Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s

Subject: BS: Seeking Roger Fiskin
From: Don Blue
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 09:02 PM

Hi - My first post. I'm writing the history of my band - The Mucky Duck Bush Band and Roger Fiskin was a member playing fiddle back in the 1970s. If anyone can tell me where he is and how to contact him, I'd be grateful.
Thanks

Subject: RE: BS: Seeking Roger Fiskin
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 10:32 PM

Welcome to the Mudcat! Since this is an international forum, it would be helpful if you'd let us know a general location and any other info you feel might be helpful.

I am guessing maybe Australia?

Once again, welcome to the Mudcat.

kat - mod (in Colorado)

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 11:07 PM

G'day Don (also Hi to katlaughing!)

Mucky Duck were a "Bush Band" of the 'high revival' years of folk music worldwide and our distinct Australian "Bush Music". Bush Bands I worked with in the '70s certainly picked up a few good modern "Bush Songs" from Mucky Duck's performances ... but they were right over the other side of Australia ... about 3 400 kms west of me!

I'll wait to see if our 'Sandgropers' come in with first hand info!

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST,Brian Peters
Date: 27 Aug 12 - 08:27 AM

If this is the same Roger Fiskin that used to play fiddle in the Village Band over here in Northern England in the 1980s, then I might be able to track him down.

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST,Don Blue
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 12:51 AM

Thanks for the welcome messages
Yes Mucky Duck Bush are still going strong - based in Perth, Western Australia. In 2014 we will be having a 40th year celebration (I'm optimistic...) and I'm trying to put together a history of the band, with details of everyone who has graced the stage with the group (and those who have "disgraced" it...). I found a couple of mentions of Roger Fiskin on Mudcat going back a couple of years - one of which said he was heading off to France. Any further ideas?
Thanks

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: Bugsy
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 03:07 AM

Welcome to Mudcat Don, my old mate, and good luck with the search.

Any idea for a venue for the 40th?

Cheers

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 10:07 AM

I love it when you guys get together.It's fun to learn more!


tks (and, hi, Bob!)

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 11:19 AM

Brian. That's the same RF. Fiddle player, English, Mancunian. Emigrated to Australia circa ? . Returned circa 1980 (I think) and teamed up with several Aussie ex-pats to form the Ringers Bush Band. They used to play in a pub called the Railway, which was just off the A56 at Old Trafford on the way into central Manchester. Also active in the Irish music scene which was pretty burgeoning in those days.

I think he used to live out Altrincham way and discretion dictates that I had better not disclose the details of the hair raising lift he gave me one night.

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: Brian Peters
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 03:07 PM

Ah yes, Owen, I remember the Ringers Bush Band playing Harry Boardman's club at the Unicorn in Manchester in the 1980s. Wasn't there a concertina player and a guitarist called Steve something?

I went to a few sessions out in the Peak that Roger was playing in, and remember fondly his manic style. He also had a 'session' with the late lamented Sean Heeley that resulted in Sean disappearing off the face of the earth - having apparently fallen unconscious in Roger's box room - for 48 hours. Panic ensued, as Sean was due to be playing fiddle on my first album that weekend. Happy days...

I asked Jamie Knowles, who used to be in contact with Roger, but he's lost touch as well now. Last heard of in France, he said.

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST,Ian Hardie Slimon
Date: 09 Nov 12 - 07:07 PM

Hi, Don. As I recall, the first outing of a band by that name was at the end of the 1973 Folk Festival, in a dance at the Subiaco Town Hall. At the end of a wonderful night of international dance (Ukrainian, Chinese, English and much more) Stan Hastings decided there was a notable absence of anything resembling an Australian Bush Band, so the word went out to anyone who could play anything to assemble on stage. About 15 of us piled onto the stage and followed Stan's harmonica and voice, which led the whole mob in a fine set of rough and tumble toons 'n choruses, starting I think, with 'The Ryebuck Shearer'. I could be wrong, but I think the name was the mercurial Stan's spur of the moment invention.
    Regards, friend. IHS

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST,Roger Fisken Brighton .
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 08:16 AM

Mucky duck perth. Larrikins sydney. Ringers bush band manchester. Village band derbyshire. numerous irish bands, resident at the clarence the hunting lodge the seymour Mcr. Grey eagle olde tyme american Mcr. Ragin Cajuns Mcr. Wild bill flatpick and the bindlestiffs N Wales, Shetland Isles with many excellent local musicians. Currently in duo with Wife Sheridan Fiddle and Piano. split time brighton brittany still going to the sessions.                                                Mucky duck grew from the Govenor Broome and the stables folk clubs, Bush Dances at the Broome and a hall in Nedlands. Stan Ellison, Ken Kenny Greg Ellison myself and a floating cast of many.From the dance band with songs to let the dancers rest, to a weekly Gig at a Pub in Freemantle with mainly songs other gigs came out of that.I do remember a new years eve dance on the lawn of the Govenors residence with over a thousand people.The biggest gig ever at that point. I will post more if I recall anything else.

