Axiom

Formed in Melbourne in May 1969, Axiom were billed as Australia’s first “supergroup”. Yet, despite a wealth of talent and promise, some notable chart successes and two superb albums of original material, they failed to achieve lasting popularity, due in part to waning public support in Australia as they vainly tried to crack the fickle English market, and the band fizzled out after less than two years.

Axiom was formed by five experienced and talented musicians: Brian Cadd and bassist Don Mudie were both former members of the leading Melbourne band The Groop. Cadd was already a prominent singer, songwriter and keyboard player. Besides his success with The Groop, he wrote hits for other acts, including Elevator Driver for The Master’s Apprentices.

Glenn Shorrock was the former lead singer of The Twilights, one of Australia’s most successful and popular groups. Guitarist Chris Stockley had emerged from Cam-Pact, while drummer Doug Lavery had been with Doug Parkinson in Focus and The Valentines.

Such a merger of talent resulted in a sound unique to Australia at the time. The melting pot of styles explored previously by the musicians – pop, soul, R&B, and psychedelia – came into play, and with an added dash of country and Americana, Axiom music was born.

The band signed to Fable Records and their first single, Arkansas Grass, reached #7 in December 1969.

Doug Lavery left the band in 1970 and was replaced by Don Lebler (ex-The Avengers). They released their second single A Little Ray of Sunshine (written about Cadd’s newborn daughter), and their excellent debut LP, Fools Gold, reached #18 in June.

Departing for England, Axiom signed a three-year contract with Warner’s Reprise label, who assigned legendary producer Shel Talmy to record the band’s third single, Father Confessor. The single was released in July but failed to chart in Australia, probably due to the group’s absence from home.

In September, Axiom were flown to Los Angeles where they recorded the remaining tracks for their second LP, If Only, which became the biggest disappointment of the band’s career.

They returned to Australia for a few months in November 1970 and then headed back to England in February 1971.

By that time, the band’s coffers had been bled dry, Mudie had fallen ill with a lung infection, and Warners refused to issue their new album in the UK. The difficulties of slogging it out in England and cracking the international market finally took their toll, and the band decided to break up.

Don Lebler joined Aussie ex-pats The Mixtures. Shorrock went on to international fame with the Little River Band.

Glenn Shorrock
Vocals
Brian Cadd
Vocals, keyboards
Don Mudie
Bass
Chris Stockley
Guitar
Doug Lavery
Drums
Don Lebler
Drums