NZ’s premier glam rock band from the 1970s are about to have their recordings released on 12 inch vinyl through Frenzy in collaboration with In Search Of Fuzz. Formed in Christchurch in 1973 by guitarist Ronnie Harris & drummer Jeff Stribling Odyssey absorbed the BIG teenage beat of the time infusing it with their own kiwi DIY attitude. What their garden city predecessors Chants R&B were to savage R&B, Peter Lewis was to rock and roll, and later the Gordons to post punk sonics, Odyssey took to GLAM rock like no other band in the country. They had the best make up , the tallest platforms, the shiniest satin outfits, and the campest attitude. With strong nods to early KISS, it's hard to imagine Odyssey surviving in Christchurch in the 70s when it was still the blokiest of blokey cities in NZ, but they did. Venturing north, they courted Auckland based labels with their demos and almost made it, but were probably a little too much for the moral gatekeepers of the time. They even opened for hero Lou Reed at Christchurch Town Hall. Odyssey took their glitter stomp to the kids nationwide. When glam simmered , Odyssey adapted and trimmed down to a three piece taking on punk with a little Dr Feelgood and Quo for good measure.
Dr (GLam) Ian Chapman said the following about Odyssey:
"Ronnie Harris, Jeff Stribling, Rob Gray and Mike Scheele took local glam to a new level of visual excess. Mike, in particular, raised tempers, temperatures, and heart rates nationwide with his decadent fetish ensemble of cape, brief (very) lurex undies and nothing else except for the crowbar that he brandished threateningly above his head. And when he discarded the cape altogether he made Frank N. Furter look tame by comparison. Pure theatre. Pure calculated genius. Thanks, Odyssey."
Label
Frenzy Music
Genre
Pop & Rock LP SIDE A
Suzy Rock
Rock & Roll's Alright
New York City
Baby
It's So Easy
LP SIDE B
Trevor
Ball & Chain
Pogo
That's Life
Sorry
Prostitute

FRENZY MUSIC