‘Garage’ for N.Z.

Press, 20 February 1986, Page 10

‘Garage’ for N.Z.

By

TONY GREEN

To say Richard Langston is smitten with New Zealand music would be an understatement. Even during a 1983-84 stay in Britain, his turntable was assaulted more often by The Clean than the hair-cut-oriented British pop of the time.

On his return, Langston was sufficiently inspired by what he found at grassroots level to set up his own fanzine, the endearingly-named "Garage,” in December, 1984.

Over its four-issue run to date, the magazine has retained its energy and entertainment value, tirelessly pushing N.Z. bands like The Chills, The Clean, The Builders and many others, while remaining free of any commercial Interests and the egomania that sometimes mars fanzines.

“Garage is basically a letter to people with similar interests,” admits Langston. “Obviously, I like a certain type of music, with guitars, and harmonies, but then, by their very nature, fanzines are sycophantic.” Langston’s enthusiasm stems from two early N.Z. bands, Toy Love, and, especially, The Clean — “the first really different

band” — right through to new bands such as The Orange and Inner Circle (both from Dunedin). “I get annoyed when bands like The Violent Femmes come here, charge $l5 and play crappy R ’n B, when for $3 or $4 you can go and. see a band like The Verlaines,” says Langston. “I guess overseas reputation means a lot to some people.” Langston is not impressed by those in the N.Z. music business who argue that the “studied amateurism” of many current local bands is killing the chances of ever breaking through internationally. “The whole attraction of N.Z. music is its ‘trueness,’ if you like. I think Flying Nun’s success with a non-polltical, non-hype approach, just letting the music speak for itself, really scares some people.” How would Langston answer people who see "Garage” as a Flying Nun fanzine, not truly representative of N.Z. music? “Well, I don’t have the entire Flying Nun catalogue piled up like a shrine, in the corner of my room — it could be on a Tongan reggae label for all I care!”

“Garage” is now on sale in London, Melbourne, and Sydney, as well as local record shops, with feedback coming from such unlikely places as Ohio, Canada and Finland.

The fifth issue, which should be out around late April, will see some experimentation with layout in order to squeeze in even more words per page from Langston and other contributors (including David Swift, a former writer for this column, now working in London).

Does he ever feel he takes music a bit too seriously? "Well, what else is there — a house? A speedboat? I think ‘Garage’ is one of life’s great moments.” Footnote: Back and future issues of “Garage” are available from 21 Royal Crescent,’St Kilda, Dunedin, for $1.50.