UNDECIDED (1966) by The Masters Apprentices - incredible sixties debut single

This was the first single recorded by Australian band the Masters Apprentices. It was composed just before a 1966 demo recording session in Adelaide when they needed an extra song. They were unsure what to call it, so named it 'Undecided'. It features a great overdriven guitar sound, apparently due to a faulty valve in the guitar amplifier.

This song was an astounding debut, and featured raw playing and sound unlike anything else on the charts, in Australia or overseas. Jim Keays' vocals were brazen and uninhibited, complete with yelps and gutteral noises. Undecided was co-written by songwriter Mick Bower, who wrote classic songs for the Masters, such as Buried and Dead, Living in a Child's Dream, Wars or Hands of Time, and Tired of Just Wandering. Unfortunately he left the band early in its career due to ill health. Other members were Brian Vaughton (drums), Gavin Webb (bass) and Rick Morrison (lead guitar).

The band eventually changed personnel while retaining Jim Keays, and went on to more success here in Australia, but for me that early incarnation was special. This is a band worth seeking out, especially those Mick Bower songs, as an example of the early Australian rock scene. Aztec Music has just released a remastered and expanded version of the first album with these songs and more.

I know of no film clip for this song, so I created this slide show with mostly images of the recording line up (a few images of subsequent guitarist Tony Sommers crept through).

Comments are welcome.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• masters
• apprentices
• undecided
• wars
• or
• hands
• of
• time
• mick
• bower
• Aztec Music
• michaelbackhouse

[gillesbertacco]

Really, really, really AWESOME song...but...ya know...kinda reminds me of the Yard´s "I wish you would"...or am I that wrong???????

[wilsonmcphert]

@gillesbertacco

The riff is different but the guitar tone is similar in my view.

[greg1vinnie]

I put this single on at my Aunties place in 1969 when I was 8yrs old. It was a life changing moment. Thank you

[werneil]

@bigchiv67 bloody good song, but to call the yardbirds crap what a f###witt

[gypsydog24]

@gillesbertacco I suppose music can sound similar even if unintended by influence or design,even George Harrison found that out having My Sweet Lord found guilty of plagiarism of the song She's So Fine by The Chiffons and Bitter sweet Symphony by The Verve being a plagiarised version of The Rolling Stones song The Last Time,where Keith Richards and Mick Jagger are officially credited with the song even though they had nothing to do with it in reality,

[Prenty52]

@wilsonmcphert agree..doubt it was a conscious decision..and damn it sounds gooo-oo--ddd ..we're playing it now and the whole street is rockin'

[SuperJohnnykay]

@MrSlitskirts :What i loved inthe mid 60s as well as the guitar sounds,was the wailing keyboards-mainly 3 named brands Farfisa,Vox continental and of the Hammond.

[MrSlitskirts]

@SuperJohnnykay Hi, thanks for the info, I'm a fan of both the 60's valve and solid state amplifier "sounds"; regards.

[SuperJohnnykay]

great stuff ,hml.checked out your site..youve got good taste in music!!

[heymargaretlook]

@SuperJohnnykay Hey there Sj funny coincidence you mention the Vibrants The original drummer is a friend of mine and played on a number of my songs. Rick is still doing well.

[SuperJohnnykay]

@Splitskirts :THe story goes that they needed a track to complete the recording session and it was written & recorded on the spot.Mick Bower played his fender mustang through a valve amp with a faulty electrical wiring that made it sound like a fuzz tone effect box.What a thrill it was when you first heard this on 2uw,3uz,4bc ,5ad,6ky or 7ho.Iwas in sydney so it was 2uw and the Rod Christopher show.Other gems at this time Phil Jones,the loved ones,vibrants,the groop.66 and 67 are my faves,jk

[SuperJohnnykay]

@heymargaretlook :Well,the aussie bands were playing their version of what was happening in the US and UK at the time.Listen to the yardbirds-Over, under,sideways,down,Thems-Myst­ic eyes and the Count fives-Psychotic reaction(This music has got me goin out to the garage for my duffel jacket,Leisuremaster brown cord dacks,the black string singlet & the Grosbie ripple soles(Grosbie-theyre great,mate,woof),haha,jk

[shadyalan1]

Easily the best Australian band of all time !!!

[heymargaretlook]

I think the Masters were influenced by the Loved ones - Loved one as it came out in 65 and this is 1966