The Rayders
The Rayders were based at the Three Musicians club in Hamilton from early until late 1966, after relocating from Auckland. Prior to being called the The Rayders, the band went by the name The Seakers, but changed it in 1965 due to confusion with Australian group the Seekers. However, the band members were identical between the two groups. Before obtaining the Seakers moniker, most of the band were in Gene and the Dynamites, but reverted to the name The Seakers after the departure of vocalist Gene Campbell.
Immediately prior to moving to Hamilton, the Rayders lineup was Brian McCarthy (lead guitar), Lyndsay Mulholland (bass), Ray Mulholland (drums) and Owen 'Danny' Campbell (guitar). In Auckland they had residency at nightclub The Galaxie. Chris Collier (bass) replaced Mullholland when the band shifted to Hamilton, and in mid-1966 Clive Coulson joined as vocalist. Prior to the Rayders disbanding in late 1966, Collier was replaced by Kevin McNeil (ex-the Mods). In Hamilton the band recorded two singles, Its All Over Now Baby Blue and Working Man. After the demise of The Rayders, McNeil reformed The Mods with Coulson.
Releases
- You Could Have Fooled Me single, 1964 (as the Seakers)
- A Long Long Time single, 1964 (as the Seakers, NZ), 1965 (as the Rayders, Aus)
- Platter-Rack Raid With The Rayders album, 1965
- Little Egypt single, 1965
- I Cry single, 1965
- Its All Over Now Baby Blue single, 1966
- Working Man single, 1966
- You and me appears on the 1992 compilation From Beneath the Earth Came Rock
- Working man appears on the 1995 compilation Wild Things 2
- Little Egypt appears on the 2004 compilation The Very Best Of Kiwi Rock and Roll
- My Arms Want to Hold You and Little Egypt appear on the 2014 compilation What Did You Do In the Beat Era...Daddy!!!
- I Feel Fine appears on the 2014 compilation Let Me Take You Down...Under
