LIVE

Rip It Up, Issue 63, 1 October 1982, Page 28

LIVE

Whizz Kids Lipstick Collar Hillsborough, Sept 10. For all the trumpeting about the reformation of the Whizz Kids, the chief significance of this gig was the return to the stage of Tim Mahon. The Blams' bassist had not played in public since he was

injured when the band's van crashed in June. He is still walking with a stick, is missing some fingers and has to thumb-pick the bass strings. Because the main act had not had a chance to learn many songs, Lipstick Collar were placed in the unusual position or having to play about an hour and a half as a support band. They made it seem like two and a half. When the Whizz Kids (finally) hit the stage, the first standout was the old number 'Factory'. Andrew Snoid sounded better

than he has for ages. Ex Swinger Bones Hillman shared bass-playing duties with Mahon, coming in on a Blams' style 'Dr Who', the night's crowd pleaser. The repertoire went through more Blams, Whizz Kids and Swingers' songs and finished on a nostalgic note with the Suburban Reptiles' 'Saturday Night Stay At Home'. When it was over, it was over. No big deal. Just a good night out with some old friends. Russell Brown Rose Bayonet Titan Gluepot, Sept 23-25. Hey! Metal at the Gluepot. I thought Auckland had forgotten what hard rock was all about. At last local headbangers were given a chance to do some powerful brain damage and get rid of the dandruff. Know something, they loved it. And screamed for ' more. Wellington's Rose Bayonet showed Auckland how to rock out ... in true British heavy metal 1980 s style. The boys looked right and sounded even better. Leather and studs. Clenched fists. Long hair. Dry ice and explosions. It was all there along with excellent lighting and some good original songs like 'Leather & Chains' and '6 ft Under'. Their cover songs were, all good choices well delivered. But for me, Judas Priest's The Stealer' stole the show. Rose Bayonet is

precisely what heavy metal is all about. Loud, brash and aggressive. Thanks for the three great nights of metal. See you at Mainstreet along with Titan I hope. Titan really got the Gluepot jumping with a well-paced set of good, hard rock numbers. An excellent new band on the Auckland music scene. John Andrewes Various Ponsonby Community Centre, October 2. A programme of alternative entertainment organised by Brent Hayward and presented to an audience of about 150 white urban youth willing to spend $3 to hear highly diverse music. A night unmarred by long breaks, technical hitches or fights. This is the voice of Auckland straight off the streets, music played from uncompromised points of approach that people never get an opportunity to think about because conventional musical outlets are controlled by commercial consideration. From dire to inspired it's real, it's exciting, it is what it is. The Ha . Has all played assorted percussion instruments. Z taped feedback, pots, tubes, trumpet. Steven tabla, tambourine, clackers. John guitar, bulbs, discarded bric-a-brac. Gaylea drums, voice and sticks. Rhythmic sound effects, life in the bush without ghosts percussive distorted guitar, wails from trumpet. Poet David Eggleton. Self assured, rapid fire John Cooper Clarke-style delivery to humourous effect. Red Cross Si White (vocals),

Fat One (bass), Paul Briggs and Chris (guitars), Tony Dawn (drums). They actually stood on stage, safe place as they play toe stomping music, standard rock, strong . bass from Fat One. Significant effect on the audience: half left and half got up and pounded. Some original lyrics. 'Red Squad', 'Ponsonby' (a funny, fundamental tribute) with political overtones. Red Cross have more integrity than oi tag implies. Jellymen take four girls from next door who are learning to play instruments ... and they won't play songs as such Adrienne (guitar), Tennessee (keyboards), Barbie (drums) and Raewyn (bass). Their rendition of 'God Defend New Zealand' is a true NZ youth manifesto! Fishschool jazz influenced, modern music from three erratic geniuses: Kevin Hawkins (guitar), Jessica Walker (bass), Chris Plummer (drums). Too much indicated but left unplayed; they had their moments. People who can jam this well should really play better in public. Assistance from Christine Voice, Tim Wareham (vocals), Kerry Hessel (saxophone), Tim Rait (drums). Blue, Green,' Browns Brent Hayward (vocals, guitars) with Julie Cooper providing distinct drumming and some lovely singing over a continuous conversational background - tape, accompanied by Z on trumpet and Kerry Hessel playing sax with great delicacy. Theatrical folk art, disciplined without sacrificing spontaneity. Featuring the drama of .'Dennis the Fire Engine', simple and comic. Recommended.

Jewel Sanyo

Gary McCormick Old Mill, Timaru, Sept 15. Timaru's dozen or so cognoscenti and a handful of drunks chortled at McCormick's stories of other people in other Towns, an easier way of laughing at themselves. The real Gary McCormick, not the white-suited apologist on the Sweetwaters stage. No stage tonight, just a clearing among empty tables. Timaru was the name to be fitted into the jokes tonight. Next week it'll be Christchurch, or Hokitika. Same jokes. The poems were surprisingly few in number, most of them familiar. A local sang and strummed guitar whenever McCormick stopped to get a drink and wander around making polite, lonely conversation. Very weary, very worthy. Afterwards, everyone went to the same party until very, very late. Russell Brown