The Wild Colonials — “Get the Picture”: Brace for the Obscure (60s rock)! — August 3, 2025

THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE 1960s THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD

1,673) The Wild Colonials — “Get the Picture”

I love me my Pretty Things (see #82, 94, 153, 251, 572, 731, 892, 1,001, 1,327), but these wild Australians’ cover exceeded the original on ‘65’s “Get the Picture”. The Pretty’s version seems pretty lethargic, a “head-boppin’, but ultimately static number” (DangHeck, https://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=38082), but the A-side to the second of the Colonials’ three singles is magical and “has become something of a classic of Australian ’60s rock”. (Kimbo, https://historyofaussiemusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/tough-melbourne-beat-group-which-issued.html) Though frankwren8215 writes that “My dad was the rhythm guitar player for this, and it’s about as subpar as everything else he did. I’m proof of that.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hq2WjuS5Lk) 🤣

Kimbo tells us of the WC:

Tough Melbourne beat group originally called The Pressmen. They were discovered by Pinocchios owner Garry Spry. In 1965 they auditioned for the job as house band at Pinocchio’s night club. Pincocchios promotions manager, Jeff Joseph liked what he saw and booked them for a six-month residency. This also saw a name change to The Wild Colonials. In the same year they had regular appearances on TV in Melbourne and Sydney and scored a recording contract with EMI that saw them release three singles on their HMV imprint. . . . In Jan 1966 they supported the Herman’s Hermits and Tom Jones tour of Australia. . . . They disbanded in 1967.

https://historyofaussiemusic.blogspot.com/2013/09/tough-melbourne-beat-group-which-issued.html

Here are the Pretty Things:

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