Not a Smash yet

A new force is about to emerge in the Wellington music scene. The force is known as Smashed Executive, consisting of Delma Mason (vocals), Malcolm Pickup (lead guitar, synthesiser effects), Kevin Hawkins (bass and lead), Tony Parkinson (drums and percussion).

This group played to a small group of people on Saturday 24th March as part of the Wellington Festival activities. Despite sound problems initially due to a strange P.A., the group impressed greatly with a variety of energetic and talented songs.

The two opening numbers, "One Escape" and "Mental Blanco" were played amidst sound problems but the third song, "Not Anymore," came across very clearly. Beginning with an almost reggae open, the song progressed through a series of chord and tempo changes, occassionally reverting back to the main theme. Pickup's guitar is particularly menacing while Parkinson is right at the other extreme, doing little more than playing the root notes on symbals.

"T.V." attacks the square box with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. The reference in the lyrics to Phillips and Thorn could cause some squealing by local agents, particularly as this number is to be included on a local album named "Homegrown", part of a Radio Windy promotion. "Search and Destroy," an Iggy Pop number, is one of these very few unoriginal the group perform. Although basically a punk song, the group refuses to be categorised in any one musical genre. The Kinks would be somewhat surprised if they heard the concert version of "Lola" (about twice as fast as the original). Roll over Ray Davies!

Smashed Executive have played one gig at the Rock Theatre and plan to do a midweek concert in the Memorial Theatre very shortly. After this, they intend to devote a few months to song writing with the aim of eventually cutting an album. The recent addition of a synthesiser to their already imposing array of equipment will add a new dimension both to the sound of the group and their range of composition.

This group has been together less than three months, yet has already achieved a name amongst Wellington musicians as a band with a bright future. Make sure you catch them when they blow out the Memorial Theatre.

Roy Turrs.