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University of Wollongong Research Online

Roadrunner Historical & Cultural Collections

7-1-1982

Roadrunner 5(5) July 1982

Donald Robertson Editor

Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/roadrunner

Recommended Citation Robertson, Donald, (1982), Roadrunner 5(5) July 1982, Town, South , 20pp. https://ro.uow.edu.au/roadrunner/47

Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] Roadrunner 5(5) July 1982

Description Contents: 2. Letters. 3. The Drum. 4. / . 5. Le . 6. New York, New York. 9. On the Road—Across America By Car. 12. . 14. Jon English. 15. L. Rockaderos. 16. Live Review—. 17. Singles Reviews. 18. Live Reviews—Moving Pictures/ The Church/ The Runners. 19. Reviews.

Publisher Kent Town, , 20pp

This serial is available at Research Online: https://ro.uow.edu.au/roadrunner/47 1982i R.R.P. $1 nn

IN THE EIGHTIES

By Larry Buttrose

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER: THE BIRTHOAY PARTY'S ‘JUNKYARO LETTERS

Dear Donald, have produced a sound that differs from the I enjoyed the article on Steve Kilby very much normal top 40 music which mainly consists ofdull (Vol. 5 No. 4 May). I reserve my opinion of it, as the rhyming chords with drumming which is restricted THE NEW article speaks for itself. It doesn’t demand to only one beat (high hat snare beat) and which interpretations, either good or bad (and both applies to most groups “they’re only in it for the apply) for it expressly avoids provoking those dire money”. Also Adrian Ryan statesihat “the bands DINGO-GO MUSIC things Kilby seems to cringe from so visibly. Well dilemma remains one of trying to keep the done in this respect! Admittedly Kilby is not demands of chart ambition”. My view is that Inxs beyond digging his own grave on more than the aren’t the type of group that really get pleasure odd occasion with the press; but too many zlick, and want top 40 success, they hit me as a good ROCKS ! blood-sucking contributors, within the narrow live who are in for the enjoyment, and to me confines of their minds, throw up needless flack in they show promise in the future, and I hope all too many band’s faces, as if they have some right goes well in their new album. to exercise what are in reality, their impotent Tim Hills insecurities. Not all, but many articles, try too Lead Singer, often to catch the favour of the wayward plastic of Cold Emotions: Corinof OLD. minds that read them, instead of concentrating on the group or person they are supposed to be interviewing. Your article. I’m glad to say, Dear Craig N Pearce, Who the fucking hell do you think you are? compromised both person and reporter to come The Japan article was bloody shithouse. up with a perfect answer, in what is now a near All you did throughout the whole page, was feud between both. make smart comments about Japan’s music, their I regret the only way a situation could be finally image, the way they dress and David’s voice. reached to present Steve’s thoughts in a proper And what’s all this meaningless shit about lust, perspective, had to be obtained through the passion, aching orgasms and torrid thrusts?!! I absence of interviewer and interviewee alike, and ought to ram that bottle of Don Perignon down at the expense of silly bitterness on either side. your throat. I cannot deny the article caters very well to I suggest, Mr. Pearce, thatyou get off your‘I’m a Steve’s stubborn selfishness, but perhaps this is a big rock ‘journalist’ ego wank. small price to pay if it means his thoughts can be If David says his music is not slyly sexual, who presented in their own right, as they should ha/e are you to say, “Okay fine (load of cowshit been in the first place, with little fuss. Steve anyway, but fine, fine)”. deserves as much. You’ve interpreted Japan’s music as being Yours sincerely, sexual because that’s the way your sick, one- tracked, deformed and demented little mind Maris Rocke. works. Being a Japan fan for four years, I’m not about Dear Roadrunner, to take all this ‘sexual’ shit from a fuckwit journo Regarding a comment made by Craig N. like you. And how dare you call Japan obscene!! Pearce (Vol.5, No.4, May 82, p.30) “I feel like a The ‘Tin Drum’ album is their best yet and it ridiculous Ram writer saying the are should be taken seriously. Most critics are good — or something hilariously similar . . .” realising that there is much more to Japan than Could you please print what was written just their pretty boy faces and cool calculated between the lines, because he couldn’t have image. E>. meant what was written around the inbetween Japan have great musical ability, and after all bits. these years, they deserve all the recognition tf)ey Lisa McLoughlin get. Woodville South S.A. Even Ram managed to give them a fair review and a two page spread, with no criticising of their image or any of this ‘sexual’ shit. Dear Roadrunner Mr. Fuckhead Pearce, I reckon that because I’m pretty shitted off with the reporter who you’ve got a fat gut, greasy , bad breath, and a wrote a bias report in last months (May) face full of nits, you’re jealous of David Sylvian, .,0^- Roadrunner about Inxs. I've been a great admirer (my hero!), because he’s so perfect! C’mon you know it’s true! oq

EDITOR & PUBLISHER Dear Roadrunner, Donald Robertson Just had to write and congratulate on it’s apparently newest “find”! Whilst visiting some ADVERTISING friends recently, I was lucky enough to be taken to Lyn Saunders (02) 331 6622 see the first gig of an S.A. band called “Toyland”. SYDNEY EDITOR: Compared to some Sydney bands I must say they certainly come “up to par” in comparison. Rarely Toby Cluechaz have I enjoyed a band as much as I did at the f The latest production of the mad genius of Lamont Cranston, is a EDITOR: Toyland gig. Their visuals were great — dancers, I brand new and original spectacular. ri Adrian Ryan (03) 347 3991 and what must be one of the best female singers I Set at Australia’s most famous iandmark, this is a story where ail is| : have seen for ages. WHO is she??? I went to see Jenny Eather “the Models” the next night, and was thoroughly Jnot what it must obviousiy be. A shy, young, buiiding society teller disappointed — after Toyland the only thing they |/becomes the ‘Australian Weredingo in Alice’, when the full moon NEWYORK had was volume. Keri Phillips (appears two weeks early. If Toyland are indicative of the Adelaide music scene, the festival state has a lot going for it! 14 new rock , performed by ‘The Dingo League’ (no CONTRIBUTORS: Giles Barrow, Earl ' “Impressed" ^synthesisers) are guaranteed to keep you rocking weli into the new Grey, Tyrone Flex, Span Im oon. Hanna, David Langsam, Merewether, N.S.W. Adrian Miller, Ruthven Martinus, Craig N. Pearce, Brecon Walsh Dear Roadrunner, BEGINS this FRIDAY 25 JUNE DISTRIBUTION: I know this letter may seem a bit late, but it’s just Gordon & Gotch that I’m still having wild dreams about Duran for Australia and New Duran. at 8pm till SAT 10 JULY Z ealand You see, on April 15, I was in Adelaide to see PRINTER: live in concert. I travelled all the way Bridge Press, Seventh St., from to see them live, and, on the same Matinees Sat 3&10 JULY Murray Bridge, S.A. 5253 night as their show, I was due to fly back to Perth. I Ph: (085) 32 1744. wasn’t disappointed neither, because I had a great time at the concert. Duran Duran were at FOOTBRIDGE THEATRE ROADRUNNER is registered absolutely fantastic (especially Nick) on stage. I for posting as most definitely got my moneys worth. Though I Publication No. SBF 1813 do hope that next time they tour Australia they’ll Parramatta rd GLEBE Recommended retail price come to Perth. Many fans were very disappointed $1. at not being able to see them live. I was very happy to go to Adelaide just to seelhem play and the BOOK NOW on 6607571 HEAD OFFICE: photos I took turned out great. What memories 92 Rundle Street they’ll bring back. KENT TOWN S.A. 5067. Before I end my letter, I woula j .-st like to add or at theatre foyer Ph.: (08) 42 3040. that Duran Duran did a great job at the Rock Awards, though I must admit I was disappointed at them for not speaking up. TICKETS $6-$4 Yours faithfully, GRAPHIC DESIGN BY A Happy Duran Duran fan PERTH W.A. GEOFFREY GIFFORD PAGE 2 Adelaide group Vertical Hold, who had a No. 1 left to pursue a solo career. hit single in Adelaide with ‘My Imagination’ last The reason we all won’t be flocking to see year, have signed to WEA. Buck’s Fizz this month is that they have opted to Former Skyhooks drummer, Freddie Strarks do a British seaside resort tour instead. Reels’ R U has joined the Bushwackers. lead singer Dave Mason is reportedly shattered by the cancellation of the tour as he had been Siousie Sioux, lead singer of Siouxsie and the quoted as saying ’ support spot would Banshees, has been told that she must stop have been the highlight of his career. Never mind singing at least until the beginning of 1983 or risk Dave, perhaps you’ll land the next Cliff Richard , ‘legendary young beat combo The Church are planning a UK tour sometime losing her voice completely. Furthermore, support. from ‘Perth’, are embarking on their first national in September following the release of the ‘Blurred according to a diagnosis made by a Swedish John Martyn is recovering in hospital from tour this month. They’ll be in Melbourne from July Crusade’ album there. throat specialist Dr. Sanner and confirmed by injuries sustained while attempting to vault a 12th-20th and are arranging dates for Adelaide Coming soon — the new Dexy’s Midnight Harley St.’s finest, she will have to change her fence which collapsed under him. He fractured sometime in August. The tour coincides with the Runners album, called ‘Too Rye-Ay’ which will singing style completely if she is to continue several ribs, one of which pierced a lung. The release of their latest single, ‘Spanish feature their fiddle section, the Emerald Express, singing. accident has interrupted the recording of a new /Twisted Brain’, and a new cassette (their as well as their already established horn section. Talking Heads will be doing two major UK album and forced the cancellation of a U.S. tour. seventh!), ‘The Dungeon Tape’. has announced his upcoming concerts in July with a line up of David Byrne, King Crimson have their new album, ‘Beat’ up marriage to 22 year old debutante Lucy Helmore. The first releases from new IC Tina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz, and coming and it’s based on the writings of Jack Ms Helmore is expecting a child in November. PHOTO — ERIC ALGRA Steve Scales, Bernie Worrel, Alex Weir and Kerouac, the well known ‘50’s beat hero. Dolette McDonald. Five-eighths of these also It’s a case of life imitating art imitating life. Soft feature in the TomTom Club who will be support Cell have run into controversy in the UK over a act. video of their new single ‘Sex Dwarf. The video Strummer’s back but Topper’s gone — that’s has been described as a pseudo-porn version of the news from camp. Joe Strummer the ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’, and features the eventually turned up after hanging out for a duo in bondage and leather brandishing a month in Paris ‘getting his head together’, but butcher’s knife and chainsaw. Support parts go drummer Topper Headon has left the band. to two transexuals, the dwarf and large quantities Filling in on drums for the band’s current of raw meat. The was inspired by a headline American tour is original drummer, Terry in Rupert Murdoch’s ‘News of the World’ and in a Chimes. curious twist of fate, the ‘News of the World’ has More vacant drum stools. Charley Charles, jumped on the story with a headline screaming founder member of ’s Blockheads has ‘Porno Dwarf.

Down Under (reviewed elsewhere in this issue) are in complete disarray include a solo album from the label’s founder, ex- following the death of guitarist James Tangerine Dream synthesist, . IC Honeyman-Scott. Scott dies in his sleep at a Germany, dealing mainly in Avant-garde rock, friend’s flat in the day after bass player Innovative Music has already had great success Pete Farndon was sacked from the band. No with a self titled album from a band called Ideal. IC cause of death has yet been established. Down Under will represent IC in Australia and at a Two of Britain’s top rock promotion for Innovative People later stage will produce local bands. They’re companies. Straight Music and Kiltorch have located at 196 Nelson Rd., Albert Park, Vic. 3206. gone into liquidation. And in Australia, Threshold You probably go for the unusual music. Fresh ideas, excellent have returned from an Extremely Production’s Pty. Ltd., who put on last year’s production. Music that excites, stuns, communicates and successful North American tour and will be Tanelorn Festival, have gone into liquidation with challenges. ICDU delivers: your kind of music! We're an playing a comprehensive national tour in July and debts of $353,482 and assets of $5,000. independent label, not much money but we believe in our artists the early part of August. Go-Betweens have nice things said about them and what they do. So, give them a listen. tempted Elvis Costello into in N.M.E. Dept. Dave Hill, reviewing ‘Send Me A the studio on his recent tour (see LIVE) to Lullaby’, said‘. . . this seems the least fussy, least produce their latest single. The single was pompous, most natural and moving music I’ve recorded at Alberts in Sydney and was heard from their part of the planet.’ Aw, nice. engineered by the producer of the ‘Cats and The Dugites’ newest addition, former Sports Dogs’ album, Bruce Brown. Costello has only guitarist Andrew Pendlebury, will not be touring ever produced two other acts. Squeeze and The with the band, who have just signed to Melbourne New Wave: Ideal, Avis Davis, DEO Specials. label Rough Diamond — but he will be appearing Rock: P'Cock, Lorry Dingo Girl, a new and original Australian Rock on the band’s up and coming recordings. Most Electronic: Klaus Schulze, R. Schroeder, Batfo Banfi, Musical, has its initial run at the University of likely live replacement is Boris, ex-The Stockings. Popol Vuh, Richard Wahnfried Sydney’s Footbridge Theatre from 25th. June to Coming up on M Squared: E.P.’s from Wildlife Nu Music: Din A Testbild, Clara Mondshine, Klaus 10th July. Dingo Girl is the latest creation of Documentaries and Ya-Ya Choral. Krueger, D. Schuetz Dennis Warkins, the creator of STALIN — Go-Go’s cancelled their Adelaide concert • IC Down Under Pty. Ltd., 196 Nelson Rd., Albert Park 3206. Musical, and THE ICEBERG COMETH. early this month after lead singer Belinda Carlisle Phone (03) 6996190. At last Adelaide has a late night theatre sustained a hairline fracture of one of the bones in # Mail Order: Pipe Records, Shop 7, Cathedral Arcade, restaurant along the lines of Melbourne’s Last her foot during a concert in Melbourne the 37 Swanston St., Melbourne 3000. Phone (03) 6542252. Laugh and Le Joke. Lark and Tina’s, 108 Hindley evening before. # Distribution: Europe Activity Enterprises, P.O. Box920G, G.P.O. St., have already presented Peter Lillie (certified A new Adelaide booking agency. Pyramid Melbourne 3001. Phone (03) 6542252. Cult Hero) and the inimitable Paul Madigan (with Promotions has been set up and already has over • Records available at: Melbourne: Pipe Records, Ph. (03) 6542252. a little help from ) and plans to twenty local acts on its books including the Gaslight Records, Ph. (03) 63 9009, (03) 5091484. Pet Sounds, bring over more interstate talent as well as Screaming Believers, Speedboat, Chequers, presenting unusual SA performers. Ph. (03) 5091952. Monash Records, Ph. (03) 5446673. The Agora, Spitfires and the Acrylic Chewies. The agency Ph. (03) 4780679. Greville Records, Ph. (03) 51 3012. Readings Records, have shrunk to a three will also be handling interstate acts in the coming Ph. (03) 8191917, (03) 2671885. Sydney: Red Eye Records, piece with the exit of guitarist Troy Tate and months. Founder Neil Wiles says one of the Ph. (02) 2338292. Anthem Records, Ph. (02) 2677931. Utopia Imported bassist Ron Francois. The remaining members agency’s main aims is to get work interstate for . Records, Ph. (02) 2323429. Recycled Records, Ph. (02) 3575378. are , David Balfe and Gary Dwyer. Adelaide bands, and generally build up the Newcastle: Tyrrells Records, Ph. (049) 2 1819. : Impact Records, Their next album will be recorded with this line Adelaide music scene which is going through one Ph. (062) 474401. Perth: 78 Records, Ph. (09) 3226384. DaDa Records, up. of its worst periods in years. He added that the Ph. (09) 325 2952. Adelaide: Andromeda Music, Ph. (08) 223 4592. , Australian female hard rock duo Cheetah are agency was formed by the bands for the bands, Brisbane: Skinny's Records and Tapes, Ph. (07) 2292389. Hobart: Sandy booked to headline at Europe’s premier Heavy because they were all unhappy with the present HiFi, Ph.(002)343121. T Metal bash, the Reading Festival in , late agency set up in Adelaide which is dominated by in August. one agency, C.B.A.

On ojtaJt hM lofa bay'ilf S'!■jdirk

' ■ ' ■ PAGE 3 IVA DA VIES A one man ice house

For months rumours have beer to the people who arrive there.’ Other sweeping rock scene songs include ‘Uniform’, about about the big split in Icehouse. It’s been propaganda, ‘Persian Blue’, written obvious that the various members o1 about a painting, ‘Break these Chains’, the band have been taking an extended about liberation, ‘Street Cafe’, a diary of sabbatical from the band; with no live a love affair, and ‘Mysterious Thing’, work since the tour with which Davies says is a funky number, last year and no recorded material closest in feel to ‘Can’t Help Myself. either, many people wondered if it was Commenting on the songs Davies in fact the end of Icehouse. said, ‘They’re a little less staid, a little Talking to Iva Davies, just prior to his less clinical than the first album.’ The departure for , it became backing tracks were recorded in eleven apparent the answer was yes . . . and days at Paradise Studios in Sydney no. with Forsey coming out to Australia to “As a performing band, it won’t be co-produce, and the album will be what it was,” Davies said. “There are finished in Los Angeles. people overseas who will probably be Most of the pre-production was done in the performing band, but they still on Davies own drum computer, which have to secure releases from their he describes as an ‘Efficient, non- record companies. John Lloyd will gruelling way to make music.’ Davies probably be drumming, Anthony will confesses to having an obsession with possibly be playing keyboards. At this machinery, despite the fact that he and stage I can’t be more specific.” machines have never got on very well. ‘I It’s a matter of, there’s going to be seem to have this electronic jinx.’ He Icehouse with me as . . . ‘Overseeing does add however that he can’t see director’, but it’s going to be a changing Icehouse, as a performing band ever situation.” using computers onstage.

