Live

Rip It Up, Issue 68, 1 March 1983, Page 28

Live

Russell Brown

Battle of the Bands Logan Campbell Centre, March 12. Ah, the joys of being a stranger in town. "Logan Campbell Centre?" said the traffic officer. 'Turn right at the lights about a mile down that way." It was 800 metres away on the left. Anyway, I missed No Tag. I understand they played well. • Compulsory : Allies were very young and obviously couldn't foot it with the other bands in terms of presentation or tightness. But they had far more promise than some 'of the more professional : acts. They just need to work a few things out. The vocals were good, the horns were fine, but something is amiss in the rhythm section. Still, they've got plenty of time. Next came 67 Listeners who were older, tighter and obviously

enjoyed their playing. The first few songs were good but after that things began to sound a little s’amey: • They weren't bad but lacked a real edge. '• ■ \ . Stark Naked came on bright, bouncy and smiling. The night's first real entertainers, setting about their task with gusto. They went down well but were perhaps a little let down by their songs. A girl who can sing, dance and generally look like; she knows what she's doing is a big help in a pop band. Day Centrale have such a girl. And not only that, the others are good movers too. The music was chirpy pop in keeping with the image. The future would appear to be very bright for Day Centrale. The Diehards gave more good pop, with Eddie hopping about in style. On this night I think they were shaded by Day Centrale, but they are obviously one of the few good young bands to come through of late. Auckland Walk were by far the most experienced and professional act of the night. Their sound and presentation were faultless but the music got a little wearying. I don't really know what they're aiming at, it's not pop music but it's not really original enough to be considered "serious" music. Still, they had to go through for simply for doing what they did, whatever it was, very well. . \ : v Marginal Era were unlucky to be the last band up. Most of the crowd had left and what atmosphere that could be mustered in the cavernous concrete centre was leaking away. It would have been good to have seen the band in more sympathetic- circumstances as. Paul Agar is a fine frontman and singer. Still, their performance was an improvement on the one that got them into the final so they're definitely moving in the right direction. In'the end Stark Naked, Day Centrale, the Diehards and Auckland Walk were chosen, in no particular order, as the best of this first Auckland final. Probably a fair result, but a little unlucky for Marginal Era.