LETTERS

Rip It Up, Issue 37, 1 August 1980, Page 15

LETTERS

Post to RIU LETTERS, PO Box 5689, Auckland 1. Best wins an LP Voucher. I would like to say a bit about the best band to come out of Auckland over 1979-80, the Whizz Kids. The Kids played support for the Ramones at the Logan Campbell Centre. During the set when they announced to my horror, that it was their final gig, all the audience did was cheer. Kids, if you want to bow out in the best way, play another final gig at XS or Titirangi War Memorial Hall (I'm under 20 and live in Titirangi see). You deserve a better reception than those wanks-gave you. NOISE BOY Auckland First and foremost, Ultravox did it three years ago and much better to boot. It disgusts me to see words like “epic”, "intelligent”, “progression" and worst of all “music” appear in any review of the latest offering from Steve (I hope they’ve forgotten what I looked like on Studio One) Gilpin and his painted jesters. But coming from a magazine that purports to be an independent publication, it is nothing less than sheer blindness or stupidity or bribery or something. I suppose it is too much to ask that RIU print an honest review of Space Race. Naturally a bad review would mean a smack on the hand from CBS who kindly pay for many of the ads in RIU. thus helping RIU to reach the masses. That would never do. Well as far as I’m concerned there is no point in publishing a mag too frightened to print honest reviews of important product from big record companies. How about some integrity, then Mi-Sex (see first Ultravox album for origin of name and 90% of material) would go back to Australia, or even better to the USA where we would never hear from them again.) R. Montgomery Christchurch DUNCAN CAMPBELL replies: If you read my review properly you will see that I said Space Race was “an extension rather than a progression.” It’s hardly fair to take a single word totally out of context. As for the rest, I’m unrepentant. RIU is well aware of the Ultravox connection. In early days Mi-Sex performed two Ultravox numbers. Everyone has traceable influences including Ultravox who always had a strong Bowie-Eno flavour. You seem to equate “honest reviews” and “integrity” with knocking Mi-Sex (a popular trend since they became successful). I don’t happen to subscribe to your view, but that doesn’t make me either stupid or blind. When reviewing records, I keep the album but receive no payment. Neither Rip It Up or myself is in anybody’s pocket.

Last year in RIU there was slight mention of AC/DC’s Highway To Hell as “heavy metal album of the year, no question." But Motorhead’s Bomber, Scorpion's Lovedrive and UFO's Strangers In The Night to name a few, never got mentioned at all. This year we've had offerings from Iron Maiden, Rush, Triumph and UFO again, to name a few, and still no mention in RIU. Instead of wasting space and letting seasoned reviewers say that the American Gigolo soundtrack is rather tedious disco and that Live Wire is imitation Dire Straits (if an album is hopeless, why even mention it?), why not get someone who gets off on HM to review the latest heavy metal albums? B. Wallace Christchurch Dear Nearly Mod (do RIU), I feel I may be in a position to put you on the right road to becoming a MOD. I suggest that you contact your local Army Recruiting Office. They will be able to supply you with all the information that you require and put you in touch with New Zealand's largest MOD movement, the Ministry of Defence. Remember it’s a man’s life in the army. Adolf Hitler Forrest Hill I think Toy Love are obKNOXious. Elsie Pickwart Epsom OK, so Robert Muldoon doesn't think rock music is culture. So what are we gonna do now, ask Mickey Mouse if he thinks Iggy Pop is nice? UAF Karori The Crocodiles are the best thing since the 'Tune-O-Matic Bridge’. Pity Bruno’s left. No Agro Eric, and Faceless Walter Whangarei Hi, you dashingly decrepid, dull, dopey, demented, dry, dormant, downright disgusting droll, dejected, despicable, destitute, disillusioned, disruptive, disjointed, devilish, deteriorating, dishevelled, disrespectable, decent, distinguished, dazzling darlings. Prepare yourself for the latest new wave sensation from that well known breeding ground of sophisticated music: Gore. Jymshoe Jive the biggest thing since Hindu Gymshoe (Richard Hodgekinson). Lots of Love Gary (I've got a hairy chest) Gitter Christchurch Aren’t Americans just plain silly? In the April 1980 Playboy, I read: “XTC / Drums and Wires (Virgin): Devo clones that sound more like the old Maxwell House percolator than like a rock band. " Mind you, they thought up disco. Brett Dunedin P.S. Hello Paul Mynott in Wellington