Rumours

Rip It Up, Issue 82, 1 May 1984, Page 24

Rumours

UK & USA Wham! will be back in action with a new single soon after finally shedding their turkey contract with Innervision and signing direct to CBS ... Stevie Wonder's Marvin Gaye tribute 'Lighting Up the Candles, which was performed at Gaye s funeral, will be a late addition to Wonder's new album, which will presumably delay it even further ... Phil Lynott has a new group, Grand Slam, which he promises is quite different from Thin Lizzy. Only other Lizzy sur-

vivor is drummer Brian Downey ... former Fun Boys Lynval Golding and Neville Staples' new project is Sunday Best. Their first release is a collaboration with Pauline Black (ex Selecter) entitled 'Pirates on the Airwaves'... David Bowie's latest film role is in a movie based on the Thomas Beger novel The Feud. The film will be directed by Robert Altman and shot in the north of England ... Sting has teamed up again with Quadrophenia director Francis Roddam. In the new pic he plays Dr Frankenstein ... A 1 Jarreau will s(ar and sing in a new biopic on Nat King Cole ... Disney studios have announced a plan to remake The Wizard of Oz ... lead guitarist Kelly Johnson has left Girlschool because of musical differences. She will take a long rest and then move to America to form a band. Meanwhile, the others are looking for a replacement ... Southern Death Cult singer lan has formed a new group called The Cult. He is joined by drummer Nigel (ex Sex Gang

Children), bassist Jamie (ex Ritual) and guitarist Billy (ex Theatre of Hate) ... the Melody Makers are a vocal group which includes the children of Bob and Rita Marley: ’ Their debut single is I Met Her On a Rainy Day' ... Jonathan Richman has just signed a four year, world-wide contract with Rough Trade records ... former Jam bassist Bruce Foxton is playing his first live gigs and has a new single 'lt Makes Me Wonder' ... Nick Cave and the Cavemen have shown the good taste to cover Screamin' Jay Hawkins' great 'I Put A Spell On You' in their London live gigs. Albums: REM Reckoning, Bob Marley Legend (best of), Human League Hysteria, Elvis Costello 10 Bloody Marys and 10 Hows Your Fathers (odds and sods collection), Prince Charles and the City Beat Band Combat Zone, Annabel Lamb The Flame, Yellowman King Yellowman, Slave Best Of, Fela Kuti Live (in Europe), Spear of Destiny One Eyed Jacks, Severed Heads Since the Accident.

Auckland After an extended constipatory period. Flying Nun is back in a better financial state and the various releases that have been stacking up will be released over the next few months. First up will be the Great Unwashed, Marching Orders, the Chills and Children's Hour records. Expect, also, repressings of some currently unavailable back numbers.

Katango have recorded four tracks at Harlequin to choose from for a single on the new Zulu label. Likely candidates are 'Something Simple' and 'Pick It Up' ... new Marginal Era 12" single is 'You Fascinate', on Reaction. Meanwhile, former Enz sticksman Paul Crowther has been filling in live for Mr Agar's ensemble but they're in search of a permanent drummer ... Mushroom's newest signing is

National Anthem, alias Tony Johns and Craig Smith. Their debut single 'Chapter One' is due out early May ... the new DD Smash album has. been. at last completed and will be out .late June/..'.'and Coconut Rough have gone back into the studio to record two or three more tracks for their debut album. Among the songs completed so far is a cover of Phil Judd's Magic Hour'. • / ■ ' • .Debbie Harwood (vocals), Justin Harwood (bass) and Tim Robinson (drums) are the newcomers in the latest Big Sideways lineup. The lineup's debut will probably be a RWP special in June or July. And will they sign to Mushroom? ... K 4 have been into Progressive to record two tracks for release on a punk compilation from New York's ROIR cassette label. They plan an EP next ... all three members of Eight Living Legs will soon be in England as drummer Hugh packs his bags. He will meet up with Bryan and Robert and a reformation is quite likely. Billy TK and the Eccentric Men debuted here recently and will be touring. They have a single, 'Prisoner', ready for release and are recording further at Mascot. Lineup is Billy (lead guitar), Piahana Tahapehi (guitar), Steve Premiha (bass), Ara Mete (drums)

