Reviews
Party still rages
The Guardian, 29 Apr 1998.
The summer might be almost over but the party still rages for Palmerston North band
Bing Turkby Ensemble.
Bing (aka librarian Craig Johnston) released his third album, Summer Party,
on compact disc before Christmas and, as you do, decided to promote it four months
later.
Summer Party follows last year's releases Grabs you by the Plimenos
and Bing Turkby Meets Moslem Sa - both concept albums rooted deeply in Turakina.
Party continues the Turikina theme, obviously growing up in the remote Rangitikei
town had a profound effect on Bing.
On Party he dedicates 2 minutes and 51 seconds to Turakina.
"Sure Turakina's been a big influence. On that song I talk about all the famous
people I went to school with ... I showed Elvis a few moves," he says.
The really big news is living Kiwi music legend Chris Knox reviewed Summer Party
for Real Groove magazine and labelled track four, Kill Me Off at Unix Level,
as a potential hit single.
All Bing has to do now is get a radio station to play it.
The song title is something to do with computer trouble shooting jargon.
Meanwhile the ensemble is swelling.
Saxophonist Stu Hubbard has joined the squad and drummer Nemo Spork (aka Brett Green
aka Bob from disturbed band Rungled) also failed to dodge the draft.
They played the Massey Concourse last week.
"We didn't scare that many scarfies away, quite a few of them stayed and listened,"
Bing says.
Perhaps more out of shock than fascination.
The extra ensemblers allow Bing to play his sax, guitar, trombone and sampler to
complete the full audio onslaught.
He recently bought an accordian, "for maximum cheese" effect but can't play it yet.
In keeping with the mutant rock scene Bing has a pair of crushed velvet purple
flares as part of his stage outfit. However, he was recently upstaged by a member
of the Dallas Pro-Drag All Stars at Harvesters Bar. One of them had flared leather
pants with flames up the side.
It's about "maximum impact", style is everything.
Summer Party is a bit "all over the place", Bing says, but the mood is positive.
"I find I write more happier tunes in the summer. It's (the album) good because
every year it renews itself.
"It's not a concept album but I did put in a lot of (spoken) intros and outros.
It's more of a comedy album. Really it's just a summer party in my room. I don't
know how anyone will find it (the album) but I'm having a good time."
Party boasts the world's first four-minute opera - The Shop (an opera in 2
bits) - based on a visit to the dairy.
"I like the idea of opera. You take a really boring, mudane thing and you sing about
it for ages."
The Bing Turkby Ensemble will inflict another performance on an unsuspecting public
at Harvesters Bar & Cafe on Wednesday, May 5. Support is from pop-rocksters
Julia Dreams. Late start but free.