Shake Summation

Rip It Up, Issue 117, 1 April 1987, Page 12

Shake Summation

'_[he ‘lyephines

‘Ray Columbus’ (Sth Indies 7”) The very catchy ‘Ray Columbus’ goes fine — that’s until the Trephines try to work the chorus of ‘She’s a Mod'’ into their ode to Ray. Doesn't work — sorry Ray. ‘Texan Seagull; recorded in the Direens’ living room, is fine and funny enough too, but the Trephines’ tendency for totally incongruous, obtrusive borrowings for choruses lets them down here as well. | mean,Yodeladeehoo!” shit! Spoilt it. : The Wasp Factory ‘Hick Hate’ (F Star 7”) ‘Steel Blue Skies' is the anthemic guitar wall opener to the Wasp Factory's second record. ‘Hick Hate’ and ‘Maximum Moist; — despite that song's feedback overkill beginning and promise to career off most wild-like — | like less. However ‘Games We Play; recorded live at the River Bar, Gisborne, serves notice of the Wasp Factory’s live prowess — a daunting prospect, heavy with added Toyah-shrieks from Jackie Clarke. F Star have moved to c/o 110 Stout St, Gisborne. This one, and Steve Simpson’s below, is $4.99. Steve Simpson ‘Not to be Taken Away’ (F Star 717) :

'Something’s Got to Give' opens very Byrdsy, and Steve Simpson gets a sympathetic backing from the Wasp Factory on the best song here. A few of the same gang make up 20” Rude, who recorded two more of Steve's songs, ‘Stranger than Fiction’ and Jokers Wild! The recording’s a bit far back, spoiling particularly the otherwise good ‘Stranger ...

Another mutation of the same elements recorded the last track ‘Last Forever’ as the Planets. Standing out all through the record is the vocals — Steve Simpson and Andrew Schollum alternating throughout. Pilcrow ‘Political Licence’ . ‘Footprints’ on side one of this 7” is an odd little tune, airy vocals from Keri Ansley and all instruments played by Mark Airlie,

recorded at the Lab: The organ riff gives it that “spooky pop song mood” ... ‘Room 101’ is denser, professionally recorded, with Labman Andrew Leckie on bass. Kinda neat, but coming across as just too clinical by the end. Paul McKessar Jim and Joe ‘A Place to Hang His Hat’ (Pagan 7”) ' Two Hamilton musicians enter the studio for the first time and come out with an off-beat, infectious winner. Joe Hoonhout has got an unusual high voice that's instantly appealing, while Jim Segedin has written a charming, delicate song of delightful innocence. Supported: by breathy backing vocals, simple, understated percussion, lyrical horns from ‘Penny Lane’ and Dave Dobbyn even turns up to help Steven McCurdy on Emulator. A wonderful surprise. Student radio, try it out — the commercials are too stupid. ; Mana 'Ain’t Gonna Stop’ (Reaction 12”) The star of Ratana meets the lion of Rastafari. While ‘South Affrica’ is an excellent piece of reggae, with vocal hookline, Specials horns, creeping bass and plenty of percussion, it also reeks of Jamaica. Ain't Gonna Stop’ redeems things; here is the Pacific sound one would expect from ex-Herbs members — swaying rhythms, smooth melody playing against swinging horn riff. Jah Knows' also swings along, an easy-going ballad with high vocal. This record has a great feel to it, and superb engineering by Tim Fields. Chris Bourke New Video Releases Leading this month’s releases must be last year’s designer porn 9 1/2 Weeks from Roadshow. BBC Video unveil Eric Clapton: Live ‘BS, and continue to release great TV shows — The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin in two parts, starring Leonard Rossiter, plus three more Fawity Towers episodes on one video: ‘The Kipper and the Corpse, ‘Waldorf Salad’ and ‘Gourmet Night! From RCA/Columbia and highly recommended for action/thriller freaks is Runaway Train, starring Jon Voight.