LIVE

Rip It Up, Issue 53, 1 December 1981, Page 18

LIVE

The Ballroom Blitz Mainstreet, November 18. The prospect of an event such as the Ballroom Blitz was enough to make the average bloke run a mile. Imagine Mainstreet full of cup cakes and hairdressers doing their best to outshine their British counterparts! The' fact that they might be there, let alone dressed to the hilt, was a prospect too horrendous for thought. But come the night, I was just one of about 600 Aucklanders who turned out for an evening of fun, revelry and good music. Being perpetually late, I of course missed Who Slapped John. But by all reports, this three-piece, featuring exRagnarok leader Ramon York, is on the improve. I look forward to seeing them in the future. In between the bands were fashion shows, which I'm not really qualified, to pass judgement on, and a dance troupe called Squadron. Both made for more exciting entertainment than watching roadies changing the stage. Second band on were Missing Tremble. Although they, use synthesisers, they don't really have much in common with blitz ethics. Their music is dynamic, slightly raw and exceedingly tight. The dance floor was packed, and the band served up a selection of extremely, promising original songs, probably the best being 'Frightened Men' and 'Almost A Moment'. Top act for the night were Danse Macabre. Looking immaculate, Weston in a frilly shirt and Ralph in a cocktail jacket, they ran through the ; whole of the EP/ plus lots more. Surprise of the set was a rather frantic version of the Four Tops' Reach Out', and a new song titled 'Sanctum'. The more I see Danse Macabre, the better they get. The most refreshing thing about the whole evening was the lack of trouble; The people who went enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and surely that's what entertainment is all about. Mark Phillips. Midge Marsden Connection Shoreline■ Hotel, Dunedin, Nov 26. Stability isn't one of rock 'n' roll's strong points. Transcience is necessary for it to stay healthy and on target yet there should always be room for the muscular R&B that Midge Marsden is currently Totin', around the country. Marsden kicks ass with the effortless confidence of a trooper who's been around for a generation, and the rest. With another new. line-up, Ta