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST,roger fisken
Date: 10 Feb 13 - 07:41 AM

Sorry i meant Stan &Greg Hastings the name was stans idea from the black swan perths emblem many of which on the river swan &perth water .There was a whistle player called olwen and an irish guy with a mexican type moustache who played mandolin i regret i cant recall his name he was in a band with eric kowalski at the same pub in fremantle indeed we got the gig on thier coattails.Good luck with your research Don.

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 13 - 09:39 AM

G'day Roger
Thanks for the post
I thought I'd found you in the French phone book!
The Irish guy with the moustache is Davy Brown and he will be in France in the next few weeks - I gave him your address from the phone book...
Memories - can you tell how you came to be in the "Duck" (Who introduced you? Or was it an organic thing that just happened?)
Erik Kowarski is back in the band these last ten years!
You mention the New Years Eve gig - I was there, inside, doing another gig and I remember stepping out to "take the air" and hearing the "Duck" and thinking to myself: That looks like fun...
The whistle player was Barry Halpin - now long gone.
Send your own email and I'll chat off the forum?
cheers Don

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST,Dave Varey
Date: 11 Jun 13 - 05:54 PM

Hi there Don
I just happened to come across your request and as one of the founder members of the Mucky Duck and at the session when the name was adopted, I thought I should say hello. I could give you a bit more history but there's probably too much to add on here. I left at the end of 76 and still live in the UK with my wife Angie, who also played her accordion on some gigs in 75/76. Please give a big hello to Erik, with whom I shared a house in Robinson St, Subiaco around that time. I'd also love to catch up with Davy Brown if he's over this way so if you have any contact details that would be great.   Lastly Angie & I are planning a trip to WA next year 2014, probably around May time, so if there happened to be a gathering it would be great if it was around that time!!
Hi also to Roger if you're still monitoring this thread. [e-mail] if any old friends would care to contact us.

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST,Clare Rigby
Date: 12 Jun 13 - 05:02 PM

I have sheridans email address if that helps? I will forward the content of this thread.gud luck

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST,Clare Rigby
Date: 12 Jun 13 - 05:19 PM

Doh, didnt read the full thread, now I see that he's resurfaced, Hi Roger and Shezer (o: hurry back to Manchester for a few tunes wont you?

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST,Tim
Date: 03 Oct 14 - 06:26 PM

Robinson Street in Subiaco - that'd be the "Robinson St Blues" (sittin' by the fireside) then.

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST,Nick Bloomfield
Date: 18 Aug 16 - 07:53 AM

Hi Roger - that's if you're still noticing this page!

Would be interesting to make contact although, as you know, my time precedes your folk music exploits.

Have just written an autobiography for my daughter in which you (and your mother) make a brief appearance - it is now on kindle!

I lived in Normandy for 6 years and currently live in Hastings so if you want to call mobile is 07966 328516

Nick

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST,Butch
Date: 18 Aug 16 - 07:41 PM

In the beginning there was also Stan and Greg Hastings, Butch Singleton-Hooper, Roger Fiskin and John ?- The pub was Clancys Tavern and the outdoor bush dance was at the Cottesloe Civic Centre lawns. We were playing at Clancys when Warren Fahey and the Larrikins came in - they were touring W.A. and had lost one of their players. They asked Roger to tour with them ( with our blessing :-) ) and we never saw him again :-)

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: GUEST,Butch
Date: 19 Aug 16 - 03:43 AM

Also as I recall the name was thought up by Stan Hastings wife Dot in reference to West Australias state symbol the Black Swan. Apparently their local in England during the war was the Black Swan Pub commonly referred to as the Mucky Duck. Roger Fiskin put forward the name West Australia Bush Orchestra at one stage but it didn't take legs so to speak :-)

Subject: RE: Seeking Roger Fiskin-Mucky Duck Bush Band 1970s
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Aug 16 - 09:30 PM

Gidday, Butch

The National Folk Festival also has a Bush Orchestra

sandra