RUMOURS

Rip It Up, Issue 11, 1 May 1978, Page 4

RUMOURS

i ne Dunedin rock scene seems to revolve principally around the pubs, which, from many points of view, is a drawback, but without them there would be very little work here. Understatement. Ragnarok have just completed a stint at the Sheraton. Pubs seem to suit them artistically and financially after their brief and not entirely successful tour of concert halls last year. The European regularly feature Velvet Stillwater and Chaseband Manhattan The Captain Cook, Dunedin’s University pub, prefer outside acts rather than local bands, however, Cruze, one of the best local outfits, have future dates at the Cook and they require a lead vocalist as

bassist/vocalist Neil Henderson believes they need a specialist singer to give them that additional presence. After Richard Wilde and his band played at the Garden's Tavern two months ago the local residents have succeeded in banning "loud" rock acts from performing there. Wilde was only the straw that broke the camel’s back as the locals had been irate for months over so-called "noise" pollution. Kevin Lynch whose song is high on the "Entertainers" list has left Expence, one of Dunedin's longest surviving rock outfits, to write advertising jingles. Drummer Ivan Hamilton has also left Expence to join Cozy, a great two man acoustic blues band who are regularly playing at the Cellars and who are rumoured to be adding a brass section to augment their sound. Personnel changes have also struck Shuffle with the talented Jeff Dickie replac-

ing Allie McDougal on lead guitar. Christchurch’s Odyssey have had a few rows and have undergone a few consequent changes. New vocalist Rob Corey has been drafted from Skylord, and Thoroughbred guitarist has replaced Mike Sheil. Punk rock is alive but only breathing ip i Dunedin as London SS are finding work hard to obtain because of the reluctance of most pubs to hire high energy bands. The Enemy Dunedin's foremost New Wavers who play only their own material, are having more success playing odd halls and the Polytech. They have just completed a one nighter in Christchurch, and they have a tape which is circulating Dunedin and a copy has been sent to Bomp's Greg Shaw in America. Eat yer liver, Iggy man. More next issue, i Play that fast thing one more time. George Kay ( & K.O. Tannock)