Rock music with pictures—1985

Press, 26 December 1985, Page 10

Rock music with pictures—1985

By

TONY GREEN

“Yes, we’ve got a bloody video!” yelled an exasperated Vyvyan, on television’s brilliant British comedy, “The Young Ones.” I know what he means, this year, the stereo was pummelled into submission by cathode ray images as never before.

Ranging from Live Aid to Peking Man to Fetus Productions, video became top priority with bands in 1985. After all, it’s a lot easier to break a record on “Ready to Roll” than relying on radio to put it on high rotation.

Inevitably, however, the bands and their music are being tailored to fit the clip, rather than vice versa. I mean, it would make little sense to spend 550,000 to fly The Pogues to Sri Lanka if Duran Duran were available!

The results of this tendency are now becoming apparent. In spite of Kevin Godley’s (of Godley and Creme) stirring lecture on gennerally shoddy standards, the MTV Video Awards must have been one of the most brainless award shows ever (surpassing even The New Zealand Music Awards).

Admittedly, it’s not all rubbish, with clips from the likes of Propaganda, Talking Heads and especially Cabaret Votaire stirring some interest, but the video backlash can not be far off.

Of course videos worldwide took a battering on July 13, as Live Aid collected a host of old and new bands and musicians in the biggest charity gig ever. It was a big success, and millions were raised for famine relief to add to the good work already done by Band Aid and U.S.A, for Africa.

In the process, Bob Geldof sparked off a wave of charity concerts and records, ranging from the political funk of the excellent “Sun City,” to Aids Aid, our own “Rock On N.Z.” live telecast, and the treacly N.Z. Music Awards finale, not to mention the heavy metal “Hearing Aid” single.

Musically, these efforts are usually average, but the results justify the means, I suppose. Perhaps the success of “Sun City” will trigger a wave of controversial causes, which could result in some interesting music.

Most interest overseas came from America, with a new wave of bands feeding on the old (The Byrds, Creedence Clearwater Revival) and the new (R.E.M., Tom Petty), and creating the first wave of exciting Stateside bands for some time.

But, even though some such as Guadalcanal Diary and Let’s Active show promise, only R.E.M. really came through, with their brillant third LP, “Fables Of The Reconstruction.” Busker Du emerged from the hardcore abyss with rave reviews, however, and their music must surely be

released soon in N.Z. The U.S. mainstream remains a cultural wasteland, as “Like A Virgin” dances mindlessly across the nation’s weenyboppers, and the Springsteen mythos is milked dry by a hungry record company.

Black music was unusually quiet in ’B5, as Michael Jackson took a rest, and rappers and bop fans made little impact. Bobby Womack made a classy resurgence, but the big guns, Prince and Stevie Wonder, both made below par LPs.

England was quiet also, with much of the best music coming from new bands such as The Jesus And Maiy Chain (LP released here this week). UZ and Simple Minds have matured into stadium megabores, while Wham spent the year sorting out a new hairstylist. The charts reflected this, being the most polite for ages. But in New Zealand, 1985 was the best year in a long time. The big international breakthrough that the moguls always pine for did not occur, but the music, both pop and “underground,” was diverse and plentiful. Flying Nun Records lead the way, with their commonsense approach paying rich dividends. The Chills released a good EP, and then played to packed houses in Britain. The Verlaines “Hallelujah” LP is probably Nun’s finest this year, but others from Sneaky Feelings, The Doublehappys, The Exploding Budgies and From Scratch, deserve mention.

The Netherworld Dancing Toys, against all odds, got “For Today” played on the radio, and as a result had a hit LP in “Painted Years.” Programmers, take note — N.Z. music quotas will happen in ’B6 (fingers crossed!) so my advice is start now,

and avoid the rush. The Mockers went to Australia and came back with the slick “Culprit And The King” LP, DD Smash had a quiet year after last year’s riotous “Optimist” disc, Dance Exponents had problems but released the ace “Christchurch” single off their LP, “Expectations,” and the Nares ... were The Nares.

Not too many tours made an impact in ’B5. Elvis Costello and T-Bone Burnett were the best with their solo Theatre Royal show, while The Go-Betweens played a brilliant set at the Gladstone. Jonathon Richman was marred by terrible sound, while Hunters And Collectors and The Johnnys were a little disappointing. One bright note in Christchurch was the opening of The Youth Centre, a good venue which has already been used to good effect. A big problem remains the lack of a decent medium-size venue, how-

ever, in spite of the Theatre Royal being used on occasions.

So a mixed year, but the signs are next year could be better, with the prospect of tours from The Violent Femmes (who were very quiet in 1985) and The Hoodoo Gurus, and local discs from The Bird Nest Roys and, hopefully, The Chills LP.

And now, here are the crucial ones for the past year: The Green Awards for 1985.

Best overseas acfcThe Smiths, with honourable mention of R.E.M., Talking Heads, New Order and Elvis Costello. Best overseas albums:The Smiths, “Meat Is Murder.” The Go-Betweens, “Spring Hill Fair.” Talking Heads, “Little Creatures.” R.E.M., “Fables Of The Reconstruction.” New Order, “Low Life.” Bobby Womack, “Poet II.”

Best overseas single or EPzJames, “Hymn From A

Village.” New Order, “The Perfect Kiss.” Propaganda, “Duel.” The Smiths, “How Soon Is Now.” Cabaret Voltaire, “Sensoria.” Madness, “Yesterday’s Men.” Hoodoo Gurus, “Bittersweet.” Simply Red, “Money’s Too Tight Too Mention.” Talking Heads, “Road To Nowhere.” Best N.Z. Band:The Chills. Best N.Z. LP:“Tuatara” - The Flying Nun compilation LP; The Verlaines, “Hallelujah” The Builders, “CoNCH3.” Best N.Z. singles:The Chills, “The Lost EP.” Sneaky Feelings, “Husband House” (although I thought the flip “The Strange And Conflicting Feelings Of Separating And Betrayal” had the edge). Dance Exponents, “Christchurch.” Doublehappys, “Cut It Out.” Exploding Budgies, “The Grotesque Singers.” DD Smash, “Surrender.” Best video:Cabaret Voltaire, “Sensoria,” followed by Propaganda’s “Duel,” and Talking Heads, “Road

To Nowhere.” Best new band (overseas):The Jesus And Mary Chain. Best new band (N.Z.):Bird Nest Roys. Best overseas concerfcElvis Costello and T. Bone Burnett, Theatre Royal. Best N.Z. Cdncerfcßird Nest Roys, The Chills, and The Netherworld Dancing Toys, Theatre Royal. Good things in *Bs:Christchurch Youth Centre, Motown re-releases, Aretha Franklin, Chills gigs, “Garage” magazine, David Byrne interviewing himself on “Radio With Pictures,” Flying Nun going overseas. Bad things in ’Bs:Wayne Elsey*s death. Freddie Mercury on RWP compact disc and Hi-fi video bores. “The Power Of Love,” movie soundtracks, Karyn Hay leaving television and Satellite Spies. Creep of the Yearcßadio New Zealand for not playing enough local music.