Blond comedy

Rip It Up, Issue 69, 1 April 1983, Page 6

Blond comedy

Russell Brown

Things are getting serious for Blond Comedy, and they know it. Up until recently the band has had a low-key approach, playing a lot of support gigs, aiming not, to lose money. But now, with the second single of their Mushroom Records contract due out soon, the band is gearing up for bigger things. "We're consciously working on actual songwriting skills," says bassist Dave. "The actual structuring of songs. If you're not born brilliant it takes years to learn." Criteria for songs have been tightened and if everyone in the band is not happy with a song it will be changed or thrown out. "We've written heaps of songs in the last few months that have never made an audience's ears," explains guitarist Damian.' "And it might reach an audience once and the next time be totally different," Dave adds.

Lyrics are also scrutinised carefully and the whole band, is involved in putting them together so there can be no complaints, . The band recently had its first taste of songwriting in a new environment, the recording studio. The result of sessions at Azimuth Studios is to be their new single. At the time of writing it' is unfinished and untitled, but the

band is enthusiastic about it. "It sounds like it's going to be the best thing we've done so far," says soundman Gregg. The band's contract, the standard Mushroom document, provides for two singles and an album a year. They hope the new record will be out more quickly than their first for the label, Rebecca', which took eight

months to be released. But there's also/he live aspect. "We're just starting to get back into live gigs/ Dave • explains. They've been trying to avoid getting "worn out" like some local bands he says. "Guys get put out there on the road to y earn money for someone else," comments Gregg. "New Zealand bands are worth more than that." They recognise the need to tour, but they'll be doing it carefully. No rushing all over the country to unprofitable gigs. ''We'd rather concentrate on the music than how much in debt we are," Dave explains... ' Y They believe’ Gregg's services .will be invaluable here, because he has been with the core of members through several bands and understands the music. His ties with the band are unusually, close for a soundman. He is a royalty-earning member and appears in band photographs. ' Blond Comedy have their sights set firmly on the international' market. Unlike stablemates Dance Exponents,' they want to head for the USA, rather than Australia, when they're ready. "From what I can see, in the next three or four years, New Zealand band are going to be able to break straight into Europe," Gregg says. "But we don't want to go there half-cocked," he says. "We want to go out and make money and be value for money."