Rumours

Rip It Up, Issue 91, 1 February 1985, Page 6

Rumours

David Taylor

UK & USAfMHB The Band Aid phenomenon continues to expand, with a special compilation video featuring Wham!. Frankie, etc linked with message from wealthy megastars like David Bowie and Mick Jagger and plans for a spectacular both-sides-ofthe-Atlantic double concert featuring the biggest names in pop playing turn about (while the people on the other side of the ocean at the time get to see them on a giant video screen) in simultaneous concerts ... the Americans are

also working on their own Ethiopia record, a compilation IP, with names like Michael Jackson, Lionel Ritchie and Barbra Streisand involved ... members of Madness weren't able to par ticipate in the Band Aid record when asked, so they gathered together a bunch of fellow musicians and recorded the old Pioneers' ska classic Starvation' for the same cause. Members of Madness. ÜB4O, the Specials. General Public and even the

original Pioneers were involved... now that topics over with oops, not quite: there's a giant peace festival featuring the likes of Stevie Wonder. Bob Dylan, Duran Duran and Culture Club being

planned later this year in Japan ... the Boomtown Rats undergoing a remarkable resurgence in popularity, having to add dates to their current UK tour ... Orange Juice have split, apparently mainly to get out of a contract with Polydor that f neither party was feeling 1 good about. Drummer Zeke will stay with the company and has : his debut \ LP due out 500 n..; the Gun Club are no more, but singer Jeffrey Lee Pierce has a solo album out 500 n... a "new" Velvet Underground record? The tapes to the legendary "lost'' Velvets LP, which would - have been the fourth on MGM/Verve, have been recently unearthed. Of the 10 songs, only Andy's Chest’ (which appeared on Transformer) has been officially released before. The new LP is titled simply V.U. ... first David Bowie release for 1985 is single 'This Is Not America', taken from John (Midnight Cowboy) Schlesinger’s new movie The Falcon and the Snowman ... ZTT, after doing about all that was possible with marketing pop records has now gone into publishing, with the release of a look back at Frankie's first year, the book And Suddenly. There Was A Bang The label also has the soundtrack to the new Nic Roeg pic. Insignificance ... NZ film Vigil (director, Vincent Ward) got rave reviews in NME recently and apparently enthusiastically received at the Cannes festival ... the Clean have

Point That Thing' and Billy Two’ on Aust compilation Beyond the Southern Cross. NME said "excellent" of the two tracks... legendary mime artist Lindsay Kemp has orchestrated a very campedup dance version film of

Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night's Dream ... the still more

legendary (and considerably heavier) Orson Welles has recorded a single 'I Know What It Is To Be Young But .You Don’t * Know What It Is To Be Old’ ... severe doubts about whether the “Ex Pistols" version of Land Of Hope and Glory' (reputedly recorded in 76 and released this year on the day copyright restrictions ran out) contains much, if any, genuine Pistols content. Looks to be mainly the work of ; producer Dave Goodman (who claims it's OK, ’cos he played on several tracks on Rock 'n'Roll Swindle). Albums: The Smiths Meat Is Murder, Associates Perhaps. Paul Young The Secret Of Association. Van Morrison A Sense Of Wonder, Joan Armatrading Secret Secrets, Killing Joke Night Time, Pale Fountains From Across the Kitchen Table, the Kane Gang The Bad and Lowdown World Of the Kane Gang. Auckland A variety of artists have gathered together to record a pointed message to the NZ Rugby Union a single called ‘Don't Go’. Don McGlashan and Frank Stark are the prime movers/producers and Steve Garden engineered at Progressive. Singers are Rick Bryant, Chris Knox, Peter Morgan and McGlashan, plus “a chorus of hundreds". Musicians are Mark Bell, Ivan Zagnl, Alastair Dougal. Karen Hill, the Newton Hoons and McGlashan and Garden.' The record should be out on Virgin NZ before the end of March. Auckland film maker Alison McLean is already working on the [yTde&— iMfcdM Recording and mixing just completed on new Dance Exponents LP tentatively titled Ex-

pectadons. They're looking at an April release, followed by a tour... meanwhile, possible mdivdua! Exponent projects include a Brian Jones solo record and a Chris Sheehan/Anton Jenner blues record ... former Exponents drummer Harry is happily bashing the skins with Grey Parade and getting up late.

After consultations with the wise Go-Betweens, the Chills are considering skipping Australia and heading straight for England in July, possibly recording their debut album there. In the meantime there is a lost Chills' EP (which may actually be called The Lost Chills EP) comprising six tracks recorded last year at Progressive, which was recently finished off and will be released soon.

