Peter O'Doherty (born 23 March 1958) is a New Zealand-born Australian musician and visual artist. He is a founder of Australian pop band, Dog Trumpet, in 1991 on guitar and vocals, alongside his older brother, Chris O'Doherty (p.k.a. Reg Mombassa) on guitar, keyboards, harmonica and vocals. They were also members of new wave group, Mental as Anything, which O'Doherty joined in August 1977 on bass guitar and vocals, until they both left in 2000. As a visual artist, O'Doherty specialised in still life and everyday suburban scenes. He is married to Susan, who is also a visual artist.
Peter O'Doherty was born in Auckland, New Zealand on 23 March 1958; with his family he emigrated to Sydney in 1969. His father, James, and mother were landscape painters.[1] His older brother, Chris (p.k.a. Reg Mombassa, born 1951), attended art school where he formed a new wave group, Mental As Anything, in early 1976 with his fellow students.[2] O'Doherty attended high school on Sydney's Northern Beaches, where he learnt classical guitar and later worked as a petrol station attendant. He appeared on stage with his brother's group in August 1977, initially filling in, and became a permanent member on bass guitar and vocals with Mombassa on lead guitar and vocals, Martin Plaza on vocals and guitar, Greedy Smith on vocals, keyboards and harmonica, and David Twohill on drums.[2][3][4]
Peter O'Doherty performing live.
Unlike other members of the group's classic line-up,[3] O'Doherty was billed under his real name on all their releases. (He was introduced as "Ouzo Pork" in a few early concerts, and acquired the occasionally-referenced nickname "Yoga Dog" later, but was always billed simply as Peter O'Doherty on all their records issued from 1978 through 1999[5].) During O'Doherty's time with the group they issued three Top 10 albums, Cats & Dogs (September 1981), Creatures of Leisure (March 1983) and Fundamental (September 1985).[2] He also composed tracks, including the singles "Close Again" and "Brain Brain", provided guitar and designed covers and art work.
Art career
Although O'Doherty never attended art school, he became a prolific visual artist alongside his acclaimed brother, Mombassa.[1] They had left Mental as Anything in 2000 to concentrate on their art and music careers. His wife Susan is also a visual artist, "[she] paints her more abstract pieces,"[1] while O'Doherty specialised in still life and built landscapes. He has entered the art competition of the Archibald Prize with his works relegated to the Salon des Refusés.