Rumours

Rip It Up, Issue 100, 1 November 1985, Page 22

Rumours

The Cartilage Family

Auckland The Chills packed out London's Dingwalls with their first English gig on Guy Fawkes night three fans flew from Greece to see them play and went home the next day! The music press was well represented and the NME reviewer reportedly spent the whole night on the dancefloor. As well as taking advantage of the wealth of live acts to be caught in London at present the band is looking forward to a week's gigs in Amsterdam and doing a prestigious John Peel session for broadcast over Peel's show. They will also have the opportunity to record a single (tracks have not been decided upon) at a new 24-track studio. The studio manager produced such 60s hits as ‘ltchykoo Park' and 'Honky Tonk Women’ in his day, so hopes .are high. Money doesn't look like being a problem, and the band has 10 confirmed gigs and is casting around for a few interesting ones to add to the roster. As manager Doug Hood told Carrtpus Radio by phone: “It's all a bit overwhelming" . . the Chills were farewelled with a low-key but very loud day at the Windsor on Labour Monday, featuring everyone who could stand up long enough to play a few choons . . . and those

concerned are reportedly well pleased with recordings made on the Lab's 16-track at the Chills’ last Windsor gigs. In a move that can only be considered cynical and destructive the Broadcasting Corporation has lodged an objection to Campus Radio's warrant for next year. The corporation seeks to have BFM's hours restricted to weekdays only in term time and to further restrict its insignificant $70,000 annual advertising revenue. The move is intended to protect the expanded ZM-FM setup and the Corporation justifies it by claiming that Campus takes away ad revenue from IZM Laughable, but they're not joking. If the prospect of Auckland radio with BFM frightens you as much as it does us, write angry letters to: The Registrar, Broadcasting Tribunal, Tribunals Division, Justice Department, Private Bag, Postal Centre, Wellington. Shona Laing was recently flown to Melbourne to appear at the Paters, the Australasian Radio Awards. From the thousands of entries, her song 'Not A Kennedy' from the Genre album won not only ‘Best New Pop Song' in the Professional Division, but 'Song Of the Year'. The chief value of the awards is the prestige and the inevitable interest of radio programmers on both sides of the Tasman. Shona is currently touring with the Narcs. New Builders album is Let's Play, which features the lineup

Bill Direen brought to Auckland earlier this year and includes both new songs and new versions of previously recorded ones. It can be obtained for a mere $lO from PO Box 4016, Wellington, or from Auckland's Real Groovy Records or Wellington’s Solid Air Records, as can the other three Builders LPs. Next LP from Direen will be a theatre album, which Direen

describes as "a real departure" and it's due out early Jan. The Blue Ladder theatre company is now based in Wellington with some past members and some new; first production is Jean Cocteau’s Eiffel Tower at the Circa

Theatre Nov 8, 9. A Builders tour rs possible for mid-Jan if Bill can find all his band members again

... and the last tidbit is that a compilation of the best of the Builders/Direen stuff may be put together for overseas release. No Tag have been banned from the Windsor. There were few if any problems at their comeback gigs but the pub manager claimed the clientele the band attracted affected the patronage in the adjacent Club Bar for up to two weeks afterwards. Fie might be better off to look towards his own Public Bar crowd or even, given recent events, his BAR STAFF.

Car Crash Set have finished recording their new song ‘The More You Win' and the multitrack has been sent to Blackwing Studios in London to be remixed by John Friar, who has engineered the Cocteau Twins’ records ...

Jamboree have just released their debut EP, Melt Down, recorded with Phil Yule at Mascot and released by Jayrem. Release party at the Windsor, Nov 28 ... and Meltdown is the name not of the record but the label for Palmerston North band the Remarkables' debut EP The EP is Waiting For A Wave and the band plans a North Island tour Nov-Dec to co-incide with its release... the Bowl Of Brooklands in New Plymouth will be the site of a big NZ music concert on Dec 14, run in conjunction with radio Energy FM. 'Cadbury’s Summer Rock 'Bs' will benefit youth charities and so far features the Narcs, Peking Man, Midge Marsden, Everything That Flies and the Remarkables. Any enquires to Peter Shepherd, PO Box 1099, Palmerston North, ph 71-682. The Campus Radio BFM compilation LP looks like being a wonderful testament to this year's Auckland music. No satisfactory name has been worked out, but final track listing is as follows; Able Tasmans 'Caroline', Pterodactyls 'Whenever It Rains’, Fetus Productions Sparks Fly’, Goblin Mix Travelling Grave', Bird Nest Roys Who Is the Silliest Rossie?; Headless Chickens Trigger) The Fold .'Need Of Want’, Jay Clarkson Liberal Cad) Kim Blackburn Oceania', Chris Knox Indigestion! Nick Smith Testament’ and a Kiwi Animal song; plus a copule of oddities in the last song recorded by Children's Hour, the very wonderful 'Creeping Flesh' and Martin Phillipps' hit BFM jin-

gle. Sleeve notes will be by Chris Knox and release is set for Feb.

