Rumours

Rip It Up, Issue 75, 1 October 1983, Page 8

Rumours

UK & USA Mick Jones has been given the boot from the Clash. In a press statement, Joe Strummer and Paul Simenon said Jones had been asked to leave the band because they "felt he has drifted apart from the original idea of the Clash." A reportedly puzzled Jones has not announced his next move but rumours include a collaboration with ex Beat-ers, General Public ... Michael Jackson is working on a film version of Peter Pan with Stephen Spielberg and also sings a duet with Barbra Streisand on her new Quincy Jones-produced album ... Marc Almond has reversed his hasty decision to get • out of the music biz but, even so, the futures of Soft Cell and Marc and the Mambas seem limited. Soft Cell's new single is 'Soul Inside' and Almond's partner in the duo, David Ball, has an album, Strict Tempo ... Robert Plant and band (including Robbie Blunt, ex Steve Gibbons band, and Phil Collins) have been playing such unlikely covers as Marley's Lively Up Yourself on tour in the US ... The Immaculate Consumptives, alias Nick Cave, Marc Almond, Lydia Lunch and Jim Foetus, are to undertake a "reading tour" of the USA ... Nicky Tesco has announced that he is leaving the Members after all. He will go solo ... Prince intends to make a movie about himself. The shy, retiring star will script, score and star in the movie, which will also feature members of Vanity Six and the Time... and John Lydon's just released movie debut is now titled

Order of Death and not Cop Killers ... will the Elton John/Rod Stewart tour be called the Apocalypse Now Tour! Does it matter? ... John Murphy (formerly of the Associates) has, joined industrialists SPK ... Cherry Red Records has formed subsidiary, Africagram, to specialise in African music ... there is no truth, say Solar Records, in the rumour that Shalamar have split ... former Selecter singer Pauline Black has turned up as the lead in the first stage production of Blue Angel, an adaptation of the movie that took Marlene Dietrich to fame 30 years ago ... former Runaway Lita Ford has surfaced as the support for the next Rainbow tour of the UK ... and the Bay City Rollers, in a lineup similar to that of their heyday, have hit the bigtime again, landing one of the headlining spots at the big Futurama festival in the UK.

Albums: Joe Jackon's Mike's Murder, JJ Cale No. 8, Gary Numan Warriors, Gang of Four Hard, XTC Mummer, Joßoxers Like Gangsters, Nils Lofgren Wonderland, Comsat Angels Land, Toyah Love is the Law, Level 42 Standing in the Light, Iggy Pop / Got A Right (rarities, on Invasion Records, via Enigma, see reviews section for Enigma address), Al Green /'// Rise Again, James White James White and the Flying Dynamics, Third World Prisoner in the Street, Psychic TV Dreams Less Sweet, Kiss Lick It Up and Human League and Pretenders' LPs before Xmas and Simple Minds' LP early next year (single before Xmas). Singles: Siouxsie and the Banshees 'Dear Prudence' (the Beatles' song), Culture Club 'Karma Chameleon', Echo and the Bunnymen 'Silver/Killing Moon', David Jay (ex Bauhaus) 'Joe

Orton's Wedding' and Nick Heyward 'Blue Hat Tor a Blue Day'. AucklandV M - V: ' Graham Brazier and the Legionnaires are back, but definitely not the same as ever. Since leaving the old Legionnaires (currently gigging as the Pink Flamingos), Brazier has fashioned a new lineup with himself on vocals, Michael Polgase on drums, Lez White on bass and Andrew Langsford and Christchurch musician Gary playing guitars. No word yet of when the new Legionnaires will play but they are currently writing songs. The Gordons, soon to make a long-awaited northern tour, will now be able to mix their new album back home in Christchurch, rather than paying for an Auckland studio. They have managed to gain access to the Town Hall's enviable sound desk. The album, provisionally titled Pandora: Box 26, should be out late November ... new Big Sideways single is John Quigley's 'Let It Out', b/w 'No Rush Dorothy' and Robbie Sinclair rap number ... Karen Hill is the Jive Bombers' new trombonist. The Bombers venture down to Wellington early December. Meanwhile, they have introduced a cover charge policy of $5 for the general public and $3 for students and beneficiaries.

Car Crash Set have promised to "self destruct" on stage at Mix It Up, Mainstreet, October 12. Presumably that merely means their first gig will be their last. Guesting on guitar will be producer and record retailer about town, Trevor Reekie ... Nick Crowther has left Export Lamb, for reasons unspecified. -

Rick Bryant will soon be offering mail-order C6O cassettes featuring his bands and others. Among those offered will be Eco-

nomic Wizards, Neighbours, Jive Bombers, Mammal, Blerta and the Windy City Strugglers. Stay tuned for further details ... Classic Cinema boss Jan Grefstad is planning a record market above the cinema in Queen St on the first Sunday of every month. Former Terrorways drummer Gary Hunt has been wielding sticks for no less than Blue Rondo A La Turk (on German tour) and also roadied for Spandau Ballet in the UK and Europe ... Pleasure Boys have recorded four tracks at Progressive for a single ... new are Desire, featuring Gary Havoc on guitar, John Treseder (ex Black and Blue) on guitar and singer Suzie Divine.

