Redhouse -

Redhouse was an Australian hard-rock band from Geelong, Victoria, that released the 1976 EMI album One More Squeeze and the 1977 standalone single “Thank You.”

Members: Malcolm Donnelly (guitar, vocals), John Ferguson (vocals, guitar), Jack Green (bass, ?-1977), Claude Ragone (drums), John Dallimore (guitar, vocals, 1975-78), Jacques De Jongh (guitar, 1975-76), Gary Crothall (drums, 1975-78), Graham Matters (vocals, 1976-77), Garry Quince (guitar, keyboards, 1976-77), Robin Riley (guitar, 1977), Rick Crothall (bass, 1977-78), Joey Amenta (guitar, 1977-78)

Background

Redhouse took root when bassist Jack Green formed the Red House Roll Band with drummer Claude Ragone and guitarist-singers Malcolm Donnelly and John Ferguson. The original quartet built a Geelong-area following with their theatrical stage show.

Atlantic issued the group’s version of the Alan Price song “O Lucky Man” in November 1973 (b/w “Movin’ On”). After a sabbatical, Green revived the name as Redhouse in late 1975 with guitarist-vocalist John Dallimore, guitarist Jacques De Jongh, and drummer Gary Crothall.

Redhouse entered the Melbourne pub circuit with this lineup. De Jongh left for Hush in mid-1976, and singer Graham Matters joined after roles in Oz and The Rocky Horror Show. Guitarist-keyboardist Garry Quince completed the revised five-piece, which entered Armstrong Studios in South Melbourne that September.

One More Squeeze

Redhouse released their singular album, One More Squeeze, late in 1976 on EMI Records.

All eight songs carry a Redhouse group credit. Matters fronts a lineup that pairs Dallimore and Quince on guitars and keyboards, with Green on bass and Crothall on drums and percussion; Ian Mason adds keyboards to “Hit the Deck” and the title track.

“I Got Love” rolls through innuendo-led lines over hard-edged guitar interplay. “Little Paul” recites coy fairy-tale imagery in a childlike nursery pattern. “One More Squeeze” pivots through quick mood changes with a simple interlude and a Dallimore solo.

A1. “I Got Love” (5:53)
A2. “I Like Dancing” (3:39)
A3. “Love Your Lady” (4:41)
A4. “Little Paul” (3:56)
A5. “I’m Just” (3:46)

B1. “Hit the Deck” (4:40)
B2. “Who’s Foolin’ Who” (5:53)
B3. “One More Squeeze” (9:18)

Sessions took place in September 1976 at Armstrong Studios in South Melbourne with producer Gus McNeil and engineer Ross Cockle. McNeil, the former Gus & the Nomads frontman who produced Pirana and Company Caine, worked in sequence on Livingstone Vale’s Star Gazer, recorded the prior year and released in October 1976 on RCA. Cockle also engineered the 1975 self-titled Little River Band debut and the 1976 follow-up After Hours at Armstrong. Redhouse took no part in the final mix.

One More Squeeze appeared with photography by Roger Gould. The front sleeve presents a sepia-toned crouching figure beneath cream and red lettering.

EMI lifted “I Like Dancing” in October 1976 (b/w the non-album “Hot Feet”); the single reached No. 40 on the Kent Music Report. “Who’s Foolin’ Who” followed in February 1977 (b/w “I’m Just”). The album entered the Kent Music Report on February 7 and reached No. 89.

Bad Reputation issued an expanded CD in March 2017, adding “Thank You,” “Snapshot,” “Hot Feet,” “O Lucky Man,” and “Movin’ On.”

“Thank You”

Quince left for Finch in March 1977, and former Lois Lane guitarist Robin Riley took his place before a national tour with Sherbet. EMI issued “Thank You” in August (b/w “Snapshot”), with producer Rod Coe behind the console. Coe also produced most of The Saints debut album, I’m Stranded, released six months earlier.

Redhouse split from EMI in September, when Matters left for the Australian stage production of A Chorus Line. Riley exited in October, and De Jongh briefly returned while Hush paused live work.

Final Lineup

Green moved into management in December and placed his brother Rick on bass. Dallimore and drummer Gary Crothall remained, while former Taste guitarist Joey Amenta completed the four-piece.

Amenta joined the Russell Morris Band in March 1978 as guitarist. Redhouse continued as a trio for several months before disbanding. Later that year, Dallimore and Rick Crothall formed Dallimore, whose “We Are the Kids” single followed in August 1980 as the project’s lone release.

Discography: