WAR DECLARED

Rip It Up, Issue 14, 1 August 1978, Page 3

WAR DECLARED

According to dispatches, War is imminent. The seven-man American group, whose initial fame was as support for singer Eric Burdon but later achieved No. 1 hits on its own, is to tour New Zealand early next month. Four of the group began playing together

in high school in California and gained some experience working the local clubs. One left for Hawaii. Another had a spell in the army then returned to join his friends in an

L.A.-based group: Night Shift. Enter Eric Burdon, having just disbanded his New Animals and hanging out with a Danish harmonica-player named Lee Oskar. Burdon was impressed with Night Shift. He (and Oskar) began working with them. He also changed their sound by trimming away most of the brass. He also changed their name.

Eric Burdon and War then cut a single “Spill-the Wine" which went straight to No. 1 all over the world. They had two successful albums and > toured > extensively during 1970 ! and 71. When Burdon collapsed from exhaustion* the band completed their itinerary handling all vocal duties themselves.

The split became permanent and War soon gained fame as a highly proficient street-funk/soul outfit. With their combination of smart musicianship, an often jazzinfluenced beat and catchy melodies War have achieved considerable success, particularly in America where at least five of their albums have gone gold. Not quite so popular here, they are probably best known for such singles as “Slippin’ into Darkness”, "The Cisco Kid” and “Low Rider”. If your taste runs to soulful black funk, you will get the opportunity to make War in September.