On Tape

Rip It Up, Issue 91, 1 February 1985, Page 8

On Tape

The Bongos Windsor Bash (Last Laugh) The Bongos reunited for a weekend at the Windsor last August and Last Laugh was there to record it. The result,'although it doesn't sound very live at all, is enjoyable. The different ’ songs quite clearly show the two divergent paths the Bongos’ music was taking I prefer the quirkier Gill. Civil j songs \to Jon Quigley’s jumpy funk but that's just personal taste. The performance throughout is ' remarkably good and the recording is seamless. Now let's see this kind of, treatment done on a functioning, rising band. RB Religion Of Higher Thought / Maggotty'Anne’arid the Cot i. J. . Death 'Babies ($8 from Real Groovy or Performance Cafe), I understand there were originally plans to release this tape inside a hollowed-out Bible, which would undoubtedly have garnered these young men an indignant Truth expose. As it is, it comes in a nifty “Post-Holocaust Survival Kit". Side One is the most interesting. containing snatches of the Auckland marijuana; debate late last year and other situations I can’t identify, -comedy and punkoid kind of songs, all tied up with a few basic political prin-

ciples. I really like bits but then I’ve always been a sucker for individual autonomy and that sorta thing. The second side is yer actual Maggotty Anne and the Cot Death Babies and I don't like it much it's both musically, and lyrically less incisive. But the thing that carries this tape beyond most political treatises is that these people had fun making it (there is nothing worse j than people, who think politics shouldn't be fun). 1 RB Wayward Witches Trouble’s Brewing ($4.50 from PO Box 13570, Christchurch) ’• % There was little to get excited about in Christchurch last year but one of the few bright spots was the appearance of all-woman band Wayward Witches. They never overdid their political/feminist stance and wrote some clever pop songs, four of which are on this tape. At times the recording is a little flat and Arnie Van Bussell has overdone the echoes but if you're a fan or simply curious then this tape is for you' AC Thin Red Line

Seclusions Paradise ($8 from 34 Birmingham St, Palmerston North) . This a tape that just oozes professionalism throughout., Thin Red Line present nine tracks of commercial mood music, made all the better listening by t the amazingly good sound they've got from the four-track recording. Great flute by Catherine Wallace on You Too’ and the smart lyrics by keyboardist Dave White are all well sung by Karen Rush. Neat cover, too. ' PMcK

Various Artists. Nightshlft 2 (143 Wilsons Road, Christchurch 2) Like the first tape of bands who had recorded .at Christchurch’s Nightshift Studios, Nightshift 2 is a real mixed bag. The track listing sees McNaughton and Craw's short, intense (if not wildly original in theme) synthscape Grey Pawns’ rubbing shoulders \ with Scoyo’s drippy falsetto meanderihgs. Side ; One is generally better than Side Two, with the highlights being the typical battery of the Bats' 'Downfall' and the relentless humour of the Haemogoblins’ 'lnside Mom'. A useful record but I don't think any one person could I like more than half the songs. RB . , .