ArtistInfo

Cleves

Band, 1968-1971 AU, Sydney
Rock
A.k.a. The Cleves Bitch (9) The Clevedonaires

NZ band of the 1960s to 1970s New Zealand born Gaye Brown and her brothers Ron and Graham formed their own group "The Clevedonaires" after adding local lad Milton Lane (rhythm guitar) ca. 1964. The band's name was taken from their home town of Clevedon, just south of Auckland. Lane was replaced by Rob Aicken a few months later. In 1966 Auckland promoter Benny Levin signed them to his Impact label and released 4 singles 'til 1968. Now renamed The Cleves, they were one of several polished Sydney pop bands of the period who featured tight harmonies, sophisticated arrangements and relatively light, pop-oriented repertoire. In 1969 the group signed with Festival and issued two singles and two EPs. EP released from Festival's newly 'prog' subsidiary label, Infinity in 1970. By this time the band was heading in a more progressive musical direction, and they recorded their highly regarded LP, produced by Richard Batchens, in late 1970. After the album came out The Cleves were joined for a short time by guitarist Vince Meloney (ex-Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs, Bee Gees, Fanny Adams). Not long after, Ace Follington (ex-Chain, Country Radio) subsequently replaced Graham Brown on drums. In October 1971, The Cleves moved to the UK (minus Meloney who had by then formed Flite with Leo De Castro) where they became known as Bitch.

Members

	Ron Brown g
	Gaye Brown b, voc, org NZ