Rumours

Rip It Up, Issue 108, 1 July 1986, Page 6

Rumours

USA & UK Tom Waits’ play Frank’s Wild Years has opened in Chicago with Waits in the lead r01e... Sting has released a live double album Bring on the Night from last year’s solo tour ... Polystyrene of the X Ray Spex has made a comeback single ‘Gods and Goddesses’ after six year’s silence while she followed Krishna ... David Bowie has written the title song, and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters the score for the animated film of Raymond Briggs’ book When the Wind Blows ...

Wreckless Eric is now fronting the Len Bright Combo, with a new single ‘Someone Must’ve Nailed Us Together’ ... Lou Reed, Jackson Brown, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Dave Stewart, Bob Geldof, Bryan Adams and U2 performed at the Los Angeles’ Forum last month for Amnesty International’s 25th anniversary; some of the performers will tour for the cause through the States... The Smiths’ The Queen is Dead shot to No 1 on Britain’s indie charts first week out... will Pete Wylie replace Holly in Frankie GTH?

The Dead Kennedy’s Jello Biafra faces a year in jail and a heavy fine if he’s found guilty of “distributing harmful matter to minors”, namely the poster by Giger entitled ‘Penis Landscape’ enclosed in their Frankenchrist LP

... after 18 months break, Spandau Ballet are back in action after settling their dispute with Chrysalis. Their new single is ‘Fight for Ourselves’... The Class of 55 is a new LP by the original Sun Records’ “Million Dollar Quartet” recorded last year in Memphis. Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison were there, Elvis Presley couldn’t make it, so Sam Phillips, John Fogerty and Dave Edmunds came instead ... Jack Bruce has returned, with a re-recording of the Cream classic he wrote with Eric Clapton, ‘I Feel Free’ ... Don Johnson of Miami Vice has recorded an LP, with help from Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bonnie Raitt and Allman Brother Dicky Betts ... Monkees Peter Tork, Mickey Dolenz and Davey Jones are cur-

rently on a 120-date US tour, with support acts Herman’s Hermits (without Peter Noone) and Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. Mike Nesmith stayed away ... finally, has Van Morrison given up Scientology? His new album is allegedly called No Teacher, No Mentor, No Guru — does that mean no name-dropping?

Wellington Idiot Records, through a distribution deal with Warner Brothers, will be cutting and pressing a new 10-song album by Circus Block 4 with a view to distributing it in Holland and the rest of Europe. Most of the tracks are . from The Coloured Gate recorded last year. No release date is known, and although there will be no local pressings, Jayrem will import some copies for local consumption ... recording in Frontier studios are Compos Mentis, Skank Attack, and album by Tracey and the Whale Spotters. The latter is the combination of several local musicians under the auspices of Tracey Michael-Powers, and Crawbilly Creeps and Putty in Her Hands, who have laid down one track each for Radio Active’s part in the National Student Radio compilation LP to be released by Jayrem in August ... Access Radio stalwarts Cindy Beavis and Pamela Fleming have moved on after five years service to the community. A music video compilation which “traces the history of .the rock music video medium” is circulating throughout the varsities and polytechs over the next few months. Watch for it at your local campus ... after intense recording and mixing at Frontier the Spines have laid down eight tracks for an album to be released by Flying Nun ... July releases from Jayrem include a single by heavy rockers Blitz called ‘Key to Your Heart’, a 12” called ‘The Cutting Edge’ by Low Profile, and Aotearoa with a 12” single ’E Hine7‘Positive’ ...

record producer Peter Dawkins is now based in Wellington and is looking for acts with good songs. Phone 692 339.

Bill Direen is currently halfway through a tour of both the North and South Islands. Accompanying him on double bass is Barry Stockley; see Coruba Calendar for

details ... Marmalade has been busy with a video and single for Hot Cafe entitled ‘Dancing Chicken’; an album will follow shortly ...

also at Marmalade are Two Armed Men, Savoy and Waterfront with singles, and the Netherworld Dancing Toys, who plan to spend six weeks recording tracks for their new album, which is likely to be mixed in New York ... finally, watch out for Radio Active's 10th anniversary party at the Electric Ballroom. Promises to be a goodie! Andre Upston

