{{Short description|Australian pop band}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Mixtures | landscape = yes | image = | caption = | alt = | background = group_or_band | alias = | origin = Melbourne, Australia | genre = Pop, pop rock | years_active = {{Start date|1965}}–{{End date|1976}} | label = EMI/HMV | website = | past_members = see Members below<!--Members are listed in the order of joining the band and then alphabetically, as per Wikipedia guidelines. Please do not change this.--> }}
'''The Mixtures''' were an Australian pop group, which formed in 1965. They had two number-one hits in Australia with their cover version of Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime" and its follow-up, "The Pushbike Song", in 1970 and 1971, respectively. The latter also reached No. 2 in the United Kingdom and appeared on the United States ''Billboard'' Hot 100. They had another top ten hit with "Captain Zero" in late 1971. Members during the early 1970s included Mick Flinn on bass guitar and vocals, Idris Jones on lead vocals and Fred Wieland on guitar (who died in 2018). The group disbanded in 1976<!-- see both McFarlane and Kimball references. However unreferenced content in Post the Mixtures claims they broke up in 1979. -->.
==1965–1976: The Mixtures==
The Mixtures were formed in Melbourne in 1965 as a beat pop trio by Laurie Arthur on vocals and guitar (ex-the Strangers), John Creech on drums and vocals and Rod De Clerk on vocals and bass guitar.<ref name="McFarlane">{{cite book | last1 = McFarlane | first1 = Ian | author-link1 = Ian McFarlane | title = Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop | chapter = Encyclopedia entry for 'The Mixtures' | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040930230813/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=500 | chapter-url = http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=500 | year = 1999 | publisher = Allen & Unwin | location = St Leonards, NSW | archive-date = 30 September 2004 | isbn = 1-86508-072-1 | url-status = usurped }}</ref> Melbourne-born vocalist Terry Dean had met De Clerk while holidaying in Tasmania earlier in that year.<ref name="Kimball">{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20100316061804/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/35967/20100315-0848/www.milesago.com/artists/mixtures-2.html | url = http://www.milesago.com/artists/mixtures-2.html | title = Record Labels – His Masters Voice (Australia) | last1 = Kimball | first1 = Duncan | publisher = Milesago: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975. Ice Productions | year = 2002 | archive-date = 16 March 2010 | access-date = 20 October 2025 }}</ref> Once back in Melbourne, Dean introduced De Clerk to Arthur and Creech. The trio of Arthur, Creech and De Clerk undertook a jam session and formed the first version of the Mixtures.<ref name="McFarlane" /><ref name="Kimball HMV">{{cite web | archive-url = https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20100316061756/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/35967/20100315-0848/www.milesago.com/industry/hmv-2.html | url = http://www.milesago.com/industry/hmv-2.html | title = The Mixtures | last1 = Kimball | first1 = Duncan | publisher = Milesago: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975. Ice Productions | year = 2002 | archive-date = 16 March 2010 | access-date = 20 October 2025 }}</ref> They were signed to EMI/HMV that same year and released three singles by March 1967.<ref name="McFarlane" /> In that year the line-up briefly expanded to a five-piece with Dennis Garcia joining on organ and Fred Wieland on guitar.<ref name="McFarlane" /><ref name="Kimball" /> De Clerk was replaced on bass guitar by Mick Flinn, Garcia left without replacement and Idris Jones (ex-the Gingerbread Men) took over lead vocals from departing Arthur.<ref name="McFarlane" /> Arthur became their manager.<ref name="McFarlane" />
