The Pogs were formed in Sydney in the mid 60s by future Aunty Jack/Cool Bananas member Rory O’Donaghue. Other members were drummer Paul Brownlow, bassist Roco Bellantonio and rhythm guitarist Nino Bellantonio. The band played on the lucrative Sydney Northshore party circuit and became the house band at the University of Sydney’s Architectural revues. Signed to the Leedon label The Pogs recorded four singles over the next 12 months but all failed to attract much attention. The singles were all written and produced by Pete Best who later contributed to such films as The Adventures of Barry McKenzie (1972), Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (1974), End Play (1976), The Picture Show Man (1977), We of the Never Never (1982), Goodbye Paradise (1983), Bliss (1985), Crocodile Dundee (1986) plus a few more.
In 1967, The Pogs recruited organist Graeme Thompson and lost bassist Nino (who went on to further his architectural career). Thompson was then drafted into the Australian Army and was replaced by Bruce Hadden. Drummer Paul Brownlow also left to concentrate on his electrical business and he was replaced by Greg “Max” MacManus. The Pogs changed their name to Oak Apple Day and released two singles ”No Face, No Name, No Number” on the Phillips label and and ”Moon Shot” on the RCA label in 1969; however, the change of name didn’t result in a change in the group’s fortunes. In 1970 they disbanded and O’Donaghue went on to play jazz before joining The If who performed The Who’s rock opera Tommy at the Elizabethan Theatre in Sydney. He also recorded an odd one-off single – co-written by Grahame Bond – called “The Race” for Fable in 1970. In 1972 he would join the cast of ABC television sketch comedy series The Aunty Jack Show. O’Donaghue died in 2017.
Members
Rory O’Donaghue (vocals/guitar), Paul Brownlow (drums), Roco Bellantonio (bass),
Nino Bellantonio (guitar), Graeme Thompson (keyboards/bass), Bruce Hadden (bass), Greg McManus (drums)