Auckland It’s rumoured that Miles Gillett, who lived in New Zealand until he was eight years old, has been asked to replace Roger Taylor as drummer in Duran Duran ... playing at the Melba are Billy Kristian, Mike Walker and Edwina Thorne, a New Zealand trumpet-player living in New York... Rhythymopolus is a performance by dancer Barbara Doherty, poet David Eggleton and Otis Mace at the Freeman’s Bay Community Centre on August 6,7,8. Soul On Ice will shortly be releasing a single through WEA ... Sonny Day’s new single is ‘Walking on Water’, written by Dave Skinner of Roxy Music ... it’s Beaver versus Whitney Houston in the battle for the rights to release ‘The Voice Inside’ ... the Lab’s new studio with its live feel is now finished; recording there have been Chris Knox and Alec Bathgate, plus the Chills have been mixing live recordings from the Windsor taped before their UK tour.

Everything That Flies’ single As the Sun Goes Down’ is finally out this month on 7" and 12”; the 12" also includes their first single 'Bleeding Hearts! They will support Icehouse this month, then tour the North Island in August... the Mockers celebrate five years in the business with a compilation LP of all the singles over this period. Included are the original recordings of ‘Woke Up Today’, ‘Good Old Days’, ‘Murder in Manners St’, ‘Trendy Lefties’ and ‘So Close and Tonight’. The band will have a two week tour in August,

and Peter Dawkins will be producing their fifth album... Beat Soldiers have a new drummer, Willy Uhrle, ex-Moving Targets, and will start a residency at the Mon Desir each Thursday from July 17 ... Peter Cathro, director of the Chills-in-Britain doco, is interested in hearing from bands (with current record releases) needing assistance with video clips. Phone 769 413 ... the Tunnellers would like to hear from “Peter”, who requested two of their tapes, but whose address has been mislaid. Write P 0 Box 6292 Auckland. Acoustic musician Nick Smith has an EP out on Real Groovy Records ... the Texas Rangers have a new bassplayer — I R Ranger (John Robie), exTomorrow’s Parties. A live EP is out on Ode in late July to coincide with a national tour. The Rangers are looking for a guitarist with a knowledge of country and jazz; phone Simon Elton 797 784 ... the Drone, with their new percussionist Gareth Farr, have recorded a single ‘Land of the Free! out soon ... new band are Four, ex-IQU and Plans for a Building, watch for their single ‘Torn By Nature!.. Whiteline, who play at the Club 21, are looking for a guitarist, “attitude important” — phone Tony, 875 069. The Chills are still looking for a keyboardist and drummer, after some possibilities have fallen through. To contact them send a tape to P 0 Box 68-216 Newton, Auckland. Chris Bourke

Dunedin With the axis of Graeme and Peter Jefferies now resident in Dunedin, This Kind of Punishment will make their only live appearance for the year at Otago University this month. The Jefferies will be joined by Mike Morley on bass and Shayne Carter on guitar... meanwhile Carter’s new venture with drummer John Collie and bassist David Wood rejoices under the banner of the Straitjacket Fits. Both bands join Look Blue Go Purple, the Rip, and Bird Nest Roys at the Radio One hop on July 18. The Puddle, who recently had keyboardist Peter Gutteridge leave, have been recording at Radio One for the NSR compilation album, as have all-women band Casandra’s Ears ... meanwhile a new Dunedin EP produced by Ivan Purvis has been cut by Flying Nun. It features tracks by Gamaunche, Love in a Gas Oven, the Moas and Inner Circle ... the Rip have completed four songs for an album with Peter Jefferies at the controls.

Former Idle Jim Taylor has an EP on its way through Jayrem, while Look Blue Go Purple have one track left for their ER planned for September release ...Women’s Festival week in late June finished off with an extremely successful gig at Chippendale House featuring LBGP, Casandra’s Ears, Delawares, Indigo Underworld from Auckland and the Chicks... meanwhile Dunedin mayor Cliff Skeggs

was an unlikely guest at a Mongrel Mob do at the same venue recently ... the busy Sneaky Feelings are recording again ... new bands include the Rothmen, the Kaftans and the Benders... finally, condolences to the family and friends of Puddle hornman Lindsay Maitland, who died suddenly on June 29th. He was 29. The Cartilidge Family

