Christchurch

Rip It Up, Issue 15, 1 September 1978, Page 6

Christchurch

M. Moore

Vapour and the Trails played a one-off gig at the Gladstone after the Kippers offered them their spot for the night. And one offnight it turned out to be. P.A. Problems, uncharitable patrons etc meant that it needed a mercy dash to get a better P.A. to put the Trails back on the right tracks. In complete contrast, Vapour and the Trails managed to cap off an interesting evening at the Club de Rox in fine style just a few days later. First up was a brand spanking new bluesy-rock band from Lyttelton named appropriately enough the Waterside Blues Band. Although probably lacking just a teeny bit in adventure (nothing unusual), they went down well with a musically unaccustomed crowd and achieved an encore (no mean feat). An interesting sideline is that they include an ex Doomed bassist. Playing next, local rhythmic new-wavers Basket Cases managed to reveal a new but rather abrupt way to end an act. Anyone knowing the whereabouts The highlights of the night was the farewell appearance of the Baby Boogie Band. Its always been a mystery to many why they've never gone on to bigger and better things. Their final performance (in their present state at any rate) did nothing to solve that mystery. They included a fine version of Jefferson Airplane’s "White Rabbit" and also "River Deep, Mountain High". Their musicianship and general inventiveness was appreciated to the fullest by the crowd. Some little bits. Shady Lady, a conventional type rock band, are currently touring around the country and may be near you.

The Doomed, as you may have gathered, have called it quits following a somewhat less than successful appearance at the De Rox last month. Oh, win a few, lose a few.