29 Mar 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Mi-Sex - Mi-Sex & Eddie Rayner Project @ The Studio, Auckland 28/8/14

29 Aug 2014 // A review by Andrew Smit

A grand crowd turned out to see some prestige Kiwi Rock talent in the form of the Eddie Rayner Project and Mi-Sex, in the perfectly sized chamber of The Studio on K’ Rd.

Mr Eddie Rayner kicked off with a wonderful prelude piano concerto which lead brazenly into Give It A Whirl which brought everyone to attention and in no doubt that they were in for a major treat. The sound was powerful yet crisp and distinct, and very familiar. Eddie has collected some awesome musicians to belt our these tunes and they did so with enthusiasm and panache.

Split Enz hits were performed brilliantly and affectionately received, as were the excellent covers of Easy Beats Friday on my Mind and The Beatles Don’t Let Me Down.

Rikki Morris’s singing was excellent and did a superb job to replicate the well-known Enz songs, we were also treated to great vocals from Bassist Eddie Gaiger, a very talented collective indeed.

They finished with History Never Repeats, which in this instance I sincerely hope not, as Eddie blew my socks off, and then Mi-Sex went about blowing my mind!

This new line up produced a very strong and tight sound which burst off the stage, lead singer Steve Balbi leapt around and engaged with the audience with vigour and purpose that was infectious and very entertaining. It almost veiled his vocal talents, which were amazing and a near perfect fit for the well-known Mi-Sex sound of the late Steve Gilpin. His relationship with his microphone was a performance in itself, like wrestling with an octopus at times and it provided extra amusement. But nothing could be taken away from the sound booming from the stage, superb and faithful renditions of each hit song was pounded out, it was loud and breath taking. Guitarist Colin Bayley ripped out an impressive song as lead vocalist and there was seriously proficient lead guitar from the young Mr Travis New.

Mi-Sex came back for an encore and presented a new song that rocked hard and sounded like an old hit, but of course they had to finish with an oldie but a goodie and all the People were very very appreciative of it.

If you get the chance to see them, please do yourself a favour and just do it.

 

About Mi-Sex

In 1972 Steve Gilpin was a cabaret singer, singing standards and winning television New Faces shows. Dressed in tuxedo and bow-tie he performed on the provincial hotel circuit for 5 years. But the real Steve was a frustrated rock'n'roller who couldn't wait to discard the suit and tie and belt out some real rock tunes. During one of his performances at the Awapuni Hotel in Palmerston North in 1976, he saw a group called Father Thyme also playing and was very impressed with them, suggesting that they do something together some time.

Father Thyme originated from Hamilton in 1974. They consisted of Steve Grant on vocals, Don Bedgegood on guitar, Alan Moon on organ, Lyndsay Brook on drums and Don Martin on bass. Lyndsay and Don had previously been with Freeway. Playing mainly progressive rock, they also did the hotel circuit, until their style of music was no longer popular, disbanding in May 1977.

Alan Moon and Don Martin took Steve up on his offer and the three teamed up. They added guitarist Kevin Stanton and drummer Phil Smart to the line-up and called themselves Fragments Of Time. Stanton had previously been with heavy metal bands Think and Brigade. The group followed along the path that had been taken by Father Thyme, basing themselves in Hamilton. There was a lot of competition around at the time, with Hello Sailor and Citizen Band doing extremely well, so Steve decided that they should try a different direction and become a 'New Wave' band.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Mi-Sex

Releases

The Essential Mi-Sex
Year: 2007
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape
'79-'85
Year: 1998
Type: Album
Caught In The Act
Year: 1988
Type: Album
Where Do They Go?
Year: 1983
Type: Album
Shanghaied
Year: 1981
Type: Album
Space Race
Year: 1980
Type: Album
Grafitti Crimes
Year: 1979
Type: Album
Computer Games
Year: 1979
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Andrew Smit

Album Review: 1 Drop Nation
20 Dec 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Opening with a very spiritual Maori haka Intro - Waerea, we were introduced to the opening track Homeland, which is an unashamedly patriotic Aotearoa anthem with repeated strains of "We are one nation". This is a track that proudly declares love for home, while also being a rally call for the future.
Read More...
Tahini Bikini - Album Review: Fever Dream
15 Nov 2022 // by Andrew Smit
An album full of very danceable funk tunes, loaded with tight guitar, bass, brass and percussion that provide a perfect foundation for the expressive soulful vocals of Madeline Lucy Taylor. Her unique clarity is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse or our own Kiwi songstress Gin Wigmore.
Read More...
Haze Lane - Single/Video Review: Natural Feeling
22 Aug 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Matching the songs title very aptly South Auckland indie band Haze Lane has produced Natural Feeling, a very organic song that does indeed deliver a very smooth natural feeling. The ultra-cool ambient sound is reminiscent to the early roots sound of Six60 and L.
Read More...
Gig Review: Anthonie Tonnon @ Hollywood Cinema, Auckland - 14/05/2022
16 May 2022 // by Andrew Smit
On a coolish Saturday evening it was great to see a rather large crowd that clearly were so happy and eager to experience a night of live music, and what a perfect venue to stage it at the slightly musty but still majestic Hollywood Cinema in Avondale. Opening the proceedings was the cool 4 piece band Lips with their ambient 80’s groove thanks to the techno synth sounds from keyboardist and singer Steph Brown.
Read More...
Vogel Town - Single Review: Sludge City
24 Apr 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Interestingly Vogel Town's new song Sludge City begins with an automated telephone voice, and then a street argument which is soon accompanied by a very groovy walking bass line, quickly growing from just a couple of notes to a broad melody of its own. At first the only addition is some nice, nonchalant drum fills, but as the background street noise fades away, the introduction of vibrant reverberating guitar strums adds a final element that completes the ensemble perfectly, and altogether this provides a very cool bluesy vibe.
Read More...
SKRAM - Single Review: Living Our Lives
22 Mar 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Beginning with some straightforward but quite funky keys your soon steered to a very upbeat and chunky ensemble of music that energetically drives along with its super groovy reggae vibe. SKRAM are a very high energy 3-piece pop group that have delivered a fine tune that embodies their claim of “energetic” perfectly.
Read More...
Tomorrow People - Album Review: 21
02 Jan 2022 // by Andrew Smit
Tomorrow People have produced a wonderful assemblage of uplifting reggae tunes that are performed and sung with heart and purpose. All 16 tracks are packed with brilliant harmonies that are propelled along by the glorious uplifting off beat rhythmic delight that reggae music delivers so well.
Read More...
Torn Chorus - Single/Video Review: This City Floats
10 Sep 2021 // by Andrew Smit
From a simple opening beat to a wonderful flourish of acoustic guitars layered with luscious chorus and flange effects, the new single from Torn Chorus, This City Floats, is brought to life with wailing electric lead guitar licks and slides that sound melodically precise and emotive. Crisp vocals tell you about the labour and reward that you get for following the beaten path to the top, which as the video shows so well, is Auckland’s remnant volcanic cones, but the metaphor could be used for any journey in life.
Read More...
View All Articles By Andrew Smit

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem