WELLINGTON

Rip It Up, Issue 20, 1 March 1979, Page 4

WELLINGTON

LYNNE ATTWOOD

The rumour that Spats are breaking up isn’t necessarily true ... they are going to be called The Crocodiles and stay together to write and record. Tony Backhouse is gigging with Rough Justice at the Rock Theatre and will continue to work on new original material with Rick Bryant and the boys.

lnsane six-piece all-girl group Th* Wide Mouthed Frogs are the newest, most interesting phenomenom to happen in Wellington for, well, forever. They are vocally excellent and improving musically all the time ... Schtung packed four nights at The Last Resort mid February. Crowds yelled and stomped and were pretty schtunged-out. Short Story and Stilletto are both on the road. SS have a South Island tour starting at Dunedin on 13 March through Christchurch, Dunedin, then back to Wellington for some more recording. Stilletto are still promoting their single. They’ve done two clips for Radio with Pictures, and lots of interviews etc round the North Island.

Two heavy gripes why didn’t a New Zealand band support the Rod Stewart concert, even as support support band? so much for local talent getting a fair go. And why didn’t Wayne Mason get an Arts Council grant for recording his album of homegrown, totally original New Zealand material? Reel to Real are losing their very charismatic singer/rhythm guitarist David Bates. They wind up at the Royal Tiger early in March. Th’ Dudes are putting tracks down for 2ZM's Group of the Month which will go to air all through April ... Broadcasting's Studio 2 have been busy recording local band Requiem and also a single by Desna Sisarich. They are putting down tracks by two members of Pacific Eardrum for use on radio. Street Talk are playing at The Last Resort for four nights, March 28 to April 1 ... As part of the Wellington Festival, on Sunday 25th March, Peter Frater and Rodger Fox are putting a Musicians Concert together with Bridget Allen, Dennis O'Brien, Kim Hart, Malcolm Hayman, Dave Feehan and Tony McLauchlin. They'll be backed by the 1860 Band, Rodger Fox Big Band horns, some of Dennis O'Brien’s band, and Snatch.