Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Friday Music: Bright pastel colours and skew-whiff perspectives

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  • Mike O'Connell,

    Oddly enough, I can’t recall much of the gig at the Fulham Greyhoud

    I was living in Bristol at the time an a couple of colleagues headed down the M4 with me to London that day. I think they played the same venue a year later - with The Bats in support I recall.

    The Clean never came to Bristol in 1988 however the Chills and Sneaky Feelings did make it to the Fleece & Firkin pub where incidentally Ali Farka Toure and band also played a mind-bending set.

    Aah those were the days!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 385 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Mike O'Connell,

    The Clean never came to Bristol in 1988 however the Chills and Sneaky Feelings did make it to the Fleece & Firkin pub where incidentally Ali Farka Toure and band also played a mind-bending set.

    I think that was the Chills show in Bristol that I tagged along to. Although I'd probably best not tell that story.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • bob daktari,

    I fondly remember seeing the Clean for the first time on their reunion tour in the tron, 1990 having thought youse bastards on your OE's would be the only lucky ones - I thought it would be the one and only time I'd ever get to see them... they ruled and continue to and I've many more live memories of them to treasure

    https://soundcloud.com/darkstation/the-clean-fish-gurus-waikato

    auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 540 posts Report Reply

  • David Herkt,

    Lovely evocation of the E Years, Russell.You reminded me of many things. Sometimes I get the feel of things again through a bit of a track and I suddenly remember the dancing, the heat, the smear, and the surges of things. Wouldn't have missed it for the world...

    Auckland • Since Sep 2007 • 53 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to David Herkt,

    Attachment

    It was the most amazing, unprecedented time. There are a few pictures from The Trip on the internet. We don't seem to be in any of them, but I definitely remember this girl, and looking at her, thinking she looked like Madonna.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Attachment

    One more from The Trip. Mad, mad, mad fun.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • nickpeters,

    Nice piece. I've loved all the coverage of the re-release and was pleased to know that others held this album in as high regard as I did, it's often seemed like the band were mainly remembered for their early 80s work. I was working in an indie record shop at the time of release and had a Vehicle t-shirt, which I'm assuming was a Rough Trade promotional item rather than official merch. It featured the album artwork on a white t-shirt and was much loved for many years but has long since gone the way of all such things. Would be great to get a new one.

    Australia • Since Aug 2013 • 1 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to nickpeters,

    I was working in an indie record shop at the time of release and had a Vehicle t-shirt, which I’m assuming was a Rough Trade promotional item rather than official merch. It featured the album artwork on a white t-shirt and was much loved for many years but has long since gone the way of all such things. Would be great to get a new one.

    They were great shirts. The print was really good. I wore mine until it fell to bits.

    I have a wonderful memory of being bailed up in the corridor of the film studios in Wroclaw, Poland, where I was doing a story (another tale altogether) by a guy who couldn't speak English but was plainly highly excited about the shirt. I've never been sure whether he was a Clean fan or just liked the design, but he was very pleased to see it.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Gabor Toth, in reply to Mike O'Connell,

    The Clean never came to Bristol in 1988 however the Chills and Sneaky Feelings did make it to the Fleece & Firkin pub where incidentally Ali Farka Toure and band also played a mind-bending set.

    Gad! I was at that Chills gig too! I was living in a dump in Filton (ghastly place) on the outskirts of Bristol and had come into town for "a bi't of culcha". Whodathought...

    Wellington • Since Dec 2006 • 137 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Day given over to reminiscence now. I think ‘Oncoming Day’ is my favourite Chills song.

    And the nerd words:

    This is the first of five separate attempts to record the song “Oncoming Day”, the fifth and final version being released on the Submarine Bells album in 1990. This particular version was recorded and filmed at South Dunedin’s Mayfair Theater circa October 1982 by cameraman Peter Janes. At the same time, they also recorded and filmed a version of the song “Dolphins” (an alternate live recording of which finally appeared on Disk One of the Secret Box compilation in 2000), however the said film has never been screened and still resides in the T.V.N.Z. vaults. The second version of Oncoming Day was recorded in March 1985, this particular version was scrapped and is available on Disk Two of Secret Box. The third version was recorded during the “I Love My Leather Jacket” sessions at Point Studios, London in December 1985 (with a different drummer other that Alan Haig to tackle the difficult drum beat), and the fourth was recorded during the June – July 1987 “Brave Words” album sessions, again recorded at Point Studios in London. Like the December 1985 version, this version was scrapped too.

    The Chills line up at this point in time was Martin Phillipps (guitars / vocals), Terry Moore (bass / vocals), Rachel Phillipps (keyboards) and Martyn Bull (drums).

    And a later version of the band plays the same song at the Windsor Castle in 1985. The sound on the recording’s pretty poor, but you have to love the crowd. It shows how electric The Chills could be:

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Russell Brown,

    There are a few pictures from The Trip...

    I like the sign in the background
    - a world where there is a PYMCA...
    that'd be the by Village Provos, right?

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Attachment

    Also folks don't forget the Free Poetry day event tonight in Chchch.

