PARTY TOUR

Rip It Up, Issue 70, 1 May 1983, Page 6

PARTY TOUR

BY DES

Twenty-second April, the day loomed ahead. The day of Marching Girls' departure a nerve-wracking experience in itself. We find Mr Hefner at home relaxing and making lastminute preparations for the trip. This would be the second visit home, a trip looked forward to by the whole band for some time now. A phone call, not unusual in this house, but a phone call from England from- old er, um friends, the' Birthday Party, the now drummerless band requesting Hefner to fill the seat and play unfortunately their last dates in New Zealand and Australia . before departing and going their separate ways. , c'-’ V . After the call, I was terrified as I had one day to learn a set of Birthday Party songs and

then play a professional set in front of a huge audience. Some task, but nevertheless a good opportunity to experience first hand the power of this world- . standard band. I did it and pulled it off reasonably well and now, after four gigs in New Zealand, I am pretty well prepared for Australia (Perth, Sydney, Melbourne). I found the band very reasonable to work with and good fun to socialise with - so after all the nerves it was well worth it. To me the Birthday Party are in their finest hour now. Having started just before I arrived with / * Marching Girls in Australia, they have undergone a natural drastic change and are now to me creating Birthday Party music at its best. The Bad Seed EP is one of the best records I've heard in years, so buy it and wake up to yourself. Buy Marching Girls too, another fine EP (a real collectors item in a few years). Touring is, in my opinion, a real bore. No time for anything sleep, eat, soundcheck, play, sleep etc. And this time round was worse than usual. Playing the first set With the Marching Girls, then half an hour later, a set with the Birthday Party. Not that hard, but it does take it out of you. ■' It was good seeing what was left of family, friends and any familiar buildings left standing. So overall, some fun was had. I think both bands went well in New Zealand but it will be interesting to see the reaction to Birthday Party in their home country. Most of the audiences have heard them and have their

records. I'll be under a lot of scrutiny from fans, I will have to perform with every bit of energy available. It will be . interesting a: ay, as I have never been U Perth, so I get to see a bit of Australia I would probably never see. So on this note I'll end. Thanks to everyone concerned with Marching Girls tour 'B3. See you when we see you. - Hefner 'B3.