Performance

Union Hall, Saturday 15.3.75

I'm told that Redeye were the stars at the Mardi Gras held recently. It figures: for a long time they were resident at a private club in Wellington, a kind of RSA for musicians each' member the veteran of many bands. And they're Nice Guys. I remember Dennis turning me on to Chicago when that band had integrity and an audience in their twenties. I was only sixteen at the time.

And earlier than that: the Sunday afternoons in the Oracle, and John O'Connor always had a smile for the 14-year old rock enthusiasts. Since that time, of course, while millions died or ran mad, the music never faltered: outlasting the Supernatural Blues Band, Tom Thumb, Spice of Life. Dizzy Limits, Timberjack, Arkastra, Olibet, and through various Quincy lineups to a consumation in Redeye: really the only Wellington soul band.(I'd love to see Saxonhair and Redeye sharing the bill).

And the Country Fliers are performing too: another quality lineup, and including Jim Laurie from the famous pointed-elbows school of drumming, ex-Highway and Rongotai College. And Martin Hope from the Formyula, and Midge Marsden and......

Shona Laing, with Steve Voss; her farewell appearance before doing the old Katherine Mansfield. (With Alison Durbin and Suzanne gone and forgotton, it's down to Erina Clark and Angela Avers. Jesus....) Plus Pegasus, a soft rock band: special concert PA by Abbey Rowe and tights by Soundsincredible.

Looksinaudibleanyway.

Performance

Union Hall, Sunday 16.3.75

I reckon if you take three on Saturday morning, saving the coke for later in the evening: sleep through Sunday, then take a whole handful before the Dragon concert.

Review of Split Enz Concert—Quentin Roper

Hey, remember Wednesday night? Split ENZ gave us a concert-usual price $1.50.

Hold it ... did we say Split ENZ?

Well, the few who saw their performances last year must have been sufficiently impressed to bring a friend along because the hall was packed.

The opening act was great. Geoff Chunn (former drummer of SE), a talented singer and guitarist held the audience interest, but I had the feeling that people around me were waiting for the main act. After about a half hour, the stage darkened and Brian Finn ran, crawled, jumped and jerked erratically for a full minute at least, before announcing Split Enz' At that movement, the other members, duplicating his movements burst onto the stage like a horde of apes from '2001' and ripped into their first number "It's no Bother to Me'. Their own composition (as is the case with all their other numbers), this has been released as their new single. 'It's no bother to Me' showed me that Split Enz are still New Zealand's foremost con temporary group, containing some of the most talented musicians in the country.

With a captivating vocal style and theatrics to match, Firm had his audience in hysterics While I think SE have their own unique style and music, I suppose SE resemble Genesis, but more especially Sparks in the drumming and low, tow 'chunky' bass sound.

The musicianship of these guys really is outstanding-Paul Wilkinson and Philip Judd alternated with sizzling guitar while Tony Raynor, with piano, moog and mellotron was impressive to say the least. He would probably be the best keyboard player I have yet seen. His piano playing was not pre-taped (as some disbeliever suggested). I saw a short demo by him before the show.

The highlights: the spoon act by percussionist Geoffrey will be remembered by all, as will the 'mistake' by ego-tripping guitarist Wilkinson who, antipating a solo, stepped to the front, and was dragged and beaten by the group for doing so.

Mike Chunn kept a solid bass line going and participated in the theatrics admirably, finishing with a 'Chuck Berry' style dance across the stage.

I must no overlook drummer Paul Crowther who had to cope with constantly changing tempos.

And a word must be spared for the engineer/mixer who provided sound. I thought the mixing was great-better than other live acts I have seen.

Split Enz are off on a tour in Australia after their present tour is completed, and contrary to popular opinion, Split Enz will be recording their first album either during or after the Aussie tour. It will contain most of the numbers they performed.

Two films will screen at the Memorial Theatre on Thursday 13 at 8 pm (for admission sec Studass).

'Millhouse' (Filmmakers' Cinema, Sydney) is an extremely and admittedly biased look at the ex-President. It's also very amusing: but darkly so; the film follows Nixon only as far as the middle sixties-you fill the rest in yourself. Chilling. 100 mins.

'Attica': the most violent confrontation in the USA since the Civil War; documented on film shot inside the prison. Grand Prix winner at Mannaheim and Nyon festivals. 80 mins.