Harry (ex) Exponent

Rip It Up, Issue 89, 1 December 1984, Page 6

Harry (ex) Exponent

Alister Cain

In a surprise move the Dance Exponents have parted company with drummer Michael Harrilambi. The decision, apparently a mutual one, was made after the Music Awards. Guitarist Brian Jones said a full explanation would be offered in the band’s next press release but was prepared to offer his own thoughts on the matter: "All I can really say about Harry leaving is that he had noticed what was happening himself, he was pretty disillusioned with it all, so it was a mutual agreement. We didn't ask him to leave the band, we just weren't happy and neither was he. Being in the band together there was too much pressure to be friends as well and over the last six months things have been pretty tough living together, cramped in the one space (in Melbourne). And it seemed that Harry wasn't

quite fitting into what we were doing at the time. It's definitely worked out the better for our relationship, we're much better friends than we were a month ago: it’s getting to be like the old days!" Harry will play on at least some of the songs on the Exponents’ new album, for which recording will begin in Auckland early in the new year. The album will contain mainly songs heard on the band’s last NZ tour (“we've got to get them

out before they get too old!"). It will be produced by American lan Taylor, who produced Romeo Void's Never Say Neverand prior to that worked as engineer for the extremely famous Roy Thomas Baker. Meanwhile, Brian himself has plans to record. Never one to remain idle, he's been practising with former Exponent Martin Morris, working on four songs to record at Nightshift of 3ZM studios in Christchurch. "It’s just gonna be a few friends making a record, basically. I was gonna get a few Wastrels along as well, just anyone who wants to have a go. I mean we've got a great producer for it in Dave Gent! "I just hope someone will release it," he grinned. It was confirmed recently that Stephen Birss, drummer for last year's Christchurch Band War winners, the White Boys, will play on some of the album tracks and will also tour with the band during the summer, although no dates have been confirmed yet.