Reviews
10 Northern Bands: Central
James Lissette, New Zealand Musician, Jun/Jul 1998.
He lists his favorite sweets as tangy fruits and spaceman candies. Bing Turkby Ensemble
aka Craig Johnston is one of Palmy's primo performers. Armed with his trusty collection
of saxs, trombones, guitars and his Ibanez 'Rock and Play' beat box Bing produces
the Ensemble's music on his trusty four-track on the floor rocking machine.
Bing describes his music as "tectonic plates colliding except quieter with trombone".
It's rock, but the type you find with little holes in it for pens and incense and
things.
The most recent release from the bedroom of Bing is 'Grabs you by the Pimientos'.
This fantastic album has brought the world of fame to Bing's street but he is still
waiting for it to be at his door. Says Bing: "I've read David Ellefon from Megadeath's
book on making it, so I'm expecting a lot of A&R rock types to lunch me but
it's all in vain because I've signed up with Turkby Tone records".
He fills his days by being a "boring-ass librarian" and his nights by "being a boring-ass
muso". Bing also says "I was quite happy just doing it in my bedroom but everyone
kept encouraging me and not laughing at my music. Stu from Foisemaster has been
a big help and an inspiration to keep making music and grow taller, as have the
Stomach staff".
Plans are already underway for the new Bing Turkby Ensemble release which will feature
more jungle type sounds, including hippos, 'cos Bing likes them.
To get in contact with Bing and buy some Ensemble sounds, write to PO Box 1573,
Palmerston North.