More than a year’s work by former Flerbs manager Will llolahia has established a Pacific touring circuit which now includes Australian venues as well as the Islands. Anyone interested in playing this circuit should contact Will cl - PO Box 22, Nukualofa, Tonga, or telex FRIEND662OB ... Messages is the title of an album of “message music” being recorded at Progressive Studios. The LP addresses topics like peace and the nuclear threat and is intended to spawn Top 40 singles. The lineup behind it includes Shona Laing. Anne Crummer, Noel Connolly and Meg and the Fones The project is directed by Paul Clayton ... the Eric Glandy Memorial Big Band is gettin’ an album of stompin’ cowboy music down live at Progressive... and teams of forensic experts are swarming over Progressive looking for clues on the studio's missing vacuum cleaner. “There will be no more vacuuming till it comes back,’’ threatened a spokesman. From Scratch have a new LP out soon on Flying Nun and a live tour is scheduled ... Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair repeat their highly praised Songs From the Front Lawn at Theatre Corporate, Dec 15-24 ... the Jay Clarkson solo LP is still in progress and release is now set for Feb-March ... the Frocks have finished mixing several tracks at Last Laugh and they’re likely to go out on cassette release. Christchurch crimson crazies Say Yes To Apes make their first venture to Auckland late Novearly Dec, with epic gigs booked for the Globe, Windsor, Performance Cafe and Aotea Square.

The Auckland Acoustics team are presenting another night at the Freeman’s Bay Community Centre, Wednesday Nov 27. The lineup features three of the acts at the successful concert in May (and its subsequent live album), plus Ross Mullins. Mike Harding

and a new group headed by Julian McKean and Brendon Power the successful Ladies Sing the Blues show plans action right through the summer, including a Christmas Special at the Gluepot, a tour and something for Radio with Pictures. The whole show is now outfitted by an anonymous Auckland designer ... the new term for the School of Creative Musicianship starts Jan 20, with

Orientation on Dec 6. New classes for 1986 include vocals, drums and keyboards. For a free brochure ph 768-115 or send SAE to Box 68-378, Newton.

And now for the punchline ... Funny Business goes weekly from Nov 20, that's every Wednesday at the Windsor. There’s a possibility of the troupe doing Tuesday nights at another venue too, and an Orientation

tour is planned. The imminent demolition of the New Independent Theatre’s former premises in Upper Queen St has allowed the producers of the last show there, Lapel, to really go to town and dress the place up as the nightclub the musical is named after. The show opens on November 16 ...

Barbara Ward and Chris Knox punctured artsy pomposity with the opening to their joint exhibition at Red Metro recently, with lots of kindy kids, iced biscuits and a highly persuasive "discount” catalogue. She carved stone and sculptured to startling effect and he painted on board in all manner of media and provided a great soundtrack and before-after-before-after (etc.) video of him losing all the hair above his neck. They even sold some stuff. Russell Brown

Christchurch Wastrels Anton Jenner and Peter Cooke are back together and looking for a bassist and drummer to complete a new band, which, if all goes well, will be in Timaru the week before Christmas and at the Gladstone on New Year’s Eve... Dance Exponents had one of their best nights at the Zetland recently. Expect them back in town soon ... the Zetland is now opening on Wednesdays with soloists and theatre groups. Bill Direen’s Blue Ladder theatre room in Cashel St is no more. Bill handed the lease over to Penny of the Wayward Witches and it’s now a Women’s Resource Centre ... after several years of fogettable covers bands the United Services has undergone drastic changes. The house bar has

been extended and a large dancefloor and stage added. Pop Mechanix, Back Door Blues Band, Maiden China and Speaking Jivanese have already played there (the last being semiresident) and things look promising for the venue. The people at Nightshift have been busy working on projects by Horizon. Middle East, Null & Void, Switch and MinitMen

speaking of the MinitMen, they are now known as Worlds Apart and should be appearing live again soon with Simon Jackson joining on keyboards and vocals ... Heartland (Rob Mays, Kevin Stokes, Stephen Birss) are now the Snowmen ... Rob is working on the latest release from Failsafe Tapes, which should include unreleased material from the Chills and Bird Nest Roys amongst others. Should be out early in the New Year. The Smithereens; Craig Becconsall, Ken Wells (ex Roco Coca), Steve Ward (ex Hip Singles), Charles White (ex Little Egypt) and Tracey Birnie; have taken up residency at the Blenheim Road ... Paris have added a new guitarist and lead singer and are now Turks and Arabs. They can be found at the DB Lancaster

Speaking Jivanese have been (and still are) busy appearing at various SI locations. After having their first clip on RWP a few weeks ago they hope to have a single out early next year. Liz Braggins is forming a band with Dave Blackwell of Ikista ... Bushfire continue their residency at the Gladstone and will also be playing in the City Mall for the Summertimes opening and in the Square on New Year’s Eve. We should see a single, Taumaranui',

out on the Radar Records label in time for Christmas ... expatriate Robin Banks (ex Roco Coca), now resident in Sydney, has been busy writing songs and jamming with various musos, while Damian Saunders (ex Auckland Walk, Roco Coca) has been busy as a roadie for the likes of Mental As Anything and Men At Work. John Greenfield Wellington Ten Foot Faces are no more but there are already murmurings of new formations from various exmembers ... powerful debuts from new bands Dance With A Stranger and Skank Attack ... the Brothers Gorgonzola have been busy doing lots in their amazing hideaway warehouse at New Expressions Art Gallery. A tape is now available; send either a C6O plus $2 or $5 and SAE to Gorgonzola’s Toxoid Products, PO Box 11-762, Manners St, Wellington ...

