The latest reissue from Aztec Music is the 1972 underground New Zealand acid rock classic ‘Awake’ album by Ticket.
Ticket had a very short innings. The band existed mainly from 1970 until 1972.
Trevor Tombleson, Eddie Hansen, Paul Woolright and Ricky Ball recorded ‘Awake’ in early 1972 and shortly after relocated to Sydney. They took a residency at the notorious Kings Cross nightclub Whiskey A Go Go playing six nights a week and five shows a night as well as occasional shows in Queensland and Victoria. It gave them their first taste of Sydney’s “underbelly underworld”.
Eddie Hansen says is the ‘Awake’ liner notes that, “I started getting worn out with the whole thing. We wouldn’t start until 10:30 or 11:00 at night. As the sun was coming up we’d go back to the motel and at 6:00pm we’d be off to play again. And then there’s everything that goes along with it – the alcohol, the drugs. When I tried to write songs they didn’t come to me like they used to.”
The band returned to New Zealand in November 1972 and played a gig with Black Sabbath. It was the last show they would do.
In November, 2010, all four members reformed and played a few shows in New Zealand. There is talk of some Australian show for 2011.
The Aztec reissue of ‘Awake’ features the original album plus bonus tracks.
Tracks are:
Awake
Highway of Love
Dream Chant
Broken Wings
Country High
Reign Away
Angel On My Mind
Stoned Condition
Then You’ll Fly
Mr. Music
Them Changes
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