THE FIXX High on maybe’s

Cy Cumin is the singerfrom the Fixx, another war, it seems so inevitable that buying a dirty mag. I bought the Bucks whose cogent anti-war single ‘Stand Or there will be one. , Fizz album and the Simple Minds Fall’ has been getting much deserved “ ‘’ is quite mild really — album yesterday. If only there was the airplay in all the right places of late. although it’s also got a theme of total flat acceptance like that.” Although not a new band (Cy, positive action.” Indeed on theJr publicity sheet drummer Adam Woods, bass player Cy Cumin lists his influences as Cumin comes across as a pleasant Charlie Barratt and keyboard player Talking Heads, Television, Eno, Bowie, young chap, willing to rabbit on at Rupert Greenhall having been together GO’S soul and Tamla . The latter length about anything and everything Since the tour with Simple Minds late ‘They’re too unreliable in a five since 1976) the album ‘Shuttered two, he explains, are not so much under the sun. We discuss the last year, in retrospect the swansong of situation. Live and the studio have Room’ is their first. The band has been musical influences, more things he Falklands, as quite a few people have the Davies, Lloyd, Anthony Smith, always been two separate things for together in its present line-up, which really likes to listen to for ‘real good suggested ‘Stand Or Fall’ was written Keith Welsh line-up, Davies has me. They offer totally different includes guitarist Jamie West-Oram, time excitement.’ Eno and Talking as a resu It of the South Atlantic conflict. certainly not been idle. Most of this year possibilities.’ since 1979. heads are rather more seminal Cumin is quite adamant however that has be’en spent overseas, mainly Davies compares the present Although the Fixx’s music falls neatly influences. the song was completed ‘before checking out producers for the Icehouse situation to the Talking into the electro-synth-pop category, so “That Eno-Byrne album, ‘My Life In anyone had ever heard of the place’, forthcoming album and doing, Heads situation of last year. ‘If David much in vogue in the U.K. this year The Bush Of Ghosts’, that’s my and a close listen to the lyrics bears promotional work on the last one. At Byrne hadn’t been able to go off with (you don’t have to listen too hard to Bible,” he says reverently. “Not so witness to that. one stage this year ‘Can’t Help Myself Brian Eno then I think Talking Heads hear echoes of Duran Duran, Haircut much in , but how you can popped up as a hit in Holland, ‘We Can would have broken up irrevocably. 100 etc. ad infinitum), ‘’ One topic that’s obviously burning a avoid arranging pieces of music if Get Together’ was happening in Spain With Icehouse I think we all felt we is not merely an album full of drippy hole in his tongue is the marriage of you’ve got tempo and atmosphere and ‘Icehouse’ looked like working in wanted to do something else for awhile. modern love songs. There is. Shock! music and fashion in modern day U.K. really well married. Night after night I the U.K. We’d been on the road for so long that I Horror! some attempt to transcend the “It’s happened to such a degree that just listen to it. By the time I get to the For the past three months, since hadn’t had time to write any songs, and banal themes of style, romance and it’s choked itself. People actually lost end of side two I just want to put on side returning from overseas, Davies has I couldn't expect the other guys to hang fashion. sight of our record — we had more one again.” , been working with producer Keith around while I got my end of it together. Cy Cumin, on the phone from press about whether we wore straight What do you think you’re chances of Forsey, who he describes as Giorgio So John enrolled in an art course, beleaguered Britain, elaborates. or flared trousers! Who cares! Over success are, Cy? Moroder’s right hand man, on the Keith's been running his little label and “I’m not really into love songs — not here, it seems to give you a sense of “I’m not really thinking about it too follow up to the ‘Icehouse’ album. agency (and tour managing the that I’m not a romantic. I think it’s belonging, if you wear the right clothes much. At the moment we’re just Tentatively titled ‘Primitive Man’, the Numbers) and Anthony’s been working important just to show what the writer and you buy this album you thinking about our next album. All you album is due for release in late July/ with and other people. or what the band are thinking. I mean automatically belong. can do is try and improve. I really am early August. “It’s never been a tight situation obviously ‘Stand Or Fall’ is about my “I think the individuality of musical ^dying for success. I think we all are — A single from the album, ‘Great anyway. It’s always been a situation of private fears of war. My parents lived appreciation has gone. You might have we’d be very silly to say, ‘Look, we’re Southern Land’, will be released whatever is required — do it. It's the through the war, and my visions of the someone who likes an album, but not!’ After a time you can feel yourself sometime in Mid July. Davies describes music that comes out that’s most war I’ve got through their stories, over because that album might not be in — your optimism-runs away with you. If the song as being about ‘any kind of important, not the rock'n’roll idea of the years. And you’d think people fashion, you’ll see them in a record you let it. You can get so high on continent where the people are in a ‘the band’. would have learnt their lesson from the shop; they’ll go in, slide the record out maybes . . . ” vulnerable position — especially the last time, but they haven’t. Despite all and stick it under their jacket, then people who belong there, as opposed Donald Robertson. the reasons why there shouldn’t be creep up to the cashier as if they were Donald Robertson. PAGE 4 was on T.V. KIM.: To achieve more than any of the think there’s a lot of bad bands get JAMES: It wasn’t even in Roadrunner, other bands we’ve been in. We did them. Some of them get to number one. either. actually set out to do that. R.R.: Yeah, I agree with that. R.R.: That’s disgusting . . , Anyway, DAVE.: Actually I didn’t think so when KIM.: We’ve just got a fairly normal how’d the Wonderworld thing come we started out. I didn’t think we’d get approach. We’re just doing what most about? anywhere. But now we’ve written these bands’d be doing, playing the traps, D.: We met them at the Atlanta songs, and we like them enough to putting a single out, put another single Restaurant just down the road, and think that they’re better than some out, put an album out. Cur approach is they said we’ll do one. They said to get other people that get recorded, so we fairly standard I’d say. a good demo-tape together and we’ll think maybe we should get recorded R.R.: No sneaky tricks up your sleeves? do a . . . a ‘thing’, and we didn’t get a too. That’s what it comes down to. If KIM.: Ah, yes, but we can’t divulge good one, we got a bad one. But we did you think you’re no good, you don’t try those. it anyway. And then we played the next for anything, or you think people won’t DAVE.: Just wait ’till you try and leave. night, and that was our first real like you. But we think people will like R.R.: Any problems with the sound, performance. us. organising the three ? ROD.: It was like three nights of Le DAVE.: Mainly mixing problems, We Hoodoo Gurus. actually had our sound sorted out J. : Except one was cancelled. pretty much when we first started, KIM.: The first sixty gigs we blew out ourselves, but the problem was of before we started to play. course with mixing. With three D.: So that’s how we started. bits it’s very hard for the mixer to know K. : We’ve blown out more gigs than who’s playing what in which song, and I arrived to live in Sydney some , and guitarist/singers Kim we’ve actually played. what to mix up in that song. months ago, one idea for a story was Rendall, Rod Radalj, with Dave Slick R.R.: Do you feel that you share a great R.R.: Do you want to talk about the something on the numerous expatriate handling most of the vocals. They play deal in common with sixties type songs on the single? interstate bands now resident in a light-hearted but powerful set of mid­ psychedelic/punk bands? RCD.: It’s a concept single. Sydney. This fell a bit by the wayside as sixties orientated rockers with a fair D.: We take a bit of everything. There’s R.R.: A concept single? I realised that most of them are as leaning towards the psychedelic/punk/ a lot of that in there, oetiniteiy. Our DAVE.: Part A and part B. unimaginative as their Sydney crazy variety of material epitomized by theme song’s like some of those songs, ROD.: It’s romantic, tragic . . . Death. counterparts. Another ambition at the a perfect rendition of The Preachers’ ‘Be My Guru’ is just like it could’ve DAVE.: It’s got all the elements of a time was to see Le Hoodoo Gurus. demented cover of ‘Who Do You Love’. come from therl. good epic. When I did see them, somebody was A good version of ‘My Baby Does The R.R.: What about R.R.: What’s it called? 1 standing at the back of the Trade Union Hanky Panky’ (or whatever it’s called) is comparisons? D.: Leilani. And Leilani II of course on Club yelling “Go back to Perth!” Hmm, another pretty good indicator. D.: Well we started off with that in mind, the B-side . . . It’s not named after the thought I. The band whilst making intelligent but we don’t really like The Cramps that horse. It’s named after a girl. There’s It was also a strange thing to hear, use of three guitars, is also in much now. The last song we did, the actually an old Hawaiian folk song since at the time they were in the possession of that all too rare new one, was the most Cramps-like called ‘Sweet Leilani’. process of upstaging Sardine V in no commodity, a good male singer. Dave song we’ve ever done. R.R.: You’re serious about parts I and uncertain terms. (Mind you, it was in no Slick and James Baker are the original R.R.: How do you see yourselves fitting II? uncertain terms a bad night for Sardine Television Addicts, co-authors of that into the Sydney musical environment? DAVE.: Yeah we’ve even got two other V, they sounded like a dry cleaning Perth classic for The Victims. You see, DAVE.: Good. People like us. It’s what parts that we haven’t played yet, Part machine gone crazy, but that could be three of Le Hoodoo Gurus come from counts. 4’s not written yet, but part three’s another story.) Which was also strange, Perth after all (although not all that R.R.: Well, do you have any specific aim R.R.: Well now you’re getting written. Part four’s nearly ready. because all I’d heard was that Le recently). James and Rod have also or purpose? audiences, and must be thinking R.R.: Is that your next single then? Hoodoo Gurus weren’t too good in a been members of , and JAMES.: Making some money. seriously about prospects of making ROD.: No, they’ll have to come and see bigger place. (It’s all to do with a band Kim Rendall was in The XL Capris. DAVE.: Ah, we’re going to have a hit and so on, is it changing your' us live to find out what happens to strange enough to have three guitarists They’re not necessarily beginners. album out soon, before Christmas. attitude? Leilani. and no bass.) Having seen them in the And what with the band about to We’re waiting for the .. . ah ... ‘big-time' DAVE.: Nup. We’ve always wanted to And I’m not saying exactly what tiny Southern Cross Hotel, I knew they release their first single on Phantom, as industry people to come flocking for us make an album. Everyone does. You happens with Leilani and the volcano were good, but didn’t know what to well as establishing a sizeable when we get our single out and it sells a know, even the most horrible bands in either, so you’ll have to see Le Hoodoo expect in a larger environment. They following, it must be time to find out . . . a . . . What’s the word? ... a million, the world get ’em, so I don’t see why Gurus, or get the single, or both. And were better, aided by the clarity of a full, what their favourite colour is. in the first week. good ones shouldn’t. People seem to now they’re off to Melbourne to appear dynamic mix. DAVE: Where was the first place we R.R.: Did you start out with anything think because it’s Australia you never on The Don Lane Show, to play Le Hoodoo Gurus are drummer played? Wonderworld. Our first gig particular in mind? get a chance to make an album, but I backing for a singing dog. PAGES NEW YORK HUMAN LEAGUE A LITANY OF ABSENT TALENTS I SUPPOSE ONE CAN AT LEAST BE GRATEFUL that they are not yet another British synthesiser band. New York has been absolutely flooded by the damn things over the last couple of weeks. and (who, despitetheir French affectations, mispronounce their name as Depech-AY Mode) even played on the same night, although at different times, so you could (If you were a few bricks short of a load) actually have seen them both. Cne was certainly enough for me, and I chose to see the Human League, whose first single, , released independently some four years ago, gave me reasons to be Interested in their further adventures. As you undoubtedly know, the original League split in 1980, with the musical ones forming the British Electric Foundation (incorporating 17), the ones with their weird haircuts and eye-make-up continuing under the League banner with the help of production whiz Martin Rushent, a couple of musicians and girl singers. Much to the chagrin of the B.E.F. managing directors, the silly haircuts have had most of the chart action on the home front, and seem set to follow suit here in the United States. As writer David Fricke points out in an article on Brit, pop synth. bands in a recent U.S. , English music fans are great ones for the six month fad. Warmed over Mods, and even psychedelia have enjoyed brief flowerings and all, even the New Romantics with their well organised business operation, have failed to make much of a dent in the American charts. Even though Fricke finds it difficult to take any of them more seriously than hula hoops or edible underwear (and, like many Americans, regards with suspicion any band that doesn’t group itself around a guitar hero or two), these computerised pop bands just may capture the great American heartland. Both the League’s Dare and Soft Cell’s Non Stop Erotic Cabaret are currently occupying respectable spots on the top one hundred and, along with D. Mode, Orchestral Manoeuvres, , Duran Duran and Simple Minds, have dutifully hacked their way around the country, trying to turn the chimera of a second into a reality. The above bands have all had club hits here, where the seems almost as Anglophile as in Sydney. They’d go and see a bunch of singing dogs if they came from London and someone in the NME told them they were HOT. Warm would probably be a more appropriate term for the Human League in the flesh. The first number quickly reveals that the front line cannot really hold ufD their end. The two girls sing flat. And, in spite of the fact that they were supposedly “discovered” dancing in a by Phil Oakey who, being so knocked out by their gyrations, hired them on the spot, neither girl can really dance all that well either. Add to this litany of absent talents the uninspired costumes and you are left wonderingjust what it is they are doing up there. Perhaps Oakey hopes that by comparison he will shine with a lustre otherwise missing. Unfortunately he is one of those men who looks really silly in make-up, and in spite of his more conservative coiffure, the red lippy and earring do make it difficult to take him seriously. Fortunately the slide show is there to catch the eye, relieving it of the tedium of contemplating the half-hearted bump and grind of the woeful girls. And the mix of music (on the night I saw them, anyway) meant that their off-key warblings were just about drowned out by the drum machine. The slides, with their fifties and sixties images, seemed to undercut the often sappy lyrics (I hope that Don’t You Want Me is tongue in cheek, but I wouldn’t bet on it) and at times I wondered if slidist Adrian Wright was sending the whole thing up. By now, you will have had a chance to see and judge the Human League for yourself. , who stood in the crowd near me for a while, looked singularly unimpressed. JDDLS b y Keri Phillips their hair has an empty life) — led the lesser mortals in the band H D L L A N D through the bulk of Pelican West, their just-released album. No HAIRCUT surprises here, except for the big one you get when you listen to the HUMOUROUS ANO TACKY record and try to relate it to the comfortable, Town and Country, A SOMEWHAT OLDER LAG, Jools Holland, one-time middle class, English image the band have created for themselves. keyboard player with Squeeze, also seems to think a two girl line­ If you took away the solo vocals (and in concert you can, because ONE up might be a sound professional move. He came around recently they are mixed down so low you can hardly hear them), and just with his new band, the Millionaires, which included two women listened to the backing tracks, you wouldn’t need much persuading singers, one a Debbie Harry clone, the other a Sheena Easton look- to see them as the output of some L.A. super-session featuring the alike. Both, however, unlike the lasses in the Human League, could HUNDRED Brecker Brothers (who have played horns for just about everybody at least sing and they had worked up a dandy little dance routine to from Joni Mitchell to Joe Cocker to Michael Franks. They’re good, go with every number. The music was fabulous — 1940’s style bar A BUNCH OF PRATS? but ubiquitous). The music is professional, sophisticated, mature. band boogie woogie heavy with New Orleans and gospel Not the work of some rabid twenty-year-old egomaniac run wild in CAN IT REALLY BE TIME for a -rock fusion revival? And do references — and even without Holland’s off-beat comedy a mens’ wear store. we really need one spear-headed by a bunch of prats who, fortheir routines, this punter would have found a satisfying evening’s N.Y. debut, insisted on wearing their cravats and cardies in spite of Earlier in the day, I had had the misfortunes to interview Heyward entertainment. One can only wonder at the psychology behind the a raging heat that sent the sweat coursing down their ever- and Nemes, and took the opportunity to find out a few things about use of these two women and, in particular, their outfits, which were reddening faces? ’s leading light, Nick the LP. I didn’t get very far, and am still curious about just how - tight vinyl tubes that clung to the area below their armpits and Heyward, a smug and self-satisfied twit, wore two jumpers, one on much was contributed to both the record and the way the band above their crutches. The vigorous, choreographed dance steps his chest, the other tied around his neck. As the temperature now sounds by, for example, Bob Sargeant (who is also producer encouraged the vinyl to shimmy up their bums and in the hiatus soared, he removed the one close to the body, but insisted on for the Beat). And how about the Boney M horns, who play all the between each song these unfortunate girls would tug atthe bottom wearing the other as a scarf throughout the show. Perhaps he and brass apart from the saxophone on the LP? of the fabric to get it back down where it belonged. This activity, his friends were afraid of catching something. Certainly their performed with obsessive regularity, became absolutely squeaky clean image might be tarnished by too close a connection Cn tour, the line-up is augmented by a trumpeter and a mesmerising and one waited, almost holding one’s breath, to see with scabrous decaying , but if they were worried player. What did Haircut Cne Hundred sound like before them do it. If Holland hopes these singing dancers will hold the about their health — or their white fair-isle jumpers — why did they they went into the studio? Heyward takes total credit for all songs attention of oafs who would otherwise fail to be grabbed by a come here and ruin an otherwise perfectly enjoyable week? but one on Pelican West ', and I imagine he does the same with the musical style more sophisticated than your average rock’n’roll, he Wearing theirguitars uparoundtheirchins, the three chums who royalties. Yet when I asked him if he presented the band with the may have made a sensible decision. I found them merely started Haircut One Hundred some eighteen months ago — Nick parts and for the songs, he said that each player distracting — humourous and definitively tacky, for sure — but Heyward (vocs, guit), Graham Jones (guit) and Les Nemes (bass worked out his own part. I wonder if this has begun to rankle in any ultimately detracting from both the music and the engaging on and blow-waved hair — anyone who has enough time to blow-dry of those Izod Lacoste-clad breasts? stage persona of Holland. PAGE 6 1

once he realised it was not going to be the record he needed to consolidate the opening” made by here in the U.S. His business affairs were in a mess, he had just married, and it was time to renegotiate his record contracts. So he stayed DAVE home and turned loose, allowing them to get involved in various silly projects — albums that weren’t very good and tours with Garland Jeffreys. Then, last year, Parker came to New York to. record with Jack Douglas, a “name” producer who, at the time, was EDMUNDS dining off his production work for Lennon’s “come-back” album, Double Fantasy. Parker wasn't interested in any press and little was IRRESISTABLE heard about the sessions, who was playing, and what sort of material. AND SPEAKING OF OLD LAGS, , that infinitely untarnishable relic of the sixties — the band Love Sculpture and When was released a couple of months ago, the hits / Hear You Knocking and the blistering guitar version of it seemed that Parker had used his period of reflection to come up Khatchaturian’s Sabre Dance — appeared here recently with an with some pragmatic decisions. Having put out A'A albums of all-Welsh band. Always a favourite of mine (most especially since superb white R’n’B, written some of the most memorable love his re-emergence from obscurity with the classic Get It in 77), I songs in recent history, and fronted one of the best damn found his latest incarnation irresistable. His band looked like ex- rock’n’roll outfits of the seventies, he was still, in his own words, the cons, played like demons, and included a barrel-house best kept secret in the West. The choices were few for a man not player who took over the vocals when Dave felt he needed a interested in cultish obscurity — retire — or — come up with a breather. Unlike , whose new outfit does not quite winner in terms of commercial radio in the States. He appears to measure up to their joint effort in Tockpile, Edmunds proved, after have attempted the latter and opened himself to some criticism a hesitant start, that he can get along without Nick just fine . . . from fans who feel he has sold out a bit on quality and integrity. Not and, in fact, just might be better off without him. He still does some that it’s a bad album. There are some really good songs on it, and of the great songs Lowe penned for him, including / Knew The perhaps it is unrealistic to expect that he can go on surpassing Bride, adding an assortment of numbers by other mates — Elvis himself. But still, it’s not GP and the Rumour (and had it been, many Costello {Girls Talk) and (Crawling From The critics would probably have trotted out that “it’s just another Wreckage), as well as new mate (From Smali Graham Parker and the Rumour album” line — you can’t win). It’s Things (Big Things One Day Come)). In spite of the drunken, too early to say whether the gamble has paid off, although Another overly-male audience that insisted on bellowing along with those Grey Area is now slipping back down the charts after hitting 51. pure Edmunds’ vocals, it was a celebratory and joyous evening of None of the facts and figures seemed to matter to the devotees music. Edmunds still looks sheepish on stage, as if wondering what who turned up at the Palladium for his one sit-down show. I know the hell he is doing there. nothing of his three night stand at the more funky Ritz, but the fans at his first show can only be described as frenzied. Being a Parker purist, I missed the Rumour. It just wasn’t right to see up there without , but such quibbles aside GRAHAM it was a terrific show. Parker himself was In top form and his new songs had gained in strength from the chance to work themselves out on the road. None of his ballads made an appearance in a set PARKER that included many old faves — a shrewd move that kept the crowd up and dancing. Schwarz reaffirmed his position in my personal THE BEST KEPT SECRET [N THE WEST pantheon of guitar greats, with his tasteful playing and inventive solos. , the second guitarist, and man with a GRAHAM PARKER, who aiso appeared here over the last couple pedigree that includes stints with the likes of seemed of weeks, looks as though he knows exactly why he is there. He’s under-used here. He did not take a solo until the encores, but since there to take America, whether they like it or not. Now, let me his forte is arrangement and he uses his guitar mostly for the declare myself a Graham Parker fanatic. I even liked The Up purposes of rhythm, I guess this is not surprising. Escalator, even though no-one else seemed to, and it was If Parker and his new bunch do make theirway to Australia soon, excoriated by the critics. They seemed to think that the Rumour don’t be misled by any ungenerously bad press. It may not be sounded a bit tired and perhaps Graham agreed with them, for he fashionable to like Parker these days, but there’s life in the old boy did not tour with , simply letting it sink like a stone yet.