Netherworld Dancing Toys have parted company with their regular horn section and will now take on the Newton Hoons (Mike Russell and Chris Green) when

they’re needed for tours... Debbie Harwood has put together a band which will begin playing at school concerts. The band will soon record a follow-up to her debut CBS single ’lf That’ll Make You Happy'... the Mockers have gone to Australia to have a look round and record a new single. If the single goes well, RCA Australia are keen for the band to stay round longer and do a second album All this will mean no Mockers gigs (well, no more than a couple ...) until July or so. Former Children’s Hour bassist Johnny Pierce has joined This Kind Of Punishment. The second TKP album was cut recently and should be out soon, self-released but distributed thru F Nun ... You're A Movie currently undergoing a major reappraisal

and a new vocalist. Call Denny 498-026 or Brendan 766-879 ...

the attractive Albert Northee book/tape package from This Is Heaven is now available for SB.OO from P.O. Box 8809, Auckland ...

those loveable guys at TV Eye HQ are soon to unleash the Say,Yes To Apes 2LP set Decline and Fall (with "enormous and terrifying gatefold cover"). Next will be a fabulously ominously titled Hyphenears LP called What Are the Stars? The Stars Are J What Separates Us From the Animals, You Son Of a Bitch!

NZers in the UK Kelly Rogers' and Ben Staples of the Miltowns are apparently playing in a band with legendary rock n’ roll journo Nick Kent ... former Penknife Glide Stefan Morris is one of three DJs going by the name of Beat To Beat Response, who have been attracting attention Tuesday nights at London’s Wag Club, be ing asked to provide an NME dance chart (9/2/85) and attracting stars like Melle Mel and Paul Morley (twice!) along to hear the funk Manager is good ol Simon Grigg once of Propeller. Exploding;Budgies broke up when drummer James went to England but still have an F Nun EP due for release sometime. Other thangs developing at the North Shore practise room they share with Goblin Mix. including Glenn Budgie recording with his 4-track ... Working With Walt are playing again and support Hunters & Collectors in , Palmerston North & Wellington and intend to tour soon ... Since Sunday have played a few gigs in’ Akld, including a Chills support. They are Merlene Chambers (vocals/guitar, ex Barbaric Bunnies), Roy Martin (bass), Mark Shellman (drums), Gayne Ihia (percussion). They’re

looking to play and record some "upmarket funk" in about August.

New Akld band the Crew, are supporting Legionnaires on tour. Difference is that Guy Davidson (vocals), Matthew Hudson (bass, ex Rose Bayonet) and James Rowe (drums) are also the Legionnaires’ roadies Fourth member is guitarist Manutai... Napier's Bedside Manner are looking to break out and tour in June.. They describe their stage performance as "very lively”. Lineup is Keith Lawson (vocals), Steve Blair (bass), Adrian Sherwood (guitar), Brett taylor (guitar.) and Dave White (drums)..: Narcs drummer Steve Clarkson is giving drum tuition at Big City Music. Phone Big City 32-202 for details. Finally, don't forget: every Tues-. day at 6.35 pm on. IYA Auckland acoustic musicians are featured ... Dee Snider of Twisted Sister appears instore 12.30 to 1.30 pm at 256 Records March 6 ... and Campus Radio is now BFM and is broadcasting in glorious stereo watch for the free monthly station mag too! Russell Brown Wellington Victoria , University's orientation programme this year covers two solid weeks, with high class entertainment. The organisers stress that these concerts are not for students alone; any discerning member of the public can pay the' entry fee and enjoy whatever bands are playing... Radio Active goes to air on Feb 17 and will broadcast from 7am till lam for the first month. Thereafter, hours will be 7-10 am and 4pm-lam. This year more of Wellington (hopefully this will include Karori) will enjoy. FM radio as a : 100 watt

amplifier will be used. Special shows this year will include uncut funk, soul, reggae, Psychick Contact show (UK industrial music), wimmin’s music, classical, jazz and French rock sessions. Yay l ... Agenda is the name of a new giveaway arts and music diary for the Wellington area. Willie ■ Dayson, who has become well known to local blues fans, is returning permanently to the UK on March 22. He will be missed ... forthcoming releases include the second record from Circus Block 4, the 3-track Take Another Look. It should hit the shops at the end of Feb, with the debut Spines 11-track EP, The Moon ... in March, there will be releases from -- Hamilton ' fourpiece Step Chant Unit and Freudian Slips. The latter have a new guitarist and keyboard player and have drastically improved the production for their new 4-track EP Are You Laughing? ...an untitled LP of 40s and 50s blue's/swing, tunes will be released by Roger Fox and Midge Marsden late in the month ... Jayrem will also be releasing a flood of Oz music lately, including a Hot compilation. No Worries, which includes rarities from Nick Cave, the Birthday Party and the Go-Betweens. The Triffids' Treeless Plain album, which is now gracing the Top 10 of the UK independent charts, will see local release shortly, as will the Laughing Clowns’ Law Of Nature LP. A Laughing Clowns compilation? Trie History of Rock 'n' Roll. Part One is also due very shortly.