Christchurch The War of the Bands drew to a close with the finals at the Gladstone on June 7. The whole event was judged by public vote instead of the customary panel of “celebrity” judges. Final placings were Murder Inc first, I M Force second, Mea Culpa and Prodigies third equal, and Amez-Amez fourth. Over 30 bands took part ... and while a lot of new bands have emerged for the war (Target, Greens, I M Force, Amez-Amez, Woll, the Vickis, the Others, Borderland, Talon and Two Bob Bit), a lot of casualties have occured outside the war with Rockaholics, Mr Meanor, Agent Orange, Spalbaund, Scorched Earth Policy, Spatback, Louie and the Hotsticks and No it’s Not Fashion all splitting in the last few months. The departure of Louie and co from the Gladstone has meant weekends are now available for local and touring bands once more — anyone interested phone John at 522270 — but the tavern is cracking down on dress standards ... War of the Band winners Murder Inc are certainly not new to the scene, with lead singer/bassist Mark Brooks previously playing in the Newtones and White Boys, guitarists Jamie Verhyde and Mike O’Grady both in the Venetians and drummer Nick Ruddell was with the Surgeons. The band saw the war as a good way of appearing in front of as many people as possible over a short period of time, and actually winning is an added bonus. They plan to record at least a single (part of their prize is record-! ing time) in the near future and will then look at playing further afield. World’s Apart have lost bassplayer Astrid Muller who has set off to explore the world. Dan Briggs (ex-D Faction) has taken the vacated position in time for their residency at the Marine Tavern.... While the Axmin prepare to release their latest (double) album, guitarist for the band (and noted

city mall busker) Steve McCabe is releasing his own solo album. Recorded in a central city lock-up session, the album is titled Sweat It Out anti is initially being released as a limited edition of 400; send $10.50 to Sleek Bott Records, P 0 Box 2764, Christchurch. Flying Nun news: Jean Paul Sartre Experience should be out on vinyl late August, and keep a lookout for the Inner Circle, which is the latest greatest act from Dunedin. A Record and Music Fair is to be held Saturday August 9 at the Horticultural Hall. Collectors and Retailers from around NZ will be present and an auction will be held. Anyone wanting space ring 485 916 Christchurch or write P 0 Box 6125 ... Speaking Jivanese have gone through another lineup change and are now This Burlesque ... Ain’t Half Hot have changed their name several times and have now settled on Nuclear War (“Something you can’t beat,” they tell me)... Tan Zen Jungle have returned to Christchurch ... watch out for a “Lady Sings the Blues” special and comedy night coming up at the Gladstone... Amez-Amez require a keyboardist. Phone Andrew or Justin at 555 683 ... Shane O’Neil (ex-ECF) has returned from Australia and is setting up a studio in Bedford Row ... Simon Darke (exNewz, Le Club) and Alan Parkes (ex-Louie and Hotsticks) have joined forces for their latest band ... and there’s a whisper of a warehouse venue opening. John Greenfield

Palmerston North Proceeds from the concerts held at the closing weekend of the Commercial Hotel have gone towards an 11-track compilation album on Meltdown Records which includes performances by 11 local bands ... Remarkable’s Chris Heaphy and Paul Westbury have since eased the venue vacuum caused by the Commercial’s demolition by introducing the Swamp, a slightly more upmarket alternative music venue, located within the Southern Cross nightclub. Local and touring bands are planned to complement the Swamp’s alternative music disco. Contact the Southern Cross (063)74686 for bookings. Meltdown also plan to release in August a 7” four-track EP from

Auckland’s the Warners; an EP from Ashurst band The End titled Paris Connection; and in September, a six-track EP from Cement Garden The Only One. Both the End and Cement Garden have recently received QEII grants to go towards their current recording projects ... a national tour by the Cement Garden and the Remarkables is planned for late July... the Remarkables’ single ‘Vegetarian’/‘Skin Condition’ is to be released in Brisbane.

Triad Video have begun work on their first major project, a 15 minute documentary outlining the last five years in the history of the Palmerston North music scene. Triad are also available for band videos. Phone Dolphin studios (063) 81265 ... the Radio Massey section of the National Student Radio compilation has been completed at Marmalade studios, with tracks by the Remarkables and Three Leaning Men ... station manager Jo Ritchie is keen to further increase the the tempo of support for NZ music and has suggested national New Zealand music days be held monthly.

Gerard Martin