Hey La, Hey La, My Boyfriend’s Band

Rip It Up, Issue 211, 1 March 1995, Page 8

Hey La, Hey La, My Boyfriend’s Band

In reply to Kevin List and his unfortunate review of Thorazine Shuffle, Big Day Out (February issue). Well, if anyone pissed me off today it was you. It was with pleasurable anticipation that I purchased this issue. Having experienced The Big Day Out, I was eager to relive the days events by scouring the columns looking for the most memorable bands in bold print. You can imagine my aversion when I came across your dispassionate, disillusioned account of Thorazine Shuffle. A music review is not just some half arsed attempt to recollect your opinionated, narrow minded taste from the depths of your prejudice, but should capture, in perspective, a descriptive narration of musical ability, stage performance, sound mix, crowd emotion etc. With a flair for reliving the moment, a reviewer’s responsibility is to the readers — the impressionable. Sure, we are not of the same opinion, however, an opinion that was delivered in a such a derogatory way, with no sense of humour, and that was clearly dissenting from the majority of Stage 3 audience? A tokenist effort it seems.

Their appearance on Stage 3 clashed with that of You Am I on the main stage. This might have had an initial effect on crowd movement. However, you failed to notice the almost immediate return as the crowd increased in numbers, enthusiasm and atmosphere. Had you not been feasting your eyes up Mete’s miniskirt, you may have been able to grasp some inclination as to what Thorazine were doing on stage, instead of wanking in the sidelines as some wannabe with a laminate.

With their original sound, one must praise bands like Thorazine Shuffle. ‘Whydidtheydoit?,’ you asked... (like you care). Often tagged as the darlings of the bFM Top 10, these guys have some clues (unlike you) on the arrangement and presentation of alternative music. As for the flute — it is not often you can blend alternative rock with a classical instrument. Mete is damn sexy, and yes, her stage presence is appreciated by the ‘teenage boys’, but because of this why should you discredit her musically?

In conclusion: I ‘Blame’ you ‘For This Long’, The fact that you made us ‘Succumb’ to reading your review; We had to ‘Sink’ to your level and listen to your ‘Queer’ opinions; I hope you can’t ‘Forget The Guilt’... the way you ‘Spit It Out' on paper fills me with ‘Nausea’, You ‘Clutter’ the pages with bullshit;

You’re a ‘Liar’ and if this incident means ‘Losing You’ from the review columns, then I’ll be a ‘Happy Camper’;

‘Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!’ Baby Verve.

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