Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol 40 No. 26. October 3 1977

Ideas for big feat

Ideas for big feat

Photo of the band Spatz

Spatz (until recently playing around town under the name Les Hots)—a new force on the Wellington music scene. After a brief period of incubation amongst the idyllic rural surroundings of Paekakariki, Spatz has emerged ready to counter the "Play-something-we-know" Top Forty mentality of your average hotel patron with their own original music, plus a wide range of other material. They move through many different styles and periods—old music hall and vaudeville, Django Reinhardt, Duke Ellington, right up to the contemporary sounds of Zappa and Steely Dan.

Performing their own songs is a basic part of the group's raison d'etre. Guitarist/vocalists Tony Backhouse and Fane Flaws are also the songwriters of the group. Other members are: Julie Needham (vocals), Peter Dasent (piano). Patrick Bleakley (double bass) and Bruno Lawrence (drums).

Previous bands include the Windy City Struggles (remember them). Express, Tapestry, Hired Help and Blerta. Which means that, between them, their cumulative recording, television and film-making experience is quite extensive. But as yet, no contract.

Spatz rejects the idea that rock music can only be an imported phenomenon, acceptable if made in London or Los Angeles but rubbished if it's the brainchild of some hoon from Johnsonville. This sadly too common attitude is rapidly becoming outdated now that New Zealand groups are gaining international recognition and a re-appraisal is in order. "With a fish slice in your hand you'll begin to understand, and live each day as if it were your last" (from "The Fish Slice" by Fane Flaws).

F.F. Phibbus.