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PAGES We arrived in San Francisco after 13 later, toying with the idea of a trip to the hours on a QANTAS flight from Yosemite area, we heard on the radio Sydney. Our first impression of the that a landslide had killed a bunch of United States was the chaos and grime O N • T H E bushwalkers there. We cancelled the of the International Airport at South trip. Instead, we hastened our plans to San Francisco. Having checked into leave California, and set out on our own the cheapest local motel — 40 dollars a planned odyssey. night — with a room that smelt of dust, The first decision, of course, is mode our first act was to turn on our colour of transport. No problem. In America, TV. As Kerouac would probably have there’s a wide range of possibilities. described it, it was a “holy” act. You can fly, take buses, trains — even Watching television in America that sail around the place. But we didn’t November night (and immediately want any of these options. We already seeing newscaster Walter Cronkite, the suspected that the only way to see man most Americans trusted — he’s America is from behind the wheel of a retired) gave us the kind of feeling that private car. Then, there are still more Catholic South Americans would get choices to be made. You can buy, hire, on visiting the Vatican for the first time, borrow, steal, hitch a ride — or deliver. — that is, seeing the rea/thing, at last. Car delivery, or ‘driveaway’ as the The set even had cable (a paid service Americans call it, is the modern few cheaper motels have) and so we equivalent of the increasingly got our Introduction to what a dangerous (from police, thugs, etc) Californian academic later described to S^^cifoAA/ ^u/ budget travel method of hitching. us as “The American Disease” — too Rather than sticking your thumb out many choices. Later, on the freeways, and waiting hours or days for a lift, you when we saw the dozens of different register with a company, tell them your ways one can take from point B to A, we route, pay a deposit (usually around came to understand this sage more 100 dollars), fill out a form that Includes fully. But we also quickly realized that everything from your fingerprints to in America you get the bewildering your underwear size, and then wait the range of choices on some lines only. 1 hours or days for a car to come On many, there is only yes, or no. PART through. The system is practised in a We spent a fortnight in San BABY” number of countries on a limited scale, Francisco, and found it and Oakland, with car rental firms who want one-way and Berkeley (where we stayed) to be ack Kerouac’s novel “On The Road” was first published in hires returned, but it’s a sizeable quite interesting, and life agreeable. A the United States in 1957. That book, which ensured business in America, where anyone bit like Sydney, as so many people had Kerouac’s reputation among a new wove of writers, was from a tired teacher with an old said. There were plenty of good Cadillac to a rich rancher with a restaurants, things to do (a highlight about the world of the “beats” — bop and sex, drugs and gleaming black El Dorado might want being the Exploratorium, where you dreams, about “crazy angels” and “sad-eyed kids”. But “On the vehicle delivered hundreds or conduct your own scientific The Road” was also about a lot more than just dope and thousands of miles away. The traveller experiments), some fascinating orgies, well, sort of. It was a portrait of post-war America — simply waits for the kind of car s/he architecture (it’s “Towering Inferno” wants, on the right route and with the city), and prices for most things, an America at the threshhold of the fifties, the decade in appropriate destination, then takes it. including fresh fruit and vegetables, up which it suddenly opened itself with super-highways There’s no charge, and the first tank of to 30% below Australian levels. But, we stretching across its length and breadth, and during which fuel is free. After that, you pay for your were warned. Northern California, and own fuel. (Petrol in America is around especially the San Francisco Bay area, the car finally asserted its claim to regal status. It was the decade in which the freeway, 1-dollar-30 a gallon — similar to is not like the rest of the U.S.A. We got suburb with supermarket and the car became the trinity they remain today. But even Australian prices when we travelled). similar warnings at other places we more than a portrait, it is a tale of how the heroes — writer Sal Paradise and the soulful, The big advantage of driveaway over visited, but in the case of San buying a cheap car is that you’re not Francisco, it turned out to be true. The frantic jailbird kid Dean Moriorty — went out on the road in search of an America that liable to pay for any repairs needed on rest of the Arrierica we saw is certainly eluded them on the streets of New York, or in Denver, or San Francisco. Through their the way. You pay at the time, keep the' not like it. crazy hours at the wheel of those classic dinosaur cars, they looked for the freedom their receipt, and the money is refunded by Midway during our stay, we were to the owner when you deliver the car, country was — and is — supposed to represent. They dived for a pearl. pay a visit on some friends, including a discharge your contract (you must be former Sydney woman, who had just “He and I suddenly saw the whole country like an oyster for us to open; and the pearl was there, the pearl was there by the agreed date) and recover moved north up the coast to Eureka. there. Off we roared south.” your deposit. We missed our Greyhound bus by a Sal Paradise in “On The Road”. During our 3 week trip across the few minutes, and heard later that day That remains the myth about the novel — the myth of the freedom these beats sought U.S.A., we dealt with two driveaway that Eureka and the surrounding area firms — AAACON and Auto- had been hit by a huge earthquake. No- out, a tmth they tried to extract from their country. They had what has been called Driveaway. Both had a lot of unhelpful one killed, but several were badly “America’s fifth freedom”, that is, freedom of movement. On the road, they pushed that staff, but both were honest and reliable. injured, and enough damage caused to freedom, to see where it would lead. The thing you have to bear in mind all get front-page cover in the Australian the time about driveaway, however, is newspapers. Thus there is now a new For Kerouac himself, the road ended in disillusionment, right wing politics, and death that you’re the one in the weakest aspect to the news importance (popularly attributed to a broken heart) in front of the ’TV set at his mother’s house in position. It’s rare for you to have the equations — 5 injured Americans Florida, in 1969. But for many people, Kerouac’s Dean Moriorty remains an image of strongest bargaining position in equals 5000 dead and mained negotiating, because you want to get Algerians. freedom that is also a symbol of the busthng, love me or leave me, naive exuberance of somewhere. You’re paying for motels, When we did arrive, we found our America itself. And it was to examine the health of this myth, and its possible reality, in or restaurant food, and every day lost friends not dead nor injured, but only contemporary America, that Amanda S. and I went back to Kerouac’s beloved America, seems disastrous. Thus, you get mildly shaken. Yet, for us, it proved a inevitably screwed. You’ll be kept through the West and the South, then up to New York, on the road in the eighties. prelude to bigger things. A few days waiting, starved of information, and PAGE 9 possibly used and abused. Like the grateful as well that it was automatic. Such carefree fools. European counterparts is their the pathos, as if it were in itself a earlier genus of adventurous, budget Shift, or manual cars, are rare, I unwould the Monarch as we headed armament of advertising, with signs concrete poem, of a full episode of traveller — hitch-hikerus familiarus — seemingly below the dignity of the down Interstate 5, going South towards ; carrying the company logo held aloft “Days Of Our Lives”, Mandy suggested you must remember that it is usually average American, even in this Los Angeles, the hometown of the by immense towers, so that they’re to me that its death might not have yourself that is in oversupply. supposedly fuel-conscious age. newly-elected President, Ronald, visible at eye-level on even the tallest been in vain. flyover, and in many cases their “You know what they’ll use it for remarkable ability to convey the now?” she said. “It’ll become part of a impression of their being an bus tour for fledgling executives from encampment, an outpost of ail the fast-food chains. And as the bus In San Francisco, we dealt with a things you need to sustain your life as a cruises this drag, the driver will slow driveaway firm tucked away in a dingy freeway traveller. At many we saw that down in front of this one, and the office in a grey building. The office was day, in Southern California, there were instructor will tell everyone to look at it, in fact something almost flyblown. no houses, no outbuildings — nothing and then all the others, still abustle, still Chandler, and run by a balding, pudgy except the chain businesses with their lit up like Christmas trees. And then gay who bore a striking resemblance to already all-too familiar signs and logos, he’ll tell them to ask themselves where Gomez, from the “Adams Family” TV all the time reassuring Americans that this one went wrong.” show of the sixties. This actually turned their country is predictable and out to be our first experience of “gay homogeneous as their processed milk business” in San Francisco, an and bread. It’s not easy to get behind apparently common phenomenon. these facades, but if you take a minor The Gomez guy had probably got the road, and manage to see behind them, I started singing. It was “California”, franchise, and had taken on two of his you’ll see what we did — the by Joni Mitchell. I’m not very good at gay mates. These other two were comforting island quickly dwindling to singing her stuff, understandably. Then “tough guys”, the kind who walk a few car wrecks, rags, the occasional Mandy started singing another song. around the Castro district (a formerly empty oil drum — and then the “Cal — If — Orn — Yah, Here I Come”!! poor area which the gay middleclass is flatlands, spreading away into We eventually found that we knew helping the poor leave) in their identikit nothingness, an empty threat, ten songs about California — or at least basketball shoes, tight faded blue somewhat reminiscent of Australia. mentioned it. Our route took us jeans, leather, studs, short hair and through California, Arizona, New pencil-thin moustache, and often as Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, not cowboy hat with matching pick-up Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, truck. Walking around Castro is a bit North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and like wandering onto the set of “Can’t Given the comforting effect of these the District of Columbia, (Washington). Stop the Music”, and so was going into commercial islands, arrayed along (We took a train on to New York). From this driveaway office. America’s bitumen veins, it’s then that lot, we knew one song either about The attitude of the staff in this (and incongruous to see the occasional or referring to every state except New other) offices seems to be simply loser in them — the dead fast-food Mexico from the “Texas Rangers” “Don’t fuck with me, man. Look, do you store, or gas station. We saw perhaps TV show theme to Neil Young’s want the car or don’t you”. the saddest example of this on a ring “Alabama”. We knew songs about Our questions such as “But do you road on the edge of a city, where the dozens of places we passed through ... expect to have any four-cylinder cars in traveller often finds anything up to ten “By The Time I Get To Pheonix”, “Does the next few days (almost unobtainable or fifteen fast food stores shoulder to anyone know the way to San Antonio, on our Southern route); or “But is it in shoulder, as well as motels and more or Tuscon Arizona”, and had vivid good condition?” or “Does it have a gas stations. In this case, there were memories of Dean Martin croonin’ working AM/FM radio?” inevitably hamburger, chicken, seafood, biscuit “Houston”. Yet no matter how hard we brought a deep, heartfelt sigh, and and waffle chain stores, all slugging it tried, as we drove we could not recall something approximating the “Don’t out in healthy open competition (or at one song about Birdsville, or fuck with me, man. Look, do you want least, that’s the way the myth goes. It’s Coolangatta, or the Coorong. And, the car or don’t you?” just strange to see all those monopolies sadly, when we did know a song about (I’m still convinced that we only as well . . .) someplace — “South Australia”, or learnt enough about our car to make But on this occasion, as we drove by, “Botany Bay”, or “Travelling Down the the final decision to take it because nestled among the others we saw the Castlereagh”, more often than not we That night the Monarch stayed Reagan, and the receptacle of the Mandy left the office to buy something, dead one. It’s bright little signs had knew fewer of the words than for the parked outside the house in suburban American collective unconscious. and one of the staff thought that I been stripped away by cruel gangs of American songs. This made us feel Berkeley where we’d been staying with Tinsel town. Celluloid city. Los . wasn’t attached to a woman after all, workers, so one could not tell what frustration, and some shame. and thus became a little friendly.) friends, and (between rushed trips We tuned in the radio to the standard We were bound for New Orleans, outside just to take in the fullness of the sentimental schmultz and schmuck taking the Southern route across horror and embarrassment of “owning” featured right across the AM band, America which the American it), we laid our plans for the right across America (so it seemed to Automobile Association (which was transcontinental journey. Basically, it us) and began to find a groove. We extremely helpful to us) recommends was San Francisco, New Orleans, New settled in at 60 miles per hour, which for winter travel. The car we eventually York. On the map, it looked extremely would be our cruising altitude for the took on the trip, after days of wrangling, easy. Just 3V2-thousand miles, along entire flight. Although the Americans was a 1977 Mercury Monarch, broad red lines. We packed some have set an “ energy-conscious” described by the driveaway firm as a sandwiches, and got to bed early national speed limit of 55 m.p.h., don’t “ medium-sized” car. By American (around 3 a.m.). believe any rumours that it’s obeyed. standards, it is. It’s bigger than the Cars, trucks, buses — everything goes standard 6 cylinder Australian car, has faster. Commercial transport, an engine that looks just about as big as including passenger buses, could not my whole VW in Adelaide, and this one keep to schedule if the limit were had only AM radio (and thus adhered to. The highway cops seem to dangerous to sanity over long “. . . the car went as straight as an turn a blind eye to most of the big boys, distances), and would return arrow, not for once deviating from the but rather appear to pick on 79-year- something like a princely 17 M.P.G. on white line in the middle of the road that old farmers from Idaho sitting on 59 the open road. Like Britain, America unwound, kissing our left front tyre.” m.p.h. in the family heirloom Model T, still uses the Imperial system. In other from “On The Road” cruising California on their holiday of a lifetime. We spent most of that first words, it was what Carter once called a As all the driving guides tell you to afternoon rolling down the freeway, “gas guzzler”. And yet it was a common, do, we tried to get an early start on our through the beautiful San Joaquin standard American car, with all those first day. We didn’t quite manage it, of Valley, exulting in the smooth standard things like automatic, course. But although we did not make transmission, power brakes, and power the legendary “hundred miles before suspension that made it feel like we were riding an ocean liner, buzzed by steering which meant you could drive breakfast”, I- did manage to wheel the with just your little finger on the wheel. red Monarch out onto Interstate traffic control helicopters. We saw a It was bound for Baton Rouge, the Freeway Number 5 going South. We’d few highway patrol cops doing their doo-dee, but for most of our trip across, capital of Louisiana, and only 100 miles had a lesson in freeway numbering the or so short of New Orleans. (Readers previous night. The odd ones go north- the highway cops were most notable might have heard of Baton Rouge. It south, the even ones east-west. And for their conspicuous absence. became famous because of its race they’re graduated, across the country. Perhaps we were just lucky. riots during the sixties.) We had little So navigating America by numbers choice but to take the car, despite a few becomes as easy as finding your way misgivings. around its cities, by the numbered streets and avenues. In somethings, the Americans do have a wonderful, “We know America, we’re at home; I practical intelligence, and ruthlessly can go anywhere in America and get I picked up the shark, whale, toadfish thorough as well. what I want because it’s the same on or whatever Hunter S. Thompson Considering that everyone who had every corner, I know the people, I know would have called this red, sloppy- been to America had warned us against what they do . . .” handling bath-tub of a car, with its going in November, telling us we’d Sal Paradise in “On The Road” fiddly, tinny, chintzy fittings and cheap freeze as soon as we got off the plane, it upholstery. And despite my terror at was yet another pleasant day, around As we drove South that first day, we driving on the wrong (right) side of the 70 degrees Fahrenheit! We wore T- got our first real view of the really road, wheeled the red flathead out onto shirts. Mandy, who had failed her isolated, self-contained freeway the congested arteries of downtown driving test yet again just before we left Services you can find in the U.S.A. The (central) San Francisco. It handled like Australia, would be filling a more- standard Services has a batch of, say, variety it had been. It was certainly very We hit the legendary town of a tipsy boar on corners, and I found that traditional-than-usual women’s role on an Exxon and a Chevron for fuel; a dead indeed. No lights of any kind, all Bakersfield just before dusk, having with this kind of car power steering is the trip, navigating us and preparing in­ MacDonald’s, Sambo’s hamburgers the interior fittings gone; a little paint veered away from Los Angeles, and absolutely mandatory. The standard of transit sandwiches from the big box of and Waffle House for food; and peeling from what had once been its engineering meant it would be turned at last towards the east. The “food” we’d bought from the perhaps a Howard Johnson’s or a cute little takeout (takeaway) window; Bakersfield area was very curious from practically undriveable without it. And supermarket (where else is there) so Super 6 Motel, for accommodation. weeds sprouting in its free carpark “for as I reached repeatedly with the wrong a number of viewpoints. One was the that we wouldn’t have to eat “junk food” The thing about these Services that patrons only”. A heartwrenching sight. “city centre”, which was just a hand for the gear stick, I became from the cafes along the freeways. differentiates them from their And as we stood before it. taking in all PAGE 10 1

