Live

Rip It Up, Issue 120, 1 July 1987, Page 28

Live

Straitjacket Fits Oriental, Dunedin, June 12 Caught the second half of the Benders’ set, a.five-piece with much guitar-swapping and pop

nicities. They had some up dancing but were too often strained for me (though being a sucker for songs about superheroes, | clapped warmly enough at the end). : The big guns took their time in wheeling out. Nigh-on 10pm before they appear on stage. The largish crowd’s expectant, but many are unprepared for the ensuing volume ... Loud enough for Shayne Carter to take a handcount halfway through: “Is it too loud?” The answer’s yes, but they promise to turn it up. Songs transcend what'’s created onstage. Interplayed guitars sing infrastructures of their own. Sounds good ... The unique Carter whine wraps itself around ‘Marianne, straining it to places that Leonard Cohen doesn't dare dream of, then careers through ‘She Speeds!’ There's a harmony of sorts with Andrew Brough, but tonight it's their guitars that are hurting ears. John Collie leads an unexpected run through the Dangerman theme and the pain in the back of my head takes me back to some children’s hour. ;

Now having seen the Straitjacket Fits several times in several

different towns this year, | have to agree with one who knows: they just get better every time; louder too, methinks.” When it comesl shall have to find some loud place to play their Life In One Chord. "Twill be good. Paul McKessar 3

Rhubarb Collective, Camelias, Prodigies Old Star, Christchurch, June 27

With the demise of the Gladstone as the haven of local original music things looked rather bleak until the Old Star Tavern reopened its doors and asked us in to cram round their open fire. Tonight was part two of a “Six Pack Weekend,” with three bands per night. First up was the Rhubarb Collective. They have a melodic 60s-ish sound, slightly heavy on the bass but incorporating some interesting ideas such as the use of recorder on a couple of songs. They started the night off quietly but built things up, and soon had people on the dance floor as their guitarist launched into a few Hendrix-styled guitar licks. The Camelias have developed

their sound enormously in the year or so they've been together, and right from the start one could imagine one was listening to Jesus & Mary Chain's Reid brothers rather than Christchurch’s Ford brothers. Slightly more subtle than J&MC, the Camelias switched from slow songs to full on barrages, possibly too quickly, only marred by technical hitches with the PA. With songs as good as ‘Pride’ (no, not that onel!) the Camelias could be a band to keep an eye on.

1987 looks like being a good year for the Prodigies, with new bassist Alan Clark injecting some needed humour and energy into the band. Heading off with the Latin-tinged' instrumental ‘Under the Bunka, they ran through a good set of Prodigie originals, and a few well suited covers such as REM'’s ‘Superman, before ending the night with a very odd (read: messy) version of the Easybeats’ SOy Overall, a great night of local talent enhanced by the sight of a venue full of people dancing to local bands — certainly worth $6.

John Greenfield