Humour, blues popular

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 15, 9 September 1986, Page 2

Humour, blues popular

Hammond Gamble and Gary McCormick are "two lads" who travel the pub circuit, entertaining audiences with their own unique combination of blues music, poetry and satire. The two entertainers go back a long way, to the days when Hammond was lead singer for Kiwi rock group "Street Talk", in the 1970's. Gary McCormick admitted to being a fan of Hammond for some years. "I admired him from a distance," he said. Gary McCormick toured New Zealand with contemporary poet Sam Hunt- for five years before being joined by Hammond. "We were a hit," said Gary. "Blues, poetry and humour make a pretty good combination." Both "lads" have their own recipe for success. "We try to say that people should be allowed to be outrageous - too many New Zealanders are a bit afraid that someone's going to laugh at them," says Gary. "The shows run on spontaneity, with no song or sketch quite the same as the last one," says Hammond. Whatever the secret is, the two of them seem to have perfected it. Crowds in Ohakune whooped and hollered for more last Tuesday night as Hammond poured out soulful blues onan electric guitar, accompanied by a dance number from Gary. Both entertainers were suffering from the effects of the 'flu during their visit to Ohakune, but shrugged it off.