collection of office towers, with no preparable — and all its sins are so never seen. But, then,- neither of us has One television report we saw In stayed in a cool, rambling adobe people or small shops. It was the first easily absolved with Tobasco. There seen Ayers Rock. America spoke of 100% unemployment house, with friends of our San ‘deserted downtown’ we’d seen. Then, can be little doubt that one day it will in some Indian communities, and of a Francisco friends. We had only one (despite the name) we couldn’t find a reach the same megadollar business considerably lower life expectancy night to stay there, so we stayed up bakery anywhere. We had to buy some level it’s achieved in America. than for European Americans. This, talking until the early hours of the bread, but all we could find was pre­ one must always remember, is in a morning. The woman was an historical Late that afternoon we reached the packaged sliced bread. We also bought It was a freezing morning, with the country which provides one of the photographer, and had undertaken Grand Canyon Caverns — a little some beer, then drove back out to the temperature around zero, and a strong highest standards of living, in average some fascinating assignments in the perimeter of the city to pick up the tourist village set back off the road. We wind making it seem colder still. But the terms, in the world. The report dealt region, from the lives of Western freeway again. There we saw strange thought that as it had “Grand Canyon” cold did not seem to worry some other specifically .with the fate of a special gunslingers to ruins of Indian animals which, if we’d ever watched in its title, we really had to see this people at the Canyon Rim that morning school, organized, funded and run by architecture. The man was a city “Dallas” on TV, we’d have viewed place. So we paid our 5-dollars-72 — groups of Navajo Indian women Indians, for Indian children who could planner, and between them they almost as old friends. They were huge (including tax — there’s tax on nearly trying to make a living out of selling not take, or fit in with, the normal sketched out as much of the history metal “birds”, a little flamingo-like .in everything in America) and a woman in replicas of their traditional beautiful educational institutions. The school, and culture of Arizona as it’s possible to fact, that appeared to be constantly a para-National Parks uniform took us turquoise jewellery, laid out on mats on which appeared to be a rare and worthy do for two tired people in a bare two or stooping down to the earth, to “peck”, several hundred feet down in a lift to the ground. Discrete packs of tourists attempt, had received no government three hours. As they spoke we realized and then standing upright again. Of see some pretty forgettable caverns. I — newly-affluent young Mexicans in funds, and had almost had to close up that one of the most frustrating things course, these “birds” were oil pumps, say para-National Parks uniform American college gear, Japanese on more than one occasion, because about America, in addition to the taking the “black gold” from the earth because on the way down she snapping at a frame a second, and the Indians did not have enough money criticisms of it I’m voicing in this article, and depositing it in the storage tanks of informed us that these caverns are not mixed bags of Australians, Canadians for the rent. The Mayor of the city is the simple volume of worthwhile the Seven Sisters. These machines owned by the government, but are in and Britons — passed by, musing, concerned appeared on the things and experiences the traveller were everywhere — in fields, in factory fact privately-owned, by a company occasionally haggling for a trinket. But programme, and unflinchingly must inevitably miss. Wherever you compounds, in backyards. We almost called Dinosaur Enterprises, a trucking later, when we visited the comfortable delivered a predigested John Stuart are, there are always batteries of expected to see them on the road — but company from Illinois or thereabouts. Indian-style shops in the South Rim Mill kind of explanation, with attractions, vying for attention. So the highways are the only place too This finally explained why there was a Village, selling everything from Jeffersonian packaging for the despite our tiredness, we took in as sacred for them to enter. 10 metre Tyrannasaurus Rex out in archeological replicas to expensive American viewing public, on why The much information as these two were front of the building that houses the Indian rugs, we saw that was where the People’s money should not be spent on willing to give. Like most Americans we whole show. Obviously, sadly, we real business was done. The women at a minority, no matter how worthy, or met, they were informative, warm, and wouldn’t see any of them below desperate. extremely gracious and hospitabie. ground. The woman was about 25, and Americans went out of their way to although quite normal seeming before We had a meal by the side of the make us feel at home, wherever we the tour began, immediately became road, in the gathering dusk, then were in their country. In the morning, the archetypal “tour guide” once it pushed on to Barstow, where we when we left, this couple urged us to started. Americans seem to play roles refuelled, and had coffee. Night driving see the Sonora Desert Museum, about readily, and she did admirably, reciting in the U.S.A. is a dream for two reasons. 15 miles out of town, before pushing on an entire 40 minute script, with all the The first is that the freeway system is to New Mexico. appropriate gestures and pregnant the best in the world; the second is that We went, stopping every few miles pauses. She appeared to have gained the coffee houses serve great coffee, once outside of the town to admire the the skill using modern educational and many places give you unlimited surrealistic forms of the saquaro aids, possibly including Jerry Lewis refills — all of them free afteryour initial cactus. From the top of one hill we also films. The routine was complete with 30 cents or so. Cafes have another fancied we saw another desert creature off-colour jokes about the nuclear extremely civilized tradition — giving the couple had warned us we might emergency supplies stored in the the newly-arrived patron a cup of iced encounter — this time made of caverns (it was made a fallout shelter' water as soon as s/he is seated. concrete. Apparently all you see of during the crisis of ’62), It seems that Unfortunately, one branch of the I.C.B.M. installations is the concrete lid the supplies would be pretty useless to “Waffle House” chain we stopped at for to the underground silo. They are any would-be intending holocaust coffee showed the beginning of the ehd plentiful in the Tuscon area. Everyone survivors. Because of the stable for this tradition, with a notice that “in knows about them. When we asked our conditions in the caverns, a few months the cause of energy conservation” they hosts how they felt about their clean, down there robs you of imrnunity to were cutting out the automatic iced pleasant town being a nuclear target, common minor diseases, and so on re- water (although one can still ask for it). they just sighed. “You have to live emerging,If the radiation didn’t get you This, by the way, is typical of the way somewhere”, said the man. “This place, the microbes would. The entire 40 the “energy conservation” band- as you can see, is one of the best.” Then minute spiel was rattled off so perfectly waggon is exploited by business in he went on to tell us how you can play that none of the six of us on the tour felt America. tennis all year round in Tuscon, and able to ask questiotas freely, fearing we We drove on to Needles that night. how he used to drink Fosters Lager might make her lose her mental place. Needles is the hottest place in America. with an Australian ex-pat living there — Later we drove on, to the Grand On summer days, weather presenters a tennis professional called Fred Stolle. Canyon itself (the Caverns, by the way, on TV news services always resort to (Stolle, by the way, has now apparently are able to use the Grand title because “but if you thought it was hot here, in moved to Florida.) This was a typical some of their air comes from the Needles today it was . . .” We found a conversation. You start by asking Canyon. There’s no other connection.) cheap motel — about 20 dollars is ordinary Americans about how they We stayed the night in a motel just out pretty standard, once you’ve paid the feel about missile silos in the desert, of the South Rim Village. We would tariff and tips, for a room for two. We near houses, and about the nuclear have to wait until morning to see the got a good night’s sleep. We’d covered fallout shelters whose signs are on Seventh Wonder of the World. 600 miles on our first day. buildings everywhere in the cities, and Next morning, having missed the you end up talking about tennis and beautiful Mojave Desert by driving Fosters. The answer, in other words, is through it at night, we also missed the that the American people live on a big Hoover Dam in our haste to move on to dartboard — and they cannot afford to Arizona. We were always pressed by worry about what that really means. I The South Rim is about 7,000 feet our driveaway schedule, which gave us imagine the psychiatric institutions of above sea level, and is the only access just 7 days to get the car to Baton America are crowded with people who to the National Park and the main Rouge. But because of that schedule, worried too much about that. Canyon area that’s open all year round. we decided against paying a brief visit their mats, out in the numbing cold, We left the Grand Canyon in the early The Desert Museum turned out to be The North Rim, 9,000 feet above sea to Las Vegas, not too far north — and seemed to get very little return for their afternoon, and drove South towards one of the highlights of our level, is closed during winter. From the that, we found later, might have been time. We found out from them that they Flagstaff. There we picked up the major transcontinental journey. It was a South Rim, we were able to stare down very fortunate for us. live on the nearby Navajo reservation. freeway going down towards Mexico, museum, zoo and botanical garden. It into the Canyon, and there, at the Another tribe, the Hopi, also live in the Freeway 17. We ate chile and taught about the desert, its animals, bottom, more than a mile below, was area. We discovered later that these enchiladas in a little Mexican plants, and its ecology. And it was hard the Colorado River, just as we’d always tribes still experience all the problems restaurant, had a quick look round the to tell where the museum ended, and seen it in magazines, on TV, and in one would expect an aboriginal people cute university town, and then moved the desert around it began. That, to me, By early afternoon we were at films. That was the only problem with to face — i.e. poor housing, on south, into the gathering evening. showed the success of its planners. It an otherwise great experience — we Kingman, Arizona, a lovely little desert unemployment, alcoholism, ostracism. As we made for Pheonix, we found had big guns like Mountain Lions and town in spectacular mountain country, felt we’d already had it. But despite these problems, we also ourselves descending from a high rattlesnakes, but it also had glady As is a good lurk when exploring art all of it Backdrop-to-Westerns in beige, found out that these had plateau, and in the thinning light we gardens where you could sit down, and pale blue, golds and pinks, shimmering galleries, museums or geophysicai done quite well in comparison to other could see the sublime beauty of see for yourself what intelligent use of in the bright sun. At Kingman we had a magnificences, we hitched ourselves to Indian peoples. They have preserved Arizona, with its- different colours, all the land and available water could do light lunch of burritoes, a sort of a conducted tour, briefly. The story, some of their culture — and their hushed and muted: subtle. We stopped — how the devastation of the land Mexican crepe, stuffed with beans, which sounded plausible enough, was dignity. An Arizona civil servant — an the car at a vantage point, and took in could be reversed dramatically. chile, ground beef, and guacamole. that the Grand Canyon was formed by anthropologist who has worked out on the mountains, the deserts, and the We stayed there too long, and did not We’d got a taste for them in Mexican various upthrusts in the earth, X million reservations among the Apache — told seemingly endless plains of sagauro have time to visit “Old Tuscon” nearby, takeaway food places in San Francisco. years ago. These happened gradually, us that by comparison, these once cactus. These cacti are the ones you as we’d hoped to do. This is an entire We were served by a middle-aged and as they occurred, the Colorado indomitable people are now in a sorry see in cowboy films — the tall ones with “Old West” town out in the desert, used woman in a bright iime-coloured print River kept cutting its way through the state. singular trunks; extending, often for the film “Arizona”. The set is now new surfaces. Eventually, the banks uniform, who gave us a maternal smile twisted arms; and distinctly humanoid kept intact for tourists, and further film and marvelled at our accents as she were high above the water, and then expressions. They actually grow up to and TV productions. But we had to presented us with our food. Mandy were eroded away to the current 50 feet, are long-lived, and very press on to New Mexico. later expounded a theory, as we drove canyon, extending 200 miles in length, endearing. Then, back on the freeway, That night we managed to do on through a lot of these places, that with the rims towering, and an aching Before leaving Australia, I’d heard we barrelled on through the heart of something unusual with our AM radio. chasm between them. these uniformed women are America’s and read reports which indicated that Pheonix at 60 m.p.h. Although there isa As we crossed the New Mexico state most important army, fuelling transport Visitors can take various walks down the American Indians are better off lot to see including the famous Heard line, now heading due east again, on and industry. As we drove on that day, winding tracks, and camp out at the than the Australian Aborigines. Yet Museum of Anthropology and Interstate 10, we heard a full news towards the Grand Canyon, the bottom. Some of these trips take days. from what we saw on reservations, in Primitive Art, and the desert bulletin. We hadn’t heard any news at Monarch happily chewing through fuel Or else, there’s the journey down on the cities, and learnt from the rare architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, we all since we left the Grand Canyon. in the soft sun of afternoon, we mule-back, perhaps staying at the media report dealing with the Indians, it had to push on. We cursed our Now all the news was about the M.G.M. marvelled at how the Mexican salubrious hotel accommodation to be seems that this is probabiy not the driveaway timetable. But we knew it Hotel fire in Las Vegas. It happened the takeaway has not yet really hit Australia found at the bottom, before the return case, and that in some respects at least was still the cheapest, most flexible way night we went to the Grand Canyon, — and how it must eventually do so. trip. Unfortunately, we only had time the Aborigines who have returned to to see America. rather than Las Vegas. The announcer Mexican food is just so mushy, so pre­ merely to stare at the marvel so many the bush are recovering to a better level We reached Tuscon, our goal forthat said the body count was now over Americans would later tell us they had . than the Indians. day, about two hours later. There we eighty. NEXT ISSUE: PART 2: TH E S O U TH PAGE 11 . as I listened to the sweet and soothing sound I once again reflected, thank the Lord i was born into the jazz age, what on earth must it have been when ail they had to listen to was ballad tunes and waltzes? Because jazz music is a thing that as few things da makes you feel really at home in the world here, as if ifs an okay notion to be born a human being, or sa” Colin Macinnes: ‘Absolute Beginners’ (1960| ; I •k.<-_,‘-,', ^^1'','' V '•'> ' .'*''V'.'> ■ . ’i' i’

A • ROSS • WILSON • INTERVIEW .-V*?

What did you feel you wanted to romantic ballads way back with Daddy achieve with this record? Cool. RW: Aw, I dunno. We just wanted to RW: Yeah, but they were parodies, make a good record, that’s all. I think that’s the difference. Eric’s love songs I any time you make a record it’s what can deal with because there’s always a you’ve got at the time. couple of ways you can take them. Is it at all hard for you, singing other Is there any theme running through people’s lyrics? the songs? Any areas it touches on a RW: Yeah, but the Wilson/McCusker number of times? thing works out alright, because most RW: Well, we’ve got another self of his things I can see, I can picture: promotion song. Like on Primal Park simply because they’re well written, there was ‘Mondo Shakedown’, on the can project myself into them. And the last one ‘Mondo Sexo’ and on this one James Black song on the album, that’s we’ve got a song called ‘Mondo Mania’ a very good song. I think that’s one of it’s always been my hope that it would which is like our fervent prayer that the my best performances on the album. become a group thing. I’m quite capable of doing solo things and I IVIy main tastes lies towards black American intend to, probably before the year’s music — they always have. Both current and old. out, but working within a group context is always interesting; which is why I do it. There’s a lot of bullshit involved with being four other guys and finding whole world will accept us. Make us What about musically on the album common ground where everyone rich and famous. It delves into — any one predominant style? meets, but when it works that’s what communist oppression of rock’n’roll RW: No, we’re a pretty eclectic bunch makes it good. You can get a new and just generally how we can solve of fellows — I think we showed that on dimension to your music. Like ‘Cool people’s problems by them buying our the last one. We did try to make it a bit World’ — I was much happier with the records and coming to see us play. Aside from that I think the major I’m developing into a custodian of the roots theme that occurs is, in Eric’s songs in particular, tension between people in sound. The Gary Young album and the Dynamic general and men and women in Hepnotics. particular. There’s an old song on the album ‘that I wrote with Gulliver Smith,‘Touch rockier, but what happened was the way that turned out, after everyone put Of Paradise’, which the first Mondo rockier songs are more rocky and the their input into it, than if I’d’ve done it Rock used to do. It’s probably the most ballady songs are more ballady. On the myself. I think that one exceeded my romantic thing I’ve ever done. Serious new album there’s a funky ballad, a real expectations. We’re highly critical of romantic as opposed to parody. I never lush one and one in between. each other all the time, and there’s lots used to feel comfortable singing Is there any one musical force within of songs that don’t make it. romantic songs until I wrote that one the band or is the music a combination What might you do on your own that with Gulliver. of everyone’s interests? wouldn’t fit the band format? But you used to do some real slushy RW: Since we got this thing together RW: I’m not too sure yet. I could do a

