GTN ZONE FILE

Rip It Up, Issue 48, 1 July 1981, Page 8

GTN ZONE FILE

When Allan Jimson of the Steroids first mooted the Wellington Zone concert, it seemed fairly daring. Despite a summer of frantic, if chaotic, activity, many doubted the viability of a large-venue concert featuring only local bands. After all, the city only supported two regular venues now down to one, and of the local bands, probably only the Steroids, the Rodents and the Mockers had developed the pulling power to consistently headline successfully. Nonetheless, the Steroids went ahead, and Digits, BRF and the Mockers all jumped at the chance to join the show. By the night of the show, advance sales had assured success. In the event, there were over five hundred people, with others turned away. In hindsight, it was very much the last wild fling of a riotous summer. A fractious pot-pourri of moderne chic-ists, the punk rump, angry young men (with one featuring prominently), drunks, junkies, starving artists and clean-cut suburban kids milled around the hall. Some were there for the music, some for the scene, some out of curiosity and some no doubt just seeking safety in numbers. The record of the show was pretty much accidental. Chris Cullinan went along to record BRF. Fie crossed a couple of mikes on the ceiling above the stage and let the tape run for the entire concert. It was not until he played the tape back while the crew, band members and hangers on were loading out that the idea of a live album was mooted. Mike Alexander of Bunk was keen and the result is the Wellington Zone album. Whatever its merits as a record of the bands involved, it stands primarily as a record of an event, and of Wellington

over the summer of 80-81. Les Crew Beat Rhythm Fashion Dan Birch, bass. Nino Birch, guitar. Glenn Stewart, drums. , WZE tracks: 'Song Of Hairless Apes' (Skempton/Birch), 'No Great Oaks' (Skempton/Birch) and 'Art And Duty' (Skempton/ Birch). Previous recording: BRF at that time a duo (Skempton/Birch) contributed two tracks to the * * * * album, 1980. BRF was formed in December 1980 and, the WZC was . the band's first gig. The ' Birch brothers had been involved in a number of other line-ups over the previous year, primarily around the 'Billy The Club' scene, (Westown Quintet, Life In The Fridge). . Plans: ' BRF have a single, ■ Beings Rest Finally'/'Bring Real Freedom' out on Bunk July 27 and two singles will follow. Bookings: Matthew 04-859-373. The Digits Delmer, vocals. Malcolm, guitar. John, drums. ~ . Tony, bass. . . • . WZC tracks: 'Trifid In, Our Kitchen' (Malcolm) and 'A Stab In Reach Of Vision' (Tony). Primarily a studio project, the - Digits were formed in March 1980 as a vehicle for the songwriting activities of Tony and Malcolm. This was - the band's first live gig and no others are planned at the moment. Plans: Digit's first album, Dog Wrestled to Ground bp Underarm Combat Flea is out. Second album, Grendle the Savage is Off His Gumboots -is' also complete. Contact: 04-787-433. V

The Mockers Charlie Mannell, drums. Dale Monaghan, guitar. Gary Curtis, bass/keyboards. Andrew Fagan,, vocals. WZC tracks: 'What We've Missed' (Fagan/Monaghan), 'Fight With The World' (Curtis/ Monaghan) and 'Confused' (Curtis/Fagan). Previous recording: The single 'Good Old Days'/'Murder In Manners St', released as a do-it-yourself project, October 1980. Now re-released and available again. Formed in 1980 from the remnants of Ambitious Vegetables. Have played a few gigs outside of Wellington. Plans: Mockers have a singloid (45rpm A-side and 33rpm B-side), 'Trendy Lefties'/'So Close', 'Tonight', 'Gombolic Fever' due out on Bunk. Attempting to do more out of town gigs. Bookings: Don 04-847-157. Steroids Andrew Drey, bass/vocals. Alan Jimson, guitar, devices/vocals. Leo Keane, drums. WZC tracks: 'Mr Average' (Drey/Jimson), 'Credit Card' (Drey/Jimson/Keane) and 'Observation'. Previous recording: 'Mr Average'/'Out Of Control' a single on White Light Records. Steroids were formed in Easter 1979, and have continued up to the present with only one recent line-up change. Have toured extensively. Plans: Steroids have a new. single out on Bunk, 'Credit Card'/'Destination Tokyo'. Currently taking a break from live work and working on new material. Bookings: Andy 04-849-049.