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    I like the sign in the background
    - a world where there is a PYMCA…
    that’d be the by Village Provos, right?

    Ha! It’s actually a watermark put there by the gallery that posted the image to plug an exhibition by a photographer called Dave Swindells.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Rob Hosking,

    Keeping with the Chills....at the Gluepot. Around the time of Cyclone Bola.

    One of my favourites of theirs (I remember singing the chorus atop of Angelus ridge in Nelson Lakes, one tramping summer holidays.....)

    And isn't the drumming on this just superb???

    South Roseneath • Since Nov 2006 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • Alan Perrott,

    well, I wasn't in Bristol but I was at that Windsor Castle gig - that too and fro surge at the front was always a pain in the arse. but I don't recall seeing so many moustaches.

    always thought the Chills were a way better live act than anything else. most of their recordings make my toes curl in a not good way.

    and damn good to see David Eggleton still doing his thing. he was a fairly regular Windsor support act as I recall.

    also Russell, mate, ewww, too much information.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 438 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Attachment Attachment

    Um, yeah, you’re gonna have to forgive me here. I’m on a roll. Another pic inside The Trip and one outside afterwards. I think the outside one may have been from the night the Kilgours came along.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Nick Russell,

    Goodness. I was at the Chills gig at the Fleece & Firkin in Bristol too. I think that must be about 75% of the crowd accounted for.

    I seem to recall Andrew Todd trying to play Summertime at one point when an amp failed.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 129 posts Report Reply

  • Hebe, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Also folks don’t forget the Free Poetry day event tonight in Chchch.

    Here's a new pome from my beloved that he has put out in honour of the day. He's planning "A Hundred Days of Poetude", starting today, because some peoples like Jeffrey Paparoa and me have finally convinced him to start publishing again after near 40 years.

    Drums roll, for this is a significant-to-a-few moment:

    PACIFIC SKILLS

    Takes a certain
    shifty skill
    this sanguine
    seaside shuffle
    down by wave
    line
    inconstant as
    the tides
    themselves.

    Took but 50
    or so
    Pacific summers
    to get the hang
    of safely shoed
    strolls
    hard by the
    tide.

    Some of my fellow
    skinny sand kicked
    pals from muscle beach
    shame have gone
    to bone/
    I've got sons strewn
    around and loves
    galore/
    while others I know
    have real
    j.o.b.s.
    Doing ,like
    work
    and stuff.

    Me -
    I've always loved
    that Greek
    philosopher

    dude
    living in a barrel
    that global
    warlord
    Alexander
    offered anything
    he wanted
    in the world
    who told the
    Lord of the world
    “Yeah, move
    you're
    blocking
    my sun.”

    I don't get
    house calls
    from Gods
    or their reverse
    in fact here
    by the beach the offers
    get rarer
    by the wrinkle.

    But like a
    Pacific Prospero/
    all undone
    by time
    and tide
    I still hold that
    shifty skill/
    the high priest
    of the seventh wave
    I can dance
    the tideline
    but keep
    my feet
    dry!
    …..............................................................
    Greg Jackson / Te Wai Pounamu

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report Reply

  • ChrisW, in reply to Hebe,

    Attachment

    Drums roll, for this is a significant-to-a-few moment:
    PACIFIC SKILLS

    I'm doubly impressed. Your post at 2.31pm, cf. Geonet tells us:

    Public Id: 2013p613797
    NZST: Friday, August 16 2013 at 2:31:05 pm
    Intensity: severe
    Depth: 8 km
    Magnitude: 6.2
    Location: 10 km south-east of Seddon

    and the drum roll of the Pacific Plate is still resonating.

    Gisborne • Since Apr 2009 • 851 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Russell Brown,

    And a later version of the band plays the same song at the Windsor Castle in 1985.

    Is that Alan Haig on drums?
    I see he has a fine photography website these days.
    (and nicely constructed by Jay Clarkson's son, Sam, no less)

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to ChrisW,

    ...is still resonating.

    Man, they are getting hammered up there in Seddon
    poor buggers, my heart goes out to them...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • ChrisW, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Man, they are getting hammered up there in Seddon
    poor buggers, my heart goes out to them...

    Indeed. These shallow and centred on land, main shock and many of the aftershocks around the Lake Grassmere (saltworks) not out in the middle of Cook Strait like that and those last month.

    Gisborne • Since Apr 2009 • 851 posts Report Reply

  • Mike O'Connell, in reply to Gabor Toth,

    Aah yes Filton - at least it had a Concorde!

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 385 posts Report Reply

  • Nick Russell, in reply to Mike O'Connell,

    There are much worse places in Bristol than Filton. Bedminster or Knowle West for starters.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 129 posts Report Reply

  • Mike O'Connell, in reply to Alan Perrott,

    I may well have been at this one too, about May I recall? With Alpaca Brothers in support? Oncoming Day was always a Chills' crowd fave as was Night of Chill Blue at the time.

    BTW no Audioculture posting yet for Alpaca Brothers though a 'link' to Snapper. They were also from Dunedin? Whatever became of them?

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 385 posts Report Reply

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