Strikemaster touring lower North Island and recording.

Tombolos feature former Hulamen and Pelicans and have a single due ... new label in town is Hardedge Records who are still in formative stages but have some interesting projects underway, including a NZ compilation of what they cairhardedge rock ’n’ roll’’... Backdoor Blues Band are working with Gibson Films on an ambitious video project which should be completed before Christmas ... the NZ Music Awards have farced us by for yet another year... E.S.P. have been working on a video of their own.

Students Arts Council has a lumpy bundle shaping up for Orientation 'B6, with the Chills and the obligatory Flying Nun

package spotlighting Sneaky Feelings as well as Netherworlds again and the Connoisseurs. Meltdown Records have a package of bands on offer; the Paras, E.V.T. and Backdoor Blues Band are amongst some of the Wellington applicants; a reggae package looks likely, as do Limbs, the Topp Twins and New York-based expatriates the bizarre Drongos. Final decisions are still a couple of weeks away. A few rumblings in the air over the NZ Festival of the Arts, which in fact has given very little local content the high profile it deserves. Limbs is one example, with the dance group having been banished to the late night spots at the lesser promoted Fringe Festival ... the ex-Pulse venue at Clyde Quay Tavern now has a resident format with Tempo Zone playing to a brave handful three nights a week. So much for the big change ... Jayrem have released new albums or are about to from Eek A Mouse. Dread Beat and Blood Aunty Jill's Kiddies' LP and Stormbringer ... the Aotearoa LP should now be available ... Jayrem’s sixth compilation is Package To Sell and it's the best yet. with an interesting variety of sounds, from the soothing inspiration of the Spines to the rock 'n' roll groove of Roman Antix. Also available on tape with extra tracks from No Idea, ? Fog Low Profile and Jamboree 5 Jane Walker is responsible for

the fantastic artwork on the cover of the new Flesh D-Vice album, Secrets of the Estranged. The band are now on a nationwide promotional tour which started in Wellington on Hallowe'en night (where they released a 7” single, 'Flaming Soul’) and finishes, again in Wellington on Dec 13.

Rumours of a new bi-weekly music and arts magazine are about ... the Idles are about to benefit from Jayrem's dealings with Upright Records of Britain, with stop-start negotiations finally coming to an end. A January release for the Idles in Britain is envisaged after hold-ups caused by Upright’s concentration on the Dead Kennedys’ forthcoming album.

Gotham City have collapsed, however certain members will continue with Compos Mentis who are planning on releasing their own single . . Cafe Pacifique in Wellington has been playing host to new bands on Saturday nights... the recent blues festival at the Cricketers was a success...

2ZM go FM early in the new year although they are being coy on what format will be adopted. They plan two big open-air gigs, one New Year and the other late Jan. Gerald Dwyer

Dunedin Dunedin’s new multi-media arts venue Chippendale House has been given a massive boost with a SIO,OOO grant from the QE2 Arts Council. Any interested performing artists or musicians look-

ing for space or a venue should contact Nic Wilkinson at 5 Liverpool St, Dunedin ... Netherworld Dancing Toys bassist Graham Cockroft, recently elected President of the Students Arts Council, has travelled to Sydney to suss the scene for a possible NDTs excursion.

The Verlaines recently filmed a video of 'lt Was Raining', the opening track of their album Hallelujah, with Christchurch's David Bannin ... Sneaky Feelings

have recorded a new single with the snappily titled Matthew Bannister tune 'All You've Done (Is Give Me Habits I Can't Get Rid Of)' as the A-side and David Pine’s 'Wouldn’t Cry' on the flip. However the vocals will be redone ... Richard Langston, driving force behind the rag Garage has chucked in his 40 hour slog at the ODT to dedicate his energies to the fanzine. Issue 4 due soon. Purex Green are now the Delawares with the lineup Gen McCoy (drums), Tracey Walsh (bass, vocals), Christine Voice (guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Lyn Moses (guitar) ... the Weeds single, featuring Mike Morley's 'Wheatfields’ and Elvis' 'Trouble' should be out thru F Nun in time for the Christmas rush ... John Dodd is currently working on the soundtrack for TVNZ's Latitude 45 Degrees with John Gibson of Heroes infamy. Meanwhile Dodd along with Ross Nichols and countless guests now make up the Spaghettis ... This Kind Of Punishment's Peter Jeffries is in

Dunedin for a few months respite from the Hectic North ... new are the Aardvarks featuring Tim Costello (guitar, vocals), Nick Neill (drums) and Alastair McClymont (bass)... and that’s the weather... Tom.