.. . winner of the Venue's first Liberty Stage heat was the Skint, with ECF and the Joes filling the next two places. Southern Music Publishing has set up a small four-track studio for the production of demos and plans to offer free studio time to songwriters who can operate a TEAC 3340 s and a mixer, or supply somebody who can engineer for them. All equipment will be supplied at minimum cost, including tapes, drums, Fender piano, synth and amps. Company boss Johnny Fox is looking, for good original songs in all styles and übiquitous

LA producer Kim Fowley is reportedly keen to hear results from the Kiwi connection.; Fox says he can produce finished masters and arrange for- record pressing if required. Send' tapes and information to PO Box 656, Auckland. . Russell Brown. >’

Wellington .;. '•; ; v Capital events: Tin Syndrome are performing again with -new lineup. They've prepared a demo tape and will be playing Auckland region soon ... Vocalist Jim Scott and the rest of Circus Block 4 have parted company ... Mangawekas nave restructured as a four piece

... Taita Tavern has opened to bands, a sorely needed venue in the Hutt area now that Quinn's Post has gone to ground. June 1 is HM night at Oliver's Cabaret. The metal mania will be captured for Radio With Pictures. Bring your own cardboard guitar

... Cosmic Rock's second Cosmic cabaret will be held at Oliver's, June 23. Mainly theatre this time but a "name" band will close with a 90-minute set ... ex Beat Rhythm Fashion members are currently rehearsing. A reformation?

Naked Spots Dance New EP (previously on Flying Nun) is now available on Jayrem ... Body Electric album and single 'Zanzibar' to be released shortly in Oz ...

Sam Hunt's Australian tour has proceeded well with many TV and radio appearances. Tim Finn organised the Melbourne gigs. Advance warning: in July a national University Battle of the Bands will be held at Victoria. For these be reading same time, same channel, next month, David Taylor

Dunedin The Wake have split because of internal troubles. Bassist David Ehrhardt is looking for a new band

as 'is keyboards player,' Rumi Amara'singham .. . Armchair Thrillers have also split.’Vocalist Damian Woodhouse is in the process of reforming the old Chant prompted by recording interests from Flying Nun. Sneaky Feelings'- album, Send Me', will not be released until June, almost a year since it was recorded. Fraser Batts, 'although he hasn't got a band at the moment, has written over 30 new songs recently.

• Love In A Gas Oven have a new bassist, Andy Scott, and a new"drummer, Nathan ... Look Blue Go Purple, who've had trouble getting a gig at the Cook, now boast of having a repertoire of over 15 original songs.

Sub Title reached the final of the Izona Battle of the Bands in Christchurch. The Idles' EP, Agroculture, is selling well. George Kay

Christchurch The Gladstone has had a "clean up" and certain punk bands have had gigs cancelled as part of booker Mark Cassin's "acceptability" campaign. Because of previous problems he is also trying to find a non-pub venue for ECF to play in late May. The Gladstone is now the only city pub having regular band changes. Cassin is looking for bands to play early weeks there. The Star and Garter now has a resident band, Argus Rock, after a buildup in violence culminating in a massive brawl at a Flesh D-Vice gig which led to a ban on the band by -staff. Cassin's Ezzy Promotions have a number of projects on the go, including "Super Rock" gigs in association with Shazam at the Town Hall. The first, on May 17, features Nethworld Dancing Toys, Mockers, Wastrels and Body Electric and the next, on August 27, will feature six SI Band War finalists, from ChCh, Timaru and

Dunedin ... the Band Wars in the southern cities are also organised by Ezzy. The Timaru event will take place at the Old Mill, May 28-30 ~. and any North Island bands interested in touring south in winter should ring Cassin on 483-119. Hardworking Back Door Blues Band will do their Nelson/West Coast tour with new bassist Chris Claridge of ChCh. Former bassman Tim Rowberry is now mixing .. . Dick Driver is back on the boards with the Edge, who will continue to play regularly at the Sandridge. The lineup is completed by Kevin Emmet (ex Pop Mx, drums), Charles Rich (bass) and Angus Williams (guitar). CG