Dannie Davidson Interview - Drummer of Kahvas Jute

On this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by Dannie Davidson, drummer of Kahvas Jute. Since 1967, Dannie had been playing with the iconic Oz rock band Tamam Shud. In 1970, Dannie left Tamam Shud after the recording of their second album, The Goolutionites and the Real People. Dannie was soon approached by promoter Peter Cunningham to form a new group with Bob Daisley and Dennis Wilson of the Creme cover band Mecca. The group rehearsed for the first time at Dennis’ house, and Dannie loved both Dennis’ and Bob’s playing right away. The band would decide to call themselves Kahvas Jute.

Before even playing a gig, Kahvas Jute went into the studio for four days to record their debut album, Wide Open. Although Wide Open would peak at #27 on the Australian album charts, the album’s success was cut short due to the petroleum shortage in Australia at the time. Due to the shortage, Festival Records pulled the album from stores to melt them down and re-press them into Elton John’s new album. Of the first 10,000 copies of Wide Open pressed, only 3,000 were ever sold, making the original LP a sought-after collector's item.

After the release of their album, Kahvas Jute started playing live shows. In 1971, the band did an East Coast tour of Australia and a tour of various universities across the country. In June 1971, the band made the ambitious move to the UK.

While in the UK, the band came to the attention of EG Management, who had artists such as T. Rex and Roxy Music on their roster. EG Management were looking for bands to market in the United States and thought Kahvas Jute would be perfect for the US market. The band was signed to Festival Records at the time, and although EG Management offered fifty thousand dollars to Festival to release the band from their contract, Festival declined. The band was shattered and broke up soon after. Although they would reform once back in Australia, Kahvas Jute would not go on to make a second album and would disband in 1974.

Jack spoke with Dannie in the studio about the formation of Kahvas Jute, the writing of their first single Free, the recording of Wide Open, why Festival Records pulled the album from stores, their early gigs, the band's 1971 East Coast tour, the band's move to the UK, how the band came to the attention of EG Management, how Jimmy Page was a fan of the Wide Open album, the story behind why EG Management could not sign the band, and the band's time back in Australia before disbanding.

"We hadn't even done a gig, so we were straight into the studio... which is unheard of in itself. That's how much faith they put in us." - Dannie Davidson, on this episode of Vinyl Vibes, talking about Kahvas Jute's album Wide Open.

Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins.

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