Mee Mees hit No. 1

Press, 3 September 1981, Page 14

Mee Mees hit No. 1

By

DAVID SWIFT

"It was a bit of a surprise.” Tony Drumm, the singer for the Screaming Mee Mees, said modestly. “It was Festival's first number one since 'The Tide Is High’-(Blondie), so they were pleased.” he said. He was talking about the Mee Mees’ “See Me Go,” which made No. 1 last week in its first week in the Top 50 chart. Apparently the company had given the disc very little promotion beforehand, but the situation was changing this week. “We would be stupid if we didn't expect it to slip down the chart this week,” said Tony. But, buoyed by the success, another single is planned. It will be recorded in about five weeks. The film clip was played on "Ready To Roll” last week, and “Radio With Pictures” previously. But, live, the band is staying low, with no gigs lined up this or next week-end. “We don’t want to overreact.” said Tony. Propeller Records, the Auckland independent label, scored a victory with the Mee Mees' chart success. It was the first time, to the

best of Festival’s (the distributing company) knowledge, that a New Zealand single had debuted at the top. Propeller has two other singles in the charts. The excellent Tall Dwarfs twelve-inch (which I forgot to review last week), and Blam Blam Blam's “There Is No Depression In New Zealand.” The latter has risen from 15 to 11, and is currently on the highest rotate playlist at Radio Hauraki in Auckland. It’s a pity that radio in

Christchurch hasn’t seen fit to pick it up as enthusiastically. “It's great" and “I couldn't care less” were comments from Tim Mahon, the Blams’ bass player, on the record’s position in the chart (and it’s No. 4 in Auckland). He rang during a break from dishwashing at an Auckland restaurant. Almost a pop star, yet washing dishes? “I like washing dishes. I can listen for us on the radio."

He was genuinely pleased at the reaction to the best “depression” around at present. A Blam Blam Blam album will be recorded in October, and a single should be released just before the album. The band would like to get the support slot for The Swingers when that band tours the country in October, but Don McGlashan’s university exams may rule that out. They'll be back to Christchurch for the first week of December though.