Splitz Enz ‘exciting’

Press, 20 April 1981, Page 4

Splitz Enz ‘exciting’

j" By'NEVIN-;TOPP ' T “Split Enz for Pi-ime Min- ' ister,” was the comment Of . one overjoyed fan at the end of the group’s concert in the • Christchurch Town Hall last evening. They opened with a new song from the “Waiata” al-’ bum, “Hard Act To Follow,” and that would aptly describe the superb live show put on by/the group. Initially . Split Eriz seemed to be a little subdued. The new songs -from the “Waiata” album did not seem to have the same warmth as those from “True Colours,” 1 although the tracks from the latter-.cpuld be'-.regarded as old : friendsiTln -addition, the “gebmet't'jca'Uy -,' ■ mietajoid,” backdfop \ while b effective, made the . stage seem stark and almost'unfriendly, which / is not the Split Enz style. A further reason , for the I possibly mistaken early im- i

pression of coldness wafetKat the group was down to'fiVe ; members, the percussionist, Noel Crombie, . taking, the place of Malcolm Grees behind .the drum kit.. This-.left the band 5 with- less tijdfe.Tto . fool around, and moriijtime to be a cohesive -uhifeb.'bpt ' what a ; storm bp. Crombie, looking ieyere as a Prussian officer, topic, duties behind The kit sejrioiisly, and with Nigel Griggs on bass played relentlessly especially - J on . “Walking Through The ■ Ruins” -and “Shark Attack.” -.These two laid the basis for the assault on the sight and ears. : Tim Filing the lead vocalist, was not as energetic early in the concert, but oneSsojig, “Shark Attack,” changed' all that. . He threw?' himself around the stage like ,: a rag doll, and all of a sudden, 'the locomotive rhythms 'of Crombie and Griggs' ’also' took: On extra power. This happened

again on “That Was My Mistake,” with, Tim Finn really getting into the action of the words, and easily carrying the crowd along with him. Tim Finn’s brother, Neil, on lead guitar, is fast becoming a force to reckon with in the group. His softer voice as a vocalist is being used on the recent singles, as “I Got You” and “One Step Ahead,” showed,; plus the new hit, “History Never Repeats." His own lead guitar work also shone, particularly on “Missing Person” and-“I See Red.” It would be unfair not; to mention Eddie Rayner on keyboards, because he, too, is an essential part of the band, especially with his . ability- to set the mdod pf ’the song, as on “Ghost Girl.” His solo on “Walking Through The Ruins,” seemed to borrow from Supertramp’s “School,” without harming either song. Split Enz continued td

show their growing maturity and the endless search for new styles, down to stage sets, and the “House of Crombie” suits. The New Zealand band gave another exciting concert in Christchurch. Those people who have not got a ticket for the sold-out. concert for tomorrow evening are recommended to beg, borrow, or steal one for the show must rate as one of the best around.