Still Seasick after all these years

Rip It Up, Issue 7, 1 December 1977, Page 15

Still Seasick after all these years

Alistair Riddell Island of Real The case of Alistair Riddell is perhaps the most pointed example of the treadmill of Auckland's rock and roll scene. I first saw him more than five years ago at the University Cafe, fronting a band called Orb, who besides containg two future members of Split Enz, were largely noticeable for their performance of a pocketsized rock opus called “Seabird”, which was greeted with suitable enthusiasm by an audience of seventeen-year-old girls. Two weeks ago he was back at the Island of Real Cafe with his latest ensemble the Wonder Ones. And the highlight of his set, at least in the eyes of the seventeen-year-old girls who filled the first few rows of a moderately-sized audience was none other than 'Seabird”. In the meantime, Riddell has been as close as you can get to being a star in New Zealand, and he has all the attributes of it now, after more than a year of virtual inactivity. Unfortunately, being a star in Auckland doesn't really mean that you can indulge in the same luxuries as your Los Angeles counterparts. For all the smooth professionalism of his backing band, the easy flash of his guitar-playing, and stage charm like Peter Frampton might envy, Alistair Riddell is in essence no further down the road to the big apple than he was five years ago. The Yes songs have been replaced by Herbie Hancock numbers but they must have played a good three quarters of the Space Waltz album, and of course, “Seabird”. Quite rightly, Riddell probably considers that he hasn’t had enough mileage out of what still remains his major compositions but that five-year-old albatross must be weighing a mite heavy.

Francis Stark

The Enemy Old Beneficiaries Hall Dunedin's First New Wave Dance. The band take their name from the magazine and soon have twenty original songs ready for Wednesday, November 16. A week before, the bass player leaves, and a friend is brought in. He's played guitar before in bedrooms and things, but never on a stage. He's never played bass guitar before. The dance is held at the quaintly-named Old Beneficiaries Hall. A portrait of the Queen on a chair. A few safety pins. A television humming on top of a speaker later to have the band's name inked on its blue glow. And a few hours of Pistols. Ramones, Stranglers et al to get everyone thinking the same way. The band finally come on. The bass player is unbelievably fine. Total commitment. He's also unbelievably important, because the guitar isn't heard at all for the first twenty minutes, so Mick Dawson becomes not only the bottom of the garage throb, but also the middle and the top. Chris Knox sings and writes many of the songs. A natural lead singer for a New Wave band, and also a vehement critic. The night before he’s heard bellowing at Hello Sailor for not satisfying him on an Iggy Pop number. He also bellowed at Lou Reed throughout the man s Christchurch concert (not that Lou would really care) and Chris was and still is devoted to Lou Reed (not that Lou would really care). Alec Bathgate plays guitar and Mike Dooley drums. Both just keep getting hotter and hotter as the crowd drunkens and

becomes more wildly converted to the throb from the stage. The songs are simple, the words possibly quite good (some are forgotten and many inaudible) and the rhythms relentless. Proper punk music. Great titles too Wanna Die With You”. "Jack Crap", "Pull Down The Shades”, "Iggy Told Me . "Lou Reed”, "Rainbow ", "Government Health Warning”, "I Just Can t Get It Up and, of course, “We Are The Enemy”. The crowd seem to love it. At least one Hello Sailor guitarist is seen, and when the music stops two hours later, he is seen to have moved two metres closer to the stage. And he's smiling. It was a real fun night.

Roy Colbert