Th' Dudes

During the closing years of the 1970s, Th' Dudes emerged as one of the leading acts in New Zealand's pop landscape. The band originated in the middle of 1976 when Chillum disbanded, initially featuring Peter Ulrich on vocals along with guitarists Dave Dobbyn and Ian Morris, bassist Peter Coleman—who would later give way to Lez White—and drummer Bruce Hambling. Although they quickly claimed victory in a local Auckland Battle of the Bands event, several years passed before Th' Dudes committed to a professional path; in the meantime, consistent performances helped them cultivate a strong following that positioned them among the nation's top live draws by 1978. Their first single arrived in 1979 with the successful release of "Be Mine Tonight." Right First Time came next as their debut album, prompting an extravagant tour across New Zealand, yet mounting criticism—which labeled them as prima donnas—combined with escalating substance issues led to internal fractures. The band managed only one additional album, Where Are the Boys in 1980, before disbanding, after which Dave Dobbyn pursued a thriving individual career.