Peaches at the Aranui

Press, 30 August 1979, Page 14

Peaches at the Aranui

By

NEVIN TOPP

Peaches, an alt-female Australian-based rock group, immediately attracted attention when they hit the shores of New Zealand five weeks

However, it was not necessarily caused by beauty.

A Sunday newspaper mentioned in its music column that the band wanted a man who owned a truck and was experienced in shifting the equipment of rock bands. According to the leader of the group, lead guitarist, Margaret Britt-Kirk, the response to the article was funny in the northern part of the North Island.

“In Tokoroa. a man came up and said ‘l’ve got a truck, but I'm not really experienced.’ — We did not know what he meant,” said Margaret.

In fact, the band did not need a roadie. They had brought a sound man with them from Australia. Peaches was formed in Sydney in 1978. and 15 months later enjoyed success with a No. 1 hit

single in Australia called “Substitute.” It is not the “Substitute” by the Who. and for those dealing in the facts, the South African group, Clout, did the cover version of the Willie Harry Wilson song, and not Peaches as most people assume.

Although Peaches was formed in 1978, Margaret Britt-Kirk has the distinction of forming the only all-girl group in Australia previously. Called the Vamps, the group toured successfully in Noumea, Tahiti, the United States, Taipei, and Vietnam.

Sue Armstrong, bass, joined the band three years ago, while Nancie Kaye, drums, joined in the United States in the early 70s.

The final member of the band, New Zealander, Ruth Mackenzie, keyboards, joined after Peaches was formed.

The No. 1 hit single, “Substitute,” stayed in the Australian top 40 for 17 weeks.

“If we are judged by the singles we have re-

leased, including the new one just out, ‘You’ve Got All Of Me’ then people say we sound ’Abbaish’.” Margaret Britt-Kirk says, “But we actually do a wide range of cover versions of different artists, including Blondie, Boz Scaggs, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Seger, and Rod Stewart “We don’t do many of our own compositions, because we are not known well enough to be established. “When you have really made it- then you can really do what you want,” she says. “It is also a lot harder working in a female band than a male rock band. “If a male Australian rock band had a hit like we did, then they would be having it easy by now. We have to keep our feet in the door.” Already Peaches are trying to widen the gap in the door.

They are working on an album in Stebbing Studios at Auckland with producer, Rob Aitken. Peaches are happyworking in a New Zealand

studio because of the people and the relaxed atmosphere. “In the recording studios in Australia it is all hustle, hustle, hustle. We did the backing and vocals for the song on the flip side of ‘Substitute’ in two hours.

"They don’t want to bring out the best in you.”

However Peaches have nothing but praise for Rob Aitken.

“He’s so laid-back, gets it right. He’s a perfectionist,” says Margaret Britt-Kirk.

“He brought things out of the group we did not know were there.” “One tune I wrote and arranged, called ‘Keep On Dancing,’ was rearranged by Rob, and I kept on getting new things from it. The song will be released as a single,” Margaret says.

It is hoped that the album - will be out by

Christmas. Peaches are playing at the Aranui Motor Hotel this week, finishing on Saturday night.