Hard News by Russell Brown

Yes, Martin Phillipps has always carried the weight of destiny around. 'This is the way, this is the only way for me..." Not the anger against class or generation that pre-occupied the punks, but resigned recognition that this life on the road was going to be hard one. Will always be my favorite band.

Disparate Dan...

Martin Phillipps has always carried the weight of destiny

Apparently there were five attempts to record 'Oncoming Day'. It says here ...

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.

Well that's a huge chunk of my work day taken care of...

The is the live version glimpsed in the Curse of the Chills trailer, recorded May 10, 1985. I was presumably there, and this how the song always sounds to me at heart – fast and defiant.

Apparently there were five attempts to record 'Oncoming Day'

i heard that too. I always thought Alan Haig was a great steady beat drummer but Martyn Bull certainly had a lot of subtleties as evidenced by the Mayfair Theatre clip. Nice seeing that 12-string again - my brother somehow acquired it off TradeMe a few years back for a modest sum. It's a bit of a bugger to tune up as a 12 string my brother finds, and that was why Martin got rid of it apparently. If there's ever a Chills exhibition...

Who was the 'replacement' drummer in 1985?Caroline Easther? BTW what's the source for that article?

One of my favs from the back catalogue has always been Juicy Creaming Soda

Spank is one of those songs which seems to pop up at garage sales and op shops a lot more than others - must have been huge back in the day. A quick refresh via the video reminded me of a Lee Dorsey 'Night People' remix which doesn't seem to be locatable on youtube, so heres the original:

I listened to the first episode of the 'History of funk' series and somewhat deflatingly only knew (have) two of the songs - Sad Chicken and Happy Moon Strut! Theres a lotta funk out there ... curiously I've really slowed down on downloading stuff over the past 12 months as I have a digital motza already and feel like I'll never get to stuff. First world problems ...

Anyhows, not sure if I have posted it before but am continuing to enjoy the 'On the Wire' radio show for the reggae vibes. Each show is genre tagged, so you can navigate your way thru - often its just the first hour which is on the reggae tip, but they tend to be loaded with the goodness. Way back in 2014 there was a guest called 'Breadwinner', and thats worth checking because you don't go by the name Breadwinner unless you've got some really good toons.

https://www.mixcloud.com/otwradio/

Oh, if anyone is at a loose end in Christchurch Tonight, the Androidss (sadly sans 4 original members) are set to perform their memorial gig at Churchills - doors 9pm, $10 on door.

I found this raucous Androidss number, Plasticene Babies - audio only, live at Gladstone,1981

raucous Androidss number(s)

This 12 string? Not sure of the venue, Windsor Castle maybe, sometime in 1988 with the Straightjackets. I do love The Chills!

more treasures being freed up to market
Posters: Toy Love
http://www.trademe.co.nz/music-instruments/music-memorabilia/posters-prints/pop/auction-1120126668.htm

Wilko Johnson Band
http://www.trademe.co.nz/music-instruments/music-memorabilia/posters-prints/pop/auction-1120134518.htm

others include So So Modern , Beech & Faircluff (chchch 1975)

Vinyl: Charlie Mingus (1966)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/music-instruments/vinyl/lps-33-rpm/jazz-blues/auction-1120145598.htm

others include PiL (album); The Jam (this is the modern world); Mink DeVille (Le Chat Bleu); Arthur Brown (Dance).

Plus some Disney and other comics...

all listings:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=1629586

sometime in 1988 with the Straightjackets

Ahem - Straitjackets - you're in good company though - the publishers got that wrong on the back of Roger's book, too!
;- )

Ahem - Straitjackets

Not to be confused with Dire Straights?

Posters: Toy Love

Oh, I love this.

No, not that one. An earlier one, a Yamaha. Bro reckons it's on the 12" Dunedin Double. Martin used it up until about 1985 I think. I'm trying to find a pic.

others include PiL (album)

Damn; had that in the silver tin. Reading "Rise" has set off the internal jukebox.

Who was the 'replacement' drummer in 1985?Caroline Easther?

Caroline Easther was drummer in the first half of the 80s for how long I don't know. (She was flatting with a friend.)

Caroline Easther was drummer in the first half of the 80s for how long I don't know. (She was flatting with a friend.)

Er, second half, actually. She would've replaced Alan Haig who left in '85 after the 'Leather Jacket' single, then she would've joined in '86, played on Brave Words in '87, left, in, '88 (IIRC) due to tinnitus, and was replaced by James Stephenson who drummed on Submarine Bells and left himself in late '90 or so.

Yes. I'm pretty sure the stand-in drummer will have been a mate of Craig Taylor, the future manager of The Chills.

Craig was working at the time with the Thompson Twins' publisher, which also had an interest in Point Studio. Wild guess: maybe it was former Thompson Twins drummer Chris Bell?

.

The Chills always give me chills but in a positive way. I am looking forward to the documentary.

-----------------

Vote: http://www.musicbanter.com

Phil, I've worked out what Martin's guitar is/was, this one, a 1970's
Yamaha FG 230.

Just a reminder too for those folk about to head along and see Lawrence Arabia and band in N Island - what a treat it will be. Get your tix quick, they were on fire last night at Blue Smoke, ably supported (here at least) by the up-and-coming multi-talented Ryan Fisherman who in his 'spare time' (he's in 6-7 bands at last count, including drums for Doprah) has conjured up a wonderful rendition on banjo, acoustic guitar and mandolin of LA's I've Smoked Too Much - enjoy!

Blue Smoke BTW and increasingly better venue, looking more like a band venue than the wine bar it started out as Gustavs. Among others Shayne P Carter is booked in with his piano for Aug 26.