PAGE 12 solo album where I tried lots of different good things on the radio there. why you’ve got this English pseudo- boiled down to was get rid of That always happens when there’sa lull things, but what I’ll probably do is a Is that in any way related to the rap . Whenever there’s a lull and ho everything, keep the name, and start in Top 40. Then, as I said the white guys heavy heavy pop sort of thing, crashing thing in New York, Grandmaster Flash inspiration, you go and rip off a few again. go and pinch a few of the new riffs and drums and really big chords with and people like that? black licks. You go back to the source, I’d had my eye on James Black, who they’re off again — wow! And that’s melody on top . . . on one side, and a RW: Ah, rap’s just a fad, you know. where it came from in the first place, was playing with at the what’s been happening (laughing) mixture on the other. One side almost It’s a passing thing. I mean that’s a hard which is solid rhythm. I mean that’s time, eventually it all fell together — since the beginning of rock’n’roll! poppy disco stuff, but not like English core black thing. Only black’s can what’s so good about it — the rhythm is Eric McCusker was the last to join — But you always get a different sound pop disco — I’m not too fond of that. really understand what rap’s all about, so good. Lessons in advanced the original guitarist dipped out at the because we hear things differently. American — true pop disco. because it’s all to do with that syncopation. It’s like science fiction to Do you still have an interest in traditional old thing, insulting your most people — too complex. 'Eagle RockV— I can’t believe it! Last year people ? I remember one of the early neighbour. That’s what rap’s really Do you go back to those roots very used to ask for it, now they scream for it. often? Whenever there’s a lull and no inspirationp you go RW: My favourite person of all time is and rip off a few black licks. You go back to the John Lee Hooker. Most people just last minute, went overseas. What about Australia? source, where it all came from in the first piace. . . think he invented ‘the boogie’, but what What had he done before that, RW: What I find interesting about he does is nothing like what he’s said to because he seemed a bit like a bolt Australia is that you can view it as a be. I’ve got a huge collection of records from the blue? microcosm of the whole thing. The by him and he’s an amazing artist as far RW: He was with the Matchbox Band Australian thing is an indication of how incarnations of Mondo Rock used to about I reckon. The interesting thing as I’m concerned. And like Jimi at that stage. He was a Sydney based feature quite a lot of reggae. about rap is that it’s probably diverse it’s all become. Because each Hendrix was like a modern John Lee musician before, and he had played on act in Australia has got a pretty definite RW: That came from Daddy Cool. •influenced a bit by Jamaican dub Hooker. My tastes go from John Lee lots of minor things, pick-up bands, personality of its own. And it covers a We used to play reggae music in Daddy music, and it’s funny for American Hooker onwards — the rnid forties, the people like Jeff St. John, Jon English lot of areas, from Mondo Rock to the Cool. No-one knew at the time, black music to be influenced by stuff microgroove era. Band, faceless bands. because we weren’t in favour — it was from somewhere else. Angels, to , Icehouse, Are you playing much guitar onstage Was he writing songs at that stage? Mental As Anything. I mean, they’re all lately? RW: Yeah. He wrote quite a few quite different. And yet, they’re all RW: Nah, I’m a lousy guitarist. songs for the Captain Matchbox. Both rock’n’roll bands, as well as pop music Terrible. on his own and with Mick Conway. A bands. They strike that balance. I think You used to hold your end up pretty lot of material. I went along and saw that’s ‘cos they’ve gotta go out there well! them, after he’d auditioned for us. It and prove it in hotels — which is a hard RW: The guys in the band keep was a bit hard to tell because they audience to please. saying, ‘Need a bit of extra guitar in weren’t a real rock’n’rolly outfit, but Do you feel that means that a lot of there’, and I go, ‘Please don’t make me even so, his songs stood o u t. . . I just the more extreme and perhaps more do it, I hate it.’ They’ve got me playing a had a feeling, and I just had to use my original talent in Australia just withers bit in one of Eric’s songs — all I have to intuition, and there was some doubt, on the vine? do is go digger digger digger digger — from the guys, cos his equipment was a RW: Yeah, possibly, but I don’t know even that’s hard for me. I’m not bad on bit scratchy. But he was eager to please whether it wouldn’t wither on the vine sound, but I’m terrible on playing . . . — I think he felt, ‘This is a good chance, wherever it was. The only example I Do you think you’ve always been and I’d like to do this.’ That’s what I like can think of, of a band getting attention, terrible? about him, he’s willing to listen and is the Birthday Party. They’re the big RW: I’m a reasonable rhythm analyse, accepts criticism without hope for all those people who are out guitarist. But the guitar to me, really is a getting angry, That’s what I like, on a limb. But they’re so far out on a big mystery. I can’t get to grips with it at y’know. limb that there’s no-one to compare all. So I prefer to leave it alone. Anyone that saw us when we first ‘em with, I think that’s why they got Do you still enjoy playing live? started out with this band, who saw us attention elsewhere. RW: Oh yeah, I tell ya, I don’t do now would see a huge difference in the Do you go out much? anything that I don’t like to do. I do total sound, and in Eric’s guitar playing. RW: Not lately, I don’t think there’s whatever I like . . . and that’s exactly His solo guitarstuff on the new album is too much good new stuff around. I’m what I’m doing now. great. pretty aware of what is around. I’ve stopped going out because I can’t find I don’t do anything that I don’t like to do. I do anything that interests me. I mean I’ve whatever I like . . . and that’s exactly what I’m got my interests in that direction — I doing now. produced a couple of tracks before Xmas for the — but that’s in an area which I like anyway, and I’m attracted because they do it Have you ever been disheartened? Whar IS your live repertoire these well. And they’re probably the only RW: The time I got disheartened was days? ones locally who are doing it well. And when we cut the ‘Primal Park’ album. RW: ‘Chemistry’, ‘’ and that’ll be coming out on a six tracker We cut a whole album in Sydney and ‘Eagle Rock’! (laughs). ‘Eagle Rock’, I through Missing Link. I hope I can work only one track ended up on the album. I can’t believe it, it’s reaching incredible with them again — these things we’ve knew it was going wrong and I felt it proportions of popularity at the done aren’t bad, but I reckon we could was out of control. We got back to moment. Last year people used to ask make a good pop/soul record. Melbourne and I said to the record for it, but now they scream out for it I’m developing into a custodian of the company, ‘We’ve got a couple of new y’know. The perfect way to end the roots sound. The Gary Young album songs, can we cut them?’ and they said night. and the Dynamic Hepnotics. ‘Yeah’, they were good about it. And Are you happy with the way things Melbourne always seems to be much then we cut a side live, because that are going for you? more aware of the roots of music than seemed to be the only place the band RW: Oh, I reckon there’s always any other city in Australia. were cutting it, was live. And from 1V2 room for improvement, shit. That’s half RW: Maybe it’s just got a more solid hours on stage we got what we couldn’t the reason you’re in it. To try and get cultural base. People research what get from several weeks in the studio. better. What I like about it is, provided they’re doing. Mmmm, I don’t know That showed me that that band worked we can sell a few copies of the new why that is. Probably just reflects the on stage but not in the studio, I dunno album, and have a couple more hits and personalities of the cities. Like whether they got spooked or what . . . stuff, there’s scope for everyone within Sydney’s a real flashy sort of thing, fad the group to branch out and do other music catches on a lot quicker there. So I thought that’s that, out of the things as well, y’know. Like Eric sings a And like if you have a hit record in way. But when I did get disheartened; song on the new album, and I reckon Sydney, you can work everywhere. we went out and toured and supported he’ll put out solo records eventually Sydney’s really radio orientated. If you it, and after three months I disbanded too. He’s got enough songs. And I’d like haven’t got a hit you’re nowhere. the band; the management side of to do that too. Because Mondo Rock to We’re probably more popular in things seemed a little directionless, so I me is just a place where five guys meet Sydney than anywhere else. thought I’d look for another manager, and do something together. But we’re Melbourne we’re popular, but we tend in the last year or so of Daddy Cool. No- American black music has never one that’ll be there 24 hours a day and all capable of doing other things. I to get taken a little for granted, because one knew what it was anyway. But really been big in Australia, has it? who’ll look after us. We were going mean, James Black, he’s got talents we’ve been based there for the last five Hannaford and I were into it back in74- RW: No, and I used to get crapped off through Glen Wheatley, who is a good incredibly untapped. The one and a years. 75. That’s why Hannaford went on to with that. A few years ago I was talking personal friend of mine and everything, half songs he’s contributed is just the Do you ever think of moving your play it in Billy T and Lucky Dog. to a program manager at a Melbourne but he wasn’t available. His full thing beginning for him. I don’t know base? But my main tastes lie towards black radio station and I said ‘Why don’t you was L.R.B. And I don’t reckon you can whether solo things would be RW: I did about 4 years ago, when American music — they always have. have a funk program, play some nice concentrate on more than one or two successful but that’s what makes life everything seemed to be moving to Both current and real old. on a Sunday night or acts at a time. interesting, to try that sort of stuff. Sydney. But I’m really glad I didn’t. Whadderyer reckon? (To Eric Melbourne’s just come back into its There seems to have been a McCusker who has joined us). own I reckon. When I was younger, in resurgence in that area lately . . . The Australian thing is an indication of how McCusker: Yeah. An articulate yeah. my early 20’s, I used to think Melbourne RW: There’s a real big renaissance in diverse the whole thing has become. Because each What do you feel about the way rock was a really depressing place, just sort real funky stuff — not boring funk. Real act in Australia has a pretty definite personality of is going in general these days? of grey and nothing there at all, I interesting stuff. RW: Rock’s going through one of its couldn’t wait to leave. I went to People Like Prince and Rick James? its own. real wishy-washy periods again. I hope England, and even when I came back it RW: No, I don’t count them. They’re we’re not contributing to that — some didn’t seem all that good ~ there were not part of it. Prince is a crossover — msrns^rnmimsmmmm people think we are. I don’t particularly a few good things happening and I that’s why you’re hearing about him? something,’ and he said, ‘Aw listen, it’d And I thought, well I may as well think so — we’re a bunch of kinda got it together professionally and Most of the junk that’s on the American be nice to do it but Melbourne’s whiter change record companies at the same more than anything else. started to work and get well known, but Top 100 Funk chart, you don’t hear than white.’ (Laughs) So if you want to time because there was the same thing We don’t get out and scream and shout still didn’t really have a good vibe for here, you might hear one from the top hear it you’ve got to find a good disco there — because the management — we try to express ourselves a bit the place. Now, just over the last few ten. I was just over there a few weeks with a DJ that knows his music. There didn’t really know, what to do the record more subtly. That comes back to what years, I reckon it’s a good place to be. I ago and . . . even the stores here that are a couple around — not very many. company didn’t really know either. we were talking about before, the funk like coming back to Melbourne, and I stock disco, they don’t touch the tip of They’d just had a bad experience with renaissance,.soul music really pushing like living there, I like the street I live in the iceberg. There are discs that I heard It’s been my experience that us too, you know (laughs). That was through and making an impression. and everything. there that are really big hits and I’ve musicians are a lot more Into black EMI. tried to get ’em at local disco stores and sounds than the Australian general So that’s when I decided to make a . . . it’s hard, there’s not a really big public . . . last ditch attempt to make a household market here, but there’s some really RW: Musicians usually are —■ that’s name out of Mondo Rock. And what it

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IT WAS REAL FUNNY,” chuckles Jon English, “well, not at the time it wasn’t, but now as I iook back, i can have a good ’oi laugh just thinking about il What happened was, I was at doing a phoner with one of the DJ’s here in Adelaide. I don’t recail his name, but it must’ve been only minutes that w e’d been talking. Mind you, it was aii live to I air. And the next minute, this security guard comes up and taps me on the shoulder. He starts telling me about some escapee that had just got loose and they needed the phone box that I was in to cali for heip. Now, I’m only human and I do have my priorities and before anything else, I value my life! But in thirty seconds, it wasn’t easy to convince the DJ of what ws going on at my end of the line. He obviously thought it was all a big joke. W ell, when you’ve got a uniformed guard breathing down the back of your neck, and your forehead is sweating and your heart is beating so hard it’s almost visible, I can tell you, it’s no joke! I went to hang up a few times and all he could say was “And how’s the new album going Jon, we haven’t discussed that y e t” and I’m saying “Ah it’s really trivial, you wouldn’t be interested anyway, well, gotta g o . . . Bye.” And then on the other end of the line is left some confused DJ who’s not sure whether he’s coming or going. What else could I have done? It’s certainly a memorable occasion that’s for sure. One I won’t forget for a long time! Everyone laughed as Jon English spoke. He looked as though he thoroughly enjoyed being the centre of attention. Jon was in Adelaide during M ay as part of his tour following the release of his new album Beating The Boards’. He actually had a few hours to relax before that night’s gig and was revelling in his role as guest of honour at a suburban barbecue, chatting amiably to anyone who came his way. I had seen Jon and The Foster Brothers the previous evening playing to a sold out city venue. The crowd loved ’em as they made their way through two hours of foot stomping, hand clapping entertainment. He’s one of Australia’s most successful performers and the audience — one of the most varied I’ve ever seen, by their reaction, proved that he still had what it takes. Th e Foster Brothers are an extremely tight band considering the short time that they’ve been together. At the moment all band members take their hand at song-writing, but Jon’s present show includes material from years back AND new songs written by himself and The Foster Brothers. Clad in tight fitting jeans and baggy shirt, bearing the wording “Jon English and the Foster Brothers”, he eventually made his way toward me and half whispered “hey, do you wanna see something?” i nodded and followed the lanky singer down the dark passage way of the house and into the laundry. He took great pride in showing me his newly acquired Dalmation pup that he had just bought for his two daughters. It’s obvious that fame hasn’t changed Jon English too much as he kneels on the tiled floor and lets Belvedere (the pup) climb all over him. “Do you mind if we do the interview in here?” he asked “ Belvedere gets lonely”. Looking at Belvedere and then at Jon, how could I refuse? The glamour usually linked with being a star was noticeably absent as the smell of the BBQ began to make its w ay throughout the house. Dnce the pup had finished sniffing out both tape recorder and microphone, the interview got underway. V “ Jon English was born in London in 1949, moving to Australia with his family in 1963. He has made a name for himself with Australian AND overseas audiences. , Jon agreed was his first real break.

JE I was nearly at the point of giving way that it’s turned out, I haven’t. group will vary where you are most popular?. been overseas, you suddenly it all away because you need a I think mistakes are there to be obviously depending on the JE Yeah, if you’re not counting New realise that we are living in a tremendous amount of made and as long as you take venue that you play. At pubs, Zealand. good place. perseverance to get out of the note of them when you make you’re more likely to pull a pub JH What do you put that down to? JH Its a pity how some Australian garages and onto the big stage. them, they’re probably quite type crowd. We don’t pull a lot of JE Just basically down to the fact bands have to go overseas and Superstar offered the best of good for you. It’s pointless new wave sort of people. We’re . that we’ve never really pushed it. get recognised before Australia both worlds. It offered fame and trying to say that no-one’s ever basically a very mainstream We haven’t got out and hustled takes any notice of them. fortune and also a bit of stability. going to make mistakes. I mean, band. In pubs, it’s pretty much for overseas recognition. It’s It was such a good training they just do. It all depends on the same crowd everywhere, but never been the most important JE Sure, but all that means is that ground to all sorts of things. the strength of your own grain, they’ve always been good ■thing. Americans like that sort of - Stagecraft and punctuality, as to whether you’re prepared to crowds. I think the' mistake that music and people over here JH What about in times to come, do what people look at on stage learn from it. Or if you let the a lot of people make is to don’t. I get annoyed at endless you think it will be then? and what they’re distracted by. mistakes screw you up in your categorise. An audience is an pratting from A lot of things have to be learnt head and get bitter about them. audience, all people are the JE No, because it’s more important shows that say, this song was through experience, but in same. If you just entertain and to me to be recognised and JH At concerts, do you draw a number one in England, Superstar you had to learn real try not to be boring then people successful here than anywhere particular crowd?- I’m talking therefore it will be a big hit here. quick. Since then, I’ve been in will like it. You’vegotto mix it up. else because this is where I about the age group more than What status it holds overseas the public eye for ten years. You have to do ballads and up choose to live. Australia is the anything. should be totally irrelevant. We JH Have there been any regrets, as tempo things. The lot. If you most important country to me. have individual tastes and there you look back on your career? JE We’re arguably the most across don't, then it becomes boring. That’s not being nationalistic or is an individual flavour to JE Obviously yeah. But now, the the board act in Australia now. JH Apart from Australia, is Europe flag waving, but once you have Australia now. PAGE 14 JH How pleased are you with the JH Was much help new album? back in the Countdown days? JE If I was to never release another JE Only by the virtue that he got album, and someone said, I Countdown going. He wasn’t have never heard of Jon English directly helpful to me. He’s been and I’d like to hear one of his helpful to the whole Australian albums, I’d like them to hearthat industry because before one. It’s so much like us and Countdown, there was very little i i m M A m E s m i what we do. rock on TV. Even though I JH It also sums it up in a way. hardly know the guy, we’ve met JE 'Yeah, so whether you like it or quite a few times, but on you don’t, it’s us. occasions, we haven’t seen eye JH Ever since you started, has there to eye. I think we’re probably a been one track that’s been a little uncomfortable in each favourite? other’s company. It can work JE I suppose I’ve got a soft spot for that way, but I have the utmost ••••••• ‘Hollywood Seven’ although its respect for what he’s been ••••••• vastly different from when we doing. He knows exactly what ••••••• first recorded it. I like songs like he wants to do and is fiercely •••••••« that. Favourites of mine really launching Australian music. I >•••••••« • • • • • • • vary because I like doing ‘Turn think Molly will still be around The Page’, ‘Josephine’, ‘The when I’m dead and gone, and Leader’, to name a few. I like I’ve been around for awhile now. songs that you can get your JH Before you made a name for teeth into and actually perform. yourself as Jon English, what JH A lot of bands say that when were you doing? Were you in they’re up on stage, it’s easier to any other bands? perform fast songs all the time. JE Yes, I was in a band in Sydney Especially when they’re playing called Sebastian Hardy. Since I to pub crowds. Do you find that? left, they’ve kicked on. I JE Well, you’re bound to*get a more produced an album for them. Its positive reaction if you play fast funny, some of the people you songs. Fast, loud songs, so that meet and then in years to come, the audience can’t talk and be they’re bound to make it sooner distracted. The art form is to or later. The proof of it is play a slow song and hold their whether you manage to stay attention, which you can do there, or what sort of a head you almost as easily. Particularly if keep on your shoulders, it’s done with a certain amount because it is just a job. You of energy. It’s up to you to make might be blessed by having the crowd look at you. It’s not up some sort of thing that makes to the crowd to look at you. I people look at you and enjoy it. think that if you mix it up and There’s a lot of homework and a entertain, they’ll watch you. lot of learning that you’ve got to JH Did you always want to be a rock do. If you ever reach the point and roll singer? where you think you’re too good Perth music life has a new flavour. It’ll gelling into a cohesive songmaking' JE Yes, I mean, I always wanted to to stop learning then it’s the time swear. be just as good in the morning as it was unit over at least the next six months. be an entertainer. I’m fond of to stop. And if you think that As for the music; mmm . . . last night if you stick it to the bedpost They don’t need reassuring that with rock and roll obviously. It’s the you’re the answer to the world’s interesting, mostly tasteful but often of their many disparate strengths even the primary sort of art form problems, then it’s definitely the overnight. L. Rocaderos rode into town dubious taste. L. Roccaderos take their most jaundiced listener would have to nowadays, arguably it will be time to stop. There’s far too May 12th at that veritable institution. music very seriously but don’t take testify to their potential. This isn’t challenged in the next ten years much ego involved in being a The Cat. The boys in this band should themselves seriously. They’re not potential potential, this is potential by video. I think it’s a question of rock and roll- singer. It’s really prove to bean uncompromising bunch. above sneering at the audience, ready to grow wings. not just restricting yourself to just another job. They insist on being all-original. They sometimes seriously, sometimes as Personal j4ighlights? For me, the rock and roll. I listen to a lot of JH If you had three choices as to have 60 songs between four writers and good natured banter. Actually, if I had soul man vocals of Dave Rose were the different classical pieces of what’s most important to you for that reason insist on doing gigs on to reach for a term to describe their high point. I love soul music but this is music, all sorts. We try and put a now, how would you order their own unless some substantial music it would be — dare I say it — only I’ve ever heard it bit of everything into the show, them. Does singing come first? financial carrot is dangled in front of psychedelic! Eclectic could be as live. (The first time was No Fixed but we still use rock and roll as a JE The most important thing to me them. The only way you’ll get these appropriate, but best of all. I’d like to Address.) Rose is the first vocalist in medium. guys out of their garages and call it absurdist. Wright’s guitar work is the home situation. That Perth to give an inkling of soul and he JH When you were first starting, bedrooms to back your next double provides most of the touch of means a lot and I want to keep it. stamps song after song with it. Songs was there anyone in particular billing will be to give them your psychedelia and the music is eclectic The second thing is to remain which range from mock crooning to that you looked up to? pittance. due to the vast experience and talent of happy in what I’m doing out and out funk throw back their JE Obviously were the the band. “How is it absurdist?” You because while I do, then it’s So who are these foolish young heads and stare straight at you, holding catalysts, they started it all. I tiredly ask. Because this is rock and roll easy. And then to make sure that men? Well, as they billed themselves nothing back. The other highlight was have always been a Who fan. as it shouldn’t be played by musicians I don’t start second guessing for the cat, they’re the “New Wright, simply the luxury of having L. There was a lot more to them who wished they didn’t feel so stupid. people. As long as I’m doing Rose, Bailey, Beatty and Edwards Roccaderos on the scene. Perth, as has than just being a rock and roll These guys even have the gall to play a what I want to do then that's fine. Band”; which is interesting because been grumbled about in these pages band. Firstly, they were very slow-burning soul ballad as the second JH Why do you think you’ve they’re the first such band. I guess often, is struggling to find an original inventive. I like their sound and last song Of the night. Jeez boys — the managed to last so long in the they’re claiming to be new. New faces music scene. Band after band of young their approach. It’s very dancers only just got up on the floor!. music business? they’re not (except for Edwards and his hopefuls have popped up only to wilt powerful and violent and what They followed that with a tongue in JE I think it’s because we’ve never face looks considerably worse for and die. (I’d like to tell you in brutal they’re doing is terribly intricate. cheek (I think?) ditty called “(I don’t been a fashion band. We’re not wear), a new sound they are. Wright, terms why one day.) Now we have a Lyrically there’s some really want to) my wrists”. Song after trend setters in terms of looks Rose and Bailey, of course, played as band of experienced musicians good comment. I think that song confirms my suspicion as it and style and the whole thing. an acoustic trio for some time a few coming from the opposite end. They they’re the guys that show just catalogues the human condition as And there’s nothing more old years back. Bailey is the name of the have the music, connections and how far you can go because “ridiculous”. Even the straight songs fashioned than last years group having played with Warner, the panache to upset quite a few they’ve done all sorts of things. (and there are a surprising number of fashions. I’d say that’s the Dugites and numerous other conventions. I sense that L. JH Who would you put down to these once you count them up) only reason why we’ve lasted. permutations of sleazy characters. Roccaderos are too intelligent and being the most helpful to you in serve to highlight this by their JH So when you do stop, will it be Beatty is a drummer from Busselton strong-willed to pamper to commercial the business? juxtaposition against the “off the wall” when you’re not happy doing who has played in various aborted death. (DAH-DAH-DAH, DAAH; cue JE Various people. Carmen, my numbers. Furthermore, the “straight” what you’re doing, when the bands around Perth and the south­ from Beethoven’s fifth.) If I’m right I wife, has helped a lot by having a songs are nevertheless characterized crowd’s not happy, or both? west for some years including “Bunyip” should say I think they’ll be recording a basically solid home life. by L. Roccaderos singularemphasison JE A combination of both for sure. where he initially linked up with Ddve very good album before the end of the Because of that, life is a lot off-beat ideas and creating new People say, aren’t you a bit old Rose. Finally, this is Edward’s first band year. easier to take and there’s always textures. to be doing all this? I don’t think I as he has been very sensible and So, go and see them, or rather, be a dark corner that you can am because as long as you do it acquired himself an education first. At this point I want to say that I’m not where they’re playing. Be where every retreat into. If you don’t have gracefully and you age (Engineering). He’s a fine keyboardist really raving about this band (yet). My new band advertised in town is playing. that, it can be very depressing. gracefully, it should be all right. I who isn’t the slightest bit daunted by preference in Aus. rock stands with the Get into the scene — not just this scene Obviously I have a soft spot for was 33 in March, so I started some of the musical heavies in the Birthday Party but I’ll contend that L. or that scene — get into the whole Harry Miller, cos of Superstar late. 23 is actually quite late to group. So that’s them, foolish men — Roccaderos show enormous potential. shebang. There are musicians out and the break. Peter Rix, my start, in the public’s eye anyway. Rose on vocals, guitar, percussion and Unfortunately, the sheer range of there who want to give and share a current manager is great But I’ve been doing it since I was nerves; Wright on lead guitar and seat; expression they indulge in (yes, good time with you. They want to open because he just took all of the about fifteen. On my own, this is Edwards on keyboards, dancing and indulge in) detracts from many of their your minds and they want you to open shit away from me and left me my tenth year in the business musical colours; Bailey on bass guitar songs. I was going to put this to Mr. theirs. (They’re trying already, you’ll time to concentrate on what I do and Beating The Boards is our and base humour and the redoubtable Beatty but he pre-empted rny question have to try a little harder). L. best, which is organising shows tenth album. (well that’s what someone shouted out) by stating that the band is well aware Roccaderos — go for it! (See I watch and songs. If you’re distracted Mr. Beatty on drums enjoying himself of this weakness and are simply T.V. too!). by irrelevant crap, it’s a worry.' Jodi Hoffmann at last. By the way, it’s his real name, I looking forward to writing together and Mr. Squiggle.

