The Marksmen

The Marksmen

The Marksmen are a garage rock band from Wollongong, Australia. The name has been used by more than one group, but this version is the Wollongong band associated with the mid-1960s Australian garage and surf scene.

Line-up and formation

The band’s original members are Neil Porter on bass, Dan Coutts on lead guitar, Lyle McLean on guitar and Dave Kirkup on drums. Tony Markham later replaces Kirkup on drums. For live work, the group adds singers to broaden the set: first Brian Davitt and later Bobby Kerr of the Chevrons. One line-up from April 1966 consists of Lyle McLean on lead guitar, Bob Kerr on vocals, Tony Markham on drums, Danny Coutts on rhythm guitar and Neil Porter on bass.

Sound and recordings

The Marksmen begin as a surf band, though their best-known recordings sit close to garage rock. In 1966 they issue a self-financed 45 on the Enterprise label. The single includes “Moonshine” and “But Why”, with “Moonshine” described as the tougher garage track and “But Why” as the more melancholic one, using harmonies and a memorable guitar riff. The record becomes one of the rarest Australian garage singles.

Place in Australian rock

The band is from Wollongong, near Sydney, and should not be confused with the separate instrumental group called the Marksmen from Melbourne, who release singles on the W & G label in the early 1960s.