They went through further line-up changes over the following years, then signed to CBS Records in 1969. Jones became ill and was briefly replaced on lead vocals by former solo pop singer, Buddy England, who was replaced by the returning Jones by March 1970. Further singles followed before transferring to Fable Records in mid-year. The Mixtures recorded a cover of Mungo Jerry's song, "In the Summertime", which was issued in July.<ref name="McFarlane" /> During recording Idris Jones declined lead vocals as it was too "poppy", hence bass guitarist, Flinn sang lead instead.<ref name="Kimball" /> As a result of the 1970 radio ban, during which most Australian commercial radio stations refused to play Australian and British popular music released by major labels, the Mixtures rendition received much more airplay than the original.<ref name="Musician 1">{{Cite web |url=https://australianmusician.com.au/the-50-most-significant-moments-in-australian-poprock-history-comments-welcome-at-wwwmyspacecomaustralianmusicianmagazine/ |title=The 50 Most Significant Moments in Australian Pop/Rock History |website=Australian Musician Magazine |first=Ian |last=McFarlane |date=19 June 2007 |access-date=22 October 2025 }}</ref> The single went to number one in Australia for six weeks.<ref name="McFarlane" /><ref name=aus /> They followed up with "The Pushbike Song" (produced by David Mackay), which also went to number one in Australia, for two weeks.<ref name="McFarlane" /><ref name=aus /> It hit number two in the UK Singles Chart,<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book | first= David | last= Roberts | year= 2006 | title= British Hit Singles & Albums | edition= 19th | publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London | pages= 372 | isbn= 1-904994-10-5}}</ref> and reached No. 44 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in the United States after being released on Sire Records.<ref name="Whitburn 1" /> "The Pushbike Song" had been written by Idris Jones with his brother Evan Jones.<ref name="APRA Pushbike">{{cite web | publisher = APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) | title = Song Catalogue Search Results for 'Pushbike Song' | url = https://www.apraamcos.com.au/works-search?works=true&title=Pushbike%20Song&writer=Jones&performer=Mixtures | access-date = 19 October 2025 }}</ref>
With the commercial success in the UK, the Mixtures travelled there in January 1971 with two new members – Idris Jones had been replaced by Greg Cook on vocals and guitar, while Mick Holden replaced Howard on drums.<ref name="McFarlane" /> Idris returned in April for another short stint but left again when Peter Williams replaced him on vocals and guitar.<ref name="McFarlane" /> The group's next single, "Henry Ford", peaked at No. 43 in Australia.<ref name=aus /> More line-up changes ensued before "Captain Zero" reached No. 6 in Australia in 1971, their last top ten hit.<ref name=aus /> It was written by Finn and Williams.<ref name="APRA Captain">{{cite web | publisher = APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) | title = Song Catalogue Search Results for 'Captain Zero' | url = https://www.apraamcos.com.au/works-search?works=true&title=Captain%20Zero&writer=&performer=Mixtures | access-date = 22 October 2025 }}</ref> English artist Brian Eno had guested on synthesiser for "Captain Zero".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://soundcloud.com/user-439239320/peter-wiliiams-on-eno-and-the-mixtures-2012 | title=Peter Wiliiams on Eno and the Mixtures, 2012 }}</ref> They returned to Australia late that year, where they toured in November.<ref name="McFarlane" /><ref name="Kimball" />
The group underwent considerable line-up changes and including latter day members Brenton Fosdike (guitar, vocals) and John Petcovich (drums, vocals) joining with the last member to join being keyboardist, Rob Scott. Their final single, "Skateboard Jive" / "Come Together for the Games" (1975) appeared and the group disbanded in 1976.<ref name="McFarlane" /><ref name="Kimball" />
==1977–present: Post the Mixtures== In 1978 the band travelled to Perth to do some recording and put together a new show. During this time bass player Chris Spooner died in a fishing accident at Trigg Beach.{{cn|date=October 2025}} The band only carried on for a further three months as a four-piece before breaking up in early 1979. The remaining four members, Fosdike, Petcovich, Scott and Peter Williams, then formed a new band, BRIX with two other Australians, (Dennis Broad and Paul Reynolds).
