Letters

Rip It Up, Issue 4, 1 September 1977, Page 13

Letters

RIP IT UP P.0.80x 5689, Auckland

Punks Reply

It was nice to see the article on the Reptiles and The Scavs in your last issue. However there are a few points that need to be sorted out.

1) His name is Billy Planet not Billy Boots. 2) The Reptiles play nearly all their own stuff. The non-original material consists of two Damned songs, one Stooges song and one Stones song, all of which are so rearranged that they are practically unrecognisable.

3) It was a charity gig and not enough of you bastards (the great apathetic general public).

4) Potential? Who needs potential when you're one of the few worth listening to in Auckland.

5) Ask anyone at the Elam gig how loud we can play.

6) Shaun Anfrayd and Sissy Spunk have now both left due to "Musical differences” and are now being replaced by one fella who will be unveiled at the next gig. 7) Who pissed on the floor?

Somebody said it was Frank (sorry Francis) Stark, but we could be wrong. 8) You're bloody right it will happen soon. People are getting pretty bored with the same old Steely Dan, Stones and Disco retreads coming from people like Voxpop and Hello Sailor.

Keep listening for more. Symin p.p. Partisan Politik Auckland

Colin Hemmingsen's article in the second issue of Rip It Up impressed me greatly. I agree with him on all fronts the

discos are robbing musicians of their livelihood and there is an apathetic attitude among musicians.

I also agree with the fact that learning theory can only lead to greater heights of inspiration and improvisation, Steely Dan couldn't possibly play what they do by ear, and guys who do play by ear can, at their best, only copy them and imitate them and imitate their style. One thing you should consider however is the NZ public itself. Idiots in pubs don't demand great musical proficiency from musicians. It doesn't take much skill to plough through “Baby Blue" or "Pearly Shells". Despite this sickening fact, this article struck me as a ray of hope particularly the part about Colin's school in Auckland. Perhaps the public is better educated in Auckland or at least has some taste.

J. Telford Christchurch , 5

Over the last few months, it has been a growing Sunday night habit to go for a training run for next Saturday’s game. At least as far as everyone else is concerned I'm going for a run. In fact, Ido run for about 100 yards, then— I sit on my bum and pull out ... no, not a plum, but the product of a plant that will soon replace the Silver Fern as our national emblem. I then cruise home and listen to the best damn jock in the land on Minority Radio, 1480, 7-12. This would be the best source of radio music available and one helluva education to boot.

But I'm constantly surprised at the number of people completely unaware of this amazing source of entertainment. The last month or so has been nothing short of brilliant especially the show Rock boc did on guitar players. Never in my life have I experienced such a brilliant line-up of music on radio and just like the magazine you re reading now, it s absolutely free. Keep it up Barry.

Anonymous

Congratulations on the birth of Rip It Up the only periodical in New Zealand giving adequate coverage to rock and other contemporary musics.

Nitpicker that I am, I would like to draw your attention to a goof in the second issue. In the otherwise fine piece on Frankie Miller, his early band Sock It To’Em JB was not named after a Bar-Kays hit but a disco favourite by Rex Garvin and the Mighty Cravers.

Trifles aside, Rip It Up is doing an excellent job particularly in giving exposure to NZ artistes and little-known major overseas talents such as Flora Purim and Al Jarreau. Keep it up. Graham Donlon New Plymouth