The Mods play The Founders Theatre 1994, their 30th Aniversary. Songs "I Feel Fine, Hang On Sloopy and Build Me Up Buttercup. The lineup Kevin McNeil Bass, Liam Ryan Keyboards, Dean Adamson Acoustic Guitar, Peter Mathews Lead guitar and Jeff Downey Drums. The occasion was supporting Ray Columbus and The Invaders on their last Tour.
The Band was originally formed from the remnants of “Wayne Reynolds and the Surf boys in December 1963 and from early 64 they performed as Wayne Reynolds and the Mods, the lineup was Wayne and brother Neil along with Kevin McNeil and Mike Griffin. When Mike decided to leave a few months later guitarist John Bisset joined and so began the original Mods.
The Mods established themselves through the Waikato and Auckland Area as one of the leading 4 piece groups. It was about this time that news got through to Stebbing Studios (Zodiac Records) in Auckland of the band's popularity and a recording deal was offered. From the first session came “Love,Love,Love"/"Its in Her Kiss", which made number 5 on the NZ Charts and gave the band a leg into major clubs in both Auckland and Wellington as well as offers to back Top Solo artists, including Ray Columbus (who in 1965 had split with the Invaders) along with the Chicks, Dinah Lee, Shane, Tommy Adderly, Sandy Edmonds and Alison Durban
The band recorded another single in early 1966, “Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble” (a cover of the Manfred Mann song) b/w a John Bisset original “Ill be on My Way”, not a bad intro to song writing from the then 16 year old John.In late 65 Clive Coulson joined the band (from the Auckland group “The Rayders”) as lead Vocalist and they travelled to Wellington for a six month tour of the night clubs and Sunday Clubs and it was during this period they formed a friend ship with Midge Marsden and The Breakaways, (originally Barry and The Breakaways). They traveled the country playing top Night Spots in Auckland and Wellington and became recognised as one of New Zealands leading groups.
In 1966 they were booked to play support for the “Sonny and Cher” but due to differing tastes in music the band members decided to go their separate ways. John moved to Auckland to join “The Action”, Kevin McNeil to the Auckland “Rayders” and Wayne and Neil the “Ways and Means”. Clive moved to Australia and then to England and eventually ended up on the road with “Led Zeppelin” first as a road Manager and then into sound and management.
In 1987 John, Wayne, Kevin and Neil got back together for a brief period, this was to become the start of “The Mods 2”, a combination of at least 2 of the original guys playing with other musicians, the common denominator being volcalist/bassist Kevin McNeil, who has played with every line-up of the Band since 1964.
In 1989 “The Mods 2” recorded 6 track mini album featuring covers and 3 originals from John Bisset. The Original 5 members got back together in 2004 for their 40th Anniversary. Sadly in 2005 Clive Coulson passed away suddenly and as a tribute to him, Wayne, Neil and Kevin had one more re-union this being their 45th.
The Mods have been largely overlooked by authors of publications covering the 60s NZ music scene, especially as they were highly rated by their peers. They are now one of the few 60s groups (worldwide) who can currently perform with the original four members. Most of the top NZ soloists of the 60s at some time were supported or backed by the Mods, and all held them in high regard as musicians and entertainers. Their greatest supporter over the years has been Ray Columbus who played many gigs with the Band.
Other Mods over the years have included: Dean Adamson, Rob Port, Graham Dukeson, Peter Matthews, Jeff Downey and Liam Ryan (from “The Narcs”, along with Morris Taylor, Athol Ryan, Denis Newby, and Steve Crossland.
