...Techtones single ‘That Girl' on Propeller Imminent... Techtones single 'That Girl' on Propeller Imminent... Techtones single 'That Girl' on Propeller

Rip It Up, Issue 39, 1 October 1980, Page 18

... Techtones single ‘That Girl' on Propeller Imminent ... Techtones single 'That Girl' on Propeller Imminent ... Techtones single 'That Girl' on Propeller

live

Penknife Glides Station Hotel, September 23 . For a new band, Penknife Glides are attracting quite a lot’ of attention. On this Tuesday night, a sizeable crowd patronised the Station to catch Auckland's latest offering to post-Jam modernism. ... Though, very snappily.- dressed,. Penknife Glides lost impact through a total lack of mixing facilities. This was nowhere more evident than during “King -and Country”, with vocalist Steven Gravelle struggling to be heard. . The songs, all originals, : are a crossover of sixties pop and seventies rock. Some are tight and punchy (“Filling In Time"), while others resemble early ./Jam. rejects (“One of the Crowd”). Songwriter/guitarist Cliff Gravelle has some good . ideas, but tends to supplement them with well-worn riffs. This is not a condemnation, however, and songs like “Situation Change',’, “Anticipation” and “It’s Too Late Now’’ all score. Highlight of the. set is the reggae-based "Taking the Weight Off", highly infectious and a perfect showcase for the rhythm section of Jules . Maloney on . bass ’and Stefan Morris on jitQMWBHMHBBBWBWHfIiBBMW A shade more energy, and a touch more practice, and they might just be on to something. Mark Phillips Boz Scaggs, Sharon O'Neill Horden Pavilion, Sydney, October l Black soul singer Jerry Butler used to ; be called ‘The Iceman’, and if ever a white singer deserved the same nickname, it's Scaggs. For reasons nobody seems able' to explain he played in Adelaide for God's sake Scaggs didn’t make it to New Zealand on this trip, which is a shame, because anyone who enjoyed his excellent Western Springs concert two years ago would also enjoy his current stage show Scaggs seems to have an excellent rapport with, his band, and a lot of material off his Middle Man album, which seemed a little bland

on record, springs to life on stage. The only criticism that could be made of the on-stage Scaggs is that he's so cool there’s a danger of losing all communication with the audience. Sharon O’Neill and her band opened with a 45 minute set, which drew a polite response, building to some real enthusiasm for the final song “Words”, which has had good airplay in Sydney. Given the size of the arena, a 5000-seater, O'Neill overcame the problem of getting her more introspective material across well, with "Asian Paradise” one of the set's highlights. Touring with Scaggs, she said later, had been extremely worthwhile, because the Scaggs’ audiences were prepared to listen closely to her music. Phil Gifford Michael Pranks with Crossfire Auckland Town Hall, September 29 By the time Franks was into his fifth song, some of the audience around me were falling asleep! The programme mentions he was once a university lecturer and that may explain his self-conscious, static stage stance: hands kept behind his tall body; head bent forward; quietlyspoken; sprinkling his "lectures" with artistic names like Cezanne and Coltrane for the sophisticated to nod knowingly. The sleepiness wasn't all Franks’ fault. It was late and a Monday night. His songs are witty, soothing, pretty and polished. If the audience had the stamina they could have gone all night. But what does a talented singer/songwriter like Franks do when his backing band steals the limelight? The band, Australia’s top sessionmen, known as Crossfire had stirred up the audience in the first half with a display on a par with the best of the Crusaders. They showed off interesting time changes, good rapport between the players, Tony Buchanan with a beautiful Ben Webster-style sax solo, nice acoustic keyboard stuff from Mick Kenny and sizzling performances from the guitarists, including former Aucklander Phil Scorgie. Franks, himself so impressed by the band, hopes to get them recorded at Montreux, and his Australasian concerts, including Auckland, have been taped for a live record.

Until FM arrives here, it’s a pity that record, as with his other wonderful efforts, will be confined to the background at Ponsonby Rd restaurants and car cassettes. Nigel Horrocks Sam Rivers Gluepot, October 7 A rare opportunity, to see a true progressive jazzman in New Zealand, and more than 300 people took advantage. They were honoured to witness a master in action, and two former Miles Davis sidemen to boot. Let's fervently hope that this one-off (Thank you, Charley Gray) was the first of many. The cost of setting up the gig, since they were passing through, was well worth it. The spirits of John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy and Roland Kirk live on in the genius that is Sam Rivers. He challenges, demands, soothes and delights. Starting off on tenor sax, he blows sharp, virile gushers of notes, setting the scene. Drummer Steve Ellington and bassist Dave Holland similarly adjust themselves, and this superb trio is away into two hours of vital, invigorating music. Rivers is a consummate musician, serene and fiery all at once; holding a note, teasing it, caressing it, blowing it to fragments, squeezing it dry. Ellington and Holland take solos, the drummer cool and restrained, the bassman a bottomless pit of shifting styles and unbelievable versatility. Rivers switches to piano, both bluesy and frenetic, then blows some delightful, sensuous flute before invoking the jungle with his hilarious mouth music. Cold beer and sweet jazz. Sam Rivers. Beautiful. Duncan Campbell

ip*'

Post to RIU LETTERS, PO Box 5689, Auckland 1. Best wins an LP Voucher.