Sons in Jeopardy debuted recently and have recorded a couple of songs at Harlequin. They are: Paul Cairns (guitar, vocals), Wayne Flintham (bass),

Andrew Bishop (synthesiser), Paul Majsa (drums) ... Mac, Nobby and Chris from Vicious Circle have joined forces with Matthew (ex Local Chaos) to form Dead Image. DI have recorded a song at Last Laugh for the studio's CND album. Russell Brown

Wellington At last, a compilation of New Zealand tunes worthy of attention. This month Jayrem release Barking Up The Right Tree containing Meemees 'Stars In My Eyes', Body Electric 'Pulsing', Blams "Marsha', Dance Exponents 'Victoria', Neighbours 'Only One You Need', Dave Dobbyn Tipstick Power', Graham Brazier 'Billy Bold' plus songs from Unrestful Movements, Hulamen, Pop Mechanix and Mockers ... new warehouse venue baptised October 1,8 by Gordons from Christchurch with Vietnam and Naked Spots Dance. NSD's LP is in final mixing stage but its release has been delayed because the engineer was committed to the Sharon O'Neill tour ... Clyde Quay now closed to bands to make way for adult entertainment'. Hmmm ...

Blue Rock, winners of the first Wellington Battle of -the Bands final, were runners-up . in the recent national final.' Moving Targets, winners of second Wellington final, were third. 'Life Begins At 40' from locals Dave and the Dynamos, sitting high in national charts. No assassination threats yet ... Tony Richards is organising an Arts Centre big band composed of four brass, two strings, three percussion, bass and guitar. Tony's also organising another group, Loop the Loop, for recording. ... Two Armed Men depart shortly for

twelve-day' North Island tour,, playing Palmerston North, Tainape, Napier, Hawera and New Plymouth. Record news: Precious recording 45 or EP at Marmalade ... Geoff Clarkson (ex Flight X-7) has just completed recording a technopop offering, One On One, at Marmalade. The album sees local release later this year and there's a strong possibility it will get a United States release as well ... From Jayrem: 12" Terror of Tinytown 'I Am The Need' (Oct 17), new Body Electric 12" Dreaming In A Life', 'lnterior Exile', instrumental 'Rubber Knife' in shops Oct 10. Album to follow at end of month. Also slated for late October release: Midge Marsden live five track EP recorded last Easter at the Gluepot and Flesh D'-Vice seven track EP titled 12" of Hard Flesh. In November watch for Capital Chaos punk compilation. Pelicans 8-track recording on the Eelman label (previously used by the Hulamen). Working title is 8 Duck Treasure. Still coming: Sam (who actually talked to Woody Allen) Hunt LP. David Taylor Christchurch New Dance Exponents guitarist is Chris Sheehan, formerly of Dumb . Waiters ... Gordons tour underway Oct 20 ... co-operative outfit Freefall Records is setting up an eight-track studio for use by local bands. Rates will be extremely competitive. If interested, contact Freefall on 67-870.

AEB continues to gather momentum and is currently trying to find finance for its new cassette label. To this end they have an allday benefit at the Gladstone, Labour Day, with which it hopes to finance the release of LA punk

compilation Millions of Dead Cops. All going well it should be out soon and will probably retail' for less than $5. The album is on the Alternative Tentacles label and negotiations for its release were made with the label's daddies, Dead Kennedys ... the AEB also plans "a paper from nowhere, an anarchistic spasmodical full of graphics, info and pointed remarks aimed at certain ChCh promoters." A printing press has been purchased and the paper should appear before November. The press will also be used to do cost-price posters. Arrange by ringing office, 50-638.

ECF tour commences in Dunedin Oct 20. It's unofficially titled The Return of the Test Tube Gorgons'. To coincide will be the release of the much-delayed EP Radio W.A.N.K. EP was recorded at the band's usual frenetic pace in one session at Tandem Studios and is to go out on the new New Future label ... Rocko Coco will become Roca Coca ... Doodles is being renovated when closed early week and the rubble being cleared

away for late week audiences. New name being touted to go with the new decor is Club Vibrations

... Triffids will change their name after discovering an Aussie band with the same name. Also seems that Shazam producer Peter Grattan previously had band of same name here.

The Fit are rehearsing with new bassist Chris Loader (ex Beagle Boys). Original set almost ready, ph Bill 556-944 for bookings. Fit recently played Greymouth's Manchester Unity Hall in a gig arranged by the Westland Musicians' Club. The club is keen to have bands at the venue regularly and gigs can be arranged by contacting Les Holmes, c/- Greymouth High School. Revingtons Hotel also likely to become a permanent venue.

Godz have an additional member on keyboards in Peter Kearnes. To go with the "additional variety" expected in their music Godz intend to find a new name ... new drummer for the Aranui's Blades is Kevin Emmett (ex Pop Mechanix) ... and the Star and Garter is operating again and new

management promise that as long as the place is kept relatively pristine gigs will continue. Geraldine Gerrard Dunedin

Shayne Carter' has left the Cartilage Family and has formed a two guitar duo with Wayne Elsey. They are using a drum machine nicknamed Herbie Fuckface because they don't like drummers. Peter Gutteridge is keeping the Cartilage Family together and David Pine has shown some interest in the band.

The Verlaines' 'Death and the Maiden' and the Chills' 'Rolling Moon' have been.entered in the New Zealand Music Awards. The Bored Games'' 'Happy - Endings' video has also been'entered. The Tunnel Wives have reverted back to their original name. Look Blue Go Purple ... new bands include White Noise Cult and Subvert ... ex Chants, Damian Woodhouse and William Field have formed the Armchair Thrillers. The Chant have recorded a posthumous tape .see review for details.,

Martin Phillips, who has been doing the odd solo spot, is still looking for a bassist and name for his new band. Jim Taylor has joined Pretty Idles. The Empire is changing hands and buck-a-head Saturday afternoon concerts at the Oriental have started successfully with the Rip, the NDT's, Roger and Me and Look Blue Go Purple all on the one afternoon last month. Work in Dunedin is so hard to come by that Blue Murder have been playing a lot in Alexandra. Leptoid Promotion's ; Malcolm Overton has left Dunedin for Auckland to manage Hip Singles. George Kay