The one great thing that I still have from the days of Perculiar Clark is my wonderful husband Gavin.

    Reply
  4. Mirrored Image on April 21, 2010 at 10:05 am

    […] joined the band as their Bass Player in early 1984 not long after Peculiar Clerk decided to call it a day. Steve Lees, (ex Guitarist from Peculiar Clerk) met up with Lyndsay and […]

    Reply
  5. Peculiar Clerk update from Peter Marples on April 29, 2010 at 11:25 am

    […] Peculiar Clerk has been a popular band since it was added about a year ago. I remember seeing them at the Chester Hill Hotel around 1980 and they left a great impression. It was a small suburban pub with an ad-hoc stage but stood upon that stage was a bunch of guys who just rocked! […]

    Reply
  6. Australian Musicians born in November — Australian Music History on November 4, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    […] Nov – Rob Manego – Peculiar Clerk, Mirrored […]

    Reply
  7. Paul Reeve on April 13, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    I was a part time roadie for these guys for a couple of years along with Titch, Gordon White and a couple of other guys. The whole time was a blast, Still watch the video occassionally.

    Most memorable night was an under aged gig near Newcastle, we got a sex education class for the kids OMG had they no shame and Peter Keen got a bad electric shock on stage using a hand held spotty.

    Love the video clips…. well I should I filmed them

    Reply
  8. This month in Australian music – November - Australian Music History on June 6, 2016 at 10:21 pm

    […] Nov – Rob Manego – Peculiar Clerk, Mirrored […]

    Reply
  9. Sarge on May 11, 2017 at 8:38 pm

    My mates and I saw you guys a couple of times at Blacktown RSL. We had a ball. I love the fact I can reminisce via the web. Thanks again for being a part of my youth.

    Reply

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