Why the hell did they cancel the Members’ concert? It was the big event of the year for me and when I found out it had been cancelled I went to jump off the harbour bridge. But I remembered Magazine were coming so I decided not to jump until after their concert. I was going to, straight after the concert, but I thought I’d wait until I saw this letter in RIU then I will jump off. Markman Ellis Selwyn College ‘Grip’ Editor EDITOR: As October’s voucher winner, why not save the 10 bucks and buy a ticket early next time a concert is announced. More shows will be cancelled if NZ rockers continue to wait and buy their tickets on the day of the concert. I wonder if anyone ever finished the NME crossword before the next issue? Jim Morrison Kohi As an active member of Wellington’s music scene I’m more than slightly pissed off after reading Connie D. Martin’s last little effort in your Rumours column. She’s taking you for a ride. Whoever Connie is (I’ve yet to meet her around), she takes a very biased stand on Wellington music. Sure punk/new wave acts like Fridge and Wallsockets are OK, but she glosses over, or completely omits several acts which have a bloody sight more success around the city. Why waste a paragraph on Chuck Vomit (who?) when she could use the space to promote some other outfit working their butts off to get a following. Why no mention of 10 piece band, the Rodents? I’ve yet to hear anyone say anything bad about their gigs. Together with the Mockers they’ve been doing a damn sight more live work than Fridge etc, etc, and they put up such a good show at the recent ‘Rock ’n’ Roll Cabaret’ (again not mentioned although there were 100 s there), that Top Scientists probably had their doubts about following up two such support acts. Connie should get her act together and either present an adequate picture of what’s

going on in the capital or step down and let someone with an open mind do so. Devastating Darlene (and supporters) Wellington P.S. Regret can't sign real name, Wellington simply too small to avoid persecution. Dear extremely biased towards Auckland musicians... Where did you get your poorly informed Wellington correspondent? Why does she and her flatmates write about inane little punk rock rejects when bands like Puppetz, Backstreet, Glasshouse and the Digits etc, have all played Wellington in the last month and yet there is no mention of these bands. I think Connie D. Martin and her flatmates should be stuck through a paper shredder and you should get a correspondent that knows what is happening in Wellington. A Smashed Executive (Name with-held in disgust) I'm a Newz fan and I object to the comment made at the end of a letter in the Sept RIU, saying Newz "suck”. I purchased their LP, and although I was disappointed that "Feel Like Makin’ Scones" did not appear, I found it excellent. If Heard the Newz is anything to go by, their future prospects look bright. Anyone who disagrees, should listen again. BF Glendowie We are dedicated Clash supporters (speaking for the majority of New Zealanders), and would like to refer to your simply silly review of the band’s new single "Bank Robber" in Sept RIU. The reviewer needs a 10 speed electric toothbrush in his ears to clean them out. The single is bloody fantastic as is all their work. Tom and Jerry Nelson Witty, charming and personable young male Mi-Sex fan (I am truly) wishes to meet oversexed, cute, blonde, female Mi-Sex fan for nights of unrelenting passion in view of saving what appears to be an endangered species (MiSex fans!)... if interested write to ... Mi-Sex Fan Cambridge P.S. Is there anybody out there who doesn't like Toy Love?

So Christchurch's EX No.l rock venue is going to put in a resident band. The Gladstone is OK but there was something special about making that long journey down to the Hillsborough to rage to bands like Swingers, Vauxhalls, Pop Mechanix, Toy Love etc. Having forked out truckloads of cover charges to see bands good and bands bad, I feel I have made some sort of investment in the Hillsborough and I would naturally like it to continue to feature top local bands.

However the chances of this look about as remote as the chances of a good New Zealand 45 getting prime time airplay and getting to No.l.

It could be a case of "Saturday Night Stay At Home”. '.'" Ecstatic Eddie Christchurch

In reply to "Punk" rocker of Otara: I think Mi-Sex are a trendy pile of sh*t. Conservative Christchurch In RIU you advertise many North Island bands who travel to Christchurch. Why is it that none of these groups stop off on the West Coast? At least the Androidss thought it was worth coming over. Kim Westport Why was Andrew Snoid, in Mark Phillips' review of Pop Mechanix, referred to as Andrew McLennan? The Snoid is wasted in a band like that, anyway. I don't give a sh*t about what he was christened, he's a f * ‘king SNOID! Ex-Whizz Kids Fan Birkenhead