Fred Wieland, whose tenure with the Mixtures had led to an appearance in the UK TV programme, ''Never Mind the Buzzcocks'', died of lung cancer in Spain in December 2018, aged 75.<ref name= noise11>{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/freddy-wieland-of-the-mixtures-and-the-strangers-has-passed-away-aged-75-20181210 |title=Freddy Wieland of The Mixtures and The Strangers has passed away aged 75 |first=Paul |last=Cashmere |website=noise11.com |date=10 December 2018 |access-date= 14 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210111113/https://www.noise11.com/news/freddy-wieland-of-the-mixtures-and-the-strangers-has-passed-away-aged-75-20181210 |archive-date=10 December 2018 }}</ref>
==Members== <!--Members are listed in the order of joining the band and then alphabetically, as per Wikipedia guidelines. Please do not change this.--> *Laurie Arthur – guitar, vocals {{Small|(1965–67)}} *John Creech – drums, vocals {{Small|(1965–70)}} *Rod De Clerk – bass guitar, vocals {{Small|(1965–67)}} *Alan "Edgell" James – bass guitar {{Small|(1966)}} *Dennis Garcia – organ {{Small|(1967)}} *Fred Wieland – guitar {{Small|(1967–76), died 2018}}<ref name= noise11 /> *Mick Flinn – bass guitar {{Small|(1967–72)}} *Idris Jones – lead vocals {{Small|(1967–69; 1970; 1971)}} *Buddy England – vocals {{Small|(1969–70)}} *Greg Cook – guitar, vocals {{Small|(1970–71)}} *Clive Moore – guitar {{Small|(1970)}} *Gary Howard – drums {{Small|(1970–71)}} *Peter Williams – vocals, guitar {{Small|(1971–76)}} *Mick Holden – drums {{Small|(1971)}} *Don Lebler – drums {{Small|(1971–76)}} *Chris Spooner – bass guitar {{Small|(1972–76)}} *Brenton Fosdike – vocals, guitar *John Petcovich – vocals, drums *Rob Scott – keyboards, vocals
==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" ! Title ! Album details |- ! scope="row" | ''In the Summertime'' | * Released: 1970 * Format: LP * Label: Fable (FBSA-003) |- ! scope="row" | ''The Mixtures'' | * Released: 1974 * Format: LP * Label: Festival Records (L 25184) |- |}
===Compilations albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" ! Title ! Album details |- ! scope="row" | ''The Best of The Mixtures'' | * Released: 1972 * Format: LP * Label: Fable (FBSA 017) |- ! scope="row" | ''The Push-Bike Song'' | * Released: 1996 * Format: CD * Label: Fable / EMI (8531912) |- ! scope="row" | ''The Best of The Mixtures'' | * Released: 2018 * Format: CD, download * Label: Fable / Sony Music (19075829802) |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Single ! colspan="3"| Peak positions ! rowspan="2"| Album |- style="font-size:smaller;" ! width="40"| AUS<br /><ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|authorlink=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=204}}</ref> ! width="40"| UK<br /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums" /> ! width="40"| US<br /><ref name="Whitburn 1">''Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990'' - {{ISBN|0-89820-089-X}}</ref> |- |rowspan=2| 1966 | "I've Been Wrong" / "Koko Joe" | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |rowspan=5 {{non-album singles}} |- | "Come On Out" / "Lose Your Money" | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | 1967 | "Music, Music, Music" / "(They Call the Wind) Maria" | align="center"| 57 | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- |rowspan=2| 1969 | "Sad Old Song" / "Never Trust in Tomorrow" | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | "Here Comes Love Again" / "Fancy Meeting You Here" | align="center"| 66 | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | rowspan=3| 1970 | "Call Me Do" / "Ten Thousand Children" | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |rowspan=3| ''In the Summertime'' |- | "In the Summertime" / "Where You Are" | align="center"| 1 | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | "The Pushbike Song" / "Who Loves Ya" | align="center"| 1 | align="center"| 2 | align="center"| 44 |- | rowspan=3| 1971 | "Henry Ford" / "Home Away from Home" | align="center"| 43 | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |rowspan=3| ''The Best of the Mixtures'' |- | "Never Be Untrue" / "She's Gone Away" | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | "Captain Zero" / "I Wanna Go Home" | align="center"| 6 | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | 1972 | "Guitar Song" / "I've Found Out Where It's At" | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |rowspan=4 {{Non-album singles}} |- | rowspan=2| 1973 | "Dazzle Easy, Diane" / "Found Out Where It's At" | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | "My Home On the Murrumbidgee" / "Slow Train" | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | rowspan=2| 1974 | "Love Is Life" | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| — |- | "Down Under Girls" / "My Neck of the Woods" | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | ''The Mixtures'' |- | 1975 | "Skateboard Jive" / "Come Together for the Games" | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | align="center"| — | {{Non-album single}} |}
==See also== *List of artists who reached number one on the Australian singles chart *Long Way to the Top
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{MusicBrainz}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mixtures, The}} Category:Australian pop music groups Category:Musical groups established in 1965 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1976 Category:Musical groups from Melbourne