Letters

Rip It Up, Issue 83, 1 June 1984, Page 32

L etters

Post to RIU Letters, PO Box 5689, Auckland 1.

Just Wild About ’Arry Awright. Just answer me one question what the fuck’s 'appened to 'Arry? Tell me that! Ever since March I ave been looking for my monthly dosage of umour and 'ilarity and what do I get? Fuck all, that's what! There's only one thing that’s 'arf as funny as Arry and that’s Auckland Walk and I'm fucked if I'm going to listen to that. Bring back 'Arry. Some'ow life just isn’t the same without 'im.

Queen Shag Wellington We too, miss the familiar sight of Arry crawling to the breakfast table to douse his Weetbix in Stem lager (blue, of course). But oo was that raving on Campus Radion the other night? RB True Love Dear Russell Brown, I think your comment about the Mockers' 'Swear It's True' is RUBBISH. It is one of the best singles they have put out so keep your opinion to yourself because everyone I know likes it. Cathy Brown Fag-an?

Congratulations to Mr Andrew Fagan. He's the only person I can think of that makes Boy George look macho. How about Arry giving him the "Marc Almond Plastic Pansy" award. 9.30 Sunday TV Turner Off-er Tuakau

Ah, but have you seen his biceps? RB

Don’t Blame Me! I have just finished reading your April issue, in particular

"AR's” review of Auckland Walk's Rhythmic Tendencies. I find it hard to believe that I should be held personally responsible for every recording the band makes. I would like to point out that the decision to give Auckland Walk the "Best Live Band" award was made by the judges on the night of the concert I did not vote. The "Best Video Band" was decided by public vote once again I did not vote. Throughout the contest I remained totally impartial and merely hosted the proceedings. I most certainly did not have "plastic qars." Perhaps AR's knowledge of locally produced music is so small that he finds it easier to take cheap pot-shots rather than give constructive criticism which would require a little more intellect. Phillip Schofield Shazam Blame Rip It Up\ My friend Michel Morris expressed my sentiments exactly when she explained that your publication is the product of a "small and cliquey group” of a decidedly incestuous nature. The only way New Zealand music, no matter what category it falls into, is going to become a viable proposition on the international market is for everyone involved to adopt a more positive attitude towards it. Your publication, I'm afraid, does nothing more than create in the minds of the unfortunate public, who are enticed into reading Rip It Up because it is free, the idea that local music is inferior. This obviously isn't doing much for the many talented musicians who are trying to carve out some kind of existence in this business.

Having read this month's issue it is pretty obvious why you have to give it away. Murray, I suggest you employ a less small-minded staff who are better qualified to criticise and who in fact know the subtlety of constructive criticism. Take Russell Brown for instance if bullshit was music he'd be a brass band. Damian Saunders Auckland Walk If bullshit was music it'd be Auckland Walk. Easy mnit? No. seriously, it seems the only people Auckland Walk aren't blaming are themselves. This is the band which attributed the abject failure of an ambitious South Island tour (undertaken after huge media exposure) to an offhand comment by a Dance Exponent in the midst of an RIU' story. And as for RIU' creating an impression that NZ music is inferior —that's a load of shit and you know it. RB New Plymouth Again I just had to comment on Michel Morris' letter in the last issue. I know how she must have felt, being in that band Auckland Walk were the victims of unjust pettiness throughout 1983. They were knocked and rubbished like I don't know what. In my opinion they were a brilliant, professional top-notch band. Good luck Michel and the others. Anne Hallgrove New Plymouth Mistaken Identity I am writing to make it clear that the person referred to in the first two paragraphs and the final paragraph of your article titled 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' in the May issue of RIU was not representing the organisation Youth For Christ. We are certainly not in the undercover business. Mai Green Director, Auckland Youth For Christ In Response to Criticism To Real Music Lover (ha!), RIU Letters, May: Hey dickhead (hip muso term, y'know) SHOVE IT UP YOUR ARSE! Yours in Unintelligence The Doublehappys Dunedin