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ELVIS COSTELLO: Even Costello’s lyrics which, like David Byrne’s Thebarton Town Hall, of Talking Heads, have become almost self- Adelaide parodying, were pushed to the side tonight; shoved into a petty corner as the modern Elvis Some of the greatest enjoyment I have culled crooned. That voice, as warm and woolly as a from ‘rock’ music has been from bands like the heavy blanket on the coldness of a May nighh Jam, Aztec Camera, U.K. Squeeze and, of course, wrapped itself, perfectly pitched, around very, Elvis Costello. These people belong to that very attentive ears. I’ve never seen an audience so unusually small group of plucky individuals who appreciatively silent and wide-eyed, as Costello pick old handcuffs with new keys, taking old, paced through numbers that demanded vocal perhaps even jaded styles, into modernity by re­ perfection and emotion. Like ‘Good Year For O " V " fashioning their frameworks and adding new XJ o Roses’, ‘Alison’, ‘New Lace Sleeves’ or the ideas. Motown-ballad version of ‘I Can’t Stand Up For 26 songs — count ’em — 26 songs (if you Falling Down’, songs beckoning, almost MONDO include the encores) and, for those who curbed demanding, quiet respect. And I’ve never heard their desire to see the concert for fear of a an audience so appreciatively loud on the bombardment of country, you guessed wrong. conclusion of those, and all other songs. The style was given a nod of only three songs. The Hall ran over with love and respect, simply Quite clearly, this was a concert designed to because Costello is that rare thing, a performer. encapsulate the best of what was, is and will be, He never plays to the audience, but rather for with some five tracks from the forthcoming them. Giving them not quite what they would ‘Imperial Bedroom’ (all of which illustrate a return expect, but serving it up on a platter so inviting to the style of ‘Trust’) and a collection of 0 U T that everyone laps it up. The gilt-edge to this is favourites. that Costello and the Attractions seem to enjoy What makes this ‘give the crowd what they NOW the whole thing. When Elvis smiled, faces around want’ attitude so utterly palatable, is the tight but me lit up, as if to say, ‘Hey, we’ve pleased him’; rough-edged quality of the Attraction’s playing. Costello was that much in control of the situation. 0 N Possibly the best pop combo in existence, the But who’s complaining? . . . Attractions reaffirm the best parts of the known When absolutely everyone, audience, band and material, whilst adding new zest by the sheer fire yourself, has toes tapping and big, silly, happy uuea and skill of their playing. ’s painfully grins splashed lavishly across their faces, you brilliant classical runs and jazz inflections, know, beyond reasonable doubt, that your R E C 0 R 0 S Costello’s cliched but beautiful raunch guitar- experiencing pure and unadulterated enjoyment. work, Bruce Thomas’ precise drumming, and To end on a very cliched, but suitable journalistic ’ basswork, which defies limitations, AND note — and after all, it does seem in keeping ^ creating melodic and almost chromatic basslines Costello made one and all ‘get happy’. all over the fretboard. And, damn it, the ease with TAPES which they play!!! Earl Grey

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[• / PO ISO L-l: PAGE 16 Screaming Believers are an Adelaide catchy and commercial product to Crisp frantic pop, clean as a whistle based band. They have played at the tempt you into buying their new L.P. and brisk as a winter’s evening. Worth Union Hotel (where this E.P. was Coolly calculating and almost flipping over for ‘Work Hard (Polish S IN G L E Srecorded) on and off for the past 3 guaranteed of strategic success. Reggae Party)’, a wonderfully bizarre years. That’s a criminal waste, but Solidarity meets ‘Summertime ’ Confusion, mellee, you can’t tell the hrniliriiL'i with treadmill. Deserves to do well. perhaps valuable because when this difference! They’re all laying down their band bursts open nationally they’re arms and surrendering to each other. SUDAN And dancing together! Is this the end of going to have the impact of a tactical : Sardine v : (White'Label Records) nuclear weapon. Simply the Believers First off, my personal apology for the criticism as we know it? Sardine v develop great rhythm have a repertoire of great songs (like non-appearance of the singles column atmosphere through a sparing use of those other Adelaide hopefuls in the last couple of issues. The reason BECAUSE YOU’RE sounds. A very impressive debut and a is quite simple. I’ve been rushing YOUNG Speedboat and now Sydney based The strikingly original piece of work. around madly trying to keep this leaky : Private Lives : (Chrysalis) Spell). I’m sad ‘Life Is Cheap In El boat (Roadrunner) afloat, and also Proving that even a sjjper-whiz Salvador’ isn’t on this E.P. but‘Little Girl BAP’S GROOVE quite frankly there hasn’t been producer like Martin Rushent can’t turn In Red’ and especially the superlative : Perrin, Lisner & Cox : (Real Gone) anything I’ve found really startling every sow’s ear into a silk purse. provoking ‘Don’t Talk Of Love’ are, and ‘Bap’s Groove’ sounds like rough-cut Blue Rondo, but ‘Alabaster Baby’ is come my way (apart from Little Heroes’ are definitely worth the price of cool, if a little solemn. ‘One Perfect Day’ girls, of course!). admission. So in some belated effort to get KICK IN THE EYE THE DAY THE WORLD ahead here is my opinion of the current GONE DEAD : BauH^us : (Beggar’s Banquet) crop of 45 rpm vinyl, along with Bowie. ENDED (E.P.) : The Moodists : (Au-Go-Go). selected highlights from the not quite : The Dri Horrors : (Horrible Records) Nup. Still too hard. so current. HOLD ME A. Sloppy Ska. B. Thrasheroo : Fleetwood Mac : (WEAJ Boogie. C. Dirgey drudge. D. See Mondo Rock. Scratchedy-Scratch. The record label ONLY YOU just about sums it up. Actually ‘Sing Me : Yazoo : (Mute). SEE YOU A Song’ (D) is the best song by far. This is quite simply superb. One ex : Depeche Mode : (Mute) Depeche Mode chap and a chubby girl Depeche Mode! Depeche Mode! (don’t worry — their names will be Who? household by next week) a love song so traditional it’ll probably be covered 5:15/FUCK ARZ LETS DANCE by Julie Andrews and a stunning I DON’T WANT TO LIVE display of simplicity. WITH MONKEYS Electro-pop is storming the middle of : The Higsons : (Romans in Britain the road and turning that moribund Records) desert of leftover hasbeens and never- What a fucking title! It’s almost better than the name of the record company. wases into a veritable garden of GO WILD IN THE delights. There’s hope! The Higsons are from Norwich, East S "W I Anglia, England (the flat bit in the east COUNTRY GONE DEAD above London) but they manage to : Bow Wow Wow : (RCA) : The Moodists : (Au-Go-Go) funk that jungle samba stuff like some Highly amusing. Features a black & Uh-huh. Too difficult. bunch of Rio de Janeiro street punks. white picture sleeve of the ‘We’re Only ] Cross Gang-of Four with Pigbag. In It For The Manet’ album cover. ITS JUST THAT I MISS I RAN YOU AIRWAVES : Flaming Hands : (Phantom) : Flock of Seagulls : (Jive) FUCK ART, LET’S DANCE Much better without the video. : Thomas Dolby ; (Parlophone) This is really quite superb — an (Au-Go-Go) Unfortunately I’m tainted with the I can’t work out whether this is a : 5:15 : immaculate production, tons of soul vision of this fat little blonde twerp promotion for 5-MMM’s subscriber A good time for cretins. and feeling in Julie Mostyn’s voice, a going round & round in circles and magazine or just a pile of shit. I fear the fine break-up song, great supportive pawing at cheap sets half heartedly latter. and sympathetic playing, a shivers pursued by 2 female extras from Star down the spine sax solo . . . you Trek. A bouncy, electropop HIT YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND couldn’t ask for much more. Equal nonetheless. : Sunnyboys ; (Mushroom) Single of the Month (with Yazoo). A great pop song — but only if you’ve seen them live! The Sunny’s generate WITHOUT YOU great spirit but have yet to capture it in : : (Mercury) : : (Rak) Sounds a bit like the Dugites with More like it! Better with the video — I recorded form. When they do — batten whom they share a common origin; find delight in watching Kim Wilde, and down the hatches! THE EMPEROR’S NEW without the musical complexity, but not why not? — but on sound alone the CLOTHES a bad sounding debut. There’s better young lady is a giantess of modern MURDERED BY THE : Dorian Gray : (Au-Go-Go) on the L.P. though. pop. Kim Wilde’s first four singles, MUSIC This sounds NKp the Birthday Party remember them, ‘’, : Yukihiro Takahasi : (Regular-2) doing a of Cream’s ‘Tales GO GO ‘’, ‘Cambodia’ and Highly amusing. Cover’s O.K. but of Brave Ulysses’ (‘Disraeli Gears’ : Super K : (Green) ‘View From A Bridge’ is the most gets beaten by the music (groan — (1967). The merit of this combination impressive singles run from anyone, REMEMBER, REMEMBER A fun-bouncy novelty item that falls a unintentional pun) which is Japanese I’ll leave completely up to you. bit flat on its face; but would probably anywhere, since the Pistols, with : Out of Nowhere : (Prince Melon) version of Split Enz meets . sound alright after a couple bottles of ‘Anarchy In The UK’, ‘God Save The It’s on! It’s on! The Incredible String champagne. Queen’, ‘Pretty Vacant’ and ‘Holidays In PARTY FEARS TWO Band revival starts right here! The Sun’. Funny how times change The Associates ; (WEA). innit? Good — but not great. Billy GIRL CRA±Y Mackenzie’s voice, featured recently on : Hot Chocolate : (RAK) RADIO the B.E.F. pop history rewrite album, is A pulsing, loping, rhythmic, unashamedly sexual piece of music. : The Members : (Island) definitely an acquired taste. It’s Should be immediately adopted as the On which Nicky Tesco, sounding like exaggerated here to the point of theme song of the Wombat Clubmotto; Eric Burden’s younger brother, and the parody. (eats roots and leaves). rest of the ‘Offshore Banking Business’ VACATION mob haul themselves off the mat CRIMSON AND CLOVER winking and bellowing and strutting a : The Go-Go’s : (I.R.S.) la Latin busker style as if nothing had What’s this, girls? No deviation from : Joan Jett and the Blackhearts : (Liberation) ever happened. ‘Ow are yer, Nicky? the formula yet? Ah well, when you’re I’m old enough to remember the Where yer bin? Nice ter see yer agin.’ pn a winning streak .. . Tommy James and the Shondells MIRROR, MIRROR SHOW ME original, and a heap of other good stuff NO TIME they did too, and.Joanie strips it down : Dollar : (WEA) YOUR MONEY (E.P.) : Mondo Rock : (WEA) neatly adding some heavy guitar and Dollar, Dollar as the middle of the : Screaming Believers : (Empty Dogma Making full use of the considerable TAKE ONE STEP vocal distortion. Records). road attacks electropop on the left musical talents within the combo, Young Home Buyers : flank, supported by Bucks Fizz. Go on, show it. It’s worth it. The Mondo Rock present a competent. (Rough Diamond) Donald Robertson

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PAGE 17 MOVING PICTURES define. They weren’t really good on this particular CHURCH occasion, and yet, to call them ordinary would ETE TOWNSHEND RUNNERS almost be an insult. It’s all part of the enigma that Hordern Pavlova is the Church, that couldn’t possibly be any other. Sydney Just 18 months ago. Moving Pictures were one hell of a good band. Audiences were small, but dedicated in the extreme. The material bubbled We were informed that rock ’n roll history was with a fresh vigor, and Alex Smith used a being made: 12,000 people in one day to see 3 magnificent voice to tell a thousand stories of a Australian bands; two shows that were both thousand lives that applied to anyone who totally sold out. listened and understood. The Pavlova was the final leg of a mammoth And yes, I am using the past tense. Because the cross-country tour by the two major bands, and it latter day Moving Pictures bear no resemblance was obvious to all that the risks undertaken by whatsoever to their distant counterparts now promoters and management had well and truly sufferi ng from a bad case of rigor mortis — that is, paid off, thanks to the extremity of officially dead. I’ve often wondered how many commercialism and a calculated shrewdness by original fans are left today; somehow, I don't think all concerned. I’d run out of fingers whilst counting. The natives were getting restless (past their It was a sight that will take a long time to forget: bedtime), but it wasn’t actually the Runners that 6000 teenagers silhouetted in the smoke-hazy they wanted to see. They had no choice, though glow of spotlights. . . . 6000 perfectly executed — imprisoned in a sweaty crush of their own Alex Smith impersonations of “What about me”. making, one could be tempted to say that they got The stomach churned as the voices rose in just what they deserved. unison. Look Mum, I know all the words! Ycch. Hailed excitedly as one of Australia’s most “up And what about A1ex and the M.P’s? and coming” young bands, they delivered a set Oh yes, Ian Lees and Gary Frost are stilt using that was strong, assured, and abysmally dull. For the same _ choreographer and pursuing a such a new band, the usual rawness and rough challenging routine; Paul Freeland is still looking edges were replaced by a precision that was dwarfed by a huge kit (you could swear he only almost cold in an absence of challenge. No flaws, plays the snare and cymbals.); Charlie Cole is still nothing to grab hold of. pretending to be with two fingered Remember the rash of Oz Crawlettes at the piano playing; and Andy Thompson’s saxaphone height of “Boys Light Up” frenzy? The bands that is still managing to sound like a breathless mouse. came from nowhere, sounded like half 2SM’s But there’s a few things missing. . . . Like record collection, and faded (with amazing spontanaeity. Sincerity. Credibility. rapidity) into the oblivion that spawned them? The “backing band”, however, are only The same phenomenon is now being repeated for incidental to the major star of the night; Alex all to bop along to, and if the Runners were Redford-Smith, dramatist extraordinaire! Every renamed Moving Slides, then who would I be to song, every word, was accompanied by a flourish disagree? With Alex Mkl I as lead singer, they can’t of the hands, a break in the voice, a weakening of go wrong, can they?? the knees. And if I couldn’t see any tears, it could The previously latent hysteria was gradually have only been ‘cause of the distance between rising, along with the temperature. Eager little myself and golden-boy. . . . girls, complete with the mandatory 3 inch He takes himself so bloody seriously! makeup, started to visibly swoon at the thought of I cringed with embarrassment, but he held the a real live . . . . audience in his clenched fist, and captivation was Soon enough, the high priest and his equally complete. So complete that it was frightening. capable disciples were to be vaguely seen So why this enormous popularity? Well, through copious clouds of billowing smoke. The besides the blonde bombshell that fronts them, images were as distorted as the sounds. The don’t the M.P’s play music that’s ‘danceable, light underlying sneer on Kilbey’s face could well have and uncomplicated’??? been a figment of the imagination, but as the stare If this is the case, then I must be suffering from became fixed and the left leg more frantic.. . .the extreme withdrawal symptoms. My feet could end of the tour; the end of a fragile tether? have been lead blocks on the cement; the They started with a looseness that bordered on lightness became transparent, and I wished for a indifference; “Tear it all away” was quite awful. nice, intricate little song that would have taken Four musicians piping their own tune — an away the headache and relieved the numbness of enclosed self awareness that led to an erratic the mind. dirge, severely testing the sensitivity of the In fact, I couldn’t help but get the impression eardrums. that the whole 90 minute set was a totally Although the quality of the sound didn’t orchestrated affair; this is no small scale amateur improve much (the Hordern’s accoustics are production, you know! Optical effects . . . shocking), the holy men managed to get their act directed by . . . executive producer. . . . together, awaken the congregation (for at least No doubt they did numerous encores, but I left. two songs) and show that the chosen order was Disappointed and disillusioned. And what would the right one for them. they care? Massive adoration in Australia, with The haunting resonance of “Sisters” managed the U.S. just around the corner; the world at their to hold the sound goblins at bay, “You took” feet. They’ve certainly worked hard to get where would have been quite good if you hadn’t heard they are today, but midway through the trek, they the magnificent studio version. The best moment, changed direction. And left behind a lot of though, was courtesy of Marty Wilson-Piper. bewildered people, all wondering where the “Field of Mars” showcased his vocal talents: those dreams had gone to. beautifully accentuated tones, supported with a I think I know now. Platinum records and quiet strength. The music, gentle and swelling crowds put in the most attractive, viable unobtrusive, meandered quietly around the . bid, and the dreams? Well, they got caught up in edges, letting Marty’s voice dominate warmly, the rush to conquer the h ill. . . and anyway, the expansively. More of this, please! synthetic ones are much more durable, and can The Church, even on a bad night, will always be be moulded to suit any requirement. . . . more than your average pop band, because their Sad, but true. ambitions far outreach this stage; ambitions that create a presence hard to pin down, let alone Linda Campbell

