Auckland quintet make impact

Press, 28 July 1989, Page 27

Auckland quintet make impact

By

DAVID LEGGAT

OF NZPA London An all-female AucKland band, Dead Famous People, have got a toe in the door of the highly competitive British music business with the release of a five-track mini-album last week. The album, “Arriving In Torn Filthy Jeans,” was released on the utility label of the singersongwriter, Billy Bragg. Also in the pipeline is an appearance on the late night show of the influential Radio One disc jockey, John Peel. The band went to England a year ago, largely in search of a drummer, said the keyboard player, Biddy Leyland. “We weren’t having any luck find one at home, and the music scene is so big here we wanted to see how we would go,” The group, comprising Jeuny Renals (bass), Gill Moon (drums), Wendy Kjestrup (guitar), Donna Savage (writer and vocals) and Leyland, has had exposure on the pub and club circuit, but Leyland said it was tough finding regular work. “We have played a lot around London but it’s really quite difficult getting venues because it’s so competitive. There are so many hoops you have to jump through before you get anywhere.” Leyland said one of her toughest jobs was defining the band’s music. The closest she couid get was to cal! it “basically pop,” and similar in style to the music of the British harmony group, the Housemartins. The group have no role model and place the emphasis on melodies* Now they are looking to sign up for an independent label. “Arriving In Torn Filthy Jeans” was “a one-off, a bit of a market taster” for Bragg’s fledgling label. “We’re working really hard at making a go of it over the next few months — or however long it takes,” Leyland said.