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PAGE 18 producer. It’s a bit like a comfortable old shoe’, he . . . above and beyond, you might say. Then said in one interview. Gone is the superficial and again, “Planners Dream”, whilst concerning soppy waffle which has spoiled some of England, has distinct overtones of Brazilia, the McCartney’s recent work. In its place, 11'/2 dream city in the middle of the jungle in Brazil. infectious and tightly-written tracks. The ultra-modern city built to be a show piece to Mind you, he’s helped by some of the best the world. One problem . . . no one wanted to live musicians around. For ‘Tug of War’ McCartney there. decided to work without his group Wings. Instead Anyway, there’s also “” with he handpicked artists such as Stevie Wonder, its beat, and that familiar feel. It’s typical of the Stanley Clarke, Carl Perkins and Denny Laine, album in its mixture of gutsy, relevant observation and cast them in particular songs. Guess that’s and credible optimism. Finally the title track lays not a problem when you’re earning around 48 the intention bare, with the reasons for optimism. million dollars a year. Thankfully though, “All the time that gets wasted hating McCartney the family man has kept his down to Why don’t you all move together earth perspective on life and offers a bemused and make your heart feel better.” laugh at the pulsations of the money market. . . ‘The pound is sinking ^ ______Giles Barrow The peso’s falling The lira’s reeling And feeling quite appalling. PDRTRAIT The Nolans The mark is holding (CBS/EPIC ’82) The franc is fading I’m aware that no-one reads reviews of the The drachma’s very weak Nolans, but I’m going to write this anyway. But everyone’s still trading.’ The difference between “Portrait” and the first The lyrics are quite clever in ‘Ebony and Ivory’ LP “Making Waves” is slick and vast; although too. Taking the simple fact of black and white partly due to the much-needed change of existing together in harmony On a piano production duties, its success also owes much to keyboard, he asks ‘why can’t we?’ the genuine maturing of the talent of the Irish ‘Ebony and Ivory’ is one of two tracks THE NAME OF THIS BAND IS TALKING dumplings four. INDIVIDUALS performed with Stevie Wonder. The other, ‘What's HEADS And yet the girls have not sold out (SIC): as Sunnyboys that you're doing?’ features much more of Stevie. Talking Heads before, the realities of life are all but ignored. (Mushroom) It’s got that familiar‘Hotter than July’ rhythm, and (Sire) Nobody is poor, unemployed, divorced, dead or In defence of the lonely and broken hearted a sense of spontaneity which is lacking on the The most concise review of this album would, even dying . . . instead, existence is reduced to a and meek. The Sunnyboys have released their other cuts. Still, I’d have expected more from the be a simple listing of the tracks. Is much else series of doomed and tearful affairs in which the second album, under the defiant title of collusion of two such gifted songwriters. After all, necessary? The people who don’t know that sole raison d’etre of the female is how she’s ‘Individuals’. Optimism survives in the hearts of Wonder is reputed to write three or four tunes a Talking Heads exist wouldn’t buy this album “gonna getcha”, not because she is capable of it these gents, creating a very homespun feel to day, and McCartney obviously churns them out at anyway. but because she is required to do so by the male. their music: a veritable celebration of the naive — a similar rate. Here’s what he said about writing A live album was inevitable and has been long (It seems necessary here to qualify this criticism; emotional, if somewhat stilted. Against my better ‘Somebody Who Cares.’ “I took it to the session. I awaited. For documentation purposes, the two this attitude has long been a girl-group tradition, judgement I find The Sunnyboys’ music and this actually still didn’t have the middle so I said 'Hang albums have been separated into Early TH (1977- and surely the Shangri-la’s — the greatest girl- album in particular so damn attractive, to my on a couple of minutes lads, I’ve got a bit of a song 79) and Latter Day TH (1980-81). Apart from a group ever, and one to whom the Nolans owe a lasting horror the seriousness and moroseness I .here cooking and it’s going to be good I think. track by track listing of the musicians involved, no more than passing nod of gratitude — proved that protect and harbour around my person has been Give me about an hour, go and have a cup of tea other information is available regarding the the exploitation of pathos is a barrier to neither broken down (tongue placed firmly in cheek). I or something." And with that, turned in a song precise concerts from which these cuts were quality nor success. In fact, it would be no' can listen and be happy without repercussions which is both relevant and beautiful. drawn. This lays the following proposition open surprise if, fifteen years or so hence, this album from that guarded non-entity called cool, sounds Yes, McCartney's got his act together and this to attack. and its precedent are as eagerly sought as the ridiculous, but just think of the constraints we album is a gem. An audiophile acquaintance once declared to place on pop music. Shangs themselves are today). me that in his opinion few live albums were truly Still, the only fair way to view the Nolans is as This album doesn’t really tread on any new ■ Ben Cheshire definitive. His supporting argument was that the ground, as if it were ever designed to. instead it the pointless purveyors-of pure pop pap that they usual custom of selecting best covers of contents itself with consolidation — refining the are , . . this is no insult, as at this they are particular tracks was inferior to the selection of a sound by stretching and experimenting slightly TH E G IFT currently unsurpassed. Check ‘Chemistry’, the particular concert which best iUustrated what the with arrangement and production. Many of the current single, which is completely representative band as an organism were like. The best live songs are noticeably slower to those on the first (Polygram) of the album as a whole: the opening synthetic albums do seem to follow the latter rule, and in album, dare I say psychedelic in places? The “Move — move — I’ve got the gift of life Can’t drone building into a disembodied chorus of fact it has long been the practice to record live guitars are given a lot more space in which to you see it in the twinkle of my eye I can’t stand dream-laden female voices is evidence enough of jazz almost exclusively this way. explore and jingle-jangle in, the centrepiece is up and I can’t sit down I gotta keep movin’ — I the unrivalled excellence and spontaneity of the The result in this case is a slightly disconnected once again J. Oxley’s voice, the hey-hey-hey gotta keep movin’” vocal arrangements, each of which is perfectly cross-section of the Heads’ 4 studio albums, and harmonies are as close to pop nirvana as you does keep moving, and with an tailored to the particular vocal talents of the the feeling that the tracks released here are could wish. Bilson really hits his drums energy that sets his music apart from not only the individual Nolans. largely throwaways. There is no disputing that, throughout the ten tracks, never losing his knack usual radio slush, but also from that of those My favourite moment is when, during ‘A Simple taken individually, the songs are well performed to add a special roll or flourish here orthere. Steve people who might consider themselves to be his Case of Loving You’ the whole backing track, full­ and remain very powerful musical statements. Harris’ keyboards fills the sound out vibrantly, he contemporaries. His willingness to draw from blown as it is, suddenly cuts to a desolate bass, Listening to the whole album, however (and I gets very Satanic Majesties Requests near the popular styles and sounds can be seen as drum and piano with Bernie sexily intoning the have listened to it in several orders), the whole end of ‘’. Have The Sunnyboys honesty when combined with the considerable lead vocal — it’s a moment of pure heaven, and becomes a fairly homogeneous wall of noise. It is a secret message? conviction of his lyrics and their delivery. It is that almost worth the cost of the record by itself (if one hard to listen to more than two sides in a sitting The ten songs on the album consistently delivery which makes them his. can ignore the fantastic ooh-oohs on ‘Crashing and remain entertained. It is practically maintain that Sunnyboys’ sound, there’s not one ‘The Gift’ is the fifth Jam album, and Weller and Down’). Which raises another essential point: the impossible, even then, to feel that one has been oddity to be found (a shame in some respects). his buddies and Nolans’ continuously developing sexuality. Sure “out”, so to speak. To this reviewer’s way of However, I am sure, many will spend long nights continue to deal fervent lashings on the darker I’m aware of the noted Everett quote, “Life . . . is thinking, that is the ultimate criterion of a live- debating the strong influences on a couple of side of the English condition, whilst maintaining like the Nolan sisters. You think you see everything, but really you see nothing”, but the album; lacking that effect, the concept of a live tracks in particular. On this outing The an optimism based on the potential of a diverse, breathy inflections of ‘Portrait’, with its coy album loses its meaning. Sunnyboys have managed to turn themselves motivated population. Diversity coupled with flirtatious references to “lasting all night long” and The frustration of involved, interesting songs half-way around, the third album must motivation of course, would seem to be the sworn “moving it too fast” are still the not-so-raw which remain unworked in their live realisation is necessitate d complete change of view or else the enemy of our somewhat right-handed material of a thousand erotic fantasies. particularly evident on the 1977^79 album. The band will suffer the consequences of the listener’s governments. It’s an aggressive album So, depending, of course on whether you like 1980-81 album does open up a bit and play with familiarity. (Surprise!!), fuelled with subtlety, courtesy of the your peaches drenched in cream (too much of a the basic tune or whatever, though to be fair, T What a striking cover, I only hope Jeremy varied sounds of Steve Nichol’s , Keith good thing?), you could do a great deal worse Heads is a bigger band on this album. SidesS and doesn’t go as far as cutting his ear off. Thomas’ saxophones, Pete Wilson and Paul than spending a few weekends getting 4 contain all the qualities mentioned above which Weller’s keyboard contributions, not to mention a the entire album should exhibit. — Toby Cluechaz spot of steel drums. If I can call a punch in the thoroughly acquainted with Colleen, Linda, Another mild gripe is that all of the material on stomach subtle, and I do, then the rhythm section, Maureen and Bernadette. Highly recommended this album is drawn from the studio albums. There and its production, are made to order, and, for anyone who cares more about the pleasure of is no extraneous, previously unreleased material. needless to say — tight. listening rather than maintaining their quotient.of cool. But I think I’ll letthegirlsdothesumming-up Plainly the Heads have poured all their energy TUG DF WAR’ The first side seems to flow quite logically in into those specific songs, but by doing that they Paul McCartney temperament, beginning with“ Happy Together”, for themselves . . . “Sweet music, sweet sweet music. also expose themselves to the criticism of being a (EMI) which is fairly self explanatory, and drifting to­ Sweet as I’ve ever known . . . purely “program” band. Such a thing is a pity What I can’t understand about this album is ward the fatalistic, doom-struck “Just Who is The Sweet attraction, satisfaction.” when it occurs, because the heart of music, if not why ‘Take it away’ isn’t the first single. Sure, 5 O’clock Hero?”. “Trans-global Express” would (“IF IT TAKES ALL NIGHT”). the soul, is improvisation. ‘Ebony and Ivory’ is OK, but‘Take it away’ has that be the highlight if you could hear all the words. A double ^alburn taken entirely from an extra McOartney magic. It’s a surefire hit. At least they provide a lyric sheet. It’s sort of a Tim Smith outstanding latter day concert would have made a Having got that off my chest, this really is an workers of the world unite type of thing, a call for much more fitting obituary to a band which enjoyable album, and once again it proves Paul working people to demand some justice, with a carved such indelible initials in the bark of rock McCartney to be a master tradesman when it soundtrack containing some savage and EBDNDAZZAR and roll history. comes to writing songs which are instantly likable overpowering production. Peak yet deceptively simple. For the first time since On side two “The Planners Dream goes Wrong” (Cement Records) — Span ‘Live and Let Die’ McCartney has hired George shines for its poignant approach to the pig This record deserves a hearing. Australia has Martin, the old Beaties producer, to sit at the headed lunacy of the planners. The South never seen a great deal of pure synthesizer controls. And it seems the old pro has managed to American feel of this and an instrumental named artistry, nor have many attempts to break new bring out the best in Paul. ‘I just really like him as a “Circus” do seem a bit of a compromise . . . er musical ground with any instrument broken the

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PAGE 20 barricades of commercial viability or risen above hulking wet-dream on wheels, has survived a Severloh, both of the band Lorry. At first I put at the results of a visit to the bin. The final tune is a the mire of mundanity. It is especially pleasing succession of inhabitants of his skin effortlessly this record on at 33, and found the music real cute number entitled ‘Eaten By The Monster that such a competent stab at the art should and painlessly. And this latest artefact bears extremely interesting until Schutz’s slowed down Of Love’: emerge from Adelaide. witness to his timelessness, his ethereal charm. voice indicated my error. At the right speed the “It’s hard to fight it off much more Peak are a duo, Robert Reekes-Parsons and The first side tackles the films up till 1971 when music was less interesting, having more of a I can hear it drooling by the door Paul Fisher, who apparently spent three years Diamonds Are Forever was released. The second musical box sound. Some of the arrangements Eaten by the monster of love getting their abilities into shape for this album. side leads onwards through the seventies till For are interesting, but in general his voice is reedy, The first two minutes of the album seem to Your Eyes Only. It helps to illustrate how futile all distant, uninflected and unimaginative. The And my father said “Don’t worry, son’’ summarize their musical influences. There is a the shooting, secrecy, screwing and scene songs ‘Society’ and ‘Creature’ are particularly But look at him, he should have run snatch of Stockhausen’s Hymnen, a percussive stealing had become by then. good, also the instrumental ‘Back Datt’. Other Eaten by the monster of love dialogue reminiscent of Can, and then, just as But the record has its moments. tracks sound too derivative. ‘ (don’t let it get me, don’t let it get me . . .) you’re wondering how derivative the record is implores that ‘You Only Live Twice’ in gold and Again’ has a verse line very similar to Deep Sparks certainly have a strange and going to be, Paul Fisher’s excellent guitar sweeps sequined tat, breathing hard and kicking her Purple’s ‘Child in Time’, for instance. There is entertaining way of looking at things, and it is in like a brushfire and throws the whole thing into skimpy white boots into Bond’s eager lap. Shirley something unfinished about this one, but a lot of it reflected in their unusual music. If people like the hyperdrive. You come out the other side in a Bassey squeals ‘Goldfinger’ in melodramatic does work. Human League want to make “good pop music”, territory which, although familiar in places, is splendour, oafing it up on blood money and The back of Lorry’s album contains a short note then for Chrissakes they should go back to being largely original. Tiffany throw outs. The legendary theme musak explaining that their music is neither electronic, bank clerks or whatever, and leave the making of The album is gripping at all times. Peak have of John Barry is represented too, casual glimpses New Wave, Avant Garde or Heavy Metal. pop music to individuals like the Maels and their not attempted Tangerine Dream style sidelong of adventure and intrigue, the orchestrated “Children play, musicians play, and both have friends, who always do a decent job of it. opuses, but present nine tracks, long enough to orgasm fn spy-vision 3 D. Conjuring, careering, pleasure. Lorry’s music is as plain as this.” I unfold and wind up again, short enough to play cuddling and copulating, the fantasy-spy is dispute their claim that the music is “Easy and ______— Giles Barrow on the radio. Each member plays a wide enough always cornered, is always hotly in pursuit. relaxed rock”. Lorry seem to try too hard to be variety of instruments to enable the sound to keep The second side hits rock bottom with that easy and relaxed, and there is a chronic sort of PORNOGRAPHY changing and turning. Occasionally, as on pimpled pedagogue Paul McCartney snooting mindlessness in the diluted, vaguely West Coast The Cure “Ocean of Dreams”, the lines are a little familiar ‘Live And Let Die’ through cream cheese tears, his sound that they produce. Couldn’t get into this (CBS) and the musical thinking tips some sort of hat at wrinkled paw thrust half way down his own throat. one at all. Q: Can a band of such ‘achievement and established electronic conventions, but the music This moment of scurrilous impotence is almost Ideal is the pick of the crop, as far as unknowns promise’ (Three Imaginary Boys, Seventeen does not suffer as a result. Similarly, Peak have equalled by that Scottish commodity Sheena go. I would definitely like to hear more of this Seconds) stray so far from their positive chosen the classical motifs of dreams, abysses, Easton, whose sad thigh-patting and panting band. They sound like Amon Duul II without the potential as to be declared a droning waste darkness and mystery as the internal statement of turns ‘For Your Eyes Only’ into a rodeo of fiddly bits, just the guts, an effectively psychedelic of space? the synthesizer along with all other practitioners, wretchedness. At her worst Ms Easton stoops to Heavy Metal. This record is wearing out the A: You bet your sweet fanny, Nerelle! but at no time do they fall back on gimmickry, the despicable depths of Altered Image Claire, stylus. There is ho stopping and starting, each Half the problem with “Pornography”, as with cheap theatre or artificial paranoia to achieve an whose primary school prefect cooing and baying track charges ahead with the same energy, even “Faith”, is not so much absolute dire-ness, but a effect. The moods are purely by the way; Peak’s may well land her a part in a yet to be conceived on the brooding, slower ‘Telepathie’ there is a frustrating case of bland-out. The number of central ideal seems to be excitement. James Bond child-bondage flick. A thousand manic undercurrent which draws the listener in. ponderous 4-note sequences with the same Nothing is worse than a badly recorded or pulses race, a million throats retch at the thought. Ideal have rekindled the fires of sonic terrorism. uninteresting vocal lines goes a little beyond the mixed album of this nature, and Jim Barbour’s ABBA and James Bond: adult entertainment in Long may they live. And if you speak German, minimalist joke. These guys can crank out a production does the duo further credit. The a world of drive time. The spice of life, the spite of there may even be another dimension of pleasure reasonable sombre pop song when they pull'their strength of electronic music is a clean sound. lifelessness. Make mine Coruba! for you in this one. arty fingers out, but even the bonus single, Whether Peak can operate in public (or find a A mixed bag, all right. Two excellent albums, “Charlotte Sometimes” misses the mark. Even venue) remains to be seen. One can only hope Tim McGee one almost, and oneabitflat.ThelCRevolution is considering the ‘artier’ side of things, its still that further work by these people does not require here, and no doubt you will hear more. conceptus interuptus, with slabs like the title track another three year wait. dragging up a few more interesting noises, but TRANCEFER — Span then coming, going, being nowhere, just the — Span Klaus Schulze same. (1C) The band credit themselves with playing ‘keyboards’, but this amounts to no more than dull \ TRANSVISION Sparks drones swamped in reverb. There’s a bit of THE MAGIC OF ABBA (WEA) Dieter Shutz marginally more noticeable guitaring toward the’ ABBA (1C) Despite being sadly underrated, or at best end of side two, but the only person moving (K Tel) unrecognized for many years, the brothers Ron enough is drummer Lol Toihurst — at least his JAMES BOND - GREATEST HITS BE CAREFUL, TOO and continue, undeterred, to ideas and tond change (in a limited fashion) from (EMI) Lorry produce fine recordings. This is no exception. track to track, and even once or twice within a On a day such as today I feel Swedish. Maybe (1C) Sparks new album “Angst In My Pants” comes single song. its the wind, the rain, the sweet taste of spirits and with the usual hallmarks: the word plays, jokes, For reasons of tedium, this has been one of the the sweet tooth flatulence of ABBA. The dish to IDEAL candid observations and on this occasion longest records I’ve had to sit thru in quite a while end all dishes. Another bite of adulterous delight. (IC) renewed vigour. (I thankfully missed out on “Faith”), and, in all Another dose of helplessness. In 1978, German synthesist Klaus Schulze set The album, whilst still under the wing of sincerity, I couldn’t recommend it, even to avid Oh yes, the ABBA Phenomena. And now, a new up his own record label. Innovative Enterprises Ltd., is a step away Cure fanatics. It’s maybe not quite the time to compilation. The cold Polarbaresall. The hitsand Communication, in affiliation with WEA. Two from the overbearing disco beat of‘’, totally dismiss Robert Smith and co., but money is the hoots and the unpardonable puke heats the years later IC split from WEA and became and a more realistic creation from these “Rock in too short supply these days to be frittered away fan (me no less!). It’s all you’d ever want to hear independent. Two years after that, IC established and Roll People In A Disco World”. It’s a rock and on such inane stuff. (well, almost) plus a few titbits you’ll want to a branch office — IC DOWN UNDER — at 196 roll album with considerable guts, but the lunacy P.S. . . . and the lyrics are just so much waffle, forget. Phenomenal (or is it phenomenology?). Nelson Road, Albert Park, , 3206. Now still prevails: you wouldn’t believe. Burroughs be buggered. These four dusky angels, plodding blindly, read on. “Moscow will march almost mindlessly through the wide expanse of The records listed above comprise 25% of IC’s They’ll do the Can-Can Dance Tyrone Flex pomp and stomp. Teasing, tetering, trifling with catalogue as listed at present. They range from Don’t worry, it’ll work out their own lives. Reducing romance, divorce, Klaus Schulze’s specialist electronic work, Maxim’s will throw them out’’ failure, hatred, sentimental affliction: all these through original songwriting to the heavy rock of ‘’ GARY YOUNG AND THE ROCKING EMUS’ frantic flights of fancy, to a mild pop formula. And Ideal. Generally speaking, they are well recorded, ‘Sextown USA’ is an amazing song. It’s as if (Mushroom) a formula which is brilliant. well produced, and easy listening. All but Sparks wrote a song, then played it like Yeah i say sure as God made Kenworth trucks See ABBA smile through their tears, hear them Schulze’s album are meantto be played at 45 rpm, Sparks (but then again, Russell Mael did guest on Gary Young is a kid and someday he’ll cry. Watch the bones being stacked in cupboards which is supposed to enhance the sound in some the last Ramones album). Don’t get me wrong, it get to rockabilly heaven. Why, seems like the boy in public. Living life in filmclip instalments, ABBA way. So far I haven’t beeh able to isolate any sounds nothing like the Ramones, in fact it has put his true self onto vinyl now and all that have made the concept of privacy almost particular quality about this innovation, but all the sounds more like early Sparks than anything else stuff with Daddy Cool, Jo Jo Zep, the Rondells redundent, whilst shielding themselves closely records are exceptionally clear in their on the album. That may all seem a bit confused, and the Rock Doctors was just bread and butter behind'ambiguous freeze-framed personalities. reproduction. but . . . well, turn it up LOUD and listen to the money. Who said drummers can’t write? Shame! And little children sing along. Schulze’s own work has generally been of a chorus, you’ll get my drift. Doggone it, this critter’s written and sung all ten From the twee pederasty of ‘When I Kissed The high standard, and ‘Trancefer’ is no exception. He Or else there’s the sad saga of Nicotina, who is a tracks here, and got hisself a right snortin’ old Teacher’, to the full blown glamour of ‘Gimme, began life as a drummer and percussionist, cigarette. She gets smoked, and screams, but so band with former D. Coolers Ross Hannaford and Gimme, Gimme’ this record is magic kiss and tell working with Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra much gets filtered out. Wayne Duncan, plus Falcon Jeff Burstin. (lies). Sample ‘Voulez-vous’, ‘Summer Nights Tempel. An awareness of rhythmic sense “Once in a while a cigarette has a name Well it looks good on paper but the result. . . City’, ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’ or ‘Dancing continues to pervade his work. One forgets the N-l-C-O-T-l-N-A, that’s her name well, let’s just say I keep hoping it’ll grow on me. Queen’ at your leisure. The record doodles banks of electronic machinery and hears a truly She had a tiny voice, and she sang all day This is rockabilly, solid and simple, and Gary artlessly, it canoodles artfully. You’ll hold your primaeval orchestra of drums beating out She was a cigarette, but she loved to play’’ Young does it pretty well. He’s got a good voice, breath and turn blue. You’ll hold her hand, his complicated storylines which lend themselves All with music of suitably epic proportions. deliciously scratchy at times, and he pumps out hand, HELL, the Canonical ABBA hand! There’s easily to inner visualization. Schulze plays trip Severe guitar from Bob Haag and a keyboard wall the rhythm with real enthusiasm. But that’s just snow up ahead and the rivers turned to ice. The music, he provides charts and a vehicle for the that should pack the stupid little Human League the problem: there’s too little variety. The most lump in the snow we just ran over was the ghost of listener’s journey. The environment traversed is up and bury them with the rest of last year’s pulp. enjoyable tracks are the ones which stand out marriage past. Mercy! always interesting, and Schulze manages to And Russell Mael’s singular voice. from the rest. The wry single .‘Running Late for Wandong’, and a track called ‘Beautiful Joy’ After a record like that! Its back to the high seas maintain its interest by a progressive Side two opens with “Moustache”, a rapid fire which has precisely the same feel as Mondo and the stench of back copies of playboy development of plot and a consistent phrasing rocker with lyrics obviously courtesy of Rock’s ‘State of the Heart.’ Though plastered on a rusting Lamborghini. . . (should I and beat which allows continuity. This record will (Keyboards and moustache): say Aston Martin). Five gears, in reverse to the be a thousand things to a thousand people, and “/ tried a handle-bar design produced this album, there’s no danger whatsoever of the Rocking Emus becoming a James Bond sex-credo for thrill seeking lovers can only be judged by a listening. Klaus Schulze My Fu Manchu was real fine kind of 80s Daddy Cool. The album is destined (should I say losers?). The spy/love game has is definitely at the forefront of electronic music. My Ronald Colman made ’em blink certainly fallen into disrepute of late. I mean can Dieter Schutz favours shorter pieces with a My Pancho Villa made ’em think for the country, and that’s where it’ll probably do you imagine Anthony Blunt seducing anyone at greater emphasis on lyrics. He sings, plays guitar, But when I trimmed it real small- well. all? But the legend lives on. bass and keyboards, and is supported by My Jewish friends would never call" Ben Cheshire This mythical creature, James Bond, the drummer Barry Maddison and percussionist Fred “The Decline And Fall Of Me” looks hysterically

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PAGE 22 Naturally, any project which seeks to utilize the Underpants and definitely not a singer) and her THE BLUE IVIASK talents of 8 different lead singers runs the risk of caricature version of Nancy Sinatra’s These DURAN seeming as incoherent and useless as one of Boots Are Made For Walking is just plain DURAN (RCA) those interminable TV compilations that keep confusing. Here’s your chance to win a A common phenomenon of the rock veteran is appearing. As is generally the case elsewhere on the copy of DURAN DURAN’S new a stepped off series of fans who came in on such Fortunately, in this instance, that danger has record, the backing track is full of interest and fire album RIO. Roadrunner, in and such a record or dropped out on it. This been avoided and what you end up with is an but, for some reason. Ware and Marsh have album may conceivably arouse the interest of album which, whilst flawed, does reasonable contrived to treat Boots as a target for parody and conjunction with EMI Records, people who have not previously liked Lou Reed.- justice for it’s own ambitions. exchanged the little girl cockney tones of Yates has ten copies of the album to It is a vaguely autobiographical album which Bearing in mind that Music Of Quality And for the big, bold assertions that characterized the give away. RIO contains their shows Reed with a new strength in songwriting. Distinction has been mixed ' for radio in Sinatra version. As a result, everything that was new single HUNGRY LIKE THE In some ways it is an apologia for his past, with an accordance with some of the principles which threatening about lines like “one of these days WOLF. unstated hint or two that he has “reformed”. With Phil Spector made famous, it’s appropriate that these boots are gonna walk all over-you”, is All you have to do is write in and Lou Reed, nothing is ever certain, but I find this is the woman who helped Spector achieve one of reduced to comic book jocularity, without the first album of his I have enjoyed since the live his greatest ever recordings, , is the resonance or power. tell us the name’s of each Rock and Roll Animal. one who kicks off the album with a chopping, Bernie Nolan’s contribution on the other hand, member of Duran Duran and say Reed’s lyrics are straightforward, and the music aggressive, and remarkably compressed version is a good deal less comic book than one might what their first hit single was. It’s is economical, even reserved in places. The title of ’s Ball of Confusion. When Starr did have imagined. Indeed, although it doesn’t as simple as that. track is reminiscent in its style of the screeching the song on his Involved album, it was almost an provide a serious challenge to the strength of the The first ten correct entries we fury which typified Velvet Underground, butforthe archetypal piece of sprawling psychedelic soul Supremes, Nolan’s You Keep Me Hanging Qn is receive, will each win a copy of most part the tracks are ballads which attempt to and, not surprisingly, it tended to lack maximum especially interesting because it comes closer express a viewpoint without drowning it in noise. impact for anyone who wasn’t stoned. B.E.F. have than any of the other covers I’ve heard to the album. My House, which opens the album, reflects on shortened it dramatically and created something capturing the youthfullness of the original. Write your answer along with the dead poet Delmore Schwartz, and with its quite relentless in its impact. In a way, it’s not surprising because, asa young your name and address on the curious scenario — Reed and his wife getting out Billy McKenzie from The Associates and Glenn singer accustomed to the automated processes back of an envelope and send it the ouija board to see if Delmore is still floating Gregory from Heaven 17 are the only singers here of production line pop with The Nolan Sisters, to: around — easily traps the listener. The following who get to perform more than one song and, she’s probably quite able to emphasize with the Duran Duran Competition track. Women, examines and analyses what Reed interestingly enough, their contributions sum up situation which harnessed The Supremes at sees as his socially conditioned sexual hangups. some of the strengths and weaknesses of the Motown. Roadrunner In Underneath the Bottle and The Gun he album. Qn The Secret Life Qf Arabia, McKenzie’s But, for me, the most important achievement of 92 Rundle Street considers common contemporary human voice strains to mimic Bowie and, though the Music Qf Quality and Distinction is that it Kent Town responses to anxiety. result is quite close, it’s really a waste of effort presents with her first rea/ singing S.A. 5067. Somehow the second side is more coherent, because it hinges so totally on the idiosyncrasies opportunity in more thah a decade. The result. more relaxed, less forced and thus stronger in its of the original and contributes nothing of its own. Anyone Who Had A Heart, is one of those materia. Average Guy is an excellent song which, Similarly, Gregory waltzs through Lou Reed’s irrefutably magnificent pieces of interpretive pop like Waves of Fear, pushes the human situation somnambulistic Perfect Day in a way that music which come along quite rarely. past the masks and facades, reveals the insecure suggests his only interest lies in copying the Whereas Dionne Warwick’s original was mortal which dwells beneath. The Day John original in xerox fashion. relatively restrained and almost ghostly. Shaw Kennedy Died (equal favourite with My House) is However, elsewhere, both singers leave their blows the song up as far as it’ll go without a cleverly worked song dealing with the problems mark — beautifully! McKenzie’s love sick sacrificing any of the essential fragility. The end of guilt and the personal sublimation of guilt. rendition of Roy Qrbison’s It’s Over walks result, loaded with anguished emotion and the This is not an album which can be judged perilously dose to parody but pulls it all together better parts of Phil Spector’s pedigree, is the sort hastily, even should Reed declare next week that with such genuine affection that it’s hard to resist, of performance which should be put on an the entire thing is a joke. There is a sincerity about while Gregory’s magnificent reading of Wichita endless tape loop for people like Moving Pictures it which is rare in much music through the Lineman strips away so much of the original in order to demonstrate that even blatant difficulty of balancing appropriate words with cliche and replaces it with a haunting evocation of melodrama can have genuine intelligence and FAN CLUB heartfelt emotions. Thus The Blue Mask is an space and loneliness. emotional depth! P.O. BOX 369 album which might easily evolve into one’s life g The remaining male contributions come from In spite of the album’s imperfections, the fact and grow along with it. 'Paul Jones who provides a great version of that the British Electric Foundation’s PADDINGTON The question remains, however. About what There’s A Ghost In My House and Garry Glitter anthropological quest for Music Qf Quality And NSW 2021. can a born-again Lou Reed sing next? who presents an atrocious version of Elvis’ Distinction resulted in a performance of this Suspicious Minds which is sure to put drunken •calibre, convinces me to hope fervently that — Span fists in the air at parties because, as the cliche sometime in the not too distant future they’ll goes, it’s so bad, it’s good. convene again to produce Volume 2. But if Glitter is ‘Bad’, (the TRADE photographic author of Rock Star’s In Their — John Magowan MUSIC OF QUALITY AND DISTINCTION. V O Ll DIRECTORY British Eiectric Foundation (CBS Records) For advertising enquiries regarding this section If you’re anything like me, there must be times IMPACT RECORDS please call Sydney 3316622, or Adelaide 423040. when you find yourself listening to a record made prior to the early 70’s and wondering what the Mail Ord^r Service artist and producer (if there was one) might have P eter D ix Man^^emenLPty. lid. created if they’d been allowed the accuracy of a P.O. BOX 144, contemporary recording studio. MILSONS POINT If you subscribe to the prevalent theory that a record is a unique and irreplaceable product of its N.S.W. 2061 time and place (like Presley’s Sun Sessions for 275 ALFRED ST. instance) it’s a speculation that’s largely NORTH SYDNEY redundant and possibly even heretical, N.S.W. 2060 ' depending on your mood. PH: (02)9226077 Nonetheless, sometimes it’s hard to resist the TELEX — AA23551 insidious impulses which cause one to wonder about the way people like Presley might have SCHOOL OF AUDIO ENGINEERING sounded if they’d had microphones that really ANZ BANK BUILDING worked and tape heads that knew something 420 ELIZABETH ST about clarity. HILLS It’s precisely this sort of speculation that helped N.S.W. 2010 persuade and that PH: (02)6997931-32 the British Electric Foundation ought to embark upon a series of inspired remakes from the 60’s RHINOCEROS RECORDING PTY and 70’s in which all their old favourites would get Am erican A Eng fish LTD a chance to live again and sound even better. i m pofts to any whfere i n 200-218 GOULBURN ST As everyone knows, the aforementioned DARLINGHURST gentlemen used to be part of The Human League ^ ^ s t r a f i a ...... N.S.W. 2010 during the age when it was still a low rent and PH: 2115833 OR 2115353 slightly primitive species and there can be little SUPERIOR QUALITY REAL TIME doubt that the success of their former colleagues PARADISE STUDIOS has rather savagely oiled their conceptual and CASSETTES AND REEL TO REEL PARADISE RECORDERS PTY LTD commercial facilities. DUPLICATION LOW COST, 70 JUDGE ST Which simply means that their presence in the PROFESSIONAL QUALITY DIRECT WOOLLOOMOOLOO studio playing about with a collection of old FROM YOUR MASTERS N.S.W. 2011 classics wasn’t necessarily as noble as they might PH: (02)3571599 claim. Be that as it may. Music Of Quality And PHONE 2127053 Distinction actually works to a much greater NOW STUDIOS PTY LTD extent than one might have imagined and there 5th FLOOR — 19A BOUNDARY ST are moments — especially those belonging to RUSHCUTTERS BAY Tina Turner and Sandie Shaw — when it’s ADELAIDE TAPE DUPLICATORS N.S.W. 2011